Author Topic: 73 CB500 Barn Find - love a project!  (Read 118 times)

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Offline beerme351

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73 CB500 Barn Find - love a project!
« on: December 01, 2024, 06:36:38 AM »
Hi,

First off, thank you to all the members who have posted and shared their knowledge (Especially Hondaman!!) and experience on this wonderful community, it has been extremely invaluable to me during my first build, a 77 CB750.   My first Honda rebuild.  Purchased at an estate auction of an old Harley shop owners, sat outside for 20+ years.  Luckily I live in Colorado and there was little to no rust on the bike.  I have thoroughly enjoyed tweaking, adjusting, and most importantly riding this bike, that I thought what the heck that was a lot of fun.  It would be great to do it again.

So the passive search began...and I came across this family in northern Nebraska, who wasn't sure if this bike was rebuildable and just wanted to see it go to a good home.  This bike was their late fathers who passed away from a farm accident several years ago.  So I made the 6.5 hour drive and back in one day to come across this CB500 that was hiding in a barn they were cleaning out.  However, due to some of the rust, it is clear it wasn't always in a barn, but it should be fine to rebuild.  At least it is a mostly complete bike with potential of breathing some new life in it.  The engine is free, which was a relief to find after the long drive.  I have and will be keeping them posted on this project so they can see how their Dads bike is being transformed.

At any rate, my plan is to take my time and go through everything methodically and bring this bike back to glory.  I haven't rebuilt an engine on my own as of yet, (Mark and I rebuilt my 750 engine) and am a bit anxious to do that solo.  I learn most by doing :)

I've started the tear down, and have come across a number of things that stand out (mystery/question marks) differently from my 750, so I will have plenty of questions!  I do love a project and learning, and looks like I will be doing just that with this beauty.


Offline denward17

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Re: 73 CB500 Barn Find - love a project!
« Reply #1 on: December 01, 2024, 07:01:24 AM »
Good find, following for progress updates.

Offline BenelliSEI

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Re: 73 CB500 Barn Find - love a project!
« Reply #2 on: December 01, 2024, 01:46:29 PM »
Nice find. Good bones. Will be following too.

Offline newday777

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Re: 73 CB500 Barn Find - love a project!
« Reply #3 on: December 01, 2024, 02:46:40 PM »
Congratulations, it looks like a worthy winter project for you.
Stu
Honda Parts manager in the mid 1970s Nashua Honda
My current rides
1975 K5 Planet Blue my summer ride, it was a friend's bike I worked with at the Honda shop in 76, lots of fun to be on it again
1976 K6 Anteres Red rebuilding project, was originally my brother's that I set up from the crate, it'll breath again soon!
Project 750s, 2 K4, 2 K6, 1 K8
2008 GL1800 my daily ride and cross country runner

Prior bikes....
1972 Suzuki GT380 I had charge of it for a year in 1973 while my friend was deployed and learned to love street riding....
New CB450 K7 after my friend returned...
New CB750 K5 Planet Blue, demise by ex cousin in law at 9,000 miles...
New CB750 K6 Anteres Red, to replace the totaled K5, I sold this K6 at 45k in 1983, I had heavily modified it, many great memories on it and have missed it greatly.....
1983 GL1100A, 1999 GL1500 SE, 1999 GL1500A

Offline beerme351

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Re: 73 CB500 Barn Find - love a project!
« Reply #4 on: December 01, 2024, 02:58:04 PM »
Good garage day, most of the dismantling is done.  Not much gave me difficulty, but did come across three items for insight:

1) At the lower triple tree steering stop, it looks like it has been welded/mangled with.  I inspected handle bars, side pegs, and side of engine it doesn't look like the bike was laid down on it's side but it is odd.   This stop, on the right side, isn't stopping as it should, so I'll have to address that later on down the road.

2). There is a bracket that surely isn't stock, I'm guessing this had to be related to the "Vetter" fairing that once was installed?

3) There is a portion of the rear drum brake housing in the wheel that has a chip/piece damaged.  Think it's salvageable? or is a new rear wheel needed?

Cheers

Offline newday777

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Re: 73 CB500 Barn Find - love a project!
« Reply #5 on: December 01, 2024, 03:37:24 PM »
That is a strange welded on bracket
Stu
Honda Parts manager in the mid 1970s Nashua Honda
My current rides
1975 K5 Planet Blue my summer ride, it was a friend's bike I worked with at the Honda shop in 76, lots of fun to be on it again
1976 K6 Anteres Red rebuilding project, was originally my brother's that I set up from the crate, it'll breath again soon!
Project 750s, 2 K4, 2 K6, 1 K8
2008 GL1800 my daily ride and cross country runner

Prior bikes....
1972 Suzuki GT380 I had charge of it for a year in 1973 while my friend was deployed and learned to love street riding....
New CB450 K7 after my friend returned...
New CB750 K5 Planet Blue, demise by ex cousin in law at 9,000 miles...
New CB750 K6 Anteres Red, to replace the totaled K5, I sold this K6 at 45k in 1983, I had heavily modified it, many great memories on it and have missed it greatly.....
1983 GL1100A, 1999 GL1500 SE, 1999 GL1500A