Topic: 1975 Honda CB500 build (converting from cafe racer to scrambler)

[wmajinw]

Hello all

I recently bought a winter project for me and my father - a 1975 Honda CB500 which was built by PO to a cafe racer.

The cafe racer style for the current state of my back is a no go, so I decided to try and convert it to a scrambler style.

The engine seems healthy and looks like it was recently rebuilt. I can see some of the gaskets sticking out are new. Also, the cylinders are from a CB550.

First things first, I'm starting with the front fork rebuild. I've disassembled everything and cleaned the fork uppers and it looks like I'll need to look for some fresh upper, because these are pitted. The pitting isn’t very big, but it’ll get on my nerves, so getting the new upper will save me the constant fretting over them.

Fork lowers seem to be powder coated, but since I want to have a "shiny" and not a "blacked out" build, that'll need to be removed and the lowers polished.

The exhaust is a leaky mess, so I'll need to look for a new one.

The back tire seems so skinny. I previously had a V-Rod, so the question "what’s the biggest size I can get on the back" is still embedded deep into my mind.

Maybe some of you'll help me with some questions that I have:

1.   I’ve searched the forum and I understand that the consensus is that the tire specs should be as close to the recommended as possible. Wider tires will make them wear funny. I read on a build article that you could use a "DID 3.50" x 18" rim for the back to run a wider tire (source: https://www.bikebound.com/2020/07/03/honda-cb550-m4/). The only rims I could find with these specs seem to be Harley Davidson Sportster rims. Has anyone tried to lase this kind of rim to back wheel hub?

2.   Any recommendations on the exhaust? I’m thinking either Delkevic manifold + universal cone muffler or these drag pipes, which seem nice http://www.nichecycle.com/ncs/categories/exhaust/exhaust-systems/201-0606-honda-cb500-550-tt-drag-pipes-thru-76-by-mac-performance.html

[newday777]

Welcome aboard the forum from southern NH.
Where are you located?
1.
Have you looked at Buchanan Spoke and Rims for rims?
2.
If you are going with a scrambler style, I wouldn't suggest the drag pipes.
Delkevic has great systems. Christmas prices are starting with them. Look at their "straight  muffler"
https://delkevic.com/full-system-to-fit-cb500-four-1971-1973-cb550-1974-1975-cb550k-1975-1978-cb550f-1975-1977-with-classic-straight-universal-muffler-and-stainless-steel-4-1-downpipes/

Just the header
https://delkevic.com/stainless-steel-4-1-headers-to-fit-cb500-four-1971-1973-cb500-four-1971-1973-cb550-1974-1975-cb550k-1975-1978-cb550f-1975-1977/

[Alan F.]

Welcome from Boston.

I'd suggest that before deciding on your rim widths that you have a look at what tires are available that match your goals for this project and work from there.

[wmajinw]

Welcome from Boston.

I'd suggest that before deciding on your rim widths that you have a look at what tires are available that match your goals for this project and work from there.

Anything roadbased will do the trick. The scrambler build I have in mind is more for ergonomics. Not planning on running any knobby tires.

Welcome aboard the forum from southern NH.
Where are you located?
1.
Have you looked at Buchanan Spoke and Rims for rims?
2.
If you are going with a scrambler style, I wouldn't suggest the drag pipes.
Delkevic has great systems. Christmas prices are starting with them. Look at their "straight  muffler"
https://delkevic.com/full-system-to-fit-cb500-four-1971-1973-cb550-1974-1975-cb550k-1975-1978-cb550f-1975-1977-with-classic-straight-universal-muffler-and-stainless-steel-4-1-downpipes/

Just the header
https://delkevic.com/stainless-steel-4-1-headers-to-fit-cb500-four-1971-1973-cb500-four-1971-1973-cb550-1974-1975-cb550k-1975-1978-cb550f-1975-1977/

I did look at Buchanan Spokes, but since I'm in EU, the shipping and import taxes will cost me the same as the rims themselves. I was wondering more in theory if the Harley rims would lace up to the Honda hubs since where I'm at theres plenty second-hand harley parts going around.

[spotty]

Welcome aboard the forum from southern NH.
Where are you located?
1.
Have you looked at Buchanan Spoke and Rims for rims?
2.
If you are going with a scrambler style, I wouldn't suggest the drag pipes.
Delkevic has great systems. Christmas prices are starting with them. Look at their "straight  muffler"
https://delkevic.com/full-system-to-fit-cb500-four-1971-1973-cb550-1974-1975-cb550k-1975-1978-cb550f-1975-1977-with-classic-straight-universal-muffler-and-stainless-steel-4-1-downpipes/

Just the header
https://delkevic.com/stainless-steel-4-1-headers-to-fit-cb500-four-1971-1973-cb500-four-1971-1973-cb550-1974-1975-cb550k-1975-1978-cb550f-1975-1977/

i've got one of these in near perfect condition that you could have cheap if you want to arrange shipping from australia.....

[newday777]

Welcome aboard the forum from southern NH.
Where are you located?
1.
Have you looked at Buchanan Spoke and Rims for rims?
2.
If you are going with a scrambler style, I wouldn't suggest the drag pipes.
Delkevic has great systems. Christmas prices are starting with them. Look at their "straight  muffler"
https://delkevic.com/full-system-to-fit-cb500-four-1971-1973-cb550-1974-1975-cb550k-1975-1978-cb550f-1975-1977-with-classic-straight-universal-muffler-and-stainless-steel-4-1-downpipes/

Just the header
https://delkevic.com/stainless-steel-4-1-headers-to-fit-cb500-four-1971-1973-cb500-four-1971-1973-cb550-1974-1975-cb550k-1975-1978-cb550f-1975-1977/

i've got one of these in near perfect condition that you could have cheap if you want to arrange shipping from australia.....

Hmmmm..... spotty now you sound like a facebook scammer...."I've got one of these"
BTW one of these what?( I listed 2 different links)

[spotty]

Welcome aboard the forum from southern NH.
Where are you located?
1.
Have you looked at Buchanan Spoke and Rims for rims?
2.
If you are going with a scrambler style, I wouldn't suggest the drag pipes.
Delkevic has great systems. Christmas prices are starting with them. Look at their "straight  muffler"
https://delkevic.com/full-system-to-fit-cb500-four-1971-1973-cb550-1974-1975-cb550k-1975-1978-cb550f-1975-1977-with-classic-straight-universal-muffler-and-stainless-steel-4-1-downpipes/

Just the header
https://delkevic.com/stainless-steel-4-1-headers-to-fit-cb500-four-1971-1973-cb500-four-1971-1973-cb550-1974-1975-cb550k-1975-1978-cb550f-1975-1977/

i've got one of these in near perfect condition that you could have cheap if you want to arrange shipping from australia.....

Hmmmm..... spotty now you sound like a facebook scammer...."I've got one of these"
BTW one of these what?( I listed 2 different links)

bad me.... Terry can vouch for my good character
its the top one, i bought it at a swap meet a few weeks ago harbouring the faint hope that i could adapt it to fit my 750, and whilst i probably could i might also destroy it and still not have it fit either the 750 or the 500/550 and that would be a waste of a beautiful piece of work. so i'm hoping i can sell it on to someone who can actually use it and then i'll buy a 4-1 for the 750 and butcher that instead for the 750 trail bike ( not a scrambler )

[newday777]

I was just inserting a bit of humor spotty, I should have included a "LOL" in that poke on you to clarify that. 

[HondaMan]

Here's a 750 I rebuilt some years ago (back for some more work) that the owner rides up to the foot of Fourteeners around here, then climbs the mountain. It's got knobbies front & rear and a custom upswept SATO 4-2 pipe set I found in Italy (in 2010) for it.

Somewhere in these forums is a picture of an SOHC4 (it might be a 550?) hillclimber with knobbies and a custom upswept 4-2 pipeset, too.

[wmajinw]

Thank you all for the input. I guess I'll be going with the Delkevic for the exhaust. Still waiting if they decide to give any discount on their co.uk website.

In the mean time I finally trying to sort out what upper fork tubes should i get (separate thread on (http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php/topic,193999.0.html)