Topic: Who can tell me about my new bike?

[Flyr767]

I just rescued this beauty from a garage, where it's been kept, unstarted, for 18 years. It's a 1972 CB500/4. I rebuilt the carbs (totally gummed up), rebuilt front brake master cylinder, replaced dry rotted fuel lines, and put in a new battery. So far I've ridden her about 200 miles. What a blast! I have a few questions, though. The previous owner bought the bike in England in 1972. A few features which I assume are for the Euro market are the holes in front fender for license plate, black on black paint job, and headlight flasher feature on horn control button. Is this right? Also, are these stock rear shocks? They look different than others I've seen on the forum. And why does'nt my ride have the same grab bar around the back as others I've seen? Any insights would be appreciated. Great forum, by the way.

[750goes]

any chance of a bigger picture

the bike looks in good condition from what I can see..

[csendker]

550K?  What year?  Looks nice, but I don't know the nuances between the US & UK models.

[Gordon]

Looks like a 500.  The VIN would clear everything up.

[scunny]

500 ? I've had 2 both 72's and they didn't have grab handles

[333]

If it's anything like the 350F, The turnsignals and brake lights are the biggest difference.  A couple of years ago I found the Honda parts book online that covered US and both Euro(yes total of 3).  All 3 had different turn and brake lights.  Also 3 or 4 additional colors.

[Shooter]

Download the parts and the service manuals from this site.  They have a lot of info on your bike and the differences from model to model.

The engine and frame numbers will tell you a lot. This info available on this site also.

[SteveD CB500F]

You have a nice original UK or European 500/4 (K0, K1 or K2) Post the VIN (frame number and we'll tell you.

The holes in the front mudguard (UK models don't have "fenders") are correct for the date as the requirement for a front numberplate was removed on safety grounds in 1973.

The black on black paint scheme is correct.

The shocks are correct - the reason you don't see many are that most owners have swapped them out for aftermarket shocks. These shocks were poor when they were new! Mine has Hagons.

There was no grab handle fitted until the 550 came along in 1976. The handle you have is correct and is used for lifting the bike onto its centre stand.  The seat should have a strap.

The headlight flasher is correct and the horn should be marked "PA"

Follow the link in my signature to my gallery and take a look at my 500/4 (my tank painscheme is wrong and it is missing the silver trim. My seat is missing the strap too.)

[Flyr767]

Thanks for all the info. The engine # is CB500E-2136564. The frame # is CB500 2048443. Can I find better shocks that retain the original appearance? Also, there is sometimes a small leak in the casing. Seems to me that it is only below the head gasket so maybe that's what's leaking. But PO says it's from the "oil gallery". What does that mean?  Also, the #1 pipe is putting out alot of smoke  at idle, the rest are fine. Should I try some additive in the fuel to loosen a possible stuck ring situation? Thanks for any help.

[csendker]

The engine # is CB500E-2136564. The frame # is CB500 2048443.

CB500 for sure, but is that a K2 engine in a K1 frame? --> http://sohc4.us/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=80&Itemid=77

[SteveD CB500F]

I've just been out to the garage to check that you haven't actually got my bike!

Mine has a K2 engine in a K0 frame according to the numbers - obviously an engine swap at some time. I have history going back to 1982 so any swap must have been before then.

My #1 smokes and has low compression. It doesn't seem to hurt too much so I'm not too bothered about it at the moment.

Check out Hagon shocks for replacements (they do make lookalikes but not exact match)

These engines are very susceptible to oil leaks from the head. The oil "gallery" is the tunnel through the head that the oil takes to the top end.  There are pressure reducers between the barrels and the head which are sealed with o-rings. These harden over the years and eventually leak. The good news is that you can remove the head with the engine in the frame (unlike our 750 friends who have to remove the engine...)

[twisting_edge]

The previous owner bought the bike in England in 1972.

Out of curiosity, how'd the bike get to the U.S.? You're in PA, aren't you?

I'd assume the prior owner worked for the Navy or some such. When you muster out, they give you a certain weight of stuff they'll ship most anywhere for you. I've heard of people crating up half a ton of granite just to annoy their former employer. (Obviously, that individual didn't have enough belongings to make up the allotted weight.)

[nickjtc]

Woo hoo. I haven't seen a black-on-black 500 since they were first made available in the old country. I seem to remember that the brown-on-black was the most common colour.........Steve?

Most of the 'bikes of that era in the UK had mudguards with the holes in them...it wasn't until several years after the 'no front number plate' law was enacted that new bikes appeared without them.

What a nice bike.