Topic: '73 CB500 rat bike project update

[gregwaits]

This has to the slowest project going. I was hoping to get it licensed and on the road by the end of July. I am still about 25% of the way away. (damn budget issues!)

Anyway, here is where I am now. These pics don't indicate a final color. I am intending to paint the tank a deep orange, and I was considering doing the same with the side covers. But when I put them on for a look, I see they interefere with the individual air cleaners I have on the carbs, so I don't know where I am on side covers now! Suggestions?

The tank is from a Suzuki GL450 I believe. The seat was off of Ebay, fully reuphostered. I got lucky there. I will either have to get a riser for the bars or go back to the stock ones; as it is, the bars hit the tank.

The rear fender is from another Honda, but not a CB500 (ore cousin), and the tailight lens is from a Magna.

A new tire, some assorted wiring details and the painting and I am there. I wish I could have affored bead blasting of the engine and powder coating of the frame, but hey, its a start.

I took a dremel tool to the front fender. It turned out as good as I could have hoped.

Honest opinions welcome; this is my first try at making a stock bike look my own.

[kghost]

Please please take this as constructive and an attempt to be helpful...

NOT a critique.

I believe the gauges look a bit bizarre at the flat angle ya have them at.

Are they readable in a riding position easily? Maybe just a bit of tilt to them...

Purely opinion on style mind you.

[Bodain]

Generally my goal when bringing a non-running rust bucket back to life is to do it as economically possible. I mean lets be realistic. It's never gonna replace my no. 1 modern ride.

I actually like the flat instrument cluster. Thats pretty much how it sits on a 350. I think the 69 CB 750 was really the first bike to tilt big instruments up in your face. The tail light looks good. I would probably pursue that light if I were going to use a fender on my current CB, but it won't have a rear fender.

I would pass on the gas tank. Looks like your confused. I would never ever show this crowd that type of progress with that much rust on it. That would show much better with a weekend of nothing but plain old elbow grease.

If it's aluminum. It will shine like a mirror. Doesn't take much money. Does take a good deal of work.

[winnipeg550guy]

I have to agree with El Huero Loco, if your not going for stock,use what you got and ride what you got.
 
I think the profile of the tank looks great and would look really killer if you eventually went to a cafe' style seat set up like the one seen in the aforementioned El Huero Loco's avatar.    Looks killer!

     

[dagersh]

GW,

I like the tank, the guages and the fenders - they all look very clean in profile.  I have to agree with the cafe seat suggestion - the seat on there now sits up too high for the sharp angle of that tank.  If you don't want to get another seat, maybe try shaving down the front of the foam to meet the tank in a more flowing way.

Also, when it gets colder out, and you want some more projects, strip and polish that cool looking tank, and throw some older style Honda badges/decals on it.

Other than that - ride that beast!

Gersh

[Einyodeler]

Those are the correct gauges and at the correct level for the `71 and `72 500, they switched to the bigger tilted up gauges in `73. I have the smaller ones on my `72 and if you`re running clip-ons or clubmans that they sit just right.

[Jinxracing]

I don't usually like "teardrop" shaped tanks, but yours is really grabbing me (in a good way) for some reason. I really like the seat too, and I don't usually like full-length seats either. The smooth vinyl and the way the strap lines up perfectly with the shocks is really cool. I also like the flat gauges.

That front fender looks REALLY weird though being so short in the front...the term "motorcycle mullet" comes to mind. It looks like it wants to be turned around with the long part in the front and short in the back...or maybe just eliminating it altogether would be the ticket.

Since you're doing a rat bike theme have you thought about going with bare steel on the tank? Maybe a distressed/worn-looking painted Honda logo over the bare steel...covered with some clearcoat or wax to impede rust?

Kinda digging it...looks like something Fonzie would ride.