Topic: Seariously considering selling - advice wanted

[Toyman321]

So I'm seriously considering selling my cb500. With my current job and having to lug so much stuff back and fourth to work I haven't been able to ride it as much as I'd like, I've also been so swamped with work and our new house that I haven't had the time to work on the bike either. I'm looking for any input as to how much you all think I could get for the bike, also the bike needs a little bit of work, runs fine but was wondering if any of the work should be done before I sell.

Here's the info: 1973 cb500, repainted black and de-badged, 4 into 2 straight pipes with baffles (still very loud), k&n filter pods, 20379 miles on it, lowering blocks on the rear, new lower bars, new tires with less than 1000 miles on them, current CA tags and reg

Here'e the not so good: can tensioner bolt sheared off, carb #1 occasionally leeks, headlight rewired so it's on all the time however there is no highbeam (don't ask me... p.o.), some strange electrical problem that blows the main fuse when left turn signal is turned on (Im going to fix that before it sells)

Here's the pics:




and I've got a video of it running, someone a while back wanted audio of the exhaust:


So what do you all think? I wanted to get some input before I put it on ebay/paper/foum sale section.

Thanks!

[Bob Wessner]

You don't mention a desperate need for the money. If that's the case, I would set it up for storage in a corner of your garage and save it for another day. If you get rid of it, you will likely regret it down the road. Trust me, they store well.

[Toyman321]

Yes true, but I don't have the room for more than one bike (two car garage, four cars) and a 599 may be on the way which the cash from the sale of this one would help out with 

[Bob Wessner]

In that case, scan eBay for current listings as well as sold and get a feel for what they are going for. Good luck. Once you feel comfortable with a price, you can list it here as well in the "Bikes For Sale" area.

[tramp]

i like the look of the bike
if you want to sell it should sell quick
but i agree that if you don't need the money,store it
somewhere but store it

[333]

Don't do it!

[TwoTired]

The cam tensioner bolt shear is a serious problem and the bike shouldn't be run with it in that condition.  Basically, the cam chain has no tensioner now and centrifugal force makes the chain fly out and chew up the engine cases.  If you have been running it like that for a while, you probably have aluminum in the oil filter.
You will need a new tensioner, and the cam cover, at least, needs to be removed for the repair.

You should be able to get $800 or more for the bike with a good tensioner.  More if the buyer doesn't notice or recognize the tensioner issue and likes loud exhaust systems.  It IS a good looking bike in the pictures.

Because of the tensioner issue, I wouldn't give more than $300-400 for it now.  And that's before checking if the the cam cover has elongated rocker shaft holes, hich is a common issue on these machines.  A new cam cover is $250 from Honda, though you can get a 77-78 CB550 cam cover cheaper on ebuy.  If the cam cover is bad, then the cam could be, as well. More repair $.

Sorry, but that's my input.   

[Toyman321]

Thanks for the info... I should have stated I that I have not run the bike since the bolt broke. As I have not dug into this engine, what is the procedure for replacing the tensioner?

[tramp]

check the tech library here there should be something
good luck!

[Toyman321]

I've searched all over the place and found lots of good info on adjusting it, I just haven't found any info on replacing it. Im just trying to figure out how far down into the motor I will have to go to get this thing out and get a new one in. I've engine diagrams, I just can't tell from looking at them how much I will have pull off the motor to slide the thing out the top of the motor.... I supposed I'll move this portion of the discussion to the tech section.

[754]

I would try this.. get it good and hot with propane torch and let it cool. a couple times may be better.  Get a narrow chisel and grind to a good sharp point on 1 corner, now get a good nick in the bolt with that at about 2 0'clock position(looking from rear of bike)   Now dull the chisel a bit or turn away from sharp part. catch the nick and tap.. ..lots of gentle taps.. it may start turning. If it does you should be able to get it out.

Wiggling back and forth after you can grab it may help.

[TwoTired]

I would try this.. get it good and hot with propane torch and let it cool. a couple times may be better.  Get a narrow chisel and grind to a good sharp point on 1 corner, now get a good nick in the bolt with that at about 2 0'clock position(looking from rear of bike)   Now dull the chisel a bit or turn away from sharp part. catch the nick and tap.. ..lots of gentle taps.. it may start turning. If it does you should be able to get it out.

Wiggling back and forth after you can grab it may help.

This will not do any good at all for this problem.  The adjuster stud is not in a threaded hole, and is affixed to the adjuster itself inside the engine.
The adjuster stud normally turns under spring pressure to snug the friction shoe against the chain.  The nut that is normally on there simply freezes it in position so the shoe can't move away from the chain.

If you started the bike now, the remaining bit of stud would turn a little as you reved the engine and then move back when the engine returned to idle.

Page 46 of the Honda shop manual depicts the the chain tensioner.  Though I haven't done this, I believe you can remove the cam cover, cam and the hold down bolt for the tensioner and remove it from the chain tunnel.  It is long though, so there may be bike frame portions that block extraction insertion.  BryanJ would know if this can be done with the engine in the bike, PM him.  I would certainly give it a try without contrary info.

Be sure to back out ALL the tappet adjusters when replacing the cam cover, lest you bend a bunch of valve stems. (See page 32 of the Honda Shop Manual)


Cheers,