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Author Topic: Help! Stranded by my '72 CB 500/4!!  (Read 1166 times)

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Offline Flyr767

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Help! Stranded by my '72 CB 500/4!!
« on: August 07, 2008, 02:58:06 PM »
 :'(On a road trip with the Missus today. Looked back to check on her (first time she was on the highway) and noticed a big grey cloud of smoke between her and me. Soon realized my bike was cause of said cloud as I began to lose power and had to pull over. Always had a bit of grey smoke and drippy oil from the #1 tailpipe, so I guess the road trip was too much. Question for all the CB knucklebusters out there... Where do I start and is it worth it? Was it the rings? What? I love this all original low mileage two owner European market cycle, but have never torn down an engine before. Can I do it? No choice I guess, since I can't afford to have it done for me. Any advice, sympathy, and commiseration would be greatly appreciated. This forum has been my go to source of info since day one on the bike. Thanks, Chris
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'72 CB500/4 black on black
'82 CM250 Custom

Offline kghost

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Re: Help! Stranded by my '72 CB 500/4!!
« Reply #1 on: August 07, 2008, 03:01:02 PM »
Sympathy waves sent your way......

Given that you are in PA and I'm in South Texas....may be a while getting there...

Yeah you can do it....theres no black magic...

Just patience and persevere.

You'll sure learn alot and be proud when its done.

Good luck
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Stranger in a strange land

Online Johnie

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Re: Help! Stranded by my '72 CB 500/4!!
« Reply #2 on: August 07, 2008, 03:31:06 PM »
Agreed...go for it.  You will have such a great sense of accomplishment when done.  Then you can help all the other guys with what you have learned.  I also think you will enjoy it.  Just don't set yourself a timetable on it.  Work on it when you can a little at a time.  I like winter for this stuff.  Heck, I started on my KO in November and finished in May.  It was a fun winter project.  Best of luck to you with it.  You will have fun...
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1970 CB750K0 - Candy Ruby Red
1973 CB750K3 - Candy Bacchus Olive or Sunflake Orange
1970 Chevy Chevelle SS396 - Cortez Silver
1976 GL1000 Sulphur Yellow

Oshkosh, WI  USA

andmoon

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Re: Help! Stranded by my '72 CB 500/4!!
« Reply #3 on: August 07, 2008, 03:47:22 PM »
When I was looking for heads I saw complete motors on ebay for ~$100.
Might be cheaper to replace then to repair.
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Offline heffay

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Re: Help! Stranded by my '72 CB 500/4!!
« Reply #4 on: August 07, 2008, 03:59:40 PM »
are you still stranded?!

if it doesn't run... strip it for parts... leave it for the sohc4 vultures... sell parts for bus ride.










good luck!
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Today: '73 cb350f, '96 Ducati 900 Supersport
Past Rides: '72 tc125, '94 cbr600f2, '76 rd400, '89 ex500, '93 KTM-125exc, '92 zx7r, '93 Banshee, '83 ATC250R, 77/75 cb400f

Offline Flyr767

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Re: Help! Stranded by my '72 CB 500/4!!
« Reply #5 on: August 07, 2008, 07:11:05 PM »
Got her home safe and sound. Bummed about the rest of my summer riding plans. I'll open her up soon and get started.
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'72 CB500/4 black on black
'82 CM250 Custom

Offline TwoTired

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Re: Help! Stranded by my '72 CB 500/4!!
« Reply #6 on: August 08, 2008, 12:26:35 AM »
Why don't you do a compression test before taking it apart?
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Lloyd... (SOHC4 #11 Original Mail List)
72 500, 74 550, 75 550K, 75 550F, 76 550F, 77 550F X2, 78 550K, 77 750F X2, 78 750F, 79CX500, 85 700SC, GL1100

Those that learn from history are doomed to repeat it by those that don't learn from history.

Offline Hush

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Re: Help! Stranded by my '72 CB 500/4!!
« Reply #7 on: August 08, 2008, 12:37:39 AM »
I'm with 2tired on this, too often we see owners rip a bike down when it was a less expensive repair in the first place. :P
Comp test for a start. :)
Check what the plugs look like when they come out.
That will tell you a lot for a start.
If it is serious teardown stuff then lets look at the options.
By the way, very nice example of the 500/4, we actually got the same model here in New Zealand when they came out, even then they were scarce--now practically unseen. :(
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I think the thing I most like about motorcycling is the speed at which my brain must process information at to avoid the numb skulls who are eating pies, playing the ukulele, applying make-up etc in the comfort of their airconditioned armchairs as they make random attempts to kill me!!!!!!!

anhedonian

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Re: Help! Stranded by my '72 CB 500/4!!
« Reply #8 on: August 08, 2008, 06:26:32 AM »
+1 on the compression test plan since it's summer, save the dirty learning for the rainy days if you can put it off!
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