Author Topic: 71 CB500 project (GREEN MACHINE!) (Read 28764 times)

honda_jason · « **on:** September 22, 2009, 05:06:33 PM »

I have some friends that have done rebuilds on old hondas so I thought I'd try my luck. I landed this 71 CB500 for free. Rough shape but if its free its for me!

So then it began, stripped the bike down and started all over again.

Once i had it stripped i chopped the back of the frame and the rear foot pegs, all that un-needed fun stuff. Did a little bit of welding and then painted the frame.

Put new forks and tubes on, got it ready to put the motor back in.

Then came the motor and the electrical.

Then just added on from there. I'm going for the old school bobber look. Nice flat black.

Still not complete as you can see, but its getting there. Should be done within the next week or two. Feel free to ask questions, add comments or give me tips/suggestions seeing that I'm new to this. Thanks for looking!

dilbone · « **Reply #1 on:** September 22, 2009, 07:03:49 PM »

what shocks are you using? What's the eye to eye distance?

Looks good so far...keep the pics coming...

Ogri · « **Reply #2 on:** September 23, 2009, 04:50:59 AM »

When I first saw the green, I thought, "Yikes!" But it's actually growing on me. It's the sort of colour that may well have been used in the late 50s / early 60s for shock value alone.
Are you going to keep the standard gas tank? I can't help thinking it'd look more 'bobberish' with a narrow peanut tank:

honda_jason · « **Reply #3 on:** September 23, 2009, 01:47:00 PM »

eventually im going to put another tank on but for now im using the stock one. i shaved out the badges as you can see and sprayed it flat black. if and when i hardtail it im going to most likely throw a sportster peanut tank or something like that on to get the true bobber look. but im tight on money and dont have too much time at the moment...i just want to ride lol.

honda_jason · « **Reply #4 on:** September 23, 2009, 01:49:17 PM »

Quote from: dilbone on September 22, 2009, 07:03:49 PM

what shocks are you using? What's the eye to eye distance?

Looks good so far...keep the pics coming...

i got the shocks off a guy that basically has a vintage japanese bike junk yard in his back yard. i think they came off a cb750. im not sure tho. and im too lazy to go measure right now but next time i work on it which should be soon ill measure for you.

wesbailey1 · « **Reply #5 on:** September 23, 2009, 04:58:38 PM »

this thing rocks !

honda_jason · « **Reply #6 on:** September 24, 2009, 06:22:33 PM »

carbs looking like new!

honda_jason · « **Reply #7 on:** September 27, 2009, 08:28:41 AM »

my sunday morning activity

honda_jason · « **Reply #8 on:** September 27, 2009, 08:48:56 AM »

this video was taken over a year ago from the previous owner before i picked up the bike.

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rachet · « **Reply #9 on:** September 27, 2009, 09:12:05 AM »

The more I look at that eye jerking green, the more I like it as well. However, IMHO, that color would fit better on a superbike then a bobber. I'm definitely interested to see the final version so prove me wrong about the color!

Rachet-

Alan F. · « **Reply #10 on:** September 27, 2009, 11:01:45 AM »

Quote from: rachet on September 27, 2009, 09:12:05 AM

The more I look at that eye jerking green, the more I like it as well. However, IMHO, that color would fit better on a superbike then a bobber. I'm definitely interested to see the final version so prove me wrong about the color!
Rachet-

Nah Man it's pretty awesome in person, especially as the daylight faded out. I went over to lend a hand and it didn't take long before I was planning a bright frame for my 400twin project.
Now I wasn't a drag pipe kinda guy either, but yeah they're awesome too.

Hey Jason did you get those float bowl gaskets to cooperate?
-Alan

honda_jason · « **Reply #11 on:** September 27, 2009, 11:06:43 AM »

Quote from: Alan F. on September 27, 2009, 11:01:45 AM

Quote from: rachet on September 27, 2009, 09:12:05 AM
The more I look at that eye jerking green, the more I like it as well. However, IMHO, that color would fit better on a superbike then a bobber. I'm definitely interested to see the final version so prove me wrong about the color!
Rachet-
Nah Man it's pretty awesome in person, especially as the daylight faded out. I went over to lend a hand and it didn't take long before I was planning a bright frame for my 400twin project.
Now I wasn't a drag pipe kinda guy either, but yeah they're awesome too.
Hey Jason did you get those float bowl gaskets to cooperate?
-Alan

not yet. i started to and go frustrated and went on a couple errands, just got home and im going to try my luck again. stupid things dont wanna stay in

Alan F. · « **Reply #12 on:** September 27, 2009, 01:49:50 PM »

Here's some tips
http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=54404.0

http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=19040.0

http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=3519.0

Pay extra attention to reply #11 and #14
http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=5336.0

Alan F. · « **Reply #13 on:** September 29, 2009, 05:37:43 PM »

Hey man, any luck with your carbs?

honda_jason · « **Reply #14 on:** October 01, 2009, 06:39:49 AM »

yeah theyre on the bike, havent had much spare time lately with my mom breaking her back and all.

Alan F. · « **Reply #15 on:** October 01, 2009, 10:47:11 AM »

I can understand that, congrats on getting the carbs together and on the bike though.
Maybe when this rain passes we can get together and finish the wiring, get the cables on and get your front brake sorted out.
-Alan

honda_jason · « **Reply #16 on:** October 01, 2009, 05:15:16 PM »

well alan came over today and we made a lot of progress. put the air pods on today, then mounted the right controls and installed new throttle cables and all that great stuff. next is the left controls and run the front break. maybe put the new plugs in and new oil and MAYBE just MAYBE fire her up for the first time since the rebuild!

Danot · « **Reply #17 on:** October 24, 2009, 06:53:38 PM »

Hey did you get this going yet!!!!!

bucky katt · « **Reply #18 on:** October 24, 2009, 07:01:57 PM »

what brand/color is that green? i LIKE it.

Alan F. · « **Reply #19 on:** October 24, 2009, 08:31:07 PM »

I understand it's Duplicolor engine enamel, it looks great doesn't it? I think it's DE 1641 Grabber Green (Lime) http://www.duplicolor.com/products/colors/highheat.html
I can't wait to share the road with him.
-Alan

Alan F. · « **Reply #20 on:** October 26, 2009, 05:57:23 PM »

Alright, Jason's a busy guy and I just can't resist updating his thread. I can always delete my post later on if it's an issue.

I stopped by this afternoon and lent him a hand with the green machine
We've got the wiring nearly complete except for the front turn signals. He's gonna charge up his battery before any testing can be conducted but I think it's all pretty solid stuff.
The Andrews coils turned out to be in good shape after all, just some oxidized screw contacts on the primaries... they need new plug wires.
The tank has a few pinholes and he's gonna Kreem it.
His rear brake seems a little sticky, we'll disassemble it and clean it up and grease everything up with good hi-temp grease.
His front brake needs a new hard line made up and that's in the works too.
His drag pipes need new stainless socket head cap screws(and anti-seize) and some paint touch up from the pinholed tank one pipe needs a baffle too I think. There's a spot on the frame that needs touch up too unfortunately.

After that it's just minor wiring clean up and get the front brake back together and bled.

A final check that everything's torqued tight and he's in business!

I can't wait to see this bike out on the road.
-Alan

honda_jason · « **Reply #21 on:** October 27, 2009, 01:51:59 PM »

Quote from: bucky katt on October 24, 2009, 07:01:57 PM

what brand/color is that green? i LIKE it.

it was duplicolor engine enamel which you can get at your local auto parts store..i got mine at autozone. duplicolor was just bought out by rust-o-leum but its the same paint. i used the duplicolor on the wheels and swing arm and went to go buy more at autozone and they no longer had duplicolor but only rust-o-leum but they were a perfect match.

honda_jason · « **Reply #22 on:** October 27, 2009, 01:54:35 PM »

Quote from: Alan F. on October 26, 2009, 05:57:23 PM

Alright, Jason's a busy guy and I just can't resist updating his thread. I can always delete my post later on if it's an issue.

I stopped by this afternoon and lent him a hand with the green machine
We've got the wiring nearly complete except for the front turn signals. He's gonna charge up his battery before any testing can be conducted but I think it's all pretty solid stuff.
The Andrews coils turned out to be in good shape after all, just some oxidized screw contacts on the primaries... they need new plug wires.
The tank has a few pinholes and he's gonna Kreem it.
His rear brake seems a little sticky, we'll disassemble it and clean it up and grease everything up with good hi-temp grease.
His front brake needs a new hard line made up and that's in the works too.
His drag pipes need new stainless socket head cap screws(and anti-seize) and some paint touch up from the pinholed tank one pipe needs a baffle too I think. There's a spot on the frame that needs touch up too unfortunately.

After that it's just minor wiring clean up and get the front brake back together and bled.

A final check that everything's torqued tight and he's in business!

I can't wait to see this bike out on the road.
-Alan

no need to delete anything...i couldnt have said anything better myself.
thanks for the all the help alan. reallly apreciate it!
jason

Alan F. · « **Reply #23 on:** October 27, 2009, 01:59:12 PM »

Thanks Jason, I dunno who's more excited about your bike nearing completion you or me!
I'm sure your coils will be fine, from my research the orange andrews coils are all 3 ohm, so my mistake with the cheap meter.
Were you able to find a wire set for it?
-Alan

honda_jason · « **Reply #24 on:** October 27, 2009, 02:02:00 PM »

i havent looked yet. i got home and got started on the coils and now the woman wants me to go grocery shopping with her....oh joy!

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Author Topic: 71 CB500 project (GREEN MACHINE!) (Read 28764 times)