Topic: 72 CB500 project "Black Betty" (99% done)

[sallen]

Saw your bike came with the garnet brown color side covers. did you repaint those? I noticed you mentioned about buying some uncracked side covers. If you didn't use the brown side covers; would you be interested in selling those? are they cracked? steve

[westondc]

Saw your bike came with the garnet brown color side covers. did you repaint those? I noticed you mentioned about buying some uncracked side covers. If you didn't use the brown side covers; would you be interested in selling those? are they cracked? steve

hey steve, sent you a PM about the side covers.

[westondc]

After looking at my bike over a few PBRs in the garage I noticed that the discolored pipes were kind of an eyesore. blueing starts at the top of each header and runs down about 4 inches, they're not too bad but it's noticeable. i figured that once the pipes have blued due to heat and lean carbs, there's not much that can be done. luckily the SOHC4 forums have come to the rescue. i found this thread regarding the product Blue Job http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=19565.0 This looks too good to be true. well i ordered a can and I'm going to give it a shot. I'll get some before and after pictures and we'll find out for sure.

[westondc]

I got a few things done last night. i was hoping to get some pictures but my parents left for the weekend and took their nice camera. i unfortunately left my camera at my house. did get a few crap shots with my cell phone.

- pulled the exhaust off and removed the blue and brown discoloration with Blue Job which it probably the most amazing stuff on the planet, then put the exhaust back on. looks great!
- installed a luggage rack with removeable sissy bar. the rack is even labeled 72 Honda CB500 K1
- replaced the bent riders foot pegs
- removed the stock bars and marked the Euro bars for installation
- snapped a quick pic of my work

notice my helmet, now with matching pinstripe

[westondc]

another quick update. decided to go with euro bars on the bike. the stock bars just weren't part of the look i was going for. since I've gone with stock mirrors and not bar end, the mirrors stick way up from the bike when mounted to the high rising original bars. I've compared the euros with the super bike bars. i think the euros are more comfortable and i like the look of the pull back they have. i talked to some guys at the local shop and they recommended running the wiring outside of the bars, since routing the wires inside would require cutting holes in the bar to feed the wires through. i didn't like this look at all... and I've got the time to do it right. after some carefull marking of the areas i needed to cut, i put the euro bar in a milling machine and had it done in about 30 min. looks good, i just need to buy a dremel to smooth the rough edges. i would recommend using a milling machine to anyone looking to cut the holes required to run the wires through the bars. i was going to use a dremel to do this but i don't think it would cut it pics soon after the bars are mounted.

[Deceptibong]

is that a new helmet in the cell pics?  nice luggage rack too   I cant wait to see this bike in person.

[westondc]

is that a new helmet in the cell pics?  nice luggage rack too   I cant wait to see this bike in person.

i creatively acquired one of my brothers helmets since he purchased a new one. its a nice helmet and i added the stripe to match the gas tank. you should see the luggage rack with the tall sissy mounted to it, talk about retro! at least the gf will appreciate it for the long rides and it will be nice for the extra baggage (no pun intended ). oh man do i want to ride this weekend in the 55degree weather! unfortunately i haven't titled, registered, or plated the bike yet. i did check into it and its going to set me back about $120 with taxes and a vintage plate sticker. i still need to get the gauges done and mounted.... working on that as soon as a get home.

[westondc]

just for fun and out of boredom, here's a before and after as of now. bike still has original bars on it in this pic, no gauges, and seat recover is not finished. this is about four months progress into the project.

[Stev-o]

just for fun and out of boredom, here's a before and after as of now. bike still has original bars on it in this pic, no gauges, and seat recover is not finished. this is about four months progress into the project.

Nice job! That "before" seat was ugly. My 550F had a similar one when I bought it too.

[westondc]

Got the bike 99% done.
 
Fixed the petcock leak
recovered the seat
went through the wiring
installed euro bars
oil and filter change
carb sync
titled and issued historical plate sticker

here's a picture of Betty in her nearly finished state:

[sallen]

Wes--bike really looks nice. You've done a great job..Thanks again for the side covers you sent; they worked out great..Still holding the fairing for you...Steve

[westondc]

Wes--bike really looks nice. You've done a great job..Thanks again for the side covers you sent; they worked out great..Still holding the fairing for you...Steve

Hey Steve, thanks. got any pics of your bike? hows it coming along? thanks for holding on to the fairing. Good ole Feds want some more money from me and my girlfriend is moving to town so it looks like I'm still strapped for cash these days. At least I got the bike running and I can save on gas. I figured my gf and I can spend quality time together on the cycle, not on expensive dates  So myself and a fellow SOHC4 member are ridding through your neck of the woods on our trip in early May, if your 2 wheels are rolling you wanta show us around town?

[Chicago550]

Good looking bike! I wish I would have had a friend to paint my bike vs. the pricey/slow painter I used.

Are those the euro bars that you installed in that last photo? I'm torn between those and superbike bars but need to see how they are on a bike. I like the look of the lower bars and I've heard that they make highway riding more comfortable. Do you happen to have any photos of the milling process of those bars?

[westondc]

Good looking bike! I wish I would have had a friend to paint my bike vs. the pricey/slow painter I used.

Are those the euro bars that you installed in that last photo? I'm torn between those and superbike bars but need to see how they are on a bike. I like the look of the lower bars and I've heard that they make highway riding more comfortable. Do you happen to have any photos of the milling process of those bars?

yep those are euros in the picture. it was tough deciding between those or the superbike bars. if you do a search in the forum "euro bars" or "superbike bars" theres a post in there somewhere with a comparison photo of the two. i also compared them at the local shop. after some deliberation i settled with the euros because they looked more stock and the supers were too straight.

The milling process was rather easy. i wish i would have taken photos but i was in a hurry to get them put on so i could get the bike on the road. it was rather simple really. i used a large drill press with a milling bit and finished it off with a dremel. i believe you can get a milling type bit for a dremel if you dont have a milling machine. when i have some free time I'll right a quick step by step and snap some closeup pics if the finished bars.