Topic: Project 72 CB500. From rust to lust!!

[JAG]

I picked up a CB500 about a week ago.. It's my first 500 build although I have a '74 750 cafe that I have already completed.

 I bought the bike for what he originally bought it for, and after he spent a few hundred dollars on it, he gave up. So now it is mine turn and I went ahead and went straight for the carbs as the PO said the bike wasn't running right. Went through all the carbs and fired her up, and it only ran on only 2 cylinders, chanced around the wiring and found one of the coils not hooked up and one of the point's wires wasn't hooked up. Hooked everything back up and she ran like a dream!! This has been the easiest build yet! I took her around the block today and she seems to be greatly under powered. Is that because I am use to a 750?? I don't know, she just seemed kind of weak.

At any rate here are some beginning pics from where I first brought her home.

[JAG]

more

[JAG]

I thought about all kinds of tried and ture methods on how to get rid of rust especially in the fuel tank, and I finally decided to go with the EvapoRust and IsoHeet method.

I bought 2 gallons of EvapoRust and 2 bottles of IsoHeet.

I allowed the Evaporust to stay in the tank for about 3 days, I turned the tank ever so often or when I thought about it. Towards the last day , I finally found a good size chain to drop in there, and I shook it up every once in a while.. The chain didn't seem to do much good, I believe the Chemicals worked for themselves..

I received beautifully results.. I was very amazed with the product..

I washed it out real well, and used the IsoHeet to help and evaporate all the water, then I immediately filled the tank up with fresh gasoline!

[kpier883]

I like it!  I think it has lots of potential and it is a good sign that you got it running with a few basic steps.  I rode an '85 or so Suzuki GS550E and it was pretty weak seeming after being used to a KZ1000.  I will leave it to the people more familiar with the 500 Honda to say what they run like.  Good luck!

[JAG]

I drained the Evaporust out of the tank, with a  funnel and coffee filters, and got it all back into the containers..

i figured if it can work on the rust in the tank that well then I ought to try it on the other rusted pieces..

Here is the steering stem bolt before and after, allowing it to sit for almost 24 hours.. Notice how clean the EvapoRust still is??

I placed the rest in a big rubbermade container and put all the other parts that are rusted in there.. After a day of those pieces the liquid wasn't soo clear..  

But that stuff is Amazing!!

The steering stem isn't going to be salvageable.. Too much pitting already, but it'll do for now til the replacement arrives.

[scunny]

500's aren't the peppiest bike around, they need to be reved and worked thru the gears

[JAG]

I'm going to take some more before and after photos of the odds and ends, but it's time to start the tear down.

This is definitely going to have to be a budget build. The purpose for the purchase of this bike was to be able to get my girlfriend on the back and ride with me. ( Still worrying about the power issue on that one ) I can't really afford to go out and buy brand new everything so I am luckily finding out that a lot of the odds and ends that fit on the 750 will work with this 500, i.e. turn signals, brake light rear fender etc.. So i am able to choose between the LESS rusty one of the two and go from there..

The bike will get a  complete strip down, and everything will be repainted, polished  and beautified, I want everything to stay as stock as possible. I already have the Cafe, no need for another one.

The only thing that I am truely worried about is lacing up the spokes myself. There is a great deal of knowledge on how to do, and I will give it a shot and detail that info back on here. It's definitely got to be cheaper than what it cost at my local Honda Dealer --$536-- cough cough... To do TWO wheels.. no thanks!!

[JAG]

There is a big gaping hole in one of the exhaust about the size of my thumb, and it makes a beautiful noise when the engines is running  ... I am by no means a welder. I cant weld crap, but I gotta learned some time. Besides Ive always wanted one..

I bought the el cheapo Mig/Flux Welder from Harbor Freight today, while I wait for my uncle Arc welder, and went to town trying to fix the hole.. Needless to say it didn't turn out so lovely, but atleast I made a big hole smaller, until I can afford to rightfully buy a replacement. And no need for pictures on that one, to ashamed.. I need more practice.

( Anyone got a 500 exhaust for sale ) ?? 

My main goal of the Harbor Frieght visit was to purchase an engine stand to do the cleaning and painting of the engine, but when I found out that there is no vertical adjustment to it (height), I decided to stay away. I already have a hard enough time with my back being 6'4", I didn't see the reason a 4' tall engine holder would make it any better. I'll just do the work on my workbench.

[JAG]

500's aren't the peppiest bike around, they need to be reved and worked thru the gears

Any other way to get it down the street?

Would changing the teeth of the sprockets help by any chance?

I thought I heard something about that..

Anything else?

Thoughts?



Thanks for looking, more pics to follow, before and after to rust, and the engine is begin pulled tomorrow.

[JAG]

I like it!  I think it has lots of potential and it is a good sign that you got it running with a few basic steps.  I rode an '85 or so Suzuki GS550E and it was pretty weak seeming after being used to a KZ1000.  I will leave it to the people more familiar with the 500 Honda to say what they run like.  Good luck!

Thanks a lot Kpier.

It's always pleasing to know that your only headache is cosmetic and not internal!

The bike sat in the same place for months, when I saw it, and it didn't even had any oil spots anywhere..

[traveler]

500's aren't the peppiest bike around, they need to be reved and worked thru the gears

Any other way to get it down the street?

Would changing the teeth of the sprockets help by any chance?

I thought I heard something about that..

Anything else?

Thoughts?



Thanks for looking, more pics to follow, before and after to rust, and the engine is begin pulled tomorrow.

Go with a 41 tooth rear sprocket....a good exhasut and a low restriction air filter with the stock airbox.  Advance the timing...if the engine is apart, have MReick do a  stage 3 job on the head

It'll run good then


If that ain't enough, then swap in a 650 motor, or build a hybrid 650/500

~Joe

[BeSeeingYou]

Did the Evaporust affect the chrome in any way? 

[JAG]

Did the Evaporust affect the chrome in any way? 

As of right now the only thing the Evaporust has done is remove the rust. Its a very gentle chemical with no odor and I've had my hands all in it without any tingles or shakes.

[fastbroshi]

Where'd u get the evaporust?  Never seen that before

[JAG]

Where'd u get the evaporust?  Never seen that before

I found it at my local Tractor Supply Company

[bmarshall]

It's also available at Harborfreight, oddly enough I just saw it today and was wondering about it's effectiveness. Sounds like you had good results, any additional information you can fill us in on?

Also, I'd really like you thoughts on the welder, I will be purchasing an inexpensive welder soon and one of the cheap HF welders will be in consideration. Did you use gas or just flux wire?

[BeSeeingYou]

Did the Evaporust affect the chrome in any way? 

As of right now the only thing the Evaporust has done is remove the rust. Its a very gentle chemical with no odor and I've had my hands all in it without any tingles or shakes.

Does it taste good?

[syth82]

"It tastes like burning!"

[JAG]

It's also available at Harborfreight, oddly enough I just saw it today and was wondering about it's effectiveness. Sounds like you had good results, any additional information you can fill us in on?

Also, I'd really like you thoughts on the welder, I will be purchasing an inexpensive welder soon and one of the cheap HF welders will be in consideration. Did you use gas or just flux wire?

Yeah when I picked up that welder I saw the EvapoRust for $2 cheaper than T.S.C. As far as effectiveness, I'll be posting more before and after photos of parts that I have had soaking for a while. It definitely didn't work very fast, however my parts were EXTREMELY rusted. I am more than impressed with the results. I chose this method after reading and researching on here different ways to go about it, and it seemed the "do it quick" scheme wasn't in my favor. I am in no mood to hurry, or really deal with these crazy acidic chemicals that everyone is using, and talking about flash rust coming back.. There has been no such case with using Evaporust. It's expensive, but it works.

As far as the welder is concerned, it seems to do quite well. My only concern is the "You get what you paid for" possibility. However I am not going to be welding no more than maybe 20 times a year, so $120 bucks is good enough for me.

Did the Evaporust affect the chrome in any way?  

As of right now the only thing the Evaporust has done is remove the rust. Its a very gentle chemical with no odor and I've had my hands all in it without any tingles or shakes.

Does it taste good?

Hahahaha, haven't tried it yet, but the build isn't over yet!!

500's aren't the peppiest bike around, they need to be reved and worked thru the gears

Any other way to get it down the street?

Would changing the teeth of the sprockets help by any chance?

I thought I heard something about that..

Anything else?

Thoughts?



Thanks for looking, more pics to follow, before and after to rust, and the engine is begin pulled tomorrow.

Go with a 41 tooth rear sprocket....a good exhasut and a low restriction air filter with the stock airbox.  Advance the timing...if the engine is apart, have MReick do a  stage 3 job on the head

It'll run good then


If that ain't enough, then swap in a 650 motor, or build a hybrid 650/500

~Joe

So you don't have to do anything with the front sprocket? I saw a 44 stamped on the old one, is that sound correct?

[JAG]

oh yeah

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=94056

Thats the one I picked up.. It's not a bad arse or anything, but it does what I need it to do.. No gas, flux wire.

I also just picked up an ARC welder. It looks like it came straight out of the 50's.. I'll have to take a picture of it.. I'd like to restore it like people do old gas pumps, or old coca-cola machines. 

[westondc]

500's aren't the peppiest bike around, they need to be reved and worked thru the gears

Any other way to get it down the street?

Would changing the teeth of the sprockets help by any chance?

I thought I heard something about that..

Anything else?

Thoughts?


Thanks for looking, more pics to follow, before and after to rust, and the engine is begin pulled tomorrow.

I rode a CB350 twin and a CBR900 for the last few years before getting my 72 CB500. its a comfortable bike for two people and I've had no troubles getting around town and on the highway riding two-up. i'm 5'9 165 and my passenger was lighter that me. i have a new less restrictive foam filter which has made a noticeable difference in performance. planning on many trips this summer with the gf on the back.

what are your plans for the repaint? color?

[JAG]

The plan for this bike is to definitely ride with the GF during the summer.  The overall plan for the bike is to stay as factory condition as possible.

I've noticed the bike was that orange color at one time so I may go back to that color. If the budget isn't there ill just freshen up the paint that is already there.

[westondc]

The plan for this bike is to definitely ride with the GF during the summer.  The overall plan for the bike is to stay as factory condition as possible.

I've noticed the bike was that orange color at one time so I may go back to that color. If the budget isn't there ill just freshen up the paint that is already there.

I like the paint scheme that's on it now. maybe a touch up, clearcoat and white pinstripes like the original and you'd be good to go. a repaint isn't cheap. i got a guy i know to do it for a good price of $250. is that a silver or gray color on the tank and side covers? i have the leftover rolls of stripe tape the guy used on my tank if your interested in adding them down the road.

[JAG]

I like the paint scheme that is on there as well.  It is in fact a gray color in the covers and tank. I think of anything I can freshin up the paint a Little more on the tank. I'm going to hand paint the emblems and make them better looking by using probably using paint that is used for models.

The pinstripes- do they go around like where the black circles are now? Do you have any pics you can share? If it looks good with The paint scheme that I have I would love to get some from you to finish the look.

[westondc]

The pinstripes- do they go around like where the black circles are now? Do you have any pics you can share? If it looks good with The paint scheme that I have I would love to get some from you to finish the look.

yep, the pinstripes go along where the two colors meet. the original stripes were just a sticker also i believe. i didn't put them on the tank myself but i did put them on my helmet to match the bike. it was really easy. i made a template so i knew where to put the stripes but you could just follow the edge of the black paint on your tank. here's a picture of my finished paint job