Topic: newbie needs info on recently purchased CB500/4

[joe90]

Hi There

What a great site.

I've bought a '73 CB500/4 really cheap and want to start doing it up back to what it should have looked like ex factory.
At the moment it's green with a black frame and has only one muffler on the right hand side.

Is this factory? What colours were original? I see a lot of bikes on the net with twin mufflers or even four but which is correct?

Also is there a quick explanation as to the difference between a 500/4 and a 550?

Any help appreciated.

Joe90

[bryanj]

73 500 should have four individual exhausts, anything else is aftermarket

The things in the engine that are THE SAME between 500 and 550 are:-
Crank with everything that bolts on either end with covers
camshaft and chain with adjusters
Head complete
Top cover complete
Starter with clutch and intermediate shaft but NOT Primary Gear

Most of the rest is different with some small parts being transferable although the COMPLETE engine is a direct swop.

Colours Frame always black Tank and Sidecovers painted with a black panel each side of tank

1973 colours; Flake Sunrise Orange, Candy Bacchus Olive, Maxim Brown Metallic
1972 colours Candy Starlite Gold, Candy Jade Green,  Candy Garnet Brown

You will probably find that although registered in 73 your bike was built in 72 if its the original Green. Check the ID plate on the RH side of the headstock and it should give you a month/year of build along with the vin number which is also stamped into the metal on the LH side of the headstock. I would be interested in those details for my records along with the engine number stamped into the top crankcase on a raised pad

[number13]

Also is there a quick explanation as to the difference between a 500/4 and a 550?

 Aside from greater displacement, the 550 has an improved clutch design.

[joe90]

So can you slap a 550 clutch in then and improve it? I suppose yes but i'm as dumb as Gump when it comes to this!

[bryanj]

No you cant that it not on my list of same parts and dont fit without the clutch cover, crankcase,gearbox, etc,etc,etc