Topic: SOHC in the Yamaha garage!

[Scott S]

 Well, she's here! The CB500 is now sharin garage space with a few vintage Yamahas.
  I have to admit....it's in a little worse shape than I was expecting. The side covers are missing and so are the emblems. And don't you just love the baloney tip exhaust and the ape hangers?



 The bike was last on the road in 1982 or '83. It only has 15,740 miles on it.

 Now it's time for all the dumb Noob questions to start.
 First few:
 1) The keys fit the ignition but not the seat lock. Were there normally two keys? It looks like there's a number on the seat lock....maybe I can have one cut?

 2) Speaking of keys, these things are SOFT. I swear I could pull a Uri Geller and bend them with my mind. Where's the best place to get some new key blanks or matching keys? (Dealer seems obvious, but my Yamaha dealer is ZERO help when it comes to classic bikes. Maybe Honda is better....).

 3) How do you get the gas cap open? I see the tab, but nothing budges.

[Scott S]

 She's definitely going to need new tires. The front brake needs rebuilding....nothing happening up there.
 I can hear gas sloshing around in the tank but it's at least 27 years old...yuck.

 I plan on an oil/filter change, new plugs, clean the carbs, set the points, install a battery and see what happens.

 I bet the old chrome will clean up surprisingly well. I know on my old Yamahas a little 0000 steel wool, some chrome polish and elbow grease goes a long way. They made better chrome back in those days, I guess.

 Maybe I'll just go the cheapie route and make a neat little street bomber out of this thing.

[Old75_ratafe]

Not sure on the 550 but on the 750 my gas cap it didn't matter the key pattern I can literally use a flathead screwdriver to open my gas lock.  Also On the 750 the seat and ignition locks are the same key, I only ever had one key.... Although I am not positive as mine is solidly stuck I believe the fork locks were the same key too.

[Don R]

You might clean the tank and petcock too. What do you plan for it?

[Zaipai]

Hi Scott,
 I get my keys from Honda, however not all Honda dealers will do it for classic bikes, I would call around first.

The gas cap comes off by pressing the tab down, then you may have to push the cap down a little to have it pop up, my guess is the mechanics of it are rusted and stiff so you will likely have to play around with it a bit but it should work.

As far as I know they only made the one key for each bike, however I could be wrong. It maybe the case that the ignition switch was swapped out at some point seems to be a common thing with the SOHC bikes...

TTYS
.: Scott :.

[laser145]

I think all the old Hondas had just one key...maybe the ignition has been changed.

For the gas cap, press and hold the cap down while you press the button...it should pop up.

Gas that's 27 years old? Yuck is right...I can't imagine it wouldn't have evaporated yet... but maybe sealed up it would stay...

[Old75_ratafe]

Honestly after staring at your bike for like 5 mins I gotta say... drop some clubmans on it, a 4 into 1 find some side covers (or make some), clean it up a bit and that could make a decent little street cafe man.  You wanna go the full route go grab one of carpy's seat tails and your set.

[OldSchool_IsCool]

Keys:  Try this place.  http://www.hondakeys.com/

[Scott S]

You might clean the tank and petcock too. What do you plan for it?

 Oh yeah, that definitely goes without saying.
 Plans? I'm thinking just something to bomb around on. Get it running and stopping correctly. Some stock bars to replace the ape hangers. Maybe try recovering the seat myself. A cheapie paint job (though I DO love that green/gold metallic that came on the old Hondas).
 Probably a 4-1 header, mostly b/c they're cheap.

 I've been using the search engine, I swear....but:

 4) What years/models can I search for as far as parts interchangeability (like the side covers, among other things)? I know some 550's, but what years?

 5) Give me one or two of the most common problems for these old bikes that I should check out during the process of bringing her back to life.

[Scott S]

Honestly after staring at your bike for like 5 mins I gotta say... drop some clubmans on it, a 4 into 1 find some side covers (or make some), clean it up a bit and that could make a decent little street cafe man.  You wanna go the full route go grab one of carpy's seat tails and your set.

 I just sold a sweet XS650 cafe' racer. I think I'm done with the clubmans for a while. I'm thinking Street Fighter vibe....if you can have a street fighter with 500cc's. 

 I'm in the middle of a full resto of a '75 XS650B. I think the Honda will be a quick and cheap job, but something cool and sinister.

[Stev-o]

Biggest problems for these old bikes are:

1. getting the carbs totally clean and sync'd
2. below average charging system
3. buying new parts LOCALLY

None of these are dealbreakers, just make it a challenge!

Good Luck

[Scott S]

I think all the old Hondas had just one key...maybe the ignition has been changed.

For the gas cap, press and hold the cap down while you press the button...it should pop up.

Gas that's 27 years old? Yuck is right...I can't imagine it wouldn't have evaporated yet... but maybe sealed up it would stay...

 I feel stupid....yeah, just press down on the cap and it opens up. And Oh-My-Gosh...there are whole new life forms in there! But actually, the heavy stuff scrapes right off and it's smooth and solid underneath. Totally saveable, I think.

 The number on the seat lock is T1879. The number on the keys is H6128. The ignition key won't even begin to go into the seat lock. I don't guess there's a secret way to get that seat off, is there?

[OldSchool_IsCool]

you might be able to take the hinge bolts out.  Look over the other side real close.