Author Topic: '72 CB500/4 : Project WTF was I thinking!? ...Time for some updates! (Read 51765 times)

Scott S · « **Reply #75 on:** January 19, 2012, 11:54:54 AM »

I put many a mile on this bike with the 500 engine.
Since my last update, I've added 400F handle bars and footpegs/controls, and a 550F kick pedal. MUCH better looking and gives the bike a really sporty feel.
But the latest, and BEST, upgrades have to be a '76 CB550 engine and the Halcyon bar end mirrors.

Scott S · « **Reply #76 on:** January 19, 2012, 11:57:53 AM »

She's come a LOOONG way since the day I brought her home almost two years ago.

Greggo · « **Reply #77 on:** January 19, 2012, 02:15:05 PM »

Looks really good Scott!

I think you need to swap that 500 kicker back on tho. Maybe it didn't fit either?

dave500 · « **Reply #78 on:** January 20, 2012, 03:58:43 AM »

yeah good #$%*,the 550 with the type one carbs is a nice unit,all these really run better on those older carbs,,how much do you want for those ape hangers?im thinking of doing a ding bat build,i like that earlier stripe used aswell on yours,its a good feeling aint it?

tweakin · « **Reply #79 on:** January 20, 2012, 04:28:43 AM »

Nice looking 500, what a transformation!

Scott S · « **Reply #80 on:** January 20, 2012, 05:20:20 PM »

The ape hangers are long gone. I couldn't GIVE them away back when I had them. They were drilled for internal wires, too.

The 550F kicker is on there to clear the 400F footpegs. It's a must if you run the 400F pegs.

I like the stripe, too. It's a CB450 stripe with just a little trimmed off at the front, otherwise it's a perfect fit.

dave500 · « **Reply #81 on:** January 20, 2012, 08:15:27 PM »

i was joking about the ape hangers,,.

jamesb · « **Reply #82 on:** January 21, 2012, 06:10:34 AM »

the gas cap had a fuel gauge on it they suck my 550 has one i took the float off it was very unreliable.

Scott S · « **Reply #83 on:** February 27, 2013, 11:43:59 AM »

Well, nearly three years and many thousands of miles later, it's time to update Project WTF.

The 550 engine has been a gas hog since day one. You may have seen my other threads about trying to get the carbs tuned properly, all to no avail. Power? Yes.

It's had a slight tapping noise at the left/front of the engine, even when the valves were adjusted properly. I was suspecting the worn rocker shaft issue common on the 550's. Recently, it's started oil fouling the #1 plug, oddly enough on initial start-up. Once running, it's fine. Runs hard, doesn't smoke..
I'll tear into the top-end eventually, but in the mean time....650 power baby!

I bought a pile of 650 parts from CL. Sold off what I didn't need and ended up with an '82 CB650 engine for $100.

Another $80 later and I had carbs. Rebuilt them and picked up some K&N filters.

And a NOS Jardine exhaust.

Scott S · « **Reply #84 on:** February 27, 2013, 11:47:52 AM »

Did some paint and polish detailing...

And here it sits in front of it's future home...

I've already pretty much figured out how to get the charging system spliced together. A custom Pamco is in the works, too.
I'll start pullling the 550 engine in the next week or two. In the mean-time....

Scott S · « **Reply #85 on:** February 27, 2013, 11:53:18 AM »

Plans are to swap over this cool new seat. The cowl will be paint matched eventually, once I figure out all the mounting details.

Before:

(Soon to be)After:

Before:

Soon:

I removed the grab rail and rear signals, as well as the seat latch. I was REALLY hoping that I could fit the seat without modifying the frame, but it looks like the hinges will interfere with the seat. I thought about trimming the seat, but I'd have to get up near the upholstery.

Oh, well....if '71 CB500's ever become super rare, I'll weld them back on. It's not like the bike is stock now, anyway....

Scott S · « **Reply #86 on:** February 27, 2013, 11:56:00 AM »

The seat's not sitting completely flush because of the hinge tabs, but I think it's cool as heck.

Rear signals will be mounted where the fender bolts go, once I get the seat mounting sorted out.
Front signals went on today.

dave500 · « **Reply #87 on:** February 27, 2013, 12:04:29 PM »

itll be a little rocket,put 350 badges on the side covers for extra sleeperness?

Stev-o · « **Reply #88 on:** February 27, 2013, 09:02:43 PM »

That motor looks awesome! Nice score on the Jardine, and new seat looks cool too. Paint?

Scott S · « **Reply #89 on:** February 28, 2013, 05:03:21 AM »

Yes, the seat will be paint matched to the tank and side covers as soon as I'm done with mounting mock-up.

I'm also trying to figure out the rear turn signals. The hole on the seat looks like it will line up with the hole on the frame/rear fender once I grind off the seat hinge brackets on the frame. I'd like to use the turn signals as the mounting bolts, but the captive nut on the fender is too small. I may have to drill out the nut or remove it and weld on one of proper size. I've seen this seat mounted and they used a small bracket to drop the turn signals down, but I'd like a cleaner look if possible.
See pic below...they used a small bracket to drop the signals.

Scott S · « **Reply #90 on:** February 28, 2013, 12:53:26 PM »

Got the 550 pulled today. Next day that my Dad and I are both off together, I'll work on at least getting the 650 in the frame.

I have some suspension work I want to do and the bare frame might make it a little easier.

-Fresh fork oil (reccomended weight and cc's for stock 500 forks and a 185lb rider?)
-New gaitors
-New bronze swingarm bushings
-Different shocks
-and, of course, new wheels and tires...just have to decide if I want to use the Lesters or Henry Abes.

Looks like an SOHC4 explosion in my garage!

JC Blues · « **Reply #91 on:** February 28, 2013, 11:00:19 PM »

Dude this thread is awesome definitely watching in suspense and I know the feeling with those mud dobbers my bike was covered in them!

dmonday · « **Reply #92 on:** March 01, 2013, 02:55:04 PM »

Very cool build!

Did you have to use 400f controls on the bars or would the stock stuff still have fit? I'm asking b/c I have a 74' cb550 that I'm rebuilding and that's the exact look of the bars I'd like to get.

Scott S · « **Reply #93 on:** March 01, 2013, 05:29:12 PM »

Those are the stock CB500 controls on the CB400F bars.

Stev-o · « **Reply #94 on:** March 03, 2013, 09:58:01 AM »

Yeah, don't like the look of the blinkers on that 500 either. Could you drill and tap the nut to the correct size?

Love the SOHC explosion...

Scott S · « **Reply #95 on:** March 03, 2013, 04:44:31 PM »

I was going to replace the fender with one I could drill, tap, weld, whatever....
Then I realized that the '71 fender has one less hole than the later fenders because of the taillight mounting. I will probably try to grind off the welds on the nuts on the backside of the fender and weld on the nuts for the signals or, more likely, just drill out the holes in the nuts.

Scott S · « **Reply #96 on:** March 04, 2013, 12:01:33 PM »

Put in fresh plugs today. I also pulled the oil pan on the 650 and had a look-see. Everything looks fine. Nothing in the sump but a little sludge and a dead bug.

I'm trying to decide if I have enough gumption to put the motor in the frame today or wait until I get some suspension stuff sorted first.

brooze72 · « **Reply #97 on:** March 04, 2013, 02:03:04 PM »

Yes, keep the silver & put it on the tail of the new seat, will look great. Do you anticipate any issues getting the 650 motor in the 500 frame? Will you have to make custom motor mounts?

Scott S · « **Reply #98 on:** March 04, 2013, 06:17:20 PM »

No, I don't anticipate any issues....in fact....

I pulled the valve cover today to make it easier to fit into the frame. The height of the 650 is exactly the same as the 550. What makes it difficult to get into the frame is the deeper sump. You can't lift the engine up high enough over the lower frame rails before the breather/valve cover hits the backbone. Unless you remove the valve cover...
Everything looked good in here, too. Nothing but a little gunk. No shavings, pitting, undue wear on the cam lobes or tappets, etc.

In fact, with the valve cover off, it's actually EASIER to get the 650 into the frame. I used all of the stock 500/550 bolts, hanger, brackets, etc. (I mentioned 550 because this 500 had a 550 engine in it and there's ONE bracket from the 550 that must be used. It's only used to guide the clutch cable on the 550 and isn't really needed here, but I didn't have the 500 bracket.)

Installed a fresh gasket on the valve cover an re-installed it. I still need to adjust the valves, so tappet covers will be installed later.

Scott S · « **Reply #99 on:** March 05, 2013, 04:49:07 AM »

Which wheel do you like best for this bike? The Lesters or the Henry Abes?

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Author Topic: '72 CB500/4 : Project WTF was I thinking!? ...Time for some updates! (Read 51765 times)