Topic: Fitting a faring to a 1971 CB500 - advice needed

[Sparks]

Hi Everyone,

Im in the process of completing my first rebulid of a big bike and oh what a bike the CB500 is, I love it already.

The bike came with a faring and home made brackets which were not fitted to the bike. After much expermenting I have worked out how it was fitted and it looks way too high.

Here are the pics showing how it was fitted and where I believe it should be. In the lower position I will need to trim the faring and the wind shield to allow the h/bars full lock. Any sugestions, advice please.

Idealy a new faring would probably be the go but as usual with most of my projects the budget is nearly non existant. 

original position



Lower position.

[ohiocaferacer]

Doesnt look like that fairing was every meant to be used with stock handlebars.

I'd leave it in the lower position(the position it was designed to be in) and add some straight bars or superbike bars. Best fix in my opinion.

Later,
Greg

[Gordon]

Doesnt look like that fairing was every meant to be used with stock handlebars.

Yep, that was meant for drag bars or clubmans/clip-ons. 

[Sparks]

Thanks for the input.

I have had a look at the bike and can see what you mean about the bar hight, im in two minds about fitting the faring now.
I could fit fork ears and keep the bike standard, I am also still considering modifing the faring so as to keep the h/bars the same. The original bars have a good feel when im riding as im a short bloke (5'6")

Being an inexperenced road bike rider do you think the clubman or drag bars are advisable?  I used to ride road/trial bikes about 15 yrs ago.

Cheers
Brad

[Buffo]

I have clubmans on my bike...I love them but others have their own opinions...

I do not believe that clubmans are the best bars for your first bike...

drag bars should be fine

[SteveD CB500F]

With any fairing like this you will need drop or ace bars.  Take a look at my 500 here http://www.sohc4.us/gallery/v/cb500/50_000th+Birthday+1-2-80+_Scanned_.jpg.html

I wouldn't recommend them for a complete novice as steering lock is reduced and I've seen experienced bikers hit the deck when making a tight turn at speed.

If you want a touring fairing with standard bars, you'll have to buy one (eBay?) - sell the one you've got first (?)

[Gordon]

You might be able to mount some superbike bars and still be able to use that fairing, but it's hard to say from the pictures.  They're a nice middle ground between drag bars and the stock ones.  That's what I have on my 750 now, and I really like them.   

[cd811]

sorry, but since ya asked for suggestions....throw the fairing in the trash

[n9viw]

I say keep it- there are too few things made for the 500/550 anymore, and that really jazzes up the tired old standard look!
I just switched from stock bars to a set of drag bars on 4" risers on my 550. I angled the risers back about 4 inches from linear, so they just clear the tank. They come back toward me enough so I can reach them, but they're not so high as the stock bars were (6" rise).
I think you could easily ride the 500 with drags on, but clubmans and clipons really pitch you over the tank, hence you may be reaching for the bars a bit. Personally, I think the 500/550 was originally designed for someone of your stature, as I have found it, at my 5'10" size, to be just a little short front-to-back.
There's a link in the FAQ to a place that has really cheap clubmans. They also have really cheap drag bars, $15 or so I think. Not so bad just to try it out, and if you don't like it, you can always return them or sell them on ebay.

[seaweb11]

I kind of like the look of that fairing, I wouldn't throw  it out.

Try a set of clubmans 1st, It will change the look and feel. I love them

$34.00 here. http://www.oldbikebarn.com/motorcycle_parts.php?bike=&subcategory=Handle+Bars&DisplayPerPage=10&Start=0
There is a thread going on about this Company now, but they shipped quick to me last year.

[Sparks]

Thanks for all of the great advice, negitive and positive 

I will look at investing in some differnet h/bars and see how it looks.

Ill take a better pic and post for all to see.

Cheers

[bryanj]

Big problem is personaly i dont think that fairing was for the 500, givaway is the rectangulr light--All 500/550 were circular