Topic: 1971 CB500K Project:

[Greggo]

Here's where I'm at now 9/8/12



12/28/11



(6/16/11)


9/16/11


Off the top of my head...
New tank/sidecovers
Steering head bearings
Full tune up and carburetor clean
Dyna S ignition
Dyna 5ohm coils
New plug caps
Polished forks
CB550 front rim w/fresh bearings
Drilled front brake rotor
NOS front signal stems
2x Top triple clamp (1st one cracked)
Replaced warning lights
CycleX rear shocks
(77-78) CB550 Rear wheel w/fresh bearings
(77-78) Polished rear brake hub and corresponding axle spacer
Nicer stock style seat
Nicer (74-76) CB550 front fender


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Here's where I started:



Well, here's my new ride.  She's a 1971 CB500-4, ~15K Miles, she sat outside for a few years at a shop across from my dad's shop...long story short: he got the bike for free a few years ago, parked inside and there it sat until I asked for it.






She came to us with a cracked triple tree from the PO before the shop across the street got it.  He made the common mistake of not using the washer on the end clamps.  So I bought a really nice looking top tree off ebay, my dad put it on, and then the new tree cracked after 50 miles...not cool.  We're pretty sure the ebay clamp just had a fracture we didn't see(it was repainted before I got it) because the forks are nice and straight.




I'm trying out another ebay tree.  I found one that came with the bottom tree, the steering stem, and a nicer set of idiot lights than my current one...all for $30.

So, now that the bike's at my house in the city, far away from the sanctuary of my dad's shop, I'm waiting on my appointment at Charlie's Place in SF.  I heard really great things, so I went down to buy some parts, and was very impressed.
The place truly looks like a haven for these old Hondas.   I get a half a day a week off from work, so I'm having him do the tune up.

In the future, I'm getting that tank repainted, pretty much the same design, gloss black with white pinstripes.  I found a seat cover and new foam from Vietnam, but am kind of wary of international ebay auctions...


I'll clean up the engine as much as I can, thinking of doing the fine wire brush disc on a hand drill trick after finding some aluminum safe stripping agent.

[Gunner_CAF]

Free is good   Looks like a good project!  My son and I are working on a 73 CB500... another free barn find. 

Your pictures are not showing up in the post, but I put the link in and found them in the gallery.

Gunner

[Greggo]

There we go.  I guess I can't make posts from work; probably a good thing.

Your 500 is lookin good Gunnar!

[Greggo]

Found out the kick starter doesn't work today   It seemed to turn the engine over once the first time I tested it, then once I brought it back up to try and start the bike it hasn't engaged since.

Also, how can I tell if I've got the original motor in there?  I don't know jack about the bulk of the bike's history.



I have a lot of cleaning to do.

[Greggo]

Thinking of changing my own top triple tree today...don't really want to pay for the tow to the shop, or the labor to get it done.

Any thoughts?  Is it a tough job?  Do I need any special tools other than a torque wrench?

Total non-mechanic here, so any input is appreciated.

Thanks!

[scooter1]

nice bike im working on a 72 cb500.....and I also have the cracked top tree clamp....thanks to a member here I now have one in the mail and hope to have it this week!!!
Mine has the little washers missing also...why did people not put these spacer washers back is beyond me....
I read on here somewhere that the spacer washers were 0.093 inch, and hope to find some washers close to these specs!!!

[Greggo]

SHE'S ALIVE!!!! 

Bought the right socket for the stem nut, pulled the old tree, slipped the new one on, tightened everything up, and away I went!!!

I caught myself laughing maniacally I was so happy to get her on the road again safely.  Now I'm just waiting to get her tuned up, replace that POS seat, repaint the tank, install the new rear shocks, polish the engine, etc. etc..

  I love my Hondas

[scooter1]

great to hear!!! have fun!!!

[Greggo]

Picked her up from the shop the other day, made it halfway home before the clutch stopped working...fecking awesome mechanic from Charlie's came out and fixed her up enough to get her back to the shop the next day.  Brought her in the next morning, they replaced the adjuster on the sprocket cover, which crumbled in his hand when he showed it to me.  These are apparently a very common problem on these 500's, so if any of you 500-4 riders are having clutch problems, maybe check it out.

I can't stress enough how nice these guys at Charlie's were.  Even though there were thirty bikes in front of mine when I brought her back, they fixed her on the spot, and gave me a great deal.  I'm pretty happy with this bike, I'm only into it a grand with all the parts, registration, and the recent work, and she's running like a top now.

I'll try n post a video later tonight for anyone who might care, and thanks for reading!

[Greggo]

A couple hours of elbow grease, nevr dull, 4 fine wire brushes later, and she still looks like sh1t...Thinking about going for an orange pinstripe on the black tank.  All the chrome on the bike is garbage from sitting outside, so I'm slowly locating new pieces at good prices.  Hopefully picking up an entire front end assembly with brake caliper this weekend in tits condition for a bill.

But, this is all just talk without pics, right?





And, the new shocks meant for a 750.  They're stiff, but they feel great.

I was just too lazy to take the cover off to take a picture of the bike with the shocks on

[Greggo]

Now on to my seat latch problem.  I know that this year's assembly is different than all the other 500/550's, but I can't seem to find a good picture of what mine is supposed to look like, because I'm pretty sure my latch isn't stock.  BUT, since I live in a city of vandals and thieves, I think I'll go for a later year setup so I can lock up the newer seat I'm getting.

Here's what what it looks like now, does that latch look stock to you?


Here's the latch on my seat

Better shot of the (non)lock

And, an update shot with the new shocks

Got a used rear wheel in perfect condition for a hundred bucks shipped.  The old one is too badly pitted to be worth the effort, and right now it's probably the ugliest part of the bike; except maybe the exhaust clamps, but I'll redo those myself.

[Greggo]

Swapped out my torn up light cluster for a nicer piece off a 550.

[MasterChief750]

looking great so far are you going to paint the gauge housings

[Greggo]

looking great so far are you going to paint the gauge housings

Yeah, they're as bad as the old light cluster, but I'm saving that for the rainy season.  I really like the small stock gauges on these 500's

Rust-free rear wheel and refinished seat in the mail.  The rear brake is on its last adjustment, so I'll buy some new shoes to put on at the same time as the wheel.  Might have to do new sprockets and chain then too...

[Gunner_CAF]

If your trying to polish the aluminum, use a cloth wheel and stick polish.  It takes some time, but looks like chrome when your done.  Check this post out, this guy is amazing and has lots of pictures.  If you follow it through, he has several posts on how he polishes.

http://www.honda305.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=1881

You seat latch looks right for your year.  Our 73 is different.  It looks like your missing some parts:

http://www.westernhillshondayamaha.com/fiche_image_popup.asp?fveh=2935&section=122810&year=1971&make=HONDA&category=MOTORCYCLES&dc=3206&name=CB500+SEAT

Gunner

[Greggo]

Getting new parts feels pretty good, even if they're used..

My spare tank, waiting for a cleaning, sealing and spray.  I'm going black with an orange pinstripe.




Picked up a (mostly) rust free front end off a later 550 for 80 clams.  Came with a spare top triple clamp that's not shown.  Gonna rebuild the forks...by the way, anyone know the stock spring length for 500/550 forks?


Probably going to replace those bearings.  They roll smooth, but they're gunked up.  Still an improvement from what's in the bike now.
Used rear wheel from a cycle salvage.


-
Putting the new seat on...

When I found a nice patch of rust on the frame..

[Stev-o]

Good project and progress, looks much better with the "new" seat.

How is it running?

[Greggo]

How is it running?

She runs like a champ 

But she does really need new steering bearings.  I found some AllBalls for 38 shipped, but that's for next weeks paycheck.  Little stuff adds up, and up.

[Greggo]

All Balls are in the mail.  Took the petcock off the spare tank, gonna refurb that.  I'm guessing carb cleaner will do the trick.  Gonna sand down the outside, do as much prep work as I can, then Red Kote the inside. 

Still figuring out the fork spring quagmire..I can only find new fork springs for the CB550...I want to use the nicer tubes from my 500 in the nicer lowers from the 550 setup I have.  So, will 550 springs fit right into this combo?  Are all of these front suspension parts on the earlier 500/550's interchangeable?  I've been searching the threads, but haven't been able to come up with a solid answer.

Thanks!!!!!

[Greggo]

I like shiny sh1t  

[Stev-o]

I like shiny sh1t 

I like shiny sh1t 

Me too, looks great! Did you polish it?

[Greggo]

I found 'em on feebay for a good price from the same guy.  But, the clutch lifter nut on that sprocket cover is good and stuck.  Looks like some compound got in there while he was polishing, and it probably hasn't moved since.  I will now continue trying not to break my new part.  

[Greggo]

I'm trying my hand at paint removal/prep.  I've got experience with finishing wood furniture, so I'll save some money and rattle can the tank.  If the tank turns out nice enough I'll have a local shop put a coat of clear on it. 

First I stripped the badges.  That was pretty easy, but a little bit of the black paint on the dimples won't come off...



Here's when I had just gotten the tank.  It was part of an ebay auction I won for fifty bucks.  It came with the petcock, and side covers too!


This is after 45 minutes of working its magic.

[Old75_ratafe]

what did u use on the tank talstrip?

[Greggo]

what did u use on the tank talstrip?

Yup, took two cans!