Topic: New bike owner from Calgary

[Čina]

I got myself my first bike after many years of just thinking about it.  I still have to get my licence but this is a good project for the winter.  I'm hoping to gain a lot of knowledge, tips and ideas here.  As well as sources for new and/or used parts to get my bike going.

I picked up this beast this week.  1971 Honda CB500.  It's old and in rough shape.  The good thing though is after  some tinkering I realize that it looks far worse than it really is.  I'll have to go through all the controls and switches but I have a few months of winter ahead of me.   My major plans are to at least get the tank, fenders, seat, and side covers looking presentable, replacing the exhaust and tires and cleaning the rest.  The rust on the frame is just light surface stuff and isn't crucial to anything.  I just need to take apart the things like the brakes, clutch and get them working right.  The engine isn't seized but when I have it in gear and roll it the kick starter turns both ways.  There is no lever on it so it doesn't interfere with much.  I don't know what that could be but I have downloaded some manuals now and will take a look.  My first initial thought as a noob is thinking that there is some style of ratcheting type mechanism that may not be working right.

Any advice and tips would be great.  Especially places to locate the parts like I mentioned.  I'm going to keep reading here and I'll make a build thread when I get things going.

Here's the beast.










Thanks.....and please be kind.

[Stev-o]

Welcome from Texas!

Looks like the "Beast" has had a rough life, but you can rebuild him. Do research here and start shopping for good deals on parts [here, locally and eBay].

Good Luck!

[gregk]

Cina

Looks like a challenge, and welcome from Kimberley BC.  Get that bike running over the winter and ride over the mountains for a visit. 
i may have some parts from a 550 that would fit your bike.

[Čina]

Thanks guys.  I have no doubts that it can be rebuilt.  I have yet to decide whether it's a he or a she just yet.  That'll probably happen during the rebuild.   I'll probalby think up a name for it too.

I have to get it registered in my name before I put in any real time or money.  The people I bought it from didn't have the ownership papers since it was just left behind in a storage building they own.  It can be done but will be a bit of a hassle.

I definitely have plans to take that bike through the mountains for a road trip or two.  I was just in Kelowna for a rugby tournament in July and it was my first real trip into BC for a decent period of time.  The drive was beautiful and I would love to do it next year on the bike.

Greg, what parts do you have?  It's all the small things like handles and cables and such that I would need at the moment if I can't fix them.

[spot45]

Welcome, You have an interesting project there.  It looks like the speedo and the tach are from two different bikes.  The green gauge is from a '76 CB750.  But if it works go for it.  I have a '72 CB500 which I got for free and I can give you leads on a lot of the parts that you are going to need.  One place you should look is your local Honda dealer because most of that stuff is still being sold by Honda.  If I remeber right David Silver Spares in England is selling Repro side covers, but you can get them cheaper directly from the manufacturer. 

[Stev-o]

Parts:

http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=76249.0;topicseen