I'm beginning work on a CB500-based race replica for a customer here in Portland. He spends 11 months of the year working in China, and is here for prime riding season in the summer. We've decided on a 2 year timeline, shooting for a mockup when he's here next summer. This should be fun, and I plan on documenting the build here. Anyway, here's the plan as it stands now:
CHASSIS-1971 CB500 frame
-Grimeca 4LS front hub
-18" Excel alloy rims, WM2 front WM4 rear
-Progressive rear shocks
-Race tech cartridge emulators
-Frame braced and modified to fit RC bodywork
-Tarrozzi rear sets and clips-ons
ENGINE: CB550/650 engine, 762cc-CB550 cases
-CB650 crank
-CB650 rods, shotpeened
-CB650 cylinder block
-CB900 DOHC sleeves, modified
-CB650 head, ported
-CB550 trans, undercut
-CB650 primary-clutch gearing
-Megacycle 126-21 camshaft
-Kibblewhite HD valve springs
-OS intake valves
-66mm pistons, 10.5/1 CR
-Keihin CR29 carbs
-Dyna 2000 ignition
There are lots of details to be ironed out as we go... exhaust, lighting, etc., but this is the gist of the project as it stands. The wheel parts are on order, and the engines are being torn down and inspected now. The trans is en route to FBG for undercutting, and Soos is working on the pistons/liners. I'll have pics as soon as I have something worth showing. For now, this is what we're going for:
Somewhere between this (RC166):
and this (RC181):