Thanks Jerry (and others) I know you have other things to do,
I will start a post, maybe something like the "CB500 Green_Manalishi needs help". To finish the Team update here and answer your questions, I'm new to the bike this summer. The bike has performed very well on a 70 mile ride (40 + 30), but it was overcast and a cooler day. Stock ignition, have gone through the gas tank vent cap/ petcock (drilled the cap before 70mi ride), currently doing the tune-up and clutch lifter rod replacement. I've e-mailed some guys on the forum about their clutch lifter rod replacements but haven't heard back. I'll put the busted rod back in and complete the tune-up and see where that takes me. I hope the exhaust leak fix helps out.
I think I just got a junk yard hit on the lifter rod in Cali. Thanks again, and no more posts about my mechanical issues on this forum. Only good news going forward...