Author Topic: Here’s my ‘72 CB500 project  (Read 169 times)

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Offline Cevan

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Here’s my ‘72 CB500 project
« on: December 01, 2024, 04:59:11 AM »
I’m back in the Honda four club as I just picked up this ‘72 500K1  Hoping Mass lets me title it.  The bike seems like it’s never been messed with.  Has been sitting for about twenty years.  It has compression and I’m certain I could get it running but tires and brakes are shot.  Figured this would make a good winter project.  Hoping to be riding it sometime next year.

I’m been disassembling it and two pieces are broken (so far).  I’m looking for a good used top fork bridge and a left side engine case.

The fork bridge is broken where it clamps to the fork.  The factory spacers where there so not sure what happened.  There’s a broken tab on the inside of the engine case that secures a spring for the clutch mechanism.   

Thanks for your help.
« Last Edit: December 01, 2024, 09:08:53 AM by Cevan »

Online BenelliSEI

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Re: Here’s my ‘72 CB500 project
« Reply #1 on: December 01, 2024, 05:33:42 AM »
Nice find. I’ve replaced broken tabs by drilling and tapping a small hole and then lock a screw in place.

Offline Oddjob

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Re: Here’s my ‘72 CB500 project
« Reply #2 on: December 01, 2024, 05:41:32 AM »
Pic of the broken tab area?

I might have some sprocket covers I'm throwing away due to massive corrosion, one I even sanded a hole right through the casing to see how deep it went. So I could maybe cut off that tab and you could get it welded onto yours?

Offline bryanj

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Re: Here’s my ‘72 CB500 project
« Reply #3 on: December 01, 2024, 06:30:36 AM »
Top tree gets broken when overtightened and another case needs to have a decent, moveable clutch adjuster
Semi Geriatric ex-Honda mechanic and MOT tester (UK version of annual inspection). Garage full of "projects" mostly 500/4 from pre 73 (no road tax in UK).

Remember "Its always in the last place you look" COURSE IT IS YOU STOP LOOKIN THEN!

Offline MauiK3

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Re: Here’s my ‘72 CB500 project
« Reply #4 on: December 01, 2024, 06:40:58 AM »
Welcome!
Nice bike, following.
Too bad Yamiya does not go after the half liter bikes and make parts for them.
1973 CB 750 K3
10/72 build Z1 Kawasaki

Offline jlh3rd

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Re: Here’s my ‘72 CB500 project
« Reply #5 on: December 01, 2024, 07:41:04 AM »
The fork bridges are the same for the KO - K2, (according to cms) so the model doesn't matter. But you need to check frame/engine #'s to be sure as to what model you have.
Honda did not designate "year" until 1974, regardless of other publications...including CMS and titles.
The KO was sold from 6/01/71 - 03/31/72, for example. The KO had starlight gold , The K1 had candy gold, for example.
So knowing what model you have can save time/money down the road.
« Last Edit: December 01, 2024, 08:26:15 AM by jlh3rd »

Offline Cevan

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Re: Here’s my ‘72 CB500 project
« Reply #6 on: December 01, 2024, 09:09:51 AM »
Bike is a K1 per the VIN and engine number.

Offline newday777

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Re: Here’s my ‘72 CB500 project
« Reply #7 on: December 01, 2024, 10:16:55 AM »
I’m back in the Honda four club as I just picked up this ‘72 500K1  Hoping Mass lets me title it.  The bike seems like it’s never been messed with.  Has been sitting for about twenty years.  It has compression and I’m certain I could get it running but tires and brakes are shot.  Figured this would make a good winter project.  Hoping to be riding it sometime next year.

I’m been disassembling it and two pieces are broken (so far).  I’m looking for a good used top fork bridge and a left side engine case.

The fork bridge is broken where it clamps to the fork.  The factory spacers where there so not sure what happened.  There’s a broken tab on the inside of the engine case that secures a spring for the clutch mechanism.   

Thanks for your help.
Welcome back to the forum Cevan
I was the one asking if you bought it from Geoff on your fb post.
I checked with him to see if he had a top tree available but he said he is holding on to the one he has.

I checked the Honda fiches and the 71 500K0 through the 74 550K0 use the same top tree.
Original part number 53230-323-010,  superceded to 53230-323-305 (both discontinued)
There is a New Old Stock 53230-323-305 on ebay but they want $695! For it!! Unbelievable!
I sold a NOS last year for $150. Unfortunately, a year late for you.....
Stu
Honda Parts manager in the mid 1970s Nashua Honda
My current rides
1975 K5 Planet Blue my summer ride, it was a friend's bike I worked with at the Honda shop in 76, lots of fun to be on it again
1976 K6 Anteres Red rebuilding project, was originally my brother's that I set up from the crate, it'll breath again soon!
Project 750s, 2 K4, 2 K6, 1 K8
2008 GL1800 my daily ride and cross country runner

Prior bikes....
1972 Suzuki GT380 I had charge of it for a year in 1973 while my friend was deployed and learned to love street riding....
New CB450 K7 after my friend returned...
New CB750 K5 Planet Blue, demise by ex cousin in law at 9,000 miles...
New CB750 K6 Anteres Red, to replace the totaled K5, I sold this K6 at 45k in 1983, I had heavily modified it, many great memories on it and have missed it greatly.....
1983 GL1100A, 1999 GL1500 SE, 1999 GL1500A

Offline Cevan

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Re: Here’s my ‘72 CB500 project
« Reply #8 on: December 01, 2024, 12:35:34 PM »

Welcome back to the forum Cevan
I was the one asking if you bought it from Geoff on your fb post.
I checked with him to see if he had a top tree available but he said he is holding on to the one he has.

I checked the Honda fiches and the 71 500K0 through the 74 550K0 use the same top tree.
Original part number 53230-323-010,  superceded to 53230-323-305 (both discontinued)
There is a New Old Stock 53230-323-305 on ebay but they want $695! For it!! Unbelievable!
I sold a NOS last year for $150. Unfortunately, a year late for you.....
[/quote]

Thanks for checking Stu.
« Last Edit: December 01, 2024, 12:38:07 PM by Cevan »

Offline jlh3rd

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Re: Here’s my ‘72 CB500 project
« Reply #9 on: December 01, 2024, 03:04:29 PM »
cms shows the top tree available....just expensive

Offline Oddjob

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Re: Here’s my ‘72 CB500 project
« Reply #10 on: December 01, 2024, 03:13:19 PM »
Shame, I have a nos top yoke but it’s for the 550f, ignition under the yoke not the tank.