Topic: New ride, new project '72 CB500

[Ardilla]

What's happening people. Just picked this up 2 weeks ago for $500. I've been looking for another classic Honda for awhile now my first being a '78 CX500. Anyways I found this one non running and in good shape. This is my first project so I'm gonna take it slow. As far as restoring it or just fixing it up along the way, I haven't really decided on that yet but so far it's been fun figuring things out and getting my hands dirty again.

On to the bike. It's a '72 CB500 with a 550 motor in it. I bought it off a photographer who picked it up in NY a few years ago as a trade for work. He had it for a few years, didn't really need to put any work into besides the normal oil change and tune up items. Fast forward to him moving to Seattle, he said one day he ran it out of gas and let it sit after that. His work kinda got in the way so he never really got back to the bike after that. Before he sold it to me, he tried getting to the bike and put some gas in it, charged the battery and couldn't get it started. That's what motivated him to sell it. Just didn't have the time or mechanical knowledge to get it back going.

I picked it up for $500. It came with some awesome hard plastic panniers, a few extra parts and a Clymer service manual. Two days later I had it started. First thing I did was put the battery on the charger. Then I started going through all the plugs making sure they were all gapped correctly (they were way off and filthy) then the wires, checking the carbs for fuel and finally I lubed all the cables. The next day I put the battery back on the bike and crossed my fingers. After a few attempts and figuring out the correct way of turning on the fuel, it started up. Needless to say it was really rough and it smoked the sh*t outta my garage but the thing sounded sweet. I'm still trying to figure out what exhaust I have. It's a 2 to 1 on both sides if I said that correctly? Also trying to figure out where the panniers came from. I've never seen them on a CB before. Maybe someone out here on the interweb can help me figure that out?

Anyways, it's been fun since I've got it running. I haven't put it on the road yet as I have a few things to do before doing so. Just a few runs down the alley to get everything warmed up and a gallon of fresh gas to cycle through. The inside of the tank needs some love and the clutch cable seems to be at its max. I'm not really rushing to put this on the road yet, just want to go through all the basics and start from there. Any advice for a grasshopper would be much appreciated. I'm looking forward to learning about this old beast and can't wait to finally decide what I'm gonna do with it. For now my goal is to just clean it up one piece at a time and make sure it stays runnin'.

Cheers

[Ardilla]

pics

[mjstone]

Nice find, Ardilla.  Those front forks may be off a 550 as well.  My '72 500 didn't have mounting tabs on the right fork lower for adding a second disk brake caliper.  I had to get a lower right from a 550, so since I had an opportunity to just replace both complete forks, I did it.  Anyway, my guess is that maybe your bike had it forks changed out too.

MJ

[Ardilla]

Thanks MJ, that's good to know.

-Ray

[Honda!]

Those saddle bags are rad.  You should take some more detailed pictures of how they are mounted, pretty please.  Also, I like your Toyota.  You're lucky how un-rusty those things are out in Washington.  Good luck on your project!

[Ardilla]

Thanks! Yeah, they really tie the bike together. Well, not really but yeah, they're cool. I'll take some shots later this week or tonight if I have time. Still trying to find out where they came from or if they are just something aftermarket. There is no name stamped or information on them that I can research from.

[Ardilla]

Those saddle bags are rad.  You should take some more detailed pictures of how they are mounted, pretty please.  Also, I like your Toyota.  You're lucky how un-rusty those things are out in Washington.  Good luck on your project!

Took some pics this weekend while I was doing some work. I also did a little research and I think they could be made by shoei? I also found this as a reference, http://forums.kz650.info/index.php?topic=1926.0

[Ardilla]

Been making some slow progress on it. This weekend I put some new bars on it along with a new clutch cable and some fresh oil. I started cleaning it all around getting into the little nooks and crannies. Overall it's looking better than the first day I had it. Next on the list is a new tank, seat and a battery. I've got the tank coming and already found a worthy seat for a decent price. I think after that It might be time to take out on the road.

So far it's been fun figuring things out and getting into all the areas on the bike. Having been a helicopter mechanic in the Marines for 6.5 years, this thing is like putting together legos.

[Duanob]

Awesome, another west seattle CBer. I remember that bike on CL, the guy was advertising it as a 1972 CB550. I said Huh? until i read the ad. Nice find. I like the saddle bags they are super cool. If you come across a new seat cover, Burien Upholstery did a great job of installing with new foam. Get lots of #0000 steel wool and mother's mag polish for rust.

I'm pretty new to the CB 4s as well. I bought mine in Idaho and trailered it home. I pretty much replaced most trim pieces, rebuilt the head and carbs, painted the tank and side covers and a whole bunch of stuff but finally got on to ride it around Alki Beach last monday. Hope to see you riding around soon.

D

[Ardilla]

Thanks for the recommendations, D. Will definitely doing some polishing sometime in the near future. I was able to take mine out on the road last night. It was pretty awesome. What bike are you rolling around on? I think we're practically neighbors!

I just picked up a new tank and side covers. Here's some new pics.