Author Topic: 1973 CB500 MaS (Read 9534 times)

Tete · « **Reply #25 on:** May 29, 2011, 02:24:47 PM »

Looks like the previous owner did alot of silly things. Now i just have to hope there are none more serious than the wrong size pan head incident. So far so good an have put a good 15-20 miles since the leak with no fault. Fingers crossed. If i can make it thru the week with no problems ill focus on a few
Minor things then begin upgrades.

I was thinking handle bars first. Either clip ons or oem honda cb400 low rise which is similiar to super bike rise. The hondas to my understanding are pre holed which is nice when wanting to keep things clean.

Tete · « **Reply #26 on:** May 30, 2011, 04:45:16 PM »

so far so good.

no just to start some upgrades.

Retro Rocket · « **Reply #27 on:** May 31, 2011, 01:39:56 AM »

Go the 400 bars or superbike bars, you'll love them.......Much more comfortable than clip ons.....

Tete · « **Reply #28 on:** June 07, 2011, 05:13:51 PM »

So I thought I had the leaky head gasket but after some investigating it look like the leak sprung from up higher. Is anyone familiar with this?

It looks to be coming from where the tachometer cable is entering. On the brake lever or right side of the bike when facing forward.

Tete · « **Reply #29 on:** June 08, 2011, 05:32:32 PM »

Greggo · « **Reply #30 on:** June 08, 2011, 07:36:37 PM »

The tach seal is a common leak.

Tete · « **Reply #31 on:** June 09, 2011, 01:25:45 AM »

I have read several thread that suggest the one from a dohc Honda 79 as the best option for replacement. Does anyone have experience with this and or a part number?

Thanks.

Tete · « **Reply #32 on:** June 09, 2011, 11:57:42 PM »

Ordered the 1980 cb750 seal as I've been told it's better. Also ordered a valve cover gasket Honda OEM.

Tete · « **Reply #33 on:** June 10, 2011, 06:10:32 PM »

This is what I have going on.

I ordered
cb750 DOHC tach seal 5$
OEM Valve cover gasket 30$
Stainless bolt kit from Z1 15$
New tach cable 11$
Cafe foam and swat cover installed on my CB200t seat pan. 150$
Carb sync from the UK w brass fittings 110$

I'll keep posting even tho it's kinda lonely in here lol. I figure maybe this thread will help someone else in the future.

Tete · « **Reply #34 on:** June 14, 2011, 12:04:00 AM »

Does any one where I can find .5mm shim? My clip ons are 1mm over on my cb200.

Tete · « **Reply #35 on:** June 28, 2011, 12:08:18 AM »

ok , so I got the new tach seal in and also installed a new tach cable as the tach was bouncing. Also changed the spark plugs and double checked all the spark plug cable connections. The Tach seal was super asy so if you are concerned about doing this its is super easy and a no brainer as it stopped the oil leak instantly. Also having a new tach cable and tach that works properly and looks like new to boot, is great. On another note , My bike felt sluggish, and when compared to my friends CB500 down right slow. after changin the plugs and adjusting the cables I can say with confidence that it is running at 100%. Just smooth, starts like a new bike, idles at 800/1000 rpm. Feels fast now where before it felt like, it was running, just not powerful at all. I feel like I can pop weelies or champagne. or both. No more leaks. I have a valve cover gasket but realized after ordering it that it was not needed. HONDA Oem if anyone is interested. As for the Tach seal I recommend the CB750 DOHC one. it fit in super snug and was made better by all accounts. it was thicker, beveled and fit in really tight.

Next up is throw on some clubmans and then decide which seat to go with. I did clip-on on my CB200 and they are great however for a bike I plan to ride alot, I would prefer clubmans. I also need to figure out a tailight and how to lower the gauges properly.

Finally. has anyone noticed a decernable difference with the hondaman points retrofit. Or switching the coils to the DYNA ones? or is one a better solution than the other. I would like to replace the spark cables altogtether and would like to know some other solutions that have been succesful.

Tete · « **Reply #36 on:** August 13, 2011, 01:44:25 AM »

OKay, Here we go with another leak.

This time it looks to be from te throttle side (right) at the base gasket of the cylinder block. Where is meets the cases. Now this is just a guess really because it "looks" like its from there but I guess in theory could be running from just about anywhere. regardless its leaking oil from somewhere. Still ridable but a problem I would like to fix. Has anyone had this problem? I check the oil and it's still at full. Just to veify I did not screw in the oil check I let it rest on top of once unscrewed.

Perhaps this is more common than I think and the leak is from somewhere else and is simply running down to the base gasket. Perhaps I should do and oil change and fill it with a tad bit less?

I dunno. Im kind of left scratching my head on this one as its difficult to identify exactly where it is coming from.

paulh1282 · « **Reply #37 on:** August 13, 2011, 05:06:23 AM »

These old bike leak oil from everywhere. If it is a huge concern of yours I would take the bike off the road and do a complete engine gasket set. but If it was me in your shoes I would just keep checking the level until it gets cold then get into the motor... but the bike looks great. I wish mine would have been in that kind of shape when I bought it. Good luck and have fun.

Greggo · « **Reply #38 on:** August 13, 2011, 12:46:23 PM »

Quote from: paulh1282 on August 13, 2011, 05:06:23 AM

These old bike leak oil from everywhere. If it is a huge concern of yours I would take the bike off the road and do a complete engine gasket set. but If it was me in your shoes I would just keep checking the level until it gets cold then get into the motor... but the bike looks great. I wish mine would have been in that kind of shape when I bought it. Good luck and have fun.

+1. If it's not leaking like a siev, keep riding, and check the oil level often.

Tete · « **Reply #39 on:** August 17, 2011, 12:36:23 AM »

So I degreased the entire engine and dried it off so I could better identify the leak. After letting it run for a few minutes the leak was obvious between the base cylinder block and casing. The gasket is bad.

Like always I keep changin my mind about how to go about repairs. The leak is really bothering me and while trying to figure out how to get it taken care of I ended up finding another bike to buy. A 1972 Cb500. It's in decent shape with alot of goodies on it. Perfect exhaust and fenders with no rust. , 2 motors, one of them a Cb550 and the other is in the bike and looks clean but who knows. The carbs have been rebuilt, and has a new battery. I figured the money I would spend paying someone to rebuild my first bike I could go ahead and gamble on this one. Also since the rebuild isn't exactly warranted because the bike runs fine just has a couple leaks, I think buying this bike was the right move. Straight tank, new petcock, two motors, one in running condition ( hopefully ) new battery. So it looks like I'll either have one really nice bike from or two running ok ones. I'll keep you guys in the loop once i get the 72' running. I may still part it out. So if you are still in need of carbs greggo I might have some but I wont know for a bit. If the motor is good in the 72' I'll probably switch over all the goodies to that bike and get her running smooth and looking tits and then simply get the other looking decent and sell it.. I don't have a garage so dis-assembling the motor myself to rebuild is out of questions because of wind, sand and heat here in Az.

I'll post pics tomorrow of the new rig. really clean. 100% complete all original except it needs intake boots. from carbs to airbox. I'll look for some on FleaBaY

Greggo · « **Reply #40 on:** August 17, 2011, 09:15:49 AM »

If the other bike's a deal, I say go for it! It sounds nice.

Tete · « **Reply #41 on:** August 17, 2011, 05:05:20 PM »

Here's a pic of my latest

Tete · « **Reply #42 on:** August 17, 2011, 08:38:20 PM »

On the 72' bike I just picked up, there are a couple things to note. First the top triple tree where it clamps to the forks is cracked on both sides. Also the bike currently does not get spark. I gotta start trouble shooting. I also need the intake plenum that goes from the airbox to the carbs. So right now I need - Intake, new top tree, and diagnose the spark issues. If anyone has an extra - top tree, intake plenum and I imagine I will need new coils please PM. that would be great.

mjstone · « **Reply #43 on:** August 18, 2011, 08:36:47 AM »

I'd check the points and wiring before I replaced the coils if I were you. Corroded connections, bad points and condenser will all give you problems with spark. You can check continuity of the coil windings. Primary should be something like 4.8 ohms and secondary should be something like 16k ohms. Check the resistance of your spark plug caps as well the should read 5k ohms and are usable up to about 8 or 9k ohms.

The top triple clamp is the same for the 500 and the 550K. I don't know if the 550F is the same.

Nice find by the way.

MJ

Tete · « **Reply #44 on:** October 05, 2011, 12:54:25 AM »

Well. I got the top end rebuilt. I didn't do myself because I simply don't have the resources for it. No garage, proper tools etc. It the funds and patience for trial and error on such a large scale. So I had a proper mechanic do it. He had plenty of experience with a sandcast 750 in his show room and about 12 other bikes. All of vintage fair and in immaculate condition. More importantly anything I mentioned that I learned on the forums he had prior knowledge about. All the little tricks etc. Added some comfort. Got her back today and and she runs perfect as expected. No leaks and super clean. He did point out a few things but those will have to wait as I am broke. Whatever the case here she is with new to me pipes. My other bike had and immaculate exhaust system so I swapped to this bike. Now I simply want to work on the details. Right side blinkers not working. Getting fenders that are straight and eventually new paint. The rear tire I believe is a front tire. And finally chainh the bars to the supersport or euro versions for a lower profile while keeping it oem looking. Get those things handled and I'll be all square. I hope.

jrB · « **Reply #45 on:** October 27, 2011, 05:07:42 PM »

hey tete.. I live south of you in chandler. if you neeed a place to work on your bike I have a garage and plenty of tools. I'm not as knowledgeable as alot of people on this thread but I did somewhat the same as you in buying a basket case and bringing it back to life. PM if interested

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Author Topic: 1973 CB500 MaS (Read 9534 times)