Topic: '71 CB 500 project - engine won't tunr over and clutch cable seems way short

[nomath]

Hello

I was given a '71 CB500 project.  I pulled the carbs and rebuilt them (they were solid varnish).  I pulled the plugs, put the tranny in neutral, and kicked it over a couple of times to verify the engine was not seized.  It kicked over fine at the time.  Today I went out in the shop to work on another project and decided to spend some time acquainting myself with the CB.  Note that when I pulled the plugs I was careful to put the plug boots back in place.  The bike is inside a closed garage.

When I went to kick it over (just for fun) it turned over a couple of times but now seems stuck.  Hard.

I also had removed the handlebars to put stock units on (it had mini-apes) and so I left the clutch cable dangling.  When I went to attach the clutch cable to the new bars it seems far too short, even with the adjuster giving me as much slack as possible.

Could it be a broken clutch disk?  The clutch cable didn't seem so tight when I took the apes off.  In fact, it came out of the lever pretty easily.

I'm not adverse to taking it apart to do some investigating, but has anyone run into this so I'm not barking up the wrong tree?  If not, any ideas?

The bike is dead stock except for a 4:1.  No faring, nothing but naked CB.

I'd like to get it running so I can putt around town.  My '83 'wing can be a littler......errr......large to enjoy on quick trips down town.

Thanks all!!!

doug
(newbie)

[bryanj]

Clutch cable probably just dropped out at the bottom end very unlikely to be a clutch problem.Locked engine will need carefull and gentle investigation

[MRieck]

I have a feeling your cylinders could be full of gas and you hydrolocked the engine. Pull the plugs and try kicking. Be gentle.

[nomath]

Thanks all.  I should have noted that the tank was bone dry when I got it and both the tank and gas lines (and carbs) have been off the bike during this discovery.

My initial thought was to pull the clutch basket and try to turn it by hand from there, isolating any part of the kickstarter mechanism as the possible cause.  If that doesn't shed any light, I guess I'd pull the motor and star disassembly.  BTW the odometer shows 36K and I have no idea what the maintenance history of the bike is, or even when it was last run.

I'm more familiar w/the GL1000 and 1100.  This is my first CB  ,-)

doug

[nomath]

Clutch cable probably just dropped out at the bottom end very unlikely to be a clutch problem.Locked engine will need carefull and gentle investigation

If this happened, is it possible that the clutch cable or some other parrt (now out of place) would cause the lockup?

Sorry for playing 20 questions  ,-)  I appreciate the help.

doug

[bryanj]

Not unless its in gear with no chain and the cable wrapped arround the sprocket. Thats three ifs and a maybee so unlikely

[nomath]

Not unless its in gear with no chain and the cable wrapped arround the sprocket. Thats three ifs and a maybee so unlikely

Thanks.  I'll pull the side covers this week and see what's wrong.

BTW - finished the carbs last night, much easier than the Goldwing carbs I've worked on.  Gotta love direct pull slides  ,-)

doug