Author Topic: 73 CB500 4 "Free" Style  (Read 19275 times)

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Offline XC204

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73 CB500 4 "Free" Style
« on: February 02, 2012, 06:35:15 pm »
Don't know what style it will be yet but this is what I am starting with 1st motorcycle project. I am mostly a bicycle modder so this is new to me. Bike was free from a friend with title. This is an awesome site, great inspiration. I've been dissasembling and tossing the really bad stuff. This was the starting point. Tank was trashed so I bought a CB650 tank on fleabay. Built a new tank mount and welded it in.
« Last Edit: February 02, 2012, 06:37:54 pm by XC204 »

Offline XC204

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Re: 73 CB500 4 "Free" Style
« Reply #1 on: February 03, 2012, 03:41:24 am »
Tank mounted with an upper auto shock bumper , washer and the portion of the front tank rubber that I had to cut down to fit the tank on. Also a cardboard seat mockup.
« Last Edit: February 03, 2012, 03:49:00 am by XC204 »

Offline XC204

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Re: 73 CB500 4 "Free" Style
« Reply #2 on: February 06, 2012, 07:23:47 pm »
Used my home built pulling frame (idea from this site) to pull the stuck mtr. Also quick built a bench stand out of some punched sq tubing I had around. I think I need to double pull on the HF hoist moves too quick on single line pull.

Offline XC204

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Re: 73 CB500 4 "Free" Style
« Reply #3 on: February 06, 2012, 07:28:15 pm »
Do you guys resize all of your photos? I'm having trouble getting 2 photos that should be under the max size to go in the same post? Emgine bench stand.

Offline rb550four

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Re: 73 CB500 4 "Free" Style
« Reply #4 on: February 06, 2012, 08:34:36 pm »
I haven't used a 650 tank yet , is there enough clearance for stock fork trim? It looks a little wider toward the front of the tank, is there enough clearance for drag bars with signal switches on the bars? I've tried it on a stock tank and the switch controls kinda hit the tank. Just wonderin if it could be as easy as switching to a 650 tank.
A few Honda 500's, a few Honda 550's, a few Honda 650's, '72 cb 450, a couple 500/550/650 hybrids, and 2001 750. 
  550 Snowbike -Somebody had to do it.
  http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php/topic,101678.0.html             
http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php/topic,137317.msg1550907.html#msg1550907

Offline XC204

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Re: 73 CB500 4 "Free" Style
« Reply #5 on: February 07, 2012, 03:40:50 am »
RB not sure on fork stock trim as I got rod of it , It is closer than stock tank but I think I'm going to run bars with a rise so it seems it will clear. I.ll try a set of flat mtb bars and see if it looks close. The tank came up at a real good price on ebay buy it now and I really liked the shape .

Offline knowsnothing

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Re: 73 CB500 4 "Free" Style
« Reply #6 on: February 08, 2012, 12:47:07 pm »
Do you guys resize all of your photos? I'm having trouble getting 2 photos that should be under the max size to go in the same post? Emgine bench stand.

The easiest way to go about it is to open a photobucket account (free) and dump your pictures there.  Photobucket provides the image code for each picture so all you have to do is cut and paste.  That way do you don't have to worry about re-sizing anything.

The only thing to keep in mind is that if you move the image in photobucket, it will break the link in your thread and the image will disappear.
« Last Edit: February 08, 2012, 01:07:05 pm by knowsnothing »
1978 CB750k Green - 811 engine
1978 CB750k Blue - for sale
1974 CB375F Faded Black - had to have that 6th gear
1976 CB400F Red - in many pieces
1973 CB350F TBD - in many pieces

Offline XC204

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Re: 73 CB500 4 "Free" Style
« Reply #7 on: February 18, 2012, 05:38:06 pm »
Bit the bullet and took a link out of the cam chain so I could get the head off. Couldn't budge the engine even with the ATF and acetone soak. Here's what I found. Maybe not enough of the mix.


By xc204 at 2012-02-18


By xc204 at 2012-02-18

Offline Bluegreen

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Re: 73 CB500 4 "Free" Style
« Reply #8 on: February 18, 2012, 09:03:28 pm »
I'm stoked to see where this build ends up, I think these bikes take on a life of their own and design themselves.
« Last Edit: February 18, 2012, 09:05:03 pm by Bluegreen »

Offline XC204

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Re: 73 CB500 4 "Free" Style
« Reply #9 on: February 21, 2012, 10:10:30 am »
Scooped the goop out of the tubes and its soaking in acetone / ATF mix to see if I can remove the jugs. Cylinder's looked much better when they were cleaned out.

Offline Lostboy Steve

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Re: 73 CB500 4 "Free" Style
« Reply #10 on: February 21, 2012, 02:05:30 pm »
That looks pretty..... bad. I would start pouring liquid wrench or pb blaster in those bores.
1968 Honda Z50
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Offline XC204

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Re: 73 CB500 4 "Free" Style
« Reply #11 on: February 22, 2012, 08:13:18 pm »
Got the cylinders off of the pistons with the help of this rig that I spent the evening building. Its a press fixture to push all 4 pistons at the same time. Slid a 3/4" by 1/8 flat bar into the slots between the center tubes. This was to pull against.


By xc204 at 2012-02-22


By xc204 at 2012-02-22


By xc204 at 2012-02-22

Offline rb550four

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Re: 73 CB500 4 "Free" Style
« Reply #12 on: February 22, 2012, 08:33:59 pm »
I've been hanging my jug, takes a while , sometimes longer, like your tool , got to get me one of those. And you were worried about making the jump from bicycle to motorcycle? Don't see a problem. What year  650 tank? Are you thinking cafe seat or a custom with some cushion?
A few Honda 500's, a few Honda 550's, a few Honda 650's, '72 cb 450, a couple 500/550/650 hybrids, and 2001 750. 
  550 Snowbike -Somebody had to do it.
  http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php/topic,101678.0.html             
http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php/topic,137317.msg1550907.html#msg1550907

Offline XC204

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Re: 73 CB500 4 "Free" Style
« Reply #13 on: February 23, 2012, 03:38:24 am »
RB the "tool" is a hunk of scrap sloted unistrut with 4 pcs of threaded rod the nnistrut rectangular nuts are inside the strut. I buggered a little fin at he top cause I got in a hurry and didn't go to Menards and buy some more 3/4 x 3/16 and 1/2 x 3/16 bar stock to go in the other 3 slots to pull on. Welded some 3/4 and 1/2 washers together for the pads to push down on the pistons. The tank I'm not sure what year 650 or even if it is a 650. The seat I,m going to make an aluminum pan that swoops up to follow the frame brace that the fender used to bolt to. For some reason I like the shape of that brace and may leave it exposed. I may have to extend a cowl off of the back of the seat to gain height for a little bum stop look. Gotta play around like on my bicycles to see what I like.

Offline knowsnothing

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Re: 73 CB500 4 "Free" Style
« Reply #14 on: February 23, 2012, 06:38:01 am »
Those jugs actually don't look too bad.  Are there any deep scratches/scoring?   Based on your first picture, i was expecting waaaaay worse.  Keep it up!
1978 CB750k Green - 811 engine
1978 CB750k Blue - for sale
1974 CB375F Faded Black - had to have that 6th gear
1976 CB400F Red - in many pieces
1973 CB350F TBD - in many pieces

Offline XC204

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Re: 73 CB500 4 "Free" Style
« Reply #15 on: February 23, 2012, 04:41:22 pm »
Didn't want to spend much or any thing to remove the valves so I got to thinkin what I needed. I had made a tool to remove Schwinn kickstande on old bikes it seemed like it might work..........It did! Harbor Freight 6" bar clamp and a scrap of steel tube and a round head screw  $2.99 is what it cost me.





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Offline Randawg77

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Re: 73 CB500 4 "Free" Style
« Reply #16 on: February 23, 2012, 06:32:27 pm »
Looking good,   Im gonna follow this one as a fellow IL  cyclist and  CB owner!   
Don't  Taze me, Bro!

Offline trueblue

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Re: 73 CB500 4 "Free" Style
« Reply #17 on: February 24, 2012, 03:50:49 am »
I'm interested in seeing where this one goes, BTW that tank is off a CB650Z, 78-79 model. 
1979 CB650Z
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Offline WhyNot2

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Re: 73 CB500 4 "Free" Style
« Reply #18 on: February 24, 2012, 03:53:14 am »
I'ma watching too.
If it ain't raining, I'm riding.....~~{iii}?~~prost

If it sounds like I know what I'm talking about, it's because I cut and pasted from someone else.

Offline XC204

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Re: 73 CB500 4 "Free" Style
« Reply #19 on: February 26, 2012, 09:31:04 am »
Got all the pistons out and the stuck rings cleaned out. Removed all the valves one exhaust valve broke off in my hand as I pulled it out? Seems to have had a fracture looking at the break line. Are valves really $65 each!

Offline Flying J

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Re: 73 CB500 4 "Free" Style
« Reply #20 on: February 26, 2012, 09:39:15 am »
Nice work. I work mostly on motorcycles but i have done a few bicycles vintage bike builds in the last year. They are much more simple but just as rewarding.

Offline XC204

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Re: 73 CB500 4 "Free" Style
« Reply #21 on: March 06, 2012, 07:37:09 pm »
Haven't gotten too much done the last two weeks discouraged about valve prices and other parts. Then there was the kidney stone event last Fri. I had just gotten to work on my bicycle when I started feeling an old familiar feeling from about 10 yrs ago. The guys at work hauled me to the ER. The weekend and Monday were shot with still no stone in sight! I did cruse the net found parts and ordered gasket set and rings. Tonight I bent up a rear loop and cut some more brackets off of the frame. The jugs look pretty good going to borrow a honer and give it a go. here's the loop does it look too long ?



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Offline knowsnothing

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Re: 73 CB500 4 "Free" Style
« Reply #22 on: March 07, 2012, 06:37:54 am »
Loop looks good, just make sure there is enough rear wheel clearance when compressed.  I have seen a bunch guys put the rear hoop at a slightly upward angle to give themselves some more room.

ps - sorry to hear about the kidney stone.  I have been told those bastards hurt like a SOB
« Last Edit: March 07, 2012, 02:21:49 pm by knowsnothing »
1978 CB750k Green - 811 engine
1978 CB750k Blue - for sale
1974 CB375F Faded Black - had to have that 6th gear
1976 CB400F Red - in many pieces
1973 CB350F TBD - in many pieces

Offline Killer Canary

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Re: 73 CB500 4 "Free" Style
« Reply #23 on: March 07, 2012, 09:23:16 am »
That tank looks quite nice on there. Hopefully the coils won't cause you any problems.
If it's worth doing at all it's worth over-doing.
Honda MT250, CB400F, CB450K, CB550, GL500, CBR929
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Offline XC204

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Re: 73 CB500 4 "Free" Style
« Reply #24 on: March 07, 2012, 10:33:36 am »
Good idea test the coil fit! I tend to eyeball alot. The space looks good but why not try. Thanks