Topic: CB500K restoration and re-styling. RED FRAME

[Lorbaez]

Loving this build thread! Very thorough, methodical and with lovely clear pictures.

Oh, and that B&W tank with the red frame looks amazing!

Thanks liPPy, at this moment I need all your support, It seems that it's almost finish but there are undred of details and progress is slow.

[Lorbaez]

Another question:

Do you know which part is fixed here?

[Tews19]

I think that is where the coils are mocked up or the box that holds all the wires. Pretty sure its where the coils mount up though

[Lorbaez]

I've enjoyed your posts and the way you are approaching the the build.  You're getting close now.  In the original post, the pipes looked very nice; are you going to keep them?

you were interested in the pipes, they are Busso silencers, made in Italy

[Lorbaez]

a detail of the pipes

[Lorbaez]

I think that is where the coils are mocked up or the box that holds all the wires. Pretty sure its where the coils mount up though

Thanks for you interest answering me, but Coils are not fixed there, see next picture (sorry for the quality)

[Lorbaez]

coil detail

[Lorbaez]

I see in the part list a coil wire guide that I do not have it (refernce number 18). Can anyone confirm if this part is fixed in on of these threads?

[Mcwilliams570]

Yeah I looked at the 74 550 that I am working on nothing was there also looked at the 75 550 wifes and nothing on that one too so am curious too on what goes went there..

Matt

[Mcwilliams570]

I think 18 part # goes here ..

[Lorbaez]

Yeah, it seems you are right,your coil wires have same route as described by n#18 mistery part.
I'm sure this part is not available anymore in Europe, In any case next monday I will ask for it.

[Vbled1]

Looking good man. Colors look great and that engine is show quality.

[Lorbaez]

Looking good man. Colors look great and that engine is show quality.

Thanks, I didn't start the engine so I'm crossing my fingers every day.

[Lorbaez]

Today I've been working on the right side of the bike. Pipes are on the bike and I assembled left Tarozzi rear set. They looks fantastic, very nice quality and fits perfectly on my bike.

[tweakin]

Looking really good, nice work!

[Lorbaez]

As you can see from previous picture, I installed std front fork, my plan to adapt a CBR600R 03ym fork will be delayed until next winter.

I removed completely the fork (ver simple) cleaned and assembled again with new seals. I use a very cheap tune looking for less SAG: 8mm bush and SAE15W fork Oil. Once assembled I noticed that SAE15W is too much, damping is to slow (compressing by hand), anyway I will test it and finally decide.

[Lorbaez]

Last days progress is really slow. I ordered a pair of new tyres last december but I don't receive them yet.

[Lorbaez]

I'm happy, today I have received new tires. Great.

My coleague also finished a cap for the clutch cover. With Tarozzi Rear seat you can not use kick starter so I decided to remove kick axle. I use std oil seal.

[Lorbaez]

Question:

Before tight all engine bolts I noticed that there are 5mm gap between engine plate and engine itself. once tighted all seems to be OK. Does it means that my frame is not OK?

engine Lower front left bolt (close to the main stand) was also difficult to align with the frame
Did you experience something similar?

[Lorbaez]

Lot's of thiks to do these days, Once you have the engine on the frame you, seems that it is finished but there are 1000 of details to do until first start.
Rear wheel is assembled.

[Lorbaez]

As I explained, my plan is to install a new front end so I do not take care of current one. I painted front caliper and polished brake arm, new bolts, new oil seal and new tube and looks great.
I painted it with anti caloric paint, it has been really difficult to do it because this paint is not easy to apply. Thanks to my colleague Fran Final result is Ok for me.

[Lorbaez]

Starting day:
After a long period working on the bike, it’s time to start the engine one more time. I’m a bit afraid since cam chain sprocket installation was not easy, I removed it 2 times to be sure that everything was OK but I was not 100% confident.
First problem: Once I connected a fuel tube to the carburetors, all fuel drops down through the float chamber ventilation. It seems that float valves do not work properly; I removed and inspected, now a small amount of fuel drops (I will order new valves).
Second problem, Ignition timing adjustment: I have a lot of experience with fuel injection systems and CDI but this is the first time I work with contact breakers. Service manual explanation is not clear for me so I made static adjustment incorrectly. My plan was to make a fine adjustment with the help of stroboscopic timing light. I made it extremely wrong so engine did not start.
Once I solved these 2 problems and with the help of 2 new batteries, engine started: Initially lot’s of smoke but Engine noise is OK, Cam chain is OK. Idle speed is not stable and I need choke level a little bit open to keep engine running. Probably timing needs fine adjustment and also some carburetor adjustments (float valves and vacuum adjustment). Do you have any suggestion?
In any case I’m really happy.
Next Friday I want to make first ride so I have a lot of work to do it.

[Lorbaez]

It's Friday and I do not ride my new bike.
I fixed ignition timing with a stroboscopic lamp and now is OK but Carburetors problem remains, float level is not the same in all of them and fuel level is not fixed properly so Idle speed is not good, in fact cylinder N#1 is cold.
I ordered new floats, float valves and 4 new slow jets. Unfortunately I won't receive them until next monday so my plan to ride this weekend is cancelled.
I have to admit my  lack of experience working with carburetors.

[lucky]

What is it? 3rd gear? I had 3rd go on mine and heard it's a common fault.

When I see someone slam down on the gearshift lever with their big boot I just wish they could see how delicate the shift mechanism is.
A motorcycle transmission does not have syncros it only has four dogs on each gear that must line up with four holes.

[lucky]

As I explained, my plan is to install a new front end so I do not take care of current one. I painted front caliper and polished brake arm, new bolts, new oil seal and new tube and looks great.
I painted it with anti caloric paint, it has been really difficult to do it because this paint is not easy to apply. Thanks to my colleague Fran Final result is Ok for me.

Thanks,
Nice photos!! good work!