Author Topic: CB 500 Four (1972?) Full Restoration  (Read 140227 times)

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Offline MickB

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Re: CB 500 Four (1972?) Full Restoration
« Reply #25 on: October 18, 2013, 03:02:16 PM »



Dave I think frame is ok what do you or others think? No bulges that I can see

Is the swinging arm from a cb500? Anybody help?

Offline dave500

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Re: CB 500 Four (1972?) Full Restoration
« Reply #26 on: October 18, 2013, 06:26:12 PM »
yep thats a 500 and early 550 swing arm,the axle slot is open ended and two lugs go into the end,the later arms are closed and you have to pull the axle to remove the rear wheel,your frame wont have a plate on it,sort of pre 76 bikes here dont have a compliance plate.

Offline MickB

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Re: CB 500 Four (1972?) Full Restoration
« Reply #27 on: October 18, 2013, 09:53:40 PM »
Thanks Dave, I thought it was a 500 swing arm after looking at picture on CMNSL web site

Online bryanj

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Re: CB 500 Four (1972?) Full Restoration
« Reply #28 on: October 18, 2013, 10:28:37 PM »
If you need to PROOVE the year of build you may have to get a letter from an aproved service. Here in UK Honda do it for about £30GBP
Semi Geriatric ex-Honda mechanic and MOT tester (UK version of annual inspection). Garage full of "projects" mostly 500/4 from pre 73 (no road tax in UK).

Remember "Its always in the last place you look" COURSE IT IS YOU STOP LOOKIN THEN!

Offline dave500

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Re: CB 500 Four (1972?) Full Restoration
« Reply #29 on: October 18, 2013, 10:58:15 PM »
we dont need that proof here in australia.

Offline MickB

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Re: CB 500 Four (1972?) Full Restoration
« Reply #30 on: October 19, 2013, 01:42:22 AM »
Went to undo spokes all are rusted really tight.

My thought is to replace 40 year old spokes with new stainless steel ones. Any comments?

Offline MoMo

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Re: CB 500 Four (1972?) Full Restoration
« Reply #31 on: October 19, 2013, 02:43:59 AM »
Do you have a plan of attack? Wheels would be one of the later items but if they are at the beginning for you new spokes should be in order.  I recently relaced my 400f with David Silver Spares spokes




Offline buckett

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Re: CB 500 Four (1972?) Full Restoration
« Reply #32 on: October 19, 2013, 03:11:45 AM »
Hi Mick

I'm in Sydney as well, also with a cb500 but doing a cafe build, if you are missing parts I have a bunch of spares as well, or if you come to a stage where you need to see a particular part assembled hit me up and we'll figure something out!

although come to think of it mine is in pieces too right now just not quite as many!
« Last Edit: October 19, 2013, 03:13:33 AM by buckett »

Offline MickB

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Re: CB 500 Four (1972?) Full Restoration
« Reply #33 on: October 19, 2013, 02:00:29 PM »
Mo the original plan of attack was frame, forks, wheels, motor then electrics and finally tank and exhaust. I tried to undo spokes last night with out much success.

The frame is read for blasting and paint - if it's ready I figure it'll spur me on.

I think now I'll start by inspecting and cleaning the parts I can use, if you have a suggestion let me know

Bucket thanks for the offer it's a huge task sorting through every thing I've got.

Offline MickB

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Re: CB 500 Four (1972?) Full Restoration
« Reply #34 on: October 19, 2013, 02:04:07 PM »

Do you have a plan of attack? Wheels would be one of the later items but if they are at the beginning for you new spokes should be in order.  I recently relaced my 400f with David Silver Spares spokes


Thanks Mo I've been on Silvers web site already drooling, I'm definitely getting SS spokes. My basic thought is the wheels are an easy quick win

Offline MoMo

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Re: CB 500 Four (1972?) Full Restoration
« Reply #35 on: October 19, 2013, 03:46:33 PM »
Use a bolt cutter for the spokes if they are that badly rusted.  Afterall, you won't be using them.  Rolling chassis, motor, then electrical seems like a good order of attack.  Look forward to following along...Larry

Online bryanj

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Re: CB 500 Four (1972?) Full Restoration
« Reply #36 on: October 19, 2013, 03:51:08 PM »
If you don't need documented proof somewhere on this site is a copy of my list of numbers you can print out to show whoever where the number fits
Semi Geriatric ex-Honda mechanic and MOT tester (UK version of annual inspection). Garage full of "projects" mostly 500/4 from pre 73 (no road tax in UK).

Remember "Its always in the last place you look" COURSE IT IS YOU STOP LOOKIN THEN!

Offline MickB

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Re: CB 500 Four (1972?) Full Restoration
« Reply #37 on: October 22, 2013, 12:30:37 AM »
Well tomorrow off to Luke Ball at Kirawee specialist in early Jap bikes, he's just finished doing bottom and top end and head bearing surface on  a 350/4 and a 550/4.

He'll let me know which crank (hope at least one will be ok)  to use and he can do the entire machining. Also heads and barrels and tappet covers, one of the tappet covers looks really good tappets look as new.

Sending the cam shaft to Queensland (about 1200ks away) to be done - redo bearing and cam surfaces, supposed to be one the best in Australia

Frame needs a little welding on the lug on the right side is split, doing it Thursday. Then blasting and take to paint.

Photos aren't real good but if anyone has a comment about cranks or anything else please advise

g

Offline MickB

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Re: CB 500 Four (1972?) Full Restoration
« Reply #38 on: November 08, 2013, 09:56:46 PM »
Been a busy few weeks so have the frame ready for blasting, forks are disassembled ready for the new seals, o rings and boots I've ordered

Used bolt cutters to cut spokes off, rear wheel ready for new bearings.

Rims to be re chromed next week, new spokes from David Silver

Help I can't move the retaking ring on the front wheel


I've searched but not a lot of info on how to, is it reverse thread or normal - anyone advise?

Engine cases where sitting and spinning in a hot oil bath for 1 week, look nice al done at Heads Plus.

Crank looks within spec as does mains and rod journals. Ed at Heads Plus ( should be Ed's Heads) reckons will be ok. The head bearing surfaces and cam bearings will go ok Ed also reckons (Ed used to race CB500 back in the day), work shop is real old school with stuff every where but Ed knows his stuff, lucky to find him and only 10 minutes from home.

Start on carbies a next, new kits have arrived

Pleas help regarding front wheel someone

Bucket thanks for your offer, I need to go through every part I have and separate the god from the bad and ugly.

Offline MoMo

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Re: CB 500 Four (1972?) Full Restoration
« Reply #39 on: November 08, 2013, 10:37:31 PM »
The retaining notches need to be drilled down.  Use a bit the same size and drill straight down 3/32nd of an inch-there are many threads with photos on how to do that.  Drilling removes the burrs that are preventing the retainer from moving...Larry

Offline dave500

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Re: CB 500 Four (1972?) Full Restoration
« Reply #40 on: November 08, 2013, 11:06:57 PM »
front retainer is normal thread.

Offline MickB

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Re: CB 500 Four (1972?) Full Restoration
« Reply #41 on: November 09, 2013, 01:26:43 AM »
Thanks MoMo, but I tried drilling with a 2mm and went down about 3 mm and no luck so far, I've also sprayed Super Release Agent

It's tight!

Offline MickB

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Re: CB 500 Four (1972?) Full Restoration
« Reply #42 on: November 09, 2013, 01:31:52 AM »
Larry I tried to locate threads on this problem with no success, point me in the right direction please.

Offline Sharpy

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Re: CB 500 Four (1972?) Full Restoration
« Reply #43 on: November 09, 2013, 03:32:52 AM »
Thats one way to buy a bike!  Would love to get one like that, like a big jigsaw! Good luck with it!  :D

Offline MoMo

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Re: CB 500 Four (1972?) Full Restoration
« Reply #44 on: November 09, 2013, 04:51:51 AM »
Larry I tried to locate threads on this problem with no success, point me in the right direction please.

try front wheel retainer in the search box,  I got a bunch of hits with that phrase. Good luck with it...Larry

Offline Ewan 500K1

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Re: CB 500 Four (1972?) Full Restoration
« Reply #45 on: November 09, 2013, 06:21:42 AM »
Hi Mick, a number of folk make a special tool for getting that stubborn bearing retainer out. I was having the same problem till I bought one if these;

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Honda-Front-Wheel-Bearing-Retainer-Tool-350-400-750-Four-400-4-CB-CX-GL-CBX-Etc-/251359080262?pt=UK_Motorcycle_Parts_13&hash=item3a862b2f46

jings, crivens, help ma boab

500 four K1 cafe racer build thread at :
http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=100883.0

Offline MickB

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Re: CB 500 Four (1972?) Full Restoration
« Reply #46 on: November 09, 2013, 01:39:16 PM »
You blokes are fantastic giving answers to people on the other side of the world to people you don't know.

Thanks heaps.



Another question - about my rims and safety. Are they too far gone with rust to trust them?


Offline MoMo

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Re: CB 500 Four (1972?) Full Restoration
« Reply #47 on: November 09, 2013, 01:43:41 PM »
If you can tap on them with a lightweight ballpeen hammer and get a solid tone you should be good to go....Larry

Offline MickB

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Re: CB 500 Four (1972?) Full Restoration
« Reply #48 on: November 09, 2013, 01:58:02 PM »
Larry do you ever sleep?

Offline Sharpy

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Re: CB 500 Four (1972?) Full Restoration
« Reply #49 on: November 09, 2013, 02:21:22 PM »
I would clean them up and see what is left, I found when I did that there was more on the floor of my garage than left on the rim, at that point I decided to get some new ones.  :o