Topic: Cb500F What have I gotten myself into??

[grcamna2]

That's Great news Tyler. 

[SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan]

Thanks guys, Im going to try all of this!  I Found Vintage Bike Heaven today though.  Its a huge warehouse called Baltimore Cycle Salvage, and its in a terrible section of town freakin packed with bikes.  Pulled up and they have a 450 twin sitting out front.  Figured I was in the right place.  Ill be making friends with the owner   He said I could bring my bike by anytime and he would help/ teach me what he can, no charge.  Guess this day ended well!

Out-freakin-standing.

[2strokeTrush]

Yep, They couldn't have been nicer, said I was the youngest guy to ever come around looking for vintage parts.  They were actually on a Episode of " Cafe Racer Tv " They pull the parts for you, ( Something about insurance ) but he gave me a little tour and inside I saw 3 early 750s a 400f and four 350 twins and this was just 300 feet inside the door.  I have only ever seen 3 vintage Hondas including my 2, Needless to say I was rather excited

[SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan]

Yep, They couldn't have been nicer, said I was the youngest guy to ever come around looking for vintage parts.  They were actually on a Episode of " Cafe Racer Tv " They pull the parts for you, ( Something about insurance ) but he gave me a little tour and inside I saw 3 early 750s a 400f and four 350 twins and this was just 300 feet inside the door.  I have only ever seen 3 vintage Hondas including my 2, Needless to say I was rather excited

That's great that you found a great source of local parts and knowledge.  Sounds like a great place.

[grcamna2]

Yep, They couldn't have been nicer, said I was the youngest guy to ever come around looking for vintage parts.  They were actually on a Episode of " Cafe Racer Tv " They pull the parts for you, ( Something about insurance ) but he gave me a little tour and inside I saw 3 early 750s a 400f and four 350 twins and this was just 300 feet inside the door.  I have only ever seen 3 vintage Hondas including my 2, Needless to say I was rather excited

That's great that you found a great source of local parts and knowledge.  Sounds like a great place.

Tyler,
I might just try to ask you if you can purchase a hard to find part for me & send it to me. I wonder what his prices are like & if he ships.

[2strokeTrush]

^

Sure just let me know.  And no they don't ship I would have to buy cash, then ship it to you.  You just tell them what you are looking for and they go get it so its gotta be specific. 

[grcamna2]

Thanks 

[2strokeTrush]

Tyler - btw, brake lever is in the Post as of this am. Should see it Friday. Sorry about the delay.

Thats awesome! Thank you again!

[2strokeTrush]

Sorry guys, no to much excitement going on today,  Two project bikes is pretty time consuming especially when I'm trying to work  out every little thing on the 350f before the carbs return.  Tank is beautiful inside now, and I installed the new Petcock so thats progress right?   Waiting on parts to come in now.  When they do Ill be heading down to my new friends at the salvage yard for a afternoon of teaching and with high hopes of being able to ride her for the first time!  Ordered Carb Rebuild kits, Air filter, Bought fresh oil, and a new Oil filter.  Really hoping to be rideable within the next week or so!

Much Much better tank.



Easy Petcock install as per your instructions

[2strokeTrush]

Went back to the salvage hard today, just to set up a time to bring my bike down,  I asked the guy if he had a latch for my seat and he had a crusty old one that will clean up nice for free!



Carb rebuilt kits from 4into!



Took the carbs off today, they need some love!

[grcamna2]

Hey Tyler, "what have you gotten yourself into" ?  Those carbs don't look bad at all ! When you rebuild those carbs,I'd keep as many Original Honda brass parts such as jets,needles,needle jets,etc. as you can.
The rebuild kit's sometimes don't have the most exact match parts as they should. 
The rubber parts make the most difference and Real good cleaning off ALL the passages + removing the needle Jet and cleaning it carefully along w/ it's passages will give you the Best victory and smooth throttle response of All. 

[Mcwilliams570]

The starter,kickstand and horn are in the mail..

Matt

[2strokeTrush]

Going down to the shop tomorrow to try and get those carbs cleaned.  Still have to find that nasty electrical issue though.  Power to the back of the bike, but no dash lights, headlights or turn signals.  Main fuse is not blown. Ideas??

Took advantage of the nicer weather.  Did the degreasing of the engine.  Got allot of gunk off, but the case is pretty stained from long time gas leaking carbs i assume.



Changed oil and oil filter, as you can see she was about a Liter low on oil. Filed her with fresh Honda 10w40

[NobleHops]

 Got a lot of gunk off, but the case is pretty stained from long time gas leaking carbs i assume.

Use paint stripper there - that's a clearcoat that needs to come off. Obviously be careful with it. Maybe try a citrus strip for starters.

[SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan]

You can try to clean the stain but it's almost certainly set into the clear coat. 

Unless you are going for a full rebuild, you may just want to degrease it more and live with it.  If not, you will need to strip it off and deal with the raw aluminum, which will require you to paint it, powdercoat it or re-clear it -- depending on how far you want to go.  Some guys pull the motor and spray it with VHT paint, as an easier fix.  Don't leave it polished and bare, as you will still need to periodically polish it.

I would say either degrease it more and live with it if you can.

[2strokeTrush]

Paint stripper will work, but it will remove the clear coat (however dis colored) and leave you with raw aluminum. This will have to be protected or maintained to keep its appearance.

I'd encourage you to degrease and live with it. At some point when you remove the engine to do significant maintenance on it, then repaint or powder coat it clean AND protect the finish.

I've has good results with the aluminum-safe blend of Simple Green in cleaning my hunky engines without discoloring the aluminum nor removing the clear coat.

You can try to clean the stain but it's almost certainly set into the clear coat. 

Unless you are going for a full rebuild, you may just want to degrease it more and live with it.  If not, you will need to strip it off and deal with the raw aluminum, which will require you to paint it, powdercoat it or re-clear it -- depending on how far you want to go.  Some guys pull the motor and spray it with VHT paint, as an easier fix.  Don't leave it polished and bare, as you will still need to periodically polish it.

I would say either degrease it more and live with it if you can.

Just dropped her off at the shop, Going to pick her up saturday (Hopefully) running!  But more then likely ill attempt to clean at least a little bit of that off, but leave it till I pull the engine next winter! Then ill paint the entire engine. At least thats the plan for now.

[Bankerdanny]

Hey Tyler, "what have you gotten yourself into" ?  Those carbs don't look bad at all ! When you rebuild those carbs,I'd keep as many Original Honda brass parts such as jets,needles,needle jets,etc. as you can.
The rebuild kit's sometimes don't have the most exact match parts as they should. 
The rubber parts make the most difference and Real good cleaning off ALL the passages + removing the needle Jet and cleaning it carefully along w/ it's passages will give you the Best victory and smooth throttle response of All. 

+1 on this. Leave the brass in the bags and just use the gaskets. It is very unlikely that the original jets and needles in your carbs are worn out.

Also, just a tiny thing, insignificant really, but you have a 500K, not a 500F (I get that for your F=four vs the 500T twin). Only the 350 and 400 used the F designation for all models. On the 550 and 750 the F designates super sport models. The 500 only came in one "flavor" the K model with 4 mufflers.

Anyway, you are coming along nicely and I think are going to be really happy with the final result.

[2strokeTrush]

Hey Tyler, "what have you gotten yourself into" ?  Those carbs don't look bad at all ! When you rebuild those carbs,I'd keep as many Original Honda brass parts such as jets,needles,needle jets,etc. as you can.
The rebuild kit's sometimes don't have the most exact match parts as they should. 
The rubber parts make the most difference and Real good cleaning off ALL the passages + removing the needle Jet and cleaning it carefully along w/ it's passages will give you the Best victory and smooth throttle response of All. 

+1 on this. Leave the brass in the bags and just use the gaskets. It is very unlikely that the original jets and needles in your carbs are worn out.

Also, just a tiny thing, insignificant really, but you have a 500K, not a 500F (I get that for your F=four vs the 500T twin). Only the 350 and 400 used the F designation for all models. On the 550 and 750 the F designates super sport models. The 500 only came in one "flavor" the K model with 4 mufflers.

Anyway, you are coming along nicely and I think are going to be really happy with the final result.

Thanks allot! In my search for parts I have been noticing that about the "K" model so thanks for shedding some light there!

[SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan]

Paint stripper will work, but it will remove the clear coat (however dis colored) and leave you with raw aluminum. This will have to be protected or maintained to keep its appearance.

I'd encourage you to degrease and live with it. At some point when you remove the engine to do significant maintenance on it, then repaint or powder coat it clean AND protect the finish.

I've has good results with the aluminum-safe blend of Simple Green in cleaning my hunky engines without discoloring the aluminum nor removing the clear coat.

You can try to clean the stain but it's almost certainly set into the clear coat. 

Unless you are going for a full rebuild, you may just want to degrease it more and live with it.  If not, you will need to strip it off and deal with the raw aluminum, which will require you to paint it, powdercoat it or re-clear it -- depending on how far you want to go.  Some guys pull the motor and spray it with VHT paint, as an easier fix.  Don't leave it polished and bare, as you will still need to periodically polish it.

I would say either degrease it more and live with it if you can.

Just dropped her off at the shop, Going to pick her up saturday (Hopefully) running!  But more then likely ill attempt to clean at least a little bit of that off, but leave it till I pull the engine next winter! Then ill paint the entire engine. At least thats the plan for now.

That's a great idea to wait to pull and paint the motor until the riding season is over. Ride the piss out of it until then!

[2strokeTrush]

The mechanic at the shop was sick most of the week, so he didn't have time to do my Carbs, Hopefully he will be done them soon, then he is teaching me how to adjust valves on her.  Man do I wanna ride this thing!

[2strokeTrush]

Went down and talked to the shop about my bike today, compression test showed 1 and 3 were low, but not awful.  Should have her up and running by the end of this week.  Question, can the starter be replaced with the carbs still in?  I recently got a new one from a member here and on my 350 its quite easy to get to, but not so much on the 500. 

[Stev-o]

You sure the starter is bad? They rarely go bad. Have you tried jumping the solenoid?

[2strokeTrush]

You sure the starter is bad? They rarely go bad. Have you tried jumping the solenoid?

Yep I have,  I thought it was odd to.  But the new one was free, so this weekend I will hopefully get her back and try to install the new starter. 

[grcamna2]

I hope you get it back this weekend also.Bike shops can be kind of crowded in the Spring because they all want their's done 'yesterday' 

[2strokeTrush]

Carbs are back, brakes are working, electric is back, all cylinders firing, bikes running, and its raining   Will have a full report soon with pics and video for you all.  I have been super busy these past few weeks!