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Author Topic: 1973 CB500k a.k.a. "The Practice Bike"  (Read 1331 times)

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Offline OldZaskar

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1973 CB500k a.k.a. "The Practice Bike"
« on: April 10, 2019, 04:50:59 AM »
Full Disclosure: I haven't a clue what I'm doing. This is my first motorcycle. It seems like a good to one to practice wrenching on - it's got lots of miles, lots of zip ties, lots of cobbled wiring, at least one pathetic repaint, non-stock exhaust... So, it's not headed for the Honda museum.

On the plus side, it runs great. It starts every time on the first push of the starter button. It doesn't smoke. It makes all the right sounds (verified by a friend who's had lots of these old Hondas).

I've had it a month. I've done some basic maintenance stuff (brakes, sprockets, chain, oil) and some cosmetic stuff (painted the corroded, scratched wheels, cut down the dented, extra-holed fender, swapped the tail light (which had added lights IN the damn lens).

Up next: fuel lines, rebuilding the wiring harness (the previous owner loved to cut, splice, solder, add toggles, etc), paint the tank, fenders (front goes back on), side covers - paint color and powder coating already picked and ready to go!

Day it came home (after a couple hours degrunging):
Note the rear turn signals are zip-tied on, the wiring in that tail light, the bedliner knee pads...




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« Last Edit: April 10, 2019, 04:53:49 AM by OldZaskar »
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'73 CB500 Four

Offline SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan

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Re: 1973 CB500k a.k.a. "The Practice Bike"
« Reply #1 on: April 10, 2019, 07:19:27 AM »
If you haven't already done so, download the service manual, print it out and keep it in the garage where you work on the bike.  http://manuals.sohc4.net/cb500/

Welcome to the forum. 

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1975 CB550K1 "Blue" Stockish Restomod (http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=135005.0)
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Offline przjohn

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Re: 1973 CB500k a.k.a. "The Practice Bike"
« Reply #2 on: April 10, 2019, 10:19:04 AM »
Take a look at reproduction wiring harnesses and Vintage Connections Honda Connectors. Both, along with Wiring Diagram will make your job easier if the original harness has been hacked up badly.
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Offline Gurp

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Re: 1973 CB500k a.k.a. "The Practice Bike"
« Reply #3 on: April 10, 2019, 10:30:37 AM »
Good looking project. .save yourself another headache and get some Vessel "JIS" screwdrivers.
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slow Progress 74 cb550.

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Offline OldZaskar

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Re: 1973 CB500k a.k.a. "The Practice Bike"
« Reply #4 on: April 10, 2019, 10:49:10 AM »
Thanks guys!

The manual has been bookmarked, ordered some JIS screwdrivers, looking into the Vintage Connections Honda Connectors. I'm a big fan of starting with new when it comes to wiring harnesses (with the Jeeps I've built). Repairing 46-yr-old wiring is beyond my skill (and patience) level.

For the record - the uncut rear fender in the "Day I bought it home" pic isn't the one I cut up. The seller dumped a ton of parts on me - one of which was a dented fender with lots of holes. That one went under the knife. Same with the to-be-cut front fender - it's a rusty dented piece. Can't bring myself to "ruin" a good OE part that's survived this long.
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'73 CB500 Four

Offline cb360j

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Re: 1973 CB500k a.k.a. "The Practice Bike"
« Reply #5 on: April 10, 2019, 01:22:15 PM »
Looks super good so far!
I would always recommend a fork brace of some sort when not running a front fender.
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Offline RAFster122s

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Re: 1973 CB500k a.k.a. "The Practice Bike"
« Reply #6 on: April 10, 2019, 01:53:38 PM »
If you can find a fork brace that will work with a fender then you are much better off as the front end flex will be greatly reduced.  Nice starting point on the bike.

What color are you going to paint it?

Glad you recognize the value of original parts that are unmolested.
Welcome to the forum.

David
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Offline OldZaskar

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Re: 1973 CB500k a.k.a. "The Practice Bike"
« Reply #7 on: April 10, 2019, 02:06:05 PM »
Definitely not running without a fender (despite the pic clearly showing no fender). The bike came with the OE fender - and it's got the expected pitting and dents. Fortunately, the dent(s) are toward the ends. I'm cutting the fender down a bit - with more behind the fork than in front.

The color is a pale tan, almost an off-white. The seat (actually, a ripped up O.E. seat that came with the bike) will be recovered dark brown. The tank emblem will be basically stock - silver and black with the inside red. I found a powder and paint that are dead match. So, I powder the metal and paint the plastic. No more black than what's already black. In fact, when I get around to rebuilding the wheels, I'll likely go with black rims and hubs with silver (SS) spokes/nipples.

But, and it's a big but, I reserve the right to go back to my first comment... "I haven't a clue what I'm doing" and could revise the plan again and again... hence the "Practice Bike" ;-)

Thanks!
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'73 CB500 Four
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