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Offline unkle fester

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cb500t-----any insight??
« on: January 18, 2009, 03:27:13 PM »
just picked this up today off craigslist.....cheap.....hoped it was going to be a 500-4 but......from what I can find out, it was a only made 3 years  74-76.....it's complete, seat is mint, and pipes are in good shape.....only shows 680 miles on the odometer........any thoughts???  any known problems with em??   why was it a only a 3 year  bastard bike???  I'll trade somebody a cb500-4 or cb550-4 for it........................
« Last Edit: January 18, 2009, 03:41:25 PM by unkle fester »
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Markcb750

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Re: cb500t-----any insight??
« Reply #1 on: January 18, 2009, 04:20:15 PM »
Looks like a great find, this is the evolution of the CB 450 Twin.

Only 700 original miles!

Does it run?

I would not trade a 500/550 four for it.
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Offline unkle fester

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Re: cb500t-----any insight??
« Reply #2 on: January 18, 2009, 04:26:33 PM »
motor kicks over and has good compression.....owner said it ran but not very good and then parked in a shed.....last inspection was in 85......tomorrow I'll pull the carbs and clean em and go from there............
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Offline tonycb650

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Re: cb500t-----any insight??
« Reply #3 on: January 18, 2009, 04:56:43 PM »
If you got it cheap ,i think you should get it running first and ride it for a while. You will probably find out that its a pretty sweet ride. I would get it running good , and clean the chrome , keep it and continue looking for a 550/4. If you fide that you don't like it , you will get more $ for a good running and clean bike.
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Offline bryanj

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Re: cb500t-----any insight??
« Reply #4 on: January 18, 2009, 10:16:35 PM »
only common problems were crap in the carbs (NOT an instruction!!) and starter motor sprag clutches

Oh and ugly looks
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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).

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Offline Bodain

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Re: cb500t-----any insight??
« Reply #5 on: January 19, 2009, 10:38:22 AM »
why was it a only a 3 year  bastard bike??? 

Honda had many short run bikes. The answer to your question is very simple. "They didn't sell very well."  You introduce a new model and see how it goes. Does the public like it, and willing to buy it?

The CB 400 was a good example.. It was actually ahead of its time in styling!

Very low sport handle bars. THe first Honda with a factory 4 into 1 header. Still the public wasn't wasn't really into it at the time, and the CB 400 had a very short life span.
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Offline SteveD CB500F

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Re: cb500t-----any insight??
« Reply #6 on: January 19, 2009, 10:50:24 AM »
Quote from: bryanj on January 18, 2009, 10:16:35 PM
Oh and ugly looks

Especially the orange ones they sold here in the UK
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Offline tbpmusic

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Re: cb500t-----any insight??
« Reply #7 on: January 19, 2009, 12:47:28 PM »
Quote from: unkle fester on January 18, 2009, 03:27:13 PM
just picked this up today off craigslist.....cheap.....hoped it was going to be a 500-4 but......from what I can find out, it was a only made 3 years  74-76.....it's complete, seat is mint, and pipes are in good shape.....only shows 680 miles on the odometer........any thoughts???  any known problems with em??   why was it a only a 3 year  bastard bike???  I'll trade somebody a cb500-4 or cb550-4 for it........................

Unk -

It was more like a de-evolution of the 450 DOHC.
Correct, only made for two years, actually ('75/'76).
Changes made to the 450 were crankshaft, cam specifics, bigger bore, different pipes, some useless crap added to the carbs, tranny ratios, and the oh-so-attractive (NOT !!) styling that only a mother could love.

Despite larger displacement, performance was not improved, and maybe even worse.
No more collectibility than any other 5-speed 450, in spite of the small production run.

On the bright side, most parts interchange with 450's.
Has a small cult following, but the 450 is generlaly preferred.

bill2
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Offline grumburg

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Re: cb500t-----any insight??
« Reply #8 on: January 23, 2009, 03:57:35 PM »
Mostly CB450 or 550. Head, exhaust, carbs, tank and seat are unique. Brakes, wheels, caliper, are 550. Last year's project was a 75 500T. Paid $225 for a non-running barn bike. Usual problems Stuck caliper, bad starter and starter button, dirty carbs, and holy exhaust. Found good parts on the CB450 forum (highly recommended) . Invested about $1000 and 4 months work. Sold in $2700 at the AMA Museum Jap bike show to a guy who had one new and had been looking 5 yrs for another.  Even the mutts have their following. No SOHC4, no CB450. http://s224.photobucket.com/albums/dd131/grumburg/?action=view&current=bc3.jpg http://s224.photobucket.com/albums/dd131/grumburg/?action=view&current=100_0134.jpg
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Offline Grizzly

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Re: cb500t-----any insight??
« Reply #9 on: January 24, 2009, 06:21:10 AM »
Ugly, why is it ugly? It's not ugly  I don't think it's ugly ;D

Look after the top end, keep changing the oil and it wil be a great bike!!!
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NC550

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Re: cb500t-----any insight??
« Reply #10 on: January 24, 2009, 12:48:10 PM »
Well guys , i just traded Unkle Fester a 74 550-4 for the 500T. I've been working on a 74 550 for a few months and had a lot of extra parts and a almost complete bike left, so we traded. He's planning a neat "brat" concept bike and i just wanted another project.  He's a Great Guy with a lot of experience with these bikes, i'll keep you informed with my progress on the 500T.
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NC550

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Re: cb500t-----any insight??
« Reply #11 on: April 29, 2009, 06:16:38 PM »
 I meet "Unkle Fester" on this site and we found out that we only lived a few miles from each other. We traded a few parts and became friends. I had been trying to contact him over the last few weeks and because he was a transport driver for Nascar i just thought he was traveling and would contact me when he had a chance, but i received a call from his wife on Tuesday saying that he had passed away on April 1st 2009.( He was 42) I do not know any details , but just wanted to let everyone know incase any of you had any dealing with him. He was a nice guy and i sure he be missed by many.
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Offline CBJoe

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Re: cb500t-----any insight??
« Reply #12 on: April 29, 2009, 06:53:57 PM »
 :'(  That sucks.... condolences to his family. 

regards, Joe
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