Author Topic: Yamaha guy with a SOHC on the way (Read 4085 times)

Scott S · « **on:** March 21, 2010, 05:18:44 pm »

Hello Forum,
First post here. I'm primarily a Yamaha guy (XS650's and a single FJ600 in the bunch), but I hope to have a SOHC4 in the garage by the end of the week.

I was chatting with one of the instrument guys at work a couple of nights ago and mentioned that I just sold one of my bikes. He starts asking questions and then says "I should really sell that old Honda I have"...
Hmm, guess what my response was?!

Turns out he has a 1972 Honda CB500/4 that he's owned for more than 30 years. He parked it in the early '80's when a clamp on the top triple tree broke. Says he kicks it over from time to time. Engine is free. Was running great when the triple tree broke. Stored inside for almost 30 years. Clear title in his name. All original (except maybe the exhaust, he can't remember).
I asked what he wanted for it. He grinned and said "$300". I told him I'd take it, but I don't have a truck...could he deliver? "Sure", he said, "but don't you wanna look at it first?". Uh, NO. I told him to get some pics if he wanted and to let me know. He says he has to move a bunch of old furniture his father bought so he can get to it.
Firmed up the deal a few days ago. Our off days coincide this coming weekend and I hope to have it in my garage next to my 1975 XS650B project very soon.
I already sourced a top triple tree (FREE!).

I don't know anything about these old Hondas so I'm sure I'll be doing a lot of reading and asking dumb questions. I'll post pics as soon as I get the bike home, too.

jessezm · « **Reply #1 on:** March 21, 2010, 05:40:02 pm »

I was always an XS650 guy, too. Had a mint condition original '75B, plus a tracker I built and a few others along the way. Switching over to an SOHC4 isn't a radical change. The biggest difference is dealing with a rack of 4 carbs instead of the two big ones on the yami. But as far as everything else, same concept, and many of the same mods apply (swingarm bushings, steering head bearings, e-ignitions, etc.). I always liked the vibration and feel of the XS motor. I like the smoothness of the Hondas, too though. Take your time getting to know your way around the bike, but like I said, it's really not a radical difference from the restoration standpoint I think. Enjoy, and welcome aboard!

steamnjn23 · « **Reply #2 on:** March 21, 2010, 06:42:32 pm »

welcome!

kslrr · « **Reply #3 on:** March 21, 2010, 06:59:41 pm »

welcome into the SOHC4 fold.

BeSeeingYou · « **Reply #4 on:** March 21, 2010, 07:35:50 pm »

Welcome from another XS650 guy. There are several 75 XS650B's here now.

laser145 · « **Reply #5 on:** March 21, 2010, 07:43:53 pm »

Welcome

Put up some pics when you get them...I love seeing what people manage to get for cheap!

Scott S · « **Reply #6 on:** March 22, 2010, 03:44:35 am »

Quote from: jessezm on March 21, 2010, 05:40:02 pm

Switching over to an SOHC4 isn't a radical change. The biggest difference is dealing with a rack of 4 carbs instead of the two big ones on the yami. But as far as everything else, same concept, and many of the same mods apply (swingarm bushings, steering head bearings, e-ignitions, etc.).

Well, I've been into the carbs on the FJ before, so it's not that bad...just more of everything.

As far as the electronic ignition goes....ever heard of a guy named "Pamco Pete"? He lives in my town and is a good friend/riding buddy. He's been wanting to develop a points replacement system for the CB 750 for a while now. He just hasn't been able to locate a good, running bike to experiment with.
How similar is the CB500/4 ignition system? Maybe once I get this one going again I can offer it up for some experimentation.

jessezm · « **Reply #7 on:** March 22, 2010, 06:48:31 am »

I could be wrong, but I think the dyna-s ignition is the same for all the SOHC/4s, so I imagine they must be set up pretty similarly.

Your friend should have a look at Hondaman's CDI ignition for the 750. Just do a search it'll pop up.

HondaMan · « **Reply #8 on:** March 22, 2010, 07:31:47 am »

Quote from: Scott S on March 22, 2010, 03:44:35 am

Quote from: jessezm on March 21, 2010, 05:40:02 pm
Switching over to an SOHC4 isn't a radical change. The biggest difference is dealing with a rack of 4 carbs instead of the two big ones on the yami. But as far as everything else, same concept, and many of the same mods apply (swingarm bushings, steering head bearings, e-ignitions, etc.).

Well, I've been into the carbs on the FJ before, so it's not that bad...just more of everything.

As far as the electronic ignition goes....ever heard of a guy named "Pamco Pete"? He lives in my town and is a good friend/riding buddy. He's been wanting to develop a points replacement system for the CB 750 for a while now. He just hasn't been able to locate a good, running bike to experiment with.
How similar is the CB500/4 ignition system? Maybe once I get this one going again I can offer it up for some experimentation.

Here's a link to the Ignition:
http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=67543.0

It used to be a "sticky", but seems to have lost its "stickyness" and disappeared.

EDIT 3/28/10: It's back! You can see it in the For Sale section.
Thanks, Steve D!

76CB5WI · « **Reply #9 on:** March 22, 2010, 08:37:02 am »

FJ1200 here..72 7, 76 550.
I like points I like working on them if you take them away its not vintage anymore.

Best luck

Really? · « **Reply #10 on:** March 22, 2010, 10:14:05 am »

They wont bug ya hear about owning a Yammi. I do not even own a Honda! Well, it is in my name but momma is not giving it up.

Scott S · « **Reply #11 on:** March 22, 2010, 10:56:37 am »

Here are some before and afters of my work:
1980 Yamaha. $100 bike with a good title and spare motor. Took me two weekends to get it running and a few more months to convert it to a cafe' racer.

Scott S · « **Reply #12 on:** March 22, 2010, 10:58:22 am »

No before pics of this one, but it was lavender with a two-tone king/queen seat, buckhorn bars and homemade header and highway pegs. My Father now owns this one.

Scott S · « **Reply #13 on:** March 22, 2010, 11:01:18 am »

Rode this one home for $700. It had receipts for $400 worth of recent work. Turned it into a Brat Style bobber. I recently sold it and the cafe'.

Scott S · « **Reply #14 on:** March 22, 2010, 11:04:12 am »

This is my current project. 1975 XS650B. It's currently stripped down to the bare frame. I hope to be at the point where I start bolting stuff back ON instead of taking stuff APART in the next week or three.
I've also done my share of aircooled Volkswagens. And I'm particularly anxious to get the 500/4 home so I can see what it's all about, too.

Really? · « **Reply #15 on:** March 22, 2010, 11:04:52 am »

You do some nice work! I see you can polish aluminum too! Nice!

BeSeeingYou · « **Reply #16 on:** March 22, 2010, 09:58:29 pm »

Quote from: Scott S on March 22, 2010, 10:56:37 am

That is a great looking bike. Is that an early XS750 tank? I have seen that picture of your 75 before, must be on the 650 forum.

Scott S · « **Reply #17 on:** March 23, 2010, 05:40:21 am »

Yes, that's either an XS750 or XS850 tank. I recently sold that bike. I sure loved looking at that thing every time I pulled into the garage! Riding it was pretty fun, too!
I am a member of a few XS forums, so you probably have seen the pics before.

laser145 · « **Reply #18 on:** March 23, 2010, 07:15:42 am »

You do great work! Nice to see.

IHWillys · « **Reply #19 on:** March 23, 2010, 09:06:51 am »

Hey, a Yamaha thread...

I'm also a Yamaha guy that now has two Hondas, a '75 CB550F and a '75 XL350. Since we're sharing pics of our Yamahas...

'76 XS650C (SOHC):

'79 RD400F (SC - Sans Cam):

Ken

Really? · « **Reply #20 on:** March 23, 2010, 11:40:25 am »

Daytona Special or just kinda looks like it? Me likee!

IHWillys · « **Reply #21 on:** March 23, 2010, 11:48:52 am »

Quote from: TipperT on March 23, 2010, 11:40:25 am

Daytona Special or just kinda looks like it? Me likee!

Yes, it's a Daytona Special. I don't have the original airbox or exhaust system. There are many '79 DS specific parts that make them more valuable if all original but this one is still a great looking RD with many of the DS parts still there.

Ken

PS, it'll be for sale soon. I've owned it for over 15 years now but just don't ride it anymore. It deserves to be passed on to someone who will.

Here's a link to more pics/info:
http://www.hemko.com/kenstuff/rd400F/rd400F.asp

News:

Author Topic: Yamaha guy with a SOHC on the way (Read 4085 times)