Topic: Southwest Michigan CB500

[zanorak]

Hello all,
Just checking in. I've lurked long enough to fix most of the FAQ problems.
Finally got the CB up and running last weekend, did my first trip of over a mile earlier this week.
The bike:
1972 CB500 purchased for $200 from Craigslist in non-running condition.
4 into 1 exhaust , recent muffler - old pipes.
Pod air cleaners (generic?) that don't fit right and block the choke lever
Replaced the battery
Repaired the broken speedo cable escutcheon (how often do you get to use that word - and why wasn't this thing metal???)
Cleaned the carbs - seafoam and carb cleaner shot down every orifice
Cleaned the petcock
Blew out the tank vent
Getting spark and it runs!

Previous owner did NOT re-jet - have to run at 3/4 choke to make up the fuel in the mix
Tires appear to be from the early 80's??? I'll be replacing those.
This thing stops worse than my Grand Cherokee - really?
Ripped seat, rust speckles, and instant street cred - gotta love the old school CB's

This thing truly is the Terminator. Only my stupidity can keep it from running now - this thing is a marvel.

The CB already has some personality of its own. Sometimes the stop/run switch won't make connection and leaves me standing there like an idiot while my friends look on. Sometimes it will pee out 1/4 cup of gas when in the presence of a Ducati. But it always starts eventually. I dig it. IF it has no more to give, you can tell it at least WANTS to give more.

My first repairs when crap weather rolls in:
Re-Jet. Any suggestions? Sources? Can I do this for less than the cost of the bike?
Fix the float problem (though the gas pissing is quite charming).
Replace old tires.
Stop the oil leak from the top end. That might wait for a while. It looks meaner dirty. >
Get some actual rebound out of the front forks - looks like it's dribbling a ball going down the road sometimes.
Replace the rear shocks as I'm using up almost all of the suspension with my 260 pounds. (I make this bike look small.)
Fix the torn seat.
Adjust timing, plugs etc.

But before all that I'm just going to get a couple months of riding out of this baby. It's begging for it.

Thanks for the great info and the passionate community! I'm going back to lurk some more...

-z

[sangyo soichiro]

Welcome.  I too am from SW MI.  Buchanan. 

As for the jets, they run about $3 each, and you'll need four.  So it's sort of cheap.  The only trick is finding the right size.  And that may take a few purchases.  And then there may be tinkering with needle position.  If you have to run with the choke on, then you need to increase the jet size.  The jets have a number on them (which is the size), and they come in increments of 2.5.  I might try increasing by two sizes (just little more than a guess...).  I'm not too familiar with the 500.  You can order the jets online, or maybe find a local bike shop.  I got mine in South Bend at Freedom Cycle (but I think they might be going out of business...).

[zanorak]

Thanks for the welcome Soichiro!
I'll def need to jet up if I have to run the choke to richen up the mixture. Yes, had some trouble finding the right sizes. I'm going to start at the Honda dealer this time, and go from there. We don't have an  independent shop around here - otherwise I'd try them first.
First order of business will be replacing the tires though. I'm growing some large checks in the sidewall right now and I don't want to end up red grease under somebody's tires.

Thanks again!

[spot45]

To stop the gas leak there are a couple of things you can do.  I can relate because I have a CB500 that I resurrected from the dead.  One will be to try and run some inline filters on your gas line.  The other will be to just run the bike and the leak will eventually slow down and stop.  There is also a front brake adjuster screw turn that a bit and it may improve your brakeing.

[zanorak]

Thanks spot!
Had a failure of the fuel lines (probably from the early 80's when this bike last ran frequently) and replaced them. I tried adding inline fuel filters but I could only get the long side, not the short side. I'm going to remove it soon, as today I had the "run for 10 minutes and die" problem. Very embarrassing. It was hot - so lean. I kept creeping the choke up and eventually it quit on me, not to be restarted. This means I'll also be going through a tank clean and probably a re-jet since the choke was needed to run anyway before the problem. My petcock may be faulty as well - though it's clean. I'll just check it out when the bike's apart. Overall I think it's the fuel lines and the jetting.

[spot45]

I sent you a PM, it should give you some advice and help in solving your problems.  Like I said I been there done that so I share your pain.  But my 500 is a bitsa of sorts with a few other parts coming from other bikes.  But you won't know it unless you look carefully.