New to Forum, New to Cafe

bmann

New Member
Hey all, this is a great site. So saw a picture of one of carpy's bikes a couple months ago and got bit by the bug. Then found myself this:
 
So here is the scoop, it is a 1973 Cb500 with 2500 org miles on it that was professionally stored for like 25 yrs. $800.00 delivered ;D. I plan to do a full redo using carpy's parts and some other ideas I picked up here. Receive the bike next week and I pretty stoked to get into it, hopefully I dont drive you guys crazy with stupid questions.
 
Excellent! My first ride was a 1973 CB500K. Great handling bike. First thing is lose all the baggage. Then, if you're going to modify the bike, take off all the stock bits like the tank and sidecovers with their original paint and put them away. They'll bring big $$$ on eBay if you need to fund the project, or just keep them on a shelf for a rainy day. Don't paint them. Plenty of ratty tanks and sidecovers out there that you can paint.

The exhaust is interesting looking. Stock headers with aftermarket mufflers on them.

You can rebuild the engine in-frame, but it looks like at most it might benefit from a new head gasket. Looks like the o-ring on the oil filter cover needs to be replaced - you do it with every oil change anyhow.

Bike should clean up real-nice. Some chrome polish and an oily rag will do wonders for the bike :)
 
Pretty clean looking for a 73...nice find!
What do you intend on doing with the luggage rack? I may be interested in them for another project I'm working on.
 
Great lookin bike!

Don't worry about "stupid" questions.
Take a look around I'm sure you'll find what you need.
Otherwise I'm sure we'll help you with whatever you wanna know.
 
word of caution,if it's been stored that long with out running,the valve seals will be as hard as stone!!!! remove the head and replace them,,,,,while your at it(valve job) or lap the valves.these motors are bullet proof and can take a shit pounding! seals are available thru Thibault,,,,good luck!!
 
So finnally got the bike in my garage, the pictures definatly do it justice (I will snap a few more "before's"). Waiting for my manual to arrive before i get too involved in striping it down. Very clean overall with not much surface rust showing. Even the frame paint is decent (but could still do with a powder coating). So the big tear down starts this week.
 
bmann - the manuals are available for download - full Honda Service manual in PDF form for all CB500/550 variants. Right click the link and save the file on your drive.

http://dotheton.com/index.php?topic=193.0

http://www.dotheton.com/downloads/CB500_Unpacking.pdf
http://www.dotheton.com/downloads/CB500-550_Manual.pdf
http://www.dotheton.com/downloads/CB550_Parts.pdf
http://www.dotheton.com/downloads/owner_cb550f_77.pdf
 
Hey Very nice!!.. What a great price!!...
Welcome to the forum...

If you are planning to do a "carpy" like cafe racer, Saucer has a original Carpy seat that he's not using if you are interested.

http://dotheton.com/index.php?topic=2444.0

Just PM Saucer for price and details
 
I'll jump in the ring for the luggage as well...for another project, of course, kinda a sport-tourer of the '70's...
 
Pugsley said:
I'll jump in the ring for the luggage as well...for another project, of course, kinda a sport-tourer of the '70's...

Careful young man...don't jump in a ring of snarling canines. Wait until they are all pooped out and then make your move on them!!
 
Well the rack is off and in person inspection looked decent. Needs new head gasket (I think), and oil filter for sure, other wise not to shabby. Took some pics and when I figure out to post them I will ??? Start tear down this week.
 
Couple more -- in terms of the racks and bags - the rack is in great shape - the bags are toast, they blew apart upon removal though the top survived but is in pretty crappy shape (and yes I was careful). Send an offer for the rack and it is yours, i can take some photos of it if you want.
 
pics to follow, - So started the tear down, fuel lines had turned into soild blocks of rubber, but tank is in great shape inside and out. Couldnt get the damn tach screw to budge so had to release it at the top, screw was set super soild and I was worried I would strip it. Carbs look clean (to me at least ???) but were a bitch to get off. For future reference dose any have an easy trick for getting at the bottom aircleaner bolt. Lots of neat stuff in the left side cover. Ran out of light before I could finally pull out the engine, Best method? It appears much shifting and cursing will happen to get it out. Engine is into Calgary for a new head gasket this week, then on goes the 4-1, new k&n fliters, and a hell of lot of polishing.
 
You don't need to pull the engine just for a head gasket. The CB500/550 is capable of being torn down in-frame. It's easy as pie to take the top end off, put in a new head gasket and put it back together.

Of course some would say you might as well pop off the cylinders, replace the rings, hone the cylinders and put a new base gasket in too.

You should check compression on the engine before you take it apart so you know what needs/doesn't need to be done.

Are you going to dissassemble the entire bike?
 
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