Budget build CB500

[michael_brown]

Bought a CB500 with a title in NC for $700. Bike was in decent shape when I bought it. Tank had a few dents in it, exhaust had some surface rust, bike has 30k miles. Engine does run, but has some noticeable noise at idle. It doesn't sound like bottom end noise, but I can't tell if it's cam chain/tensioner noise. Rear sets are on the way, clip-ons are here, tank is almost in primer. Here are some pics of it when i got it:

 

[hmenzies]

lots of potential rhere. i love the old Hondas. i have a 74 cb550. these bikes make great cafe conversions.

 

[michael_brown]

Rebuilt my carbs last night. New viton rubber, 115 main jets and home made top plate gaskets.

 

[michael_brown]

Template on, center punch complete, on to the drill press tomorrow!!

 

[michael_brown]

Mounted my seat and mocked up the tank to get the lines close.

 

[STOSH BOZI]

Where did you get that drilling template? how did it go?

 

[xruze56]

yah if you could please post that drilling template that would be appreciated but its looking good so far.

 

[michael_brown]

Here are the rotor drilling templates that you guys asked for. There are 3 different ones. All sized for a CB360.

 

[michael_brown]

Heres the rotor drilled. Pic was taken before I counter-sunk the hole.

 

[Bozz]

Lookin good!


Remember, if you need a drill press or other things you are welcome to stop down.


Cheers!

 

[michael_brown]

So this may be hard to figure out without pics but I'll post some when I get home. So I took my front end apart to rebuild the front hub and to clean up the front forks. Today I tried to reassemble. When I went to bolt the axle caps on the front tire kept tilting to the side of the brake rotor until it pinched the rotor against the for tube. Can't figure out what would be causing this. Are the axle caps side specific? Is there anything I could be missing that would be causing this? Everything was fine when I disassembled it so obviously I munked something. If you have any ideas please help. I'll post pics in a little bit.

 

[michael_brown]

Thanks to ahawks we've discovered that the guy (me) installing the axle was an idiot and installed it backwards.

 

[michael_brown]

Haven't posted in a while. Life's been busy . SO I've finally gotten the tank, seat and side covers back from being painted. Here they are just sitting on the bike

 

[michael_brown]

I wanna ride tomorrow, but it looks like rain. So I'll have to be content putting the petcock on, mounting the seat and installing the seat pad and tail light. Hopefully by the time that's done the rain will have subsided so I can go for a test ride.

 

[michael_brown]

Got to ride again. Few things need to be worked out. Need to adjust the clutch and rear brake. Probably going to have to go with a shorter cable, and new clutch kit from David Silvers.

Know how we all love pics.

 

[michael_brown]

Things I learned about my bike today:

1)it is hard as hell to reroute new fuel line with the bike assembled.

2)apparently I have a shitty battery, or my charging system is not performing to factory specs.

3)Used clubmans are too small for my bike and will not allow me to turn them down more, thus making them somewhat comfortable.

4) It looks like my bike has the wrong tank on it. It barely sits on the rubber knobs at the front and has a large gap around it and the frame.

Any thoughts on #'s 2 & 4?

 

[Sideswipe]

hey mate nice bike good luck with the issues there nice work with the axle going on backwards, im sure we've all done something silly like that at least once!!

 

[deepwaterimports]

you might be able to grab a set of clubman’s with less angle from dime which may help with the uncomfortableness. But she looks great so far.

 

[michael_brown]

Found stator was bad. Started checking continuity on the 3 yellow wires and found one to have an open circuit. WHile I was at it I replaced the stock rectifier/regulator with a solid state from a DOHC bike. So far so good on the charging system.

I'm having some clutch issues. It acts as if the clutch is not engaging fully. It feels like maybe the basket isn't sitting flush. Anyone had their basket off and once reinstalled have it not sit absolutely flush? I had some experience on atv's I used to ride doing this exact thing. I haven't had the basket off, but the PO may have. Thoughts?

 

[deezcustoms]

With the assumption those are stock rims, mind me asking what tires/sizes you went with?