project brown bomber

[hansimusmaximus]

this is my bike as of today. project brown bomber, a 1975 honda cb500t. i haven't done much to this bike yet, but i do have some plans for it, i just don't know what they are yet! clubmans are on the way, i need bar end mirrors, new mufflers, but after that i don't know yet. the seat needs to be black, either vinyl paint or a dye. and i'm thinking either black or red for the tank and side covers. i'm not sure if i like the fenders on or off or if i like the tail/stop light i made. let me know what you guys think!!

 

[64bastagebomr]

That's clean bike man! Don't jack it up like mine... Build a seat, throw some bars on it and run it like you stole it. Find a cheap bastard bike to tear apart...

 

[coolatula]

If the paints good(doesn't have to be great..It's a OLD bike for Heavens sake!) I would clean/buff it up real nice and spend my time,effort and MONEY elsewhere on the bike. Nothing wrong with keeping the stock paint,just "personalize" it in other areas.
Believe me there are ALWAYS other things that need done and money spent on when it comes to old bikes!

Really some of the most beautiful "customized" bikes I've ever seen had completely stock painted tins on them! Changing the color(s) scheme or adding wild designs sometimes is a crutch people use in my view to hide or try to impress onlookers due to nothing really being special or noteworthy about any other aspect of the machine.

You should be able to get a fair price for the current seat. Someone may just be looking for that style/color as it's a bit different.

 

[DetroitRockCity]

check Useful Idiots thread "Project eBay".

500T's are LOADED with potential...

but i'm with the rest of em. keep it stock and tear into a snotter....

 

[Crash]

I would keep the current paint, put some clubmans or superbike bars on it, and keep the original seat. i would also put the rear fender back on and maybe a Lucas style taillight.

But that's just me.

 

[Gordon]

You can actually retain the seat and make another single seat with a cowl. So in case later, you wish to ride a pillion, you can always switch the seat. I don't think it takes more than 5mins to change the seat.

Those exhaust look like Goldstar style. Nice, thats a big step coming close to the British cafe exhaust.

Changing the color(s) scheme or adding wild designs sometimes is a crutch people use in my view to hide or try to impress onlookers due to nothing really being special or noteworthy about any other aspect of the machine

Yup, I have noticed that a lot. I've seen soo many bikes whose parts and even whole engines are painted with cheap black paint just to hide all the flaws.

 

[brewtown16]

i just say new bars, maybe some new mirror(s)?

quick question though, whatsup with the back end of the seat riding high?

 

[hansimusmaximus]

it's stock, i think it just looks high with no rear fender.

***UPDATE***

new game plan, i know i might catch some crap for this but this isn't really the forum to get support for what i'm planning. i'm now thinking hardtail bobber. cutting the swingarm and shock support bars off and fabbing up a hardtail OR leaving the swingarm in tact and just add a hardtail stlye frame bars to it. i LOVE the hardtail/bobber look and i thought it would be too much work to tackle but i ran it by my dad who has a lot of welding experience and said he'd be up for a little winter project (he used to have a sweet BSA chopper/hardtail back in the 70's)

 

[904cafe]

i LOVE hardtails dont get me wrong but IMO that bike is far to gorgeous to hack up. that color and seat is very unique. but to each there own. if it was me i would save that one and find another runner that needs cosmetic attention to cut up.

either way... keep us posted, love the 500's!