CB500T pretty much done...

[souperman]

Well here's the bike I've been working on all winter. It is mostly done for this summer I think. About the only other thing I may do to it cosmetically is get ride of the crossover box and wrap the headers. The seat will probably wait until next winter, if my wrists can handle the clubmans. I'm playing around with the idea of drag bars instead if I had to.





It still needs a good washing and polishing I think. I have tons of build pics I need to go through and organize still also.

 

[Swagger]

That is so clean, the only thing it's missing is a visor on the headlight! I normally don't care for them but your bike screams for one!

What upgrades have you done? A pair of good rear shocks; about an inch longer and a fork rebuild with cartridge emulators and the bike will feel 100x better. Another trick specific to that bike is to get rid of the crossover box and replace it with a regular piece of exhaust tubing. You'll save 12 pounds and the bike will feel a bit more peppy. That crossover box (as best as I can find out) was put there to 'tame' the exhaust pulses, which is does.....unfortunately taking some of the feel away. Add some heat wrap up to the mufflers themselves and yo ucna further increase the exhaust velocity by keeping the heat in the pipes. That in turn will aid scavenging allowing more flow.....meaning more poop when you twist the wrist.
Remember, the 500T was sold as a "Gentlemen's Motorbike" with an emphasis on being genteel and refined. Bah!!

 

[souperman]

Thanks for the kind words Swagger. It's funny I was planning on doing that exact thing with the exhaust later this summer. As far as "mods" go I haven't done a whole lot. I drilled the rotor and added stainless brake line, fitted an electronic ignition, upped the front sprocket to 17T. I can cruise at 60MPH at around 3K RPM which is very comfortable. Like I said in my original post there is a good chance I will loose the clubmans in favor of some drag bars or maybe something with some pullback. I'd probably be kicked out of the "Cafe" club though, but at least I could ride the bike longer. The signals and taillight are all LED powered, so a halogen upgrade may be in my future. I love the tri-bar style lights. A visor actually did cross my mind as a possibility also.

What are some "good" rear shocks to consider? I am a bit underwhelmed at the suspension, so whatever I can do to tighten it up would be appreciated.

 

[Swagger]

Heh...just about anything will be better than the 30+ year old boingers on there now.
You cna spend hugh $$ on Haggons or Progressives, never mind getting into some of the 'High end' stuff. Go to Omar's and spend $100 on some good basic rear shocks:
http://omarsdtr.com/shox3.html

... or if you want something really spiff, go $150 and get the cool old hammer heads!
http://omarsdtr.com/shox2.html

For up front, you have a couple different avenues to think on:
1) Rebuild the stockers $
-New seals and fluid
-add a spacer to the damper rod for a 1" drop

2) Rebuild the stockers $$$
-same as above plus
-Aftermarket springs
-YSS or Racetech cartridge emulators
(requires a little hand drill work on the damper rod, adjust fluid viscosity and level to suit)

3) Swap $$-$$$$$$$$

-75/76 Goldwing forks will slide right into the stock triples on our bikes and they have a far superior caliper mount as wel las allowing dual discs and spoked wheels. You can then all but bolt on CB1100F dual pot calipers with some EBC or Galfer pads and stand that little beastie on it's nose. I've seen complete goldwing front ends with a good rim etc go for $50 locally. You'd still want to rebuild and possibly add the good innards but you're still going to be way ahead of the stockers without changing your triples.

-I've got a set of 41mm Showas with triples and OEM brace from a BMW K95. They are substantially stiffer and lighter than the stockers with a much better axle indexing system. I picked them up for cheap at a local bike event. In my case I'll swap the stem from my 500T over to the BMW triples and run some tapered bearings. I was able to score new progressive springs and YSS cartridge emulators for under $200 total. It all comes down to searching.

Speaking of bearings and suck, you have probably already checked.replaced them but it's worth looking at your swingarm bushings and stem bearings and replacing them with new ones if they're shot. That'll help a lot too.

You should consider rear sets, nothing too radical but it'll make those low bars nicer on your back and you'll be one of the cool kids!

 

[bikerdude73]

Looks really good! Love the black engine

 

[Swagger]

Looks really good! Love the black engine

I agree wholeheartedly and should have said something myself. The understated lump really makes you look at the rest of the bike.

 

[Blake]

VERY sharp bike!

 

[supercafe]

hey,

i have to say that i really like the bike. love the brown stock seat with rest of the bike. i personally would not change the seat. the brown on black gives it the perfect vintage look.
i must say that my next bike is going to be a 500t and i will use this as a base point for my build.
its simple but very well put together.
great build man.
later.