CB500T
- Thread starter Luugo86
- Start date
Redliner
Over 1,000 Posts
What's bad about something as simple as a pocket watch that you just have to wind?
Oil it. Do the checks at every interval. Try not to grin too much.
The only time you may have a problem is when something needs to be replaced with an exact part. They may be hard to track down and a bit costly.
But what do I know about Honda twins :
Oil it. Do the checks at every interval. Try not to grin too much.
The only time you may have a problem is when something needs to be replaced with an exact part. They may be hard to track down and a bit costly.
But what do I know about Honda twins :
Attachments
Redliner
Over 1,000 Posts
The CB350 may be easier to adjust but does the 450/500 need more adjustment and maintenance than the 350?
Honda tried to over-do it with their first modern twin and uh, succeeded. Torsion bar valve springs?!
Besides top-end stuff, is it just me or does the "48 horsepower" 450 seem to need greater revs to maintain the same speed as a 350 at less revs?
Honda tried to over-do it with their first modern twin and uh, succeeded. Torsion bar valve springs?!
Besides top-end stuff, is it just me or does the "48 horsepower" 450 seem to need greater revs to maintain the same speed as a 350 at less revs?
Redliner
Over 1,000 Posts
Riding these one after the other, I can just say that it takes more revs to get the CB500 going. Otherwise it's the same bike and same ride.
I would gladly take a performance modified CB350 over a 450/500, but is there anything fundamentally flawed or lacking about them?
I would gladly take a performance modified CB350 over a 450/500, but is there anything fundamentally flawed or lacking about them?
Redliner
Over 1,000 Posts
Hahaha. Well I did say it was over engineered, right? As a guy who can't stop checking clearances and fluids and spark plug color, I have no problem what-so-ever with the CB500. Hell, with that particular model (only made for two years?) you at least know you're getting the design elements you really want that most CB450's lacked or shouldn't have had.
The twins up to I believe '76 (?) had an annoying tube connecting the lobes of the fuel tank to keep the fuel level equal on both sides. Um, that's good I suppose, but disconnecting it every time you remove the tank will sometimes discourage you from getting the job done at all! Then the CB500 had the accelerator pump on the carbs (make up for the lack of get-up). Disc brakes on every model if I recall. Locking seat latch. Slightly more comfortable seat. Safety rubber on the kick-stand...
I know I'm forgetting some things here, but nothing that I can think of that involves the engine. *hint*engine swap*hint*
The twins up to I believe '76 (?) had an annoying tube connecting the lobes of the fuel tank to keep the fuel level equal on both sides. Um, that's good I suppose, but disconnecting it every time you remove the tank will sometimes discourage you from getting the job done at all! Then the CB500 had the accelerator pump on the carbs (make up for the lack of get-up). Disc brakes on every model if I recall. Locking seat latch. Slightly more comfortable seat. Safety rubber on the kick-stand...
I know I'm forgetting some things here, but nothing that I can think of that involves the engine. *hint*engine swap*hint*
76cb500t
1976 cb500t
The starter clutch is a main problem with the 450 and 500 not working due to the bolts backing out or breaking I replaced mine and I replace my stator that's really all I've done to mine but basic tune up stuff. I ditched the 500 exhaust for the 450 header pipes to get ride of the cross over and put shorty mega phones on sounds beefy
First CB450 was a revelation when it came out. Smooth, fast, leakless, reliable and good looking in an odd sort of way. Later models got heavier and more traditional looking but not a bad design.
CB500T came too late and was the most boring ugly bike that Honda made at the time. Long stroke crank for more capacity and to appeal to people who liked SLOW. Brown seat. 'nuff said and boring styling at a time that the market was looking for sportier machines pretty much doomed it.
It's not a "bad" bike, but hardly the pinnacle of Honda design. For a cafe racer ie slow, coffee bar cruiser, it's a good place to start
CB500T came too late and was the most boring ugly bike that Honda made at the time. Long stroke crank for more capacity and to appeal to people who liked SLOW. Brown seat. 'nuff said and boring styling at a time that the market was looking for sportier machines pretty much doomed it.
It's not a "bad" bike, but hardly the pinnacle of Honda design. For a cafe racer ie slow, coffee bar cruiser, it's a good place to start
Luugo86
'73 CB350, '78 XS650 Cafe Killer
Right on, thank you gents for all the input. I know that the question was rather broad and open ended, but that was the intent. I wanted to get feedback from all the gurus.
@The Jedi Master: How have you been Teazer, thanks for droppin in on this, I haven’t been around the DTT community as much in the past 2 months.. busy with my indentured servitude (aka the Army lol), planning my wedding and finishing my '75CB200T build, which, has a build thread soon to come.
I recently got hold of a '76 CB500T and wanted to see what the pros thought. I personally love the bike. As of yet the only mods are some clipons, both fenders and turn signal removed, tail light replaced, avon rubber, a set of Progressive Suspension coil overs for the back and a full tune-up on the engine. I know it isn’t the most preferred café racer platform but im in love with it.. the torque, the mechanical bull vibration, the piston thump, the fact that you have to maintain a multitude of components fairly regularly or at least be aware of their respective operating conditions .. and yes even the brown seat Teazer
I have all the manuals and a pretty rigid maintenance schedule that has been working well.. However, If anyone has any helpful maintenance tips or things to watch for type stuff I would be more than grateful for it.. Nothing can replace the wisdom of experience and having done it wrong or almost wrong once or twice. ;]
Ill post of pic of my 500T if anyone cares to give her a peek. Thanks again Gents.. Cheers!
@The Jedi Master: How have you been Teazer, thanks for droppin in on this, I haven’t been around the DTT community as much in the past 2 months.. busy with my indentured servitude (aka the Army lol), planning my wedding and finishing my '75CB200T build, which, has a build thread soon to come.
I recently got hold of a '76 CB500T and wanted to see what the pros thought. I personally love the bike. As of yet the only mods are some clipons, both fenders and turn signal removed, tail light replaced, avon rubber, a set of Progressive Suspension coil overs for the back and a full tune-up on the engine. I know it isn’t the most preferred café racer platform but im in love with it.. the torque, the mechanical bull vibration, the piston thump, the fact that you have to maintain a multitude of components fairly regularly or at least be aware of their respective operating conditions .. and yes even the brown seat Teazer
I have all the manuals and a pretty rigid maintenance schedule that has been working well.. However, If anyone has any helpful maintenance tips or things to watch for type stuff I would be more than grateful for it.. Nothing can replace the wisdom of experience and having done it wrong or almost wrong once or twice. ;]
Ill post of pic of my 500T if anyone cares to give her a peek. Thanks again Gents.. Cheers!
Redliner
Over 1,000 Posts
I for one am a fan of the almost antique looking brown. Faux leather with diamond pleats? Very subdued and gentlemen-like.
Make it a gentlemen's bike, in fact. Nobody is going to be going anywhere fast on that thing but it will go any time any day.
One thing to watch is the starter clutch. They somehow fail and when I kick-start you can hear the sound of the electric motor whirring...
Make it a gentlemen's bike, in fact. Nobody is going to be going anywhere fast on that thing but it will go any time any day.
One thing to watch is the starter clutch. They somehow fail and when I kick-start you can hear the sound of the electric motor whirring...
Scruffy
West Tennessee
They aren't bad on the whole. Stock they are fairly easy on the eyes, but, I'm biased, not fond of any machine that would not look at home in a late 40s to late 60s setting. Performance wise, wear good shoes and a full face helmet... you'll be walking or blushing pretty frequently... had a really clean one in college and my beat to death 350F would walk all over it.
Texasstar
Can't is a four letter dirty word
Luugo86 said:Right on, thank you gents for all the input. I know that the question was rather broad and open ended, but that was the intent. I wanted to get feedback from all the gurus.
@The Jedi Master: How have you been Teazer, thanks for droppin in on this, I haven’t been around the DTT community as much in the past 2 months.. busy with my indentured servitude (aka the Army lol), planning my wedding and finishing my '75CB200T build, which, has a build thread soon to come.
I recently got hold of a '76 CB500T and wanted to see what the pros thought. I personally love the bike. As of yet the only mods are some clipons, both fenders and turn signal removed, tail light replaced, avon rubber, a set of Progressive Suspension coil overs for the back and a full tune-up on the engine. I know it isn’t the most preferred café racer platform but im in love with it.. the torque, the mechanical bull vibration, the piston thump, the fact that you have to maintain a multitude of components fairly regularly or at least be aware of their respective operating conditions .. and yes even the brown seat Teazer
I have all the manuals and a pretty rigid maintenance schedule that has been working well.. However, If anyone has any helpful maintenance tips or things to watch for type stuff I would be more than grateful for it.. Nothing can replace the wisdom of experience and having done it wrong or almost wrong once or twice. ;]
Ill post of pic of my 500T if anyone cares to give her a peek. Thanks again Gents.. Cheers!
Cb200 build thread…???? Promises promises
marriage and service gives you a pass Buy all your bikes before you get married...you need a couple more!
