Author Topic: 500 lives again  (Read 2912 times)

Offline masonmart

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Re: My 500 lives again
« Reply #15 on: December 20, 2018, 11:33:56 AM »
I know Horsham is a trek to Gloucester but i would happily redo your engine for just the cost of any bits used as i have done more of these engines than i care to remember.

That is a very nice offer and one which I may take you up on but I always pay my way. The bike had been kept outside for 40 years some of which were out on the docks in Spain where it was impounded. It was covered in concrete where DD had built an extension next to it and the crank cases had been damaged from a crash and badly repaired. I did a strip down and assembly replacing anything that needed to be. First time I'd ever done this type of job and I very much doubted my ability  to do it properly. It may be OK as it does everything that it should but I just worry that I did something wrong especially it being hard to turn over with a spanner on the crank. I couldn't get the right match of shell colours and they may be tight

What I will do is finish the bike and then see if it'll run. If not then I'll take the engine out and perhaps get the help of somebody like yourself to sort it. To get the engine out you have to lay the bike on its side, remove the engine bolts and lift the frame off the engine so it's an adventure.

Tbh it would be very good to finish it, it'd be pretty special (I've never seen one before) and think of the satisfaction (and poverty).

I've been doing some part time work in Gloucester for the last year (In the business park) and know the route from Horsham well.

Best wishes.
Dresda CB500-4, 605 cc
CB-77, 350 cc
1968 Bonneville
1976 Thruxton Velocette
1974 Kawasaki Avenger
1997 VFR 750

Offline masonmart

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Re: My 500 lives again
« Reply #16 on: December 20, 2018, 11:39:30 AM »
A few ways to go with restorations, one is to bring it right the way to good as new in every detail, I try to keep bikes ( or any other bit of machinery, I've done more lathes than bikes recently ) broadly original and keep the aged look. I vastly prefer the second approach. It gives you an every day useable result and I can actually afford it. In their day my 500/4s and other machines have been about the hardest worked examples of their marque I could find examples of, and boy was it fun, the cb500/4 commuted through 6 inches of snow on the deck, several winters on the Trott, our series 2 landrover ran haybalers and tedders off the rear PTO, got into the landrover magazine on 2 counts, rear pro use very rare, and the engine was about the only regular use example known to the club at that time. No way would I have used a restored example like that on either count. Same with my lathes, everything gets cleaned and oiled, checked and fixed, but the paint is touched up and allowed to mellow back to old looking patina, those old machines attract as much attention at our local classic machinery rally as the fully restored exhibits, even if they feature as non exhibits in the car park.

I agree Matthew and it's my general approach too. I have a 1966 CB77 that I did a lot of engine work on but apart from respraying the tank (paint was lifting) it stayed in original trim. It was very good anyway but you can tell it's a 50 year old bike.
Dresda CB500-4, 605 cc
CB-77, 350 cc
1968 Bonneville
1976 Thruxton Velocette
1974 Kawasaki Avenger
1997 VFR 750

Offline Bryanj

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Re: My 500 lives again
« Reply #17 on: December 20, 2018, 01:50:46 PM »
I have before now built the 500's with all the tightest shells and they have been OK so if it is tight to turn i would suspect a problem. If you remove the head and barrells the bottom end is easy to lift and saves lying the frame down. Perhaps some used cases might be in order?

If you came up on a prearranged day early you may be able to take it back with you same day. I am not far from jun  12 M5 so one junction farther south than business park

Offline masonmart

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Re: My 500 lives again
« Reply #18 on: December 20, 2018, 04:17:38 PM »
I have before now built the 500's with all the tightest shells and they have been OK so if it is tight to turn i would suspect a problem. If you remove the head and barrells the bottom end is easy to lift and saves lying the frame down. Perhaps some used cases might be in order?

If you came up on a prearranged day early you may be able to take it back with you same day. I am not far from jun  12 M5 so one junction farther south than business park

Many thanks, will keep in touch.
Dresda CB500-4, 605 cc
CB-77, 350 cc
1968 Bonneville
1976 Thruxton Velocette
1974 Kawasaki Avenger
1997 VFR 750

Offline masonmart

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Re: My 500 lives again
« Reply #19 on: February 08, 2019, 04:59:19 PM »
I've been away for a month or so in Asia and in the meantime Russell from Dresda has replaced the standard electrics with modern electronic gear and wired the bike up which I couldn't have done well. So, it's basically complete with the exception of possibly some decals on the tank and seat or possibly a paint job. What looks good for me are the alloy wheels and the coating of the engine and pipes. The original silencer has come up well considering the rotten state it was in. I put bars on with a slight rise as I can't ride with clip ons any more, ideally it should have fairing and clip ons but it has potential as it is, possibly straight bars would look nice? It's my first restore job and if I were to do it again I'd do it much better but I see a nice useable bike which, with the 605cc engine, should go well and with the Dresda lightweight frame be quite unique.

The real plus though is that the motor turns over well on the starter and sparks well and the clutch, while heavy, is no worse than a lot of 60's British bikes.

Worth it? No as the bike is so non-standard but maybe a standard bike next. Long way to go on this though probably.

Dresda CB500-4, 605 cc
CB-77, 350 cc
1968 Bonneville
1976 Thruxton Velocette
1974 Kawasaki Avenger
1997 VFR 750

Offline andy120t

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Re: My 500 lives again
« Reply #20 on: February 09, 2019, 07:54:40 AM »
Looks really nice. I like the black indicators - where are they from?
andy120t

CB550f/k
Zephyr 550
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Offline Laverda Dave

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Re: My 500 lives again
« Reply #21 on: February 09, 2019, 11:19:58 AM »
Looking good👍. More pics please so we can see it in all its glory.
1976 Honda 400/4
1977 Rickman Honda CR750
1999 Honda VFR 800FX
1955 750 Dresda Triton
1978 Moto Morini 350 Sport
1978 Honda CB400/4 'Rat' bike
1982 Laverda 120 Jota

Offline masonmart

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Re: My 500 lives again
« Reply #22 on: February 09, 2019, 01:41:05 PM »
Looks really nice. I like the black indicators - where are they from?

From a catalogue at DD's. I'll find a ref when I go up Monday.
Dresda CB500-4, 605 cc
CB-77, 350 cc
1968 Bonneville
1976 Thruxton Velocette
1974 Kawasaki Avenger
1997 VFR 750

Offline masonmart

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Re: My 500 lives again
« Reply #23 on: February 09, 2019, 01:43:28 PM »
Looking good👍. More pics please so we can see it in all its glory.

It's leaned against a bike now and surrounded by other bikes so I couldn't get it out again or get a decent shot at it. As soon as I can I'll post a couple more pics.
Dresda CB500-4, 605 cc
CB-77, 350 cc
1968 Bonneville
1976 Thruxton Velocette
1974 Kawasaki Avenger
1997 VFR 750

Offline masonmart

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Re: My 500 lives again
« Reply #24 on: February 22, 2019, 06:53:59 PM »
My first big worry about engine tightness is OK as it turned over well on the battery. Sparked well but on filling with oil it leaked from incorrect gasket on RH cover so I didn't continue. I believe that it'll run next week when I can get a new gasket, fill it with oil and DD has the use of a rolling road for a week to run and test some amazing Tritons he's working on. I think I'm almost there but my guess is that it'll be a lifetime project. I'll use it as it is for a bit and improve it organically but long term I'd like to put a fairing and clip-ons on and perhaps paint it in the colours that the Dresda CR750's are done in. I'm looking forward to seeing how a 605cc motor runs.
Dresda CB500-4, 605 cc
CB-77, 350 cc
1968 Bonneville
1976 Thruxton Velocette
1974 Kawasaki Avenger
1997 VFR 750

Offline masonmart

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Re: 500 lives again
« Reply #25 on: April 12, 2019, 12:33:08 PM »
It is running, there is a god after all.
Dresda CB500-4, 605 cc
CB-77, 350 cc
1968 Bonneville
1976 Thruxton Velocette
1974 Kawasaki Avenger
1997 VFR 750

Offline paul G

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Re: 500 lives again
« Reply #26 on: April 12, 2019, 03:05:43 PM »
It is running, there is a god after all.
Always a great moment  ;D
Honda CB400 4
Honda CB550 K3 (sold)
Honda CB750 UK K1
Kawasaki Z650 C2
Kawasaki Z650 cafe racer (Sold)
Honda CD175 sloper

Offline Laverda Dave

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Re: 500 lives again
« Reply #27 on: April 13, 2019, 10:44:37 AM »
Good news. Some pics would be good.
Is Dave still building Triton's, I thought he retired from building complete bikes when he moved down to Rusper? He attends Kempton Park sometimes.
1976 Honda 400/4
1977 Rickman Honda CR750
1999 Honda VFR 800FX
1955 750 Dresda Triton
1978 Moto Morini 350 Sport
1978 Honda CB400/4 'Rat' bike
1982 Laverda 120 Jota

Offline masonmart

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Re: 500 lives again
« Reply #28 on: April 13, 2019, 06:06:30 PM »
Good news. Some pics would be good.
Is Dave still building Triton's, I thought he retired from building complete bikes when he moved down to Rusper? He attends Kempton Park sometimes.

L120, will try to post a couple of pictures, just have to remember how. Dave and Russell are still keeping themselves busy although orders for new built bikes are few and far between. They're both amazing characters of a disappearing type [ Guests cannot view attachments ] and am so glad I can call in and see them now and again. They have been amazing help to me but they're always getting me in trouble either buying or restoring lost causes.
Dresda CB500-4, 605 cc
CB-77, 350 cc
1968 Bonneville
1976 Thruxton Velocette
1974 Kawasaki Avenger
1997 VFR 750

Offline masonmart

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Re: 500 lives again
« Reply #29 on: April 14, 2019, 06:41:08 PM »
The reason that the clutch was stiff and the push rod had been broken was because it had ridiculously stiff springs in the clutch.
Dresda CB500-4, 605 cc
CB-77, 350 cc
1968 Bonneville
1976 Thruxton Velocette
1974 Kawasaki Avenger
1997 VFR 750

 

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