Author Topic: CB500 Engine Strip & Rebuild - Tips  (Read 1450 times)

Offline philward

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CB500 Engine Strip & Rebuild - Tips
« on: January 16, 2021, 06:38:07 PM »
Having completed all the rolling chassis/electrics/carbs build on my 500K2 build, I only have the engine to rebuild now. Although the bike has only done about 12,000 (on the clock anyway) and engine oil like new (its an American import so will have been lying around for years no doubt), I intend to complete a full strip and rebuild. As routine I will replace the primary chain/cush drive, oil pump refurb, camchain and tensioner/etc and whatever else is needed with regard to mains/big ends/piston/rings/rebore/clutch/etc.
I've built four 750's over the last half a dozen years and so am ok with the strip/rebuild in general but is there anything particular that I need to be aware of that is particular to the 500 engine?
Also, I seem to remember reading on the forum over the years that the primary chain is common to the z650 (?) and can be cheaper if you buy via that route, is that right and can anyone recommend a source
Thanks in advance
Phil
« Last Edit: January 16, 2021, 06:50:38 PM by philward »
Current Bikes:-
Honda CB750K2 (1975)
Honda CB500K2 (12/1972)
Honda CR750 Replica (1972)
Honda CB350K0 (1969)
Kawasaki ZZR1100D3 (1995)
Kawasaki ZZR250 (1990) Project (Going on eBay ASAP)

Offline Bryanj

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Re: CB500 Engine Strip & Rebuild - Tips
« Reply #1 on: January 16, 2021, 09:00:59 PM »
Not sure which kwak but one of them, check for wear on selectors but hope they are good cos they are real difficult to find, clutch pushrod is supposed to be in one piece, check for damage on oil galleries andmost important readand understand the problems with refitting cam cover or you will bend valves/break guides

Online K2-K6

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Online K2-K6

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Re: CB500 Engine Strip & Rebuild - Tips
« Reply #3 on: January 16, 2021, 09:47:01 PM »

Offline philward

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Re: CB500 Engine Strip & Rebuild - Tips
« Reply #4 on: January 16, 2021, 11:01:18 PM »
Thanks Bryan, knew about the clutch rod but not the selectors so will check
Thanks k2-k6, knew I'd seen a recent post but couldn't find it
Found this - seems cheap? - https://www.motorcyclespareparts.eu/en/kawasaki-parts/920571011?currency=GBP&withvat=1&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIxZvMhMah7gIVyrTtCh39NQiJEAQYASABEgIWtPD_BwE
Current Bikes:-
Honda CB750K2 (1975)
Honda CB500K2 (12/1972)
Honda CR750 Replica (1972)
Honda CB350K0 (1969)
Kawasaki ZZR1100D3 (1995)
Kawasaki ZZR250 (1990) Project (Going on eBay ASAP)

Offline Bryanj

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Re: CB500 Engine Strip & Rebuild - Tips
« Reply #5 on: January 17, 2021, 12:06:18 AM »
Somebody on here had a problem with a supplier that may have ben that one but not sure.
Best advice is always pay Paypal or at very least credit card so you have some comeback if it dont arrived

Offline taysidedragon

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Re: CB500 Engine Strip & Rebuild - Tips
« Reply #6 on: January 17, 2021, 12:42:47 AM »
Thanks Bryan, knew about the clutch rod but not the selectors so will check
Thanks k2-k6, knew I'd seen a recent post but couldn't find it
Found this - seems cheap? - https://www.motorcyclespareparts.eu/en/kawasaki-parts/920571011?currency=GBP&withvat=1&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIxZvMhMah7gIVyrTtCh39NQiJEAQYASABEgIWtPD_BwE

I got my 400f chain from them. Quick service, no problems. 

Before #@%$ change mind.
Gareth

1977 CB400F
1965 T100SS

Offline Charlie J

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Re: CB500 Engine Strip & Rebuild - Tips
« Reply #7 on: January 17, 2021, 10:02:23 AM »
Thanks Bryan, knew about the clutch rod but not the selectors so will check
Thanks k2-k6, knew I'd seen a recent post but couldn't find it
Found this - seems cheap? - https://www.motorcyclespareparts.eu/en/kawasaki-parts/920571011?currency=GBP&withvat=1&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIxZvMhMah7gIVyrTtCh39NQiJEAQYASABEgIWtPD_BwE

I got my 400f chain from them. Quick service, no problems. 

Before #@%$ change mind.

I got my CB500 chain from them a few weeks ago. It arrived within a couple of days of ordering>

Offline philward

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Re: CB500 Engine Strip & Rebuild - Tips
« Reply #8 on: January 17, 2021, 10:45:30 AM »
Thanks, was it that chain in the link I posted (ie, is that the right chain for the 500?)

Sent from my moto g(7) power using Tapatalk

Current Bikes:-
Honda CB750K2 (1975)
Honda CB500K2 (12/1972)
Honda CR750 Replica (1972)
Honda CB350K0 (1969)
Kawasaki ZZR1100D3 (1995)
Kawasaki ZZR250 (1990) Project (Going on eBay ASAP)

Offline Charlie J

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Re: CB500 Engine Strip & Rebuild - Tips
« Reply #9 on: January 17, 2021, 12:43:52 PM »
Yes, that's the one. Part number 920571011.

Offline Trigger

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Re: CB500 Engine Strip & Rebuild - Tips
« Reply #10 on: January 17, 2021, 02:19:47 PM »
Weird as well in that I also just ordered one just a few days ago, the price was pretty decent considering how it compares to the Honda one.

That is because it is not a Honda one. You can get the Honda one for £56 + VAT in Japan  ;)

Offline philward

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Re: CB500 Engine Strip & Rebuild - Tips
« Reply #11 on: January 22, 2021, 01:34:06 PM »
Just received primary chain (genuine Kawasaki, so good quality - if it takes GPZ600 power, must be ok for 500Four!) from Motocycle Spare Parts (Holland) and arrived within a week - good service and only £49 (no customs duty requested by Royal Mail) - will have to see what else they do
Current Bikes:-
Honda CB750K2 (1975)
Honda CB500K2 (12/1972)
Honda CR750 Replica (1972)
Honda CB350K0 (1969)
Kawasaki ZZR1100D3 (1995)
Kawasaki ZZR250 (1990) Project (Going on eBay ASAP)

Offline philward

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Re: CB500 Engine Strip & Rebuild - Tips
« Reply #12 on: January 24, 2021, 09:31:18 PM »
Have just ordered all the engine parts from various places and it occured to me that as the starter clutch is inside the motor, should I put new starter rollers etc in? (another £50 ish on top of a several hundred pound engine build)
Question is:- does the 500 suffer from problems in this area? I didn't have any problems hen I did 40,000 on mine in the 70's. (I've never run this particular bike before strip down)
Advice from the 500 experts please
Current Bikes:-
Honda CB750K2 (1975)
Honda CB500K2 (12/1972)
Honda CR750 Replica (1972)
Honda CB350K0 (1969)
Kawasaki ZZR1100D3 (1995)
Kawasaki ZZR250 (1990) Project (Going on eBay ASAP)

Offline philward

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Re: CB500 Engine Strip & Rebuild - Tips
« Reply #13 on: January 24, 2021, 10:04:39 PM »
cheers (again) Ken
Current Bikes:-
Honda CB750K2 (1975)
Honda CB500K2 (12/1972)
Honda CR750 Replica (1972)
Honda CB350K0 (1969)
Kawasaki ZZR1100D3 (1995)
Kawasaki ZZR250 (1990) Project (Going on eBay ASAP)

Offline philward

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Re: CB500 Engine Strip & Rebuild - Tips
« Reply #14 on: January 27, 2021, 09:19:18 PM »
Interesting! Will try it tomorrow (can't go to the garage again and risk the wifes wrath again - just come in from garage and walked carbon/oil footprints across the carpet!)
Current Bikes:-
Honda CB750K2 (1975)
Honda CB500K2 (12/1972)
Honda CR750 Replica (1972)
Honda CB350K0 (1969)
Kawasaki ZZR1100D3 (1995)
Kawasaki ZZR250 (1990) Project (Going on eBay ASAP)

 

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