Teds new project a CB500 K1 mostly version 0.5 circa 1972.

[Oddjob]

Tis a UK one but got a US rear mudguard as i had more decent ones of those and grab rail as i couldnt find the handle or uk indicator mounts at the time.

Fooled me with that one Bryan. The grabrail threw me as I knew the UK didn't get one. Looks to be off a 550 as well as they are higher at the back than the 500 grabrails.

500 only ever had a single inline fuse Ted, it was a big mistake by Honda IMO, if it blows EVERYTHING dies, engine included. If you can't find what's causing the blow you're stranded. The 550 has much better electrics which was why I fitted a 550 loom to my 500.

[Laverdaroo]

Fuses?……….. hell, where do they go


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[Oddjob]

I hope your remembered those red orings on the bottom of the liners before you put the barrels on Roo.

[Laverdaroo]

Thats why they're there Ken, The barrels havent been touched yet, I do it all in bits.
Rings checked in bores
Rings on (hate that bit, what a faff with sausage fingers)
Pots on rods
Clips in
have a good waggle and a fiddle..


(then get back to the bike build in the shed )

Barrels on bench
rubbers on
oil control valves in
o rings on
Gasket on and check
Barrels on and a delve into the Anglo Saxon vocab book



Just got out here now............onwards

[Laverdaroo]

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[McCabe-Thiele (Ted)]

Fuses?……….. hell, where do they go


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I thought that engine was going to Birmingham way yesterday or is it an old photo?

[philward]

You must be super chuffed Ted. Great starting point for a bike that you can build to your spec. We shouldn't get hung up on everything being as it came out of the factory and should build a bike that you are happy with. My 750 and 500 look standard to the average model admirer but could be pulled apart by model experts (UK handlebars/indicators on US 500K2) plus stainless bolts throughout. But it's what I want!
Big advantage is you know it's background and it comes from an expert - a luxury most of us never have when buying a 50 year old bike. Good luck and enjoy the build.
They are great bikes!

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[McCabe-Thiele (Ted)]

Although the 500 is a runner I need to find out if it's a rider.
I'm going to take the back wheel out as it's binding I suspect due to some rusting in the hub area. The throttle movement is quite stiff even though the carbs have been refurbished - not sure if it's the twist grip or the cables so I need to fix that plus reduce the front brake lever travel before I ride her on the road.
This is plan A before the strip down starts.

[gary123]

Best of all its the right colour 

[Bryanj]

Front brake lever travel is about right Ted, dont forget its new caliper, piston and seal. Hoses are used but not cracked and its new fluid.

[Laverdaroo]

Fuses?……….. hell, where do they go


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I thought that engine was going to Birmingham way yesterday or is it an old photo?

Fuses?……….. hell, where do they go


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I thought that engine was going to Birmingham way yesterday or is it an old photo?

No I wanted to see if Bryan could check it for me that's why it was aboard Ted. I bobbed into Brmingham to see a mate and drop her a few bits in for her bikes she has.

That piccy was this morning before I started faffing about.

[McCabe-Thiele (Ted)]

Front brake lever travel is about right Ted, dont forget its new caliper, piston and seal. Hoses are used but not cracked and its new fluid.

It's more of a mechanical issue with the brake lever. There is about an inch of movement at the end of the lever before it starts to actuate the master cylinder - It does not feel like pivot pin wear just a load of movement that does nothing?
Once the lever meets the master cylinder the brake feel is as it should be. I did wonder if it's the right lever.

[Bryanj]

It was a pattern lever but there is only one type for the sohc, Goldwings have a different one.
The play was a common complaint back in the day, never really found a cure, i have heard of the yanks aralditing a dime on the end of the master piston

[K2-K6]

Ted, I test hydraulic systems all the same to assess integrity ( this not to judge Bryan's competence) by squeezing the lever with both hands until you eyes bulge, or the lever touches the end of travel, multiple times.

In essence a proper "Gorilla" stress test that will find any failure to survive in safety. Ordinarily that's way above any in use pressure that it'll be subjected to and give confidence that the seals etc are working.

On the free travel though, something that I've never like and as Bryan indicated, some system seem to inherently have mechanical geometry that gives too much travel. Maybe someone else can help with example fro another 500 that agrees or dispels with this example. I've always used genuine Honda levers as not keen on material specs for many non oem types.

[florence]

Restoration project hey, already looks pretty fantastic and much better than my daily rider 

Very nice bike, good luck with project.