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

[McCabe-Thiele (Ted)]

Moving the splines may not be the answer though Ted. Honda used punch marks so as to make it easy to not only get the mechanism right but also to highlight when it had a problem.

If the punch marks line up, not only on the brake pedal and brake spindle but also on the brake drum arm and it’s spindle and things still don’t feel right it shows that somewhere there’s a problem. It could be worn brake shoes or the pivot pin has excessive play or one of the levers is bent etc so just moving the splines may in fact cover up the fault.

The brake shoes look very new with naff all wear I'll check the punch mark & follow your diagnosis advice. Not likely to do much before Tuesday as the Gaffer is at home & shopping beckons. (sigh)

Update:-  Managed to sneak a look at the bike - the rear brake levershaft  dots are just one half spline out - if I rotate the lever just one spline anticlockwise it will be sorted. Must have felt stronger today as I managed to get the 500 on the centre stand without drama this morning after resting overnight on the side stand. (The bike not me)

[smoothoperator]

You need to wear a pair of those shoes like Slade used to wear Ted, maybe you've got some in the loft.

[McCabe-Thiele (Ted)]

You need to wear a pair of those shoes like Slade used to wear Ted, maybe you've got some in the loft.

Not sure I could find any Daytona m/c  Winkle Pickers boots these days probably no NOS ones left- I might be able to move the lever a bit lower to give me boot-toe room.

Slades platforms would make my feet even bigger I need Shawaddy Waddy ones!

[Bryanj]

Ted its a knack, you stand on the centre stand with one foot(usualy right)and rock backwards lifting on grab rail at same time. The brake shoes were new pattern but had to be shaved a bit as i think that was a relined rear hub, not 100% sure as i had 3 done umptiy didly twelve years ago. That means they will probably need a bit extra bedding in to work 100%

[McCabe-Thiele (Ted)]

The rear brake is fine now no binding either just had to adjust the b/l switch.
Yesterday I tried the same method to get it on the centre stand after 3 fails it was on the side stand overnight. This morning same way as yesterday - left hand on the bars, right hand on the rear rail, pressed down with my right foot - straight up on the stand.

 Just a crap day yesterday - vision, balance & leg weakness - today normal.👍👍👍

[Bryanj]

Normal! I wish

[Spitfire]

Sounds familiar Ted, I'm sure either the bike gets heavier or gravity gets stronger as time passes.

Cheers

Dennis

[McCabe-Thiele (Ted)]

Sounds familiar Ted, I'm sure either the bike gets heavier or gravity gets stronger as time passes.

Cheers

Dennis

Too true Dennis plus the fear of dropping it & looking extra stupid!

[Bryanj]

Not like the younger days when having fell off the Enfield 250 in the snow at walking pace and lying in the gutter watching the car slide towards you all you can do is crease yourself laughing!

[taysidedragon]

Sounds familiar Ted, I'm sure either the bike gets heavier or gravity gets stronger as time passes.

Cheers

Dennis

Too true Dennis plus the fear of dropping it & looking extra stupid!

Does anybody make a zimmer frame with bike lift attachment? 🤣

[Bryanj]

Mmmmm i see a patent coming soon

[SPR]

Ted

Busso have reduced the price of their exhaust systems for 40 days

Not sure what add on costs there are but £800 seems a good deal

https://www.bussostore.com/collections/honda/products/marmitte-honda-replica-originali-cb500k0k1k2-four

Simon

[McCabe-Thiele (Ted)]

I know life is a series of challenges but today did not quite end as I planned.

Last Friday 16th Sept 2022 I managed to get round the block at the back but due to a lack of safe braking I returned home only managing to get as high as 3rd gear. I did not mention previously that as I turned into my drive the engine stalled at my gates.

After opening the gates the bike did not want to restart so I was forced to walk it up ino my garage with leg power. I then noticed that the choke was fully on in the up position. Choke off and she fired up okay.

Today I had lunch out with my brother I stuck to alcohol free beer as I had a longer ride out planned this afternoon. Bike started up so initially I thought a short ride around the estate to try the brakes out before the test ride propper.

I started off well with some extra revving to keep the engine going as it was warming up. As I rode round the block  it was running progressively worse so decided to return home. Once again the engine struggled to keep going as I turned into my driveway where it conked out. The choke was once again the culprit being in the fully on position.

I'm not sure why the choke comes on - could be I catch it with my boots when changing gear?

Is this something others here have had an issue with - I might need to put a rubber band on it somehow to stop accidental operation. The engine is now misfiring so I will need to clean the plugs again and try again at the weekend.

[Oddjob]

Does the choke move and open/close with a sort of click Ted?

There is a small spring and ball bearing fitted behind the lever, if it's been left out on the rebuild the lever will essentially just move under the vibration of the engine. There are small indents on the back of the choke lever for the ball bearing to go into at fully open/close, you should hear the click as the bearing locates at both these positions.

I has however been known for boots to close the choke as you ride as you suggest, just check where the boots are in relation to the choke lever and see if it looks a possibility

[McCabe-Thiele (Ted)]

Yes Ken the choke does have a nice click when fully off  - Bryan had them restored (Gerben?) about 12-18 months ago- just gone out into the garage with boot in hand - with the boot on the foorest the top part is almost level with the lever.

Its a series or four/five  roads round the block with lots of up & down on the approaches to give ways. On my 400 the choke is much higher up & out of the way so not a problem.