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

[Bryanj]

It was looking like that about a year ago, but going together

[McCabe-Thiele (Ted)]

It was looking like that about a year ago, but going together

I was surprised at the clutch basket - it looks brand new still.

[Bryanj]

For some reason the 500 dont seem to wear mutch, no special spanners either

[Oddjob]

Headstock spanner or socket Bryan? I've actually got one of those, genuine as well.

[Bryanj]

I meant for the engine Ken, i use a C spanner on headstock

[McCabe-Thiele (Ted)]

This is what was behind the fork ears the left one was worse rust extends down to the gaiters. - both front gaiters were split.

Looks bad even though some is  hidden behind the fork ears / headlamp brackets.

I am guessing that is an expensive fix.


.front forks by Macabe Thiele, on Flickr

[Nurse Julie]

Send the to Philpots for re hard Chroming Ted.

[K2-K6]

Echoing the above Ted, they very often look like this after years out and about, that's fairly typical.

Usually recoverable completely through them and think you'll be impressed with how they come back.

[McCabe-Thiele (Ted)]

Send the to Philpots for re hard Chroming Ted.

Am I right in thinking it's this firm in Luton?

Any idea Julie or K2-K6 as to a ball park figure cost for the pair - thanks Ted?

.https://www.amphardchrome.co.uk/

[Nurse Julie]

Send the to Philpots for re hard Chroming Ted.

Am I right in thinking it's this firm in Luton?

Any idea Julie or K2-K6 as to a ball park figure cost for the pair - thanks Ted?

.https://www.amphardchrome.co.uk/

Yes Ted, that's them. They collect and deliver as well. I would have thought with recent price increases, it'll be over £200 now. Turnaround is 4-6 weeks at the moment.

[McCabe-Thiele (Ted)]

Thanks for the rough figure - presumably I have to dismantle the fork internals and just send the chromed uppers - that will be interesting as my 400 forks were already rebuilt so Ill have to figure out how to dismantle them next.

[Nurse Julie]

Thanks for the rough figure - presumably I have to dismantle the fork internals and just send the chromed uppers - that will be interesting as my 400 forks were already rebuilt so Ill have to figure out how to dismantle them next.

They do offer a dismantle and rebuild service Ted but you will be fine taking them apart. Also send them the top fork nuts as well and they will do them.

[Oddjob]

The bottom one looks to have a slight bend in it, Philpotts will correct that as well FOC

There is also Dynasurf in Sandbach, who are slightly cheaper but won't do the top nuts for free.

To save money Honda didn't chrome the stanchion under the fork ears, it wasn't seen so why bother, hence why they all look like that, some are a LOT worse.

Put a fork back into the yokes, clamp it up and then remove the 6mm allen key hidden under where the bottom end cap goes, do it BEFORE undoing the top nut, get it loose then undo the top nut. Repeat for other fork. You sometimes need a air hammer or impact gun to get the bottom allen key to shift, I suspect yours won't be that hard as they look to have been apart before.

[McCabe-Thiele (Ted)]

I've removed the column from the frame can I just fit the yokes to the two fork tubes and clamp them off the frame to undo the bottom allen key bolt?

The top of the column has some damage where it has been clouted with a hammer sometime in the last 50 years - luckily the top thread is okay for the nut.

Not a great picture of the top bit.

PXL_20221001_135808627 by Macabe Thiele, on Flickr

[mickwinf]

Ted, I have just had the fork tubes done by Philpotts, took a while but perfect job. As they belong to Lazarus they were a lot worse than yours and i was unsure if they could be saved. Ring up philpotts and you will speak to a very nice lady who will arrange for collection next day and I was charged £215 all in inc delivery, and did my top nuts free. Only problem is if they are kinked, if so they wont do them for safety reasons.