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

[McCabe-Thiele (Ted)]

Fueled by Cider & a can of Mango flavoured Gin & Tonic I've had one last search - I  found the missing brake pedal return spring in a box I had looked through at least 4 times that mainly contained old 400 parts!
That just leaves one gearshift fork spring left to find that against all logic shot into the air as I was dismantling the gearbox - at least you can buy them cheap enough from Mr Silver.

Grasshoper  will sleep well tonight oh venerable sohc Master.

[Bryanj]

Ted, remember the first thing on the line is that spring andoperating arm, you cant get it in after swingarm fittedtee shirt and video!

[Sesman]

Looking great Ted and you must be pleased with your progress. Just one observation on the powder coat job, which looks mighty fine by the way. Is that surface corrosion on the bottom r/h side rail between the foot rest and lower engine mount or just an optical illusion? Just wondering about a potential structural weak point in the frame that I have absolutely no knowledge off, but others on the forum may wish to comment…..just in the interests of safety you understand.

[McCabe-Thiele (Ted)]

I'm pretty sure it's a combination of poor lighting & odd reflections.
I will look again and post a better picture - the frame looks like a scrapper when you zoom in.



It was mainly dust plus copperslip you can still see some of it - there not dents in the tubing its a reflection of the rubber mat!

:PXL_20221030_123343607 by Macabe Thiele, on Flickr

[Sesman]

Thanks looks just fine to me Ted. Looking forward to the progress photos.

[Oddjob]

Don't forget to grease the inside of all those bolt tubes Ted or it's just a place for rust to start.

[McCabe-Thiele (Ted)]

Don't forget to grease the inside of all those bolt tubes Ted or it's just a place for rust to start.

I will Ken, I even grease inside the headstock between the bearings  and spray waxoyl inside the frame where I can - a 50 year old bike needs all the tlc I can give it - until I shuffle this mortal coil then  the next custodian/owner takes over.

[Oddjob]

On the end of the swinging arm are 2 small vent holes, I intend to fill my swinging arm with Waxoyl and then drain it out after a couple of hours. Prevention is better than trying to repair.

[SPR]

On the end of the swinging arm are 2 small vent holes, I intend to fill my swinging arm with Waxoyl and then drain it out after a couple of hours. Prevention is better than trying to repair.

That's what I have done ... the chassis tins usually come with a very small long tube to aid getting right inside

[McCabe-Thiele (Ted)]

Might be a fire hazard when it's powder coated in the future.

I attended a garage fire back in the 1979/80 where an enthusiast was carrying out some electric welding on his beautiful Vauxhall PA Cresta. The POs Waxoyl caught fire gutting the interior. The poor chap was in tears it was in that lovely two tone Silver Sage combination.

[Oddjob]

You could always use Zinc paint instead Ted.

[McCabe-Thiele (Ted)]

Ted, remember the first thing on the line is that spring andoperating arm, you cant get it in after swingarm fittedtee shirt and video!

Fitted Tee Shirt & Video ?

Anyways the return spring I found is not the correct one - it's the old one for my 400 that I replaced.

Done another sweep of the garage and failed to find the brake pedal spring plus the stop lamp switch they are together somewhere no doubt.
Can't fit the swing arm until I find it or a replacement!

Found the rear brake switch & its spring with the ignition wiring - no trace of the brake pedal return spring afetr another fruitless 40 minutes looking in everyone of my parts boxes.......sigh.

[Bryanj]

Did you put it back on the pivot arm Ted? Confusion caused by my dyslexic dumfone should be space between fitted and tee as in i got the tee shirt and in the video for that mistake! Dont think i have a spare for that but will look, trouble is i am away thurs morn till sun night so cant look till weekend after

[McCabe-Thiele (Ted)]

Did you put it back on the pivot arm Ted? Confusion caused by my dyslexic dumfone should be space between fitted and tee as in i got the tee shirt and in the video for that mistake! Dont think i have a spare for that but will look, trouble is i am away thurs morn till sun night so cant look till weekend after

I have no other avenues open to me at the moment - in the meantime I will look in all the same places again unless I have a light bulb moment at 3.00 am.

Prime suspects are one of the Chihuahua Pups I've searched their bed & looked in all the places they might have hidden it.

[McCabe-Thiele (Ted)]

I’d replace it Ted, but before you do try to evaluate the actual wear. This photo provides a simple visual check. The one in the background is a new Kawasaki item, the one in the foreground is 17k miles.

If you do replace the chain it would be useful for you to post a similar comparison just out of interest.

A bit late in the day Phillip but this is my tank track from the 500.


.Teds primary drive chain by Macabe Thiele, on Flickr