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

[McCabe-Thiele (Ted)]

I've painted the upper case only at the moment it needs a finishing coat?

[Sesman]

I tend to go for a mist and two successive top coats, but I’m no expert on durability. Perhaps others can share their experiences.

[McCabe-Thiele (Ted)]

I have fitted the two outer races into the steering column today - made up a nifty tool using threaded bar & alloy drift  discs to avoid all the hammering especially for the bottom race as the frame has the back wheel in place to support everyting safely. Fitted the top bearing first - partially in place so it was square then pulled into place - repeated for the bottom race - tool was easy to tighten up. One of the drift discs was just the right diameter to fit in the lower column & seat on the bearing.

Both races were fresh out of the Freezer when fitting.

Photo is after the bearings have been pulled into place - slack in the threaded bar so top is not shown as central but it was when tightening the nuts.

Probably was not needed but to help with centralisation I put some big washers in place to help with general centering of the tool - small enough to fit through the races but big enough to help.

Always nice when things go to plan.

Note to Ken the outer races are the right way up btw!

Drift set by Macabe Thiele, on Flickr

.Bearing press tool by Macabe Thiele, on Flickr

.Tool in place by Macabe Thiele, on Flickr
.

[SPR]

Looking good Ted !!

[Oddjob]

If that frame number is correct why's it got a K0 number beginning with 1 when it should be beginning with a 2 if it's a K1?

[McCabe-Thiele (Ted)]

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If that frame number is correct why's it got a K0 number beginning with 1 when it should be beginning with a 2 if it's a K1?

I have no idea - Bryan might know the answer - it's not the original alloy plate as is obviousy been hand engraved from a blank to match the headstock stamping.
The headstock stamped frame number it's the same as the V5 1030*** first  regd 23-3-1972. So what does it being a KO change assuming you are correct?

The engine number starts with a 2 - I was advised it was not the original engine by Bryan.

[Oddjob]

AFAIK the K1 had the frames and engine numbers starting with a 2 not a 1 which was how you could tell from the K0 version. It's possible it's had a new frame fitted at some point OR it could have had a K0 frame fitted by the factory but I'm doubtful about that, the frames were essentially the same so it's not a big issue, just a curiosity. Have you checked the frame itself for the stamped number on the headstock? to make sure they match.

[Bryanj]

Ken, the frame and V5 came to me in a "job lot" from either London or Liverpool, cant remember which as i did a grand tour collecting bikes and bits after putting an add in Classic Bike for parts wanted and getting a few answers. Absolutely no chance of remembering where from as it was before i got together with my now wife and weve been together over 20 years.
I engraved and fitted the vin plate as the stampings were not that "heavy" and i reckoned they would be damn near invisible whe$ powdered. I thought the 1 was K0 and 1 and the 2 was K2, which we never officialy got but Honda carried on the numerical order by year, i will look in my id book, which admitedley is US and post a pic of the page later.

[McCabe-Thiele (Ted)]

AFAIK the K1 had the frames and engine numbers starting with a 2 not a 1 which was how you could tell from the K0 version. It's possible it's had a new frame fitted at some point OR it could have had a K0 frame fitted by the factory but I'm doubtful about that, the frames were essentially the same so it's not a big issue, just a curiosity. Have you checked the frame itself for the stamped number on the headstock? to make sure they match.

The stamped headstock frame number matches the V5.

[Nurse Julie]

AFAIK the K1 had the frames and engine numbers starting with a 2 not a 1 which was how you could tell from the K0 version. It's possible it's had a new frame fitted at some point OR it could have had a K0 frame fitted by the factory but I'm doubtful about that, the frames were essentially the same so it's not a big issue, just a curiosity. Have you checked the frame itself for the stamped number on the headstock? to make sure they match.

The stamped headstock frame number matches the V5.

The V5 only reflects the numbers someone informed DVLA  of. If you inform DVLA of an engine or frame change, they change the numbers on the system and the V5 is changed to reflect that. It doesn't mean the engine and/or frame numbers are the originals they left the factory with.
Edit.. I should have said does it really matter in your case anyway Ted? Its not as if you are restoring a bike to standard spec or concours. My Mongrel build Millie is a 550 K3 frame with an 550 F2 engine and I don't loose any sleep over it. If it were a miss matched pair on one of my 'proper bikes' then I would worry 😁😁😁

[McCabe-Thiele (Ted)]

On the riveted on frame plate the date of manufacture has been entered as 8/71.

You are right Julie I'm not fussed if the frame is a K0 or a K1 I'm happy that the frame is in good solid condition clearly having benefitted by Bryan getting the frame powder coated plus it's been his bike since June 2003.

If it is a K0 frame will this make any difference when obtaining parts? Are there easy ways to see the difference as regards the frame design?

[Nurse Julie]

On the riveted on frame plate the date of manufacture has been entered as 8/71.

You are right Julie I'm not fussed if the frame is a K0 or a K1 I'm happy that the frame is in good solid condition clearly having benefitted by Bryan getting the frame powder coated plus it's been his bike since June 2003.

If it is a K0 frame will this make any difference when obtaining parts? Are there easy ways to see the difference as regards the frame design?

So if its got a rivited VIN plate on it it's a USA frame as we didn't have the VIN plates on UK bikes until 1976. The easiest way to tell if its a K0 or K1 frame is to show us a photo of the seat lock assembly as they are totally different K0 to K1.
Here is our K0 seat lock. The K1 has a totally different design, it's a normal plunger type lock.

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[Oddjob]

Whilst Julie is 100% right in pointing out that the biggest difference between the K0 and K1 was the seat lock I’m not sure if the K1 seat lock bracket wouldn’t also fit the K0 and vice versa. There is a slight change in the part number for the frame from 130B to 140B but whether the difference was in the positioning of the holes for that bracket or something else I couldn’t say.

My comment wasn’t meant to criticise the frame, it was to ask why when the title says K1 is it wearing a K0 frame, seemed odd. I’d imagine an 8/71 build date would also mean it’s a K0 rather than a K1.

It seems that K0 models are worth more as well, so a set of K0 cases may increase its value, need an engine number beginning with a 1 though Ted. The K1 engines all began with a 2. Strangely the K2 didn’t start with a 3, which you think would be the case. Both my K1 bikes have frames and engine numbers beginning with a 2 and the L reg bike has a build date of 5/72, so your frame being much earlier than that must mean a K0.

It’s not important as you say though, it’s just odd.

I had 2 sets of engine cases spare from way back in the 70-80s and both began with a 1, which is very odd as I never had or broke a K0 but I did buy quite a lot of broken engines back then but how they both ended up coming from a model that was never officially imported into the UK is strange.

I still have a set spare if you ever want to make the bike into a K0.

[Bryanj]

Yes the seat lock brackets interchange, it was fitted with a later type lock as the best recovered seat i had was a later type, dont know what was original as nothing was on it.
Julie, i fitted the vin plate and had to drill holes for it as i said above the stampings would disapear under powder coat.

[Nurse Julie]

Yes the seat lock brackets interchange, it was fitted with a later type lock as the best recovered seat i had was a later type, dont know what was original as nothing was on it.
Julie, i fitted the vin plate and had to drill holes for it as i said above the stampings would disapear under powder coat.

Ah yes, I've just read about the VIN tag on a previous post Bryan, sorry about that. Ted, on the V5 what date does it give as being registered in UK?