born again biker says hello

[mickwinf]

hello everyone just a few words to introduce myself and my bike.I have just returned to biking after 30 years! I have a honda cb550k3 purchased as a abandoned restoration project, lots of work done but lots still to do,and a second k3 for spares, an american import with original 4/4 exhaust which will probably be restored next. My favorite bike ever was my cb500/4 from 1973 which i customised back in the 70s such a sweet free revving engine and so reliable! Am enjoying reading the forums and getting lots of tips for rebuild,aren't things expensive! Have had good service from David Silvers and Ebay so coming on a treat, engine back in next job is getting it running for the first time since 1983 ! allegedly only 6000 odd miles from new.Anyway watch out for my posts i may need some help and encouragement!

[K2-K6]

Hello and welcome to the forum, seems like your'e getting along quite well with your rebuild and as you already know it's a nice era to have something from to ride.

I liked the 500 too though never had one myself, had one of the nicest 4-pipe sets of any bike I thought.

let us see some pics if you have a chance.

[Rozabikes Tim]

Hi Welcome aboard. Had a 1974 500four as my first "big bike" - great times!

Good luck

[UK Pete]

Hi Mickwinf, welcome to the site
Pete

[SteveD CB500K0]

500/4 is the way to go...


I've got 3!

[florence]

Welcome Sir.

I have been riding a Honda 500 four for the last fifteen years and will agree that they are great bikes.  After having a good try at making fours with the 750, Honda eventually got things right by making the 500  

Good luck with getting your 550 working.

Steve

P.S, it' only expensive if you go for the shiny parts or get too encumbered with originality.  I will put any part on my bike as long as it works.

[mickwinf]

hey everone thanks for the great welcome! glad there are some like minded people out there.ref cost of parts, i must admit i am going a bit over the top with the rebuild,definitely more than its worth, but what the hey! the imported k3 no 2 will be a budget rebuild.Didnt get it going at weekend,had leaks from (supposedly) rebuilt carbs, mainly from adjusting screws at bottom in front of float chambers.i suspect the PO
missed out the rubber seals,anyone had the same probs?will dig out some photos of old 500/4 and post.cheers, Mick

[florence]

Here's my bike.

[mickwinf]

here is a fuzzy pic of my old cb500 taken about 1976 ish

[Bryanj]

Would that be a Marvin black 4 into 1 lets wake the dead exhaust on that one?

[SteveD CB500K0]

Love those "Barcelona" fairings!

[mickwinf]

hi all  no Bryan exhaust is a chrome Piper 4/1 it did sound great, not as loud as the previous dunstall 4/2. other period mods were box section swing arm, alloy rims  koni shocks black engine with chromed covers and that fairing was one of the first twin headlamp models had 2 cibie spots. hope to work on k3 this w/e waiting on some parts but lots more to do, meanwhile here is another pic, cheers, Mick

[SteveD CB500K0]

exhaust is a chrome Piper 4/1 it did sound great,

Check my avatar 

[florence]

Mine's a laser, sounds amazing and much better performance than the Motad I had previously.  I much prefer these skinny 4-1 to the ugly and bulky original pipes.  If anyone restored a bike to period standards then these modifications is what it would have.  I don't know anyone who had a standard bike.

[florence]

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