Author Topic: So what model IS my 500/4  (Read 5820 times)

Offline t_revs

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So what model IS my 500/4
« on: January 06, 2011, 12:02:07 AM »
Hi All
Could anyone tell me exactly which model my 500/4 is?

Registered 1974
Frame CB50020562**
Engine CB500E 21453**

Idiot lights and ignition key between the clocks like a 400/4

Cheers
1997 CBR900RR Fireblade
2005 Harley Streetrod
1974 CB500K3
1982 Yamaha XS650S

Offline Bryanj

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Re: So what model IS my 500/4
« Reply #1 on: January 06, 2011, 05:19:23 AM »
Its a 73/74 CB500 K2 with the wrong ignition switch and idiot light cluster fitted

Online SteveD CB500K0

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Re: So what model IS my 500/4
« Reply #2 on: January 06, 2011, 07:37:48 AM »
I did that with the '72 in my avatar. It also had a K3 seat and tank.

I thought the K3 looked better (at the time) and swapped a load of bits with a guy in Portsmouth who'd bought a brand new K3 and was making a cafe racer with it...    :o
2022 Tiger Sport 660
1971 CB500K0

Offline t_revs

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Re: So what model IS my 500/4
« Reply #3 on: January 06, 2011, 11:32:46 AM »
Hi
So Steve/Bryanj thanks for that.
Steve are you talking about a 500K3 or a 550K3?
BTW I worked for HGB in Harrow, Acton and Ruislip for my sins. They were affectionately
known as Hackit, Grabit and Bodgit.
You said you swapped the tank and seat - what is the difference between them?
According to the American site a 500K3 has the clutch cable on the right side crankcase - is this true?
Did a 500K3 come with the center lock and idiot lights as standard?
Cheers for your help
T_revs
1997 CBR900RR Fireblade
2005 Harley Streetrod
1974 CB500K3
1982 Yamaha XS650S

Online SteveD CB500K0

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Re: So what model IS my 500/4
« Reply #4 on: January 06, 2011, 12:42:43 PM »
Yes.  :)

When talking about UK models, we had the 500/4 - the USA had K0,K1,K2, but I'm not sure how they ever affected what was sold over here.

We had:
550F(1)
550F2
550K3

so when I talk about the K3, I mean the 550

I went to HGB in Ruislip. 26-1-80
2022 Tiger Sport 660
1971 CB500K0

Offline t_revs

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Re: So what model IS my 500/4
« Reply #5 on: January 06, 2011, 01:27:01 PM »
Hi Steve
Well I may very well have sold you that bike as I worked there in sales from when it opened -I think 1977 till about 1982.
The owner was Mike Harrington and I remember I worked with a guy called John #@%$ - who died last November
from bowel cancer I have just found out.

Anyway from further research on the CMSNL.com website there was a CB500K3 FOUR (EUROPEAN DIRECT SALES)
which has the center lock and idiot lights - I guess towards the end of the CB500 life they had to raid the parts bin.

Did you do the restoration on the bike in the pic - By the way how much did you get for that beautiful mint 550/K3?

Cheers
T_revs
 
1997 CBR900RR Fireblade
2005 Harley Streetrod
1974 CB500K3
1982 Yamaha XS650S

Offline Bryanj

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Re: So what model IS my 500/4
« Reply #6 on: January 07, 2011, 04:10:11 AM »
The 500K3 was a 550K3 with 500 barrels not a 500 with 550 clocks if that makes sense.

The clutch differences are that all the UK 500 had the clutch cable go to an operating mechanism in the sprocket cover and opperate a pushrod whilst the K3 types (and all 550) the cable went to the clutch cover and operated an external arm----that make sense too?

Online SteveD CB500K0

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Re: So what model IS my 500/4
« Reply #7 on: January 07, 2011, 09:10:01 AM »
I sold the restored K3 to John Elms in Oxsted for
2022 Tiger Sport 660
1971 CB500K0

Offline fazer1k

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Re: So what model IS my 500/4
« Reply #8 on: January 07, 2011, 11:01:10 AM »
Hi Steve
Well I may very well have sold you that bike as I worked there in sales from when it opened -I think 1977 till about 1982.
The owner was Mike Harrington and I remember I worked with a guy called John #@%$ - who died last November
from bowel cancer I have just found out.

Anyway from further research on the CMSNL.com website there was a CB500K3 FOUR (EUROPEAN DIRECT SALES)
which has the center lock and idiot lights - I guess towards the end of the CB500 life they had to raid the parts bin.

Did you do the restoration on the bike in the pic - By the way how much did you get for that beautiful mint 550/K3?

Cheers
T_revs
 

I bought a brand new CB550K3 around March 1979 from HGB for

Offline t_revs

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Re: So what model IS my 500/4
« Reply #9 on: January 07, 2011, 11:35:30 AM »
Fazer1K
Do you know I can vaguely remember 2 550's being sold at the same time - small world - and we're still alive,
for the time being.

Bryanj
Thanks for that... of course it all makes sense know. I wondered why Honda would move the clutch mechanism on the later CB500 as it would have been an expensive procedure for just a tad more reliability. I guess they were keeping the CB500 going for a little longer while using CB550 parts. I have noticed that the top yoke is also different to take the ignition lock. Any idea what else is different? The bike I have got does not have the chrome trim round the bottom of the tank, but it might have fell off I suppose. I presume the carbs and cam would be the same as a CB500K2?

Steve
Yeah small world.
1997 CBR900RR Fireblade
2005 Harley Streetrod
1974 CB500K3
1982 Yamaha XS650S

Offline Bryanj

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Re: So what model IS my 500/4
« Reply #10 on: January 07, 2011, 02:07:41 PM »
Best way to ID is put some pictures of the items in doubt up on the board, or mail 'em direct to me if you wish and i will identify what i can from the many books and soggy grey matter. (blj@blj.org.uk)

Offline daz

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Re: So what model IS my 500/4
« Reply #11 on: January 08, 2011, 11:41:45 AM »
Hi, i also have owned a 500k3 that was wrongly given a J plate.
The only change is the barrel size & sprockets compared to the 550k3.
I have a parts manual for the 500/550 k3 if you need to look at it, thanks Darren (Portsmouth)
Honda CB 550K0 1974,  Honda CB500X 2020

Offline t_revs

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Re: So what model IS my 500/4
« Reply #12 on: January 10, 2011, 11:11:42 AM »
Hi
Thanks for everyones help on the model I.D..
My conclusion is its a 1974 reg. K1.  Frame no. CB500 20562**
The clutch cable IS on the left, so
A PO has changed the top yoke and fitted CB550 idiot lights and center ignition lock.
I wondered why there was a top and bottom yoke in the spares box but no clock plate, darn.
Question is will the K1 top yoke slip on the existing bottom yoke? Anyone
I guess I will have to find a K1 handlebar bridge with wiring, K1 lock and lock holder and clock plate.
Anyone got these lying about?
Cheers 
1997 CBR900RR Fireblade
2005 Harley Streetrod
1974 CB500K3
1982 Yamaha XS650S

Offline Bryanj

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Re: So what model IS my 500/4
« Reply #13 on: January 10, 2011, 05:29:49 PM »
It will but you will have no steering lock as the early one is on the lower yoke and the later one is on the key.

Carefull with clock brackets as it depends on the diameter of the speedo/tacho as 500 ones are smaller than 550 ones.

Ignition switches are available pattern from dave silver, he might also have the clock mounting---if it has big clocks get one for a US550K1 or US500K2, the difficult bit is the brackeyt for the ignition switch to fit into under the tank---breakers only now i'm afraid, idiot light assemblies are now rare try Ebay US same on 500 and 550 1970-1976

Offline Bryanj

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Re: So what model IS my 500/4
« Reply #14 on: June 28, 2011, 07:33:52 AM »
Yup, same me! Don't get asked much for the data now but still add new numbers/dates when they come up

 

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