500 engine strip

[mickwinf]

Well this is what happens when you have some spare time and a Honda engine, I was just going to clean and paint but decided to strip it down to check the condition as it is an unknown. The hardest thing was getting the barrels off, they were stuck, the rest of the strip down went very well. It is in pretty good condition, crank is good and gears seem ok except the centre selector is badly worn, anyone have a spare? Will replace all gaskets and seals, also primary and camchains. will keep me busy!

[Bitsa (Ralph Wright - RIP)]

Nice one Mick you know you love doing it and in the END when finished you know its GOOOD.
Cheers
Bitsa

[Lobo]

Hmm... that bag of extra rapid cement nearby just waiting for the 'right moment'!

[Bryanj]

That centre selector is very hard to find in good order now, its the same as a  350 twin i think so the US ebay is probably your best bet mate

[mickwinf]

ha Lobo I think the moment has passed for the cement, gone hard already! Bryan will try ebay USA.

[matthewmosse]

How different are 500 and 550 selectors, I have a few engines that came as boxes of cogs and they are all a mix of 500 and 550 bits, been 10 years since I built anything up out of it, I seem to recall most bits were possible to interchange, but some annoying differences, like having to tear the whole thing appart to swap the actual gear shaft to fit the cluch, took many long hours of trial and error to make a viable engine - gearbox was good, shame the crank seized (think it was petrol washing the oil out due to bad rings on piston and sticky float but given that I was utterly clueless and working in a caravan between shifts, maybe some dirt got in there.

[mickwinf]

Hi Matt, I have checked my parts books and the 550 is different part number, not sure how to tell difference without comparing side by side, if you do have one I would buy it!

[matthewmosse]

I'd keep looking over in Us of A to be honest Mick, I might well have one, but my workshop is a right royal tip and it will take me an age to find one, and identify it as 500 rather than 550. Could take an age. I wonder could a worn one be built up with weld then machine it back? I would need to be really accurate and re case hardend. I think my 500 may need the same part - does it select 1st gear by any chance? Does seem jumping out of 1st was a common 500/4 issue thinking on it.

[Trigger]

Mick, you can't go by part numbers. I know that CB500T forks are identical to CB500 and CB550 but, all have different part numbers. As you say the only was is to match these side by side. 

[matthewmosse]

If 500 and 550 forks were the same then I have plenty, but I don't think they are - been a decade since I did a mix and match rebuild though. I have a shed to erect, a big tree to fell in a tricky spot that has to come down first and then I'll be able to clear enough space to work on an engine. Not gonna be fast. Until then no knowing where any given for in the spares boxes came from.

[mickwinf]

I don't know if there was a problem with selection as I bought the bike in bits, don't want to put it back together if it will cause problems. Will keep looking on ebay

[Bryanj]

500 forks fit on the selector drum, 550 pivot on a seperate shaft so are totaly different.

They were originaly hard chrome plated  and ground to a specific thickness so could probably be repaired with stellite weld and a good machinist/grinder but that would be dearer than a used one from the states.

See list below from motogrid as to what bikes to look for:

CB350 A MOTORCYCLE, JPN, VIN# CB350-1000001
CB350G A MOTORCYCLE, JPN, VIN# CB350-5000001
CB350K2 A MOTORCYCLE, JPN, VIN# CB350-2000001
CB350K3 A MOTORCYCLE, JPN, VIN# CB350-3000001
CB350K4 A MOTORCYCLE, JPN, VIN# CB350-4000001
CB500 A MOTORCYCLE, JPN, VIN# CB500-1000001
CB500K1 A MOTORCYCLE, JPN, VIN# CB500-2000001
CB500K2 A MOTORCYCLE, JPN, VIN# CB500-2100001
CL350 A MOTORCYCLE, JPN, VIN# CL350-1000001
CL350K2 A MOTORCYCLE, JPN, VIN# CL350-2000001
CL350K3 A MOTORCYCLE, JPN, VIN# CL350-3000001
CL350K4 A MOTORCYCLE, JPN, VIN# CL350-4000001
CL350K5 A MOTORCYCLE, JPN, VIN# CL350-5000001
SL350 A MOTORCYCLE, JPN, VIN# SL350-1000001

Note that the 250 K was not seen in the states so chances are that that is the same as well

USA ebay item

http://www.ebay.com/itm/1971-1972-1973-Honda-CL350-CB350-CB-CL-SL-350-Transmission-Shifter-Shift-Forks-/281155899624?pt=Motorcycles_Parts_Accessories&hash=item41763290e8&vxp=mtr

set of 3 but other two don't fit the 500, not worth asking for just the one you want as chances are the wrong one will be sent

[mickwinf]

cheers Bryan

[florence]

Bryan, I can concur, the CB250K, CB350K and CB500K all same part.  If anyone is really stuck I can help but it is a shame to break a good gearbox just for one part. I'll have a look and see what I have in the workshop.

[mickwinf]

thanks Florence if you have a spare one I am interested but as you say don't split a good box. I will post a picture of the old one to get some expert opinions.