Post by: kurienp on September 10, 2023, 10:34:36 AM
After having sold my offroad KTM 500, my heart now hankers to add a honda classic to the garage.
Been reading up quite some posts on this forum since I joined yesterday. On the lookout and trying to decide between a 400 or a 500/550 or a 750. Found a few seemingly good ones on eBay. Is there a checklist on what all to look for when buying a /4 as a long term bike? for example, one of the 500's I am looking at does not have a matching frame/engine number. Should I be concerned or is it that the honda's possibly never came with matching numbers?
For the money of some of the old 400/500/550, I can pick up a modern 1100 so wanted to ensure that I am getting a good one and a good deal.
I do the majority of my motorcycle maintenance myself, but currently not a case where I would want to rebuild one or have too much to do to it. It will be more of a regular maintenance and summer/club/DGR rides.
Inputs/Feedback much appreciated and hope to be able to contribute back to the forum once I am an owner.
Post by: Bryanj on September 10, 2023, 10:38:42 AM
400 is low and light 750 is tall and slightly top heavy, 500/550 is fast enough to get you a ticket.
All have there own quirks and things to look for and engine/frame numbers never match but should be in a range that people on here can verify
Post by: Johnny4428 on September 10, 2023, 10:49:41 AM
Post by: McCabe-Thiele (Ted) on September 10, 2023, 10:54:46 AM
Great little bike but it's just to not comfortable for me to ride any distance as I have long legs so my hips are uncomfortable.
I've only ridden my 500 a short distance but its much more comfortable for my height.
Can't comment on a 750 - I sold my XJ900 as it was too heavy for me to put on the stand and move about in my garage as I aged.
Post by: kurienp on September 10, 2023, 11:07:16 AM
As Ted also states, a 400 may be too light and small. Had a yamaha 125 2 stroke long time ago. Had to be careful not to let it run out from under me ;D
I am currently looking at a 500 with a spec listed as Frame cb500 1016689 and Engine Cb500e 1017038. Does that match up?
Post by: Nurse Julie on September 10, 2023, 11:09:22 AM
Post by: McCabe-Thiele (Ted) on September 10, 2023, 11:58:59 AM
http://cycle-ergo.com/
Post by: kurienp on September 10, 2023, 12:32:47 PM
I found this site handy a link from a member on this forum.Thanks Ted, most helpful. Am narrowing it down to a 500/4. Already have three points so better be careful now
http://cycle-ergo.com/
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Post by: kurienp on September 10, 2023, 12:33:39 PM
Frame cb500 1016689 and Engine Cb500e 1017038. Does that match up?
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Post by: Athame57 on September 10, 2023, 12:42:18 PM
Post by: Nurse Julie on September 10, 2023, 12:43:46 PM
Would the numbers below matchup?Yes, they are close enough for a CB500 K0. That doesn't mean the rest of the bike is correct though. Post a link or photos of the bike if you require any info.
Frame cb500 1016689 and Engine Cb500e 1017038. Does that match up?
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Post by: Trigger on September 10, 2023, 02:36:15 PM
Post by: Bryanj on September 10, 2023, 04:49:41 PM
As long as its registered its fine but k0 had a lot of unique bits, pictures help
Post by: philward on September 10, 2023, 08:40:04 PM
Some really knowledgeable members on here who will advise on what to look for (and hear) - for example, the 500 doesn't have a primary chain tensioner and can catch the crankcase near an oil way sometimes. (I did 40,000 on my original 500 without issue, so not always problematic)
Not knowing your riding style, I'd ask the guy at your local dealer for a test ride?
Good luck in your search
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Post by: Oddjob on September 10, 2023, 08:57:57 PM
I think the 500 is a much better designed engine than the 750, they learned a lot when they built it and changed what didn't work very well for stuff that did IMO. Dry sump was a poor choice for instance.
I'm biased of course.
Post by: kurienp on September 10, 2023, 09:41:46 PM
I was primarily looking at
- the colour - which looks original (maybe repainted, but original colours)
- the dials - again, look original
- the carbs and the engine - engine has been rebored, new pistons. It has had a new clutch plate , chain and sprockets (from David Silver ... who else!)
I like ones in green or red, but not a deal breaker.
Post by: Nurse Julie on September 10, 2023, 09:54:39 PM
Yes, it's a USA import.
Post by: kurienp on September 10, 2023, 10:04:40 PM
Anyone selling a red 500/4 or a 550/4? :D
Post by: Nurse Julie on September 10, 2023, 10:08:41 PM
Post by: McCabe-Thiele (Ted) on September 10, 2023, 10:11:09 PM
More likely it done probably decades of no miles so all that standing will have taken its toll on the bores.
If it runs okay & the price is right I would discount the recorded mileage and judge it on condition.
Post by: Bryanj on September 10, 2023, 10:45:57 PM
Depends a lot on asking price
Post by: Nurse Julie on September 10, 2023, 10:52:55 PM
Those are not clocks from 72, faces in far too good a condition, definately a K0 with several K0 only features, would need to see seat lock, rear light and multi block connectors under lh side panel for more details.I can see the seat lock Bryan, it's the correct K0 type. Maybe the clocks have had new faces.
Depends a lot on asking price
Post by: Trigger on September 10, 2023, 11:22:02 PM
You must look past the bling and make sure it has all it's correct parts fitted.
Post by: kurienp on September 11, 2023, 07:24:57 AM
Defiantly had a respray as the tank strips are too close to the badges ;)Wow! Amazed at the depth of knowledge on here!
You must look past the bling and make sure it has all it's correct parts fitted.
What will be a good price to pay for a bike in this condition? The current asking price is 6.5 k. High in my opinion.
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Post by: Trigger on September 11, 2023, 07:35:17 AM
https://www.carandclassic.com/auctions/1971-honda-cb-5004-nPP95n?bsft_aaid=a5ce63ed-6419-48b8-adb6-8692f74daf04&bsft_eid=0eb71092-f06a-4366-821c-eaf920e7faa5&utm_campaign=targeted-sell-motorcycle-21-04-23&utm_source=blueshift&utm_medium=email&utm_content=sell-saturday-email-22-04-23&bsft_clkid=41f418cb-640f-4077-9211-e17b1f6198ce&bsft_uid=7aa14b49-b967-44ce-a87f-fa192e89e8c4&bsft_mid=4776c13b-66e7-4075-84c8-5da46d9fe911&bsft_mime_type=html&bsft_ek=2023-04-21T07%3A31%3A40Z&bsft_lx=12&bsft_tv=18
Post by: kurienp on September 11, 2023, 08:02:10 AM
Price depends on how good it is. You can not go from pictures as, i can make myself stunning in a picture but, i am one ugly barsteward ;D ;D ;D
https://www.carandclassic.com/auctions/1971-honda-cb-5004-nPP95n?bsft_aaid=a5ce63ed-6419-48b8-adb6-8692f74daf04&bsft_eid=0eb71092-f06a-4366-821c-eaf920e7faa5&utm_campaign=targeted-sell-motorcycle-21-04-23&utm_source=blueshift&utm_medium=email&utm_content=sell-saturday-email-22-04-23&bsft_clkid=41f418cb-640f-4077-9211-e17b1f6198ce&bsft_uid=7aa14b49-b967-44ce-a87f-fa192e89e8c4&bsft_mid=4776c13b-66e7-4075-84c8-5da46d9fe911&bsft_mime_type=html&bsft_ek=2023-04-21T07%3A31%3A40Z&bsft_lx=12&bsft_tv=18
Oh wow! Compared to that, this looks like a steal.
Again, the key is, what do I want it for - as a bike to just use a few times a year, in which case anything will do (but then 6.5 is expensive), or look at it as an appreciating classic? In case of the latter, it makes sense to pay money to get something original-ish.
I am more in the former camp.
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Post by: kurienp on September 11, 2023, 08:37:34 AM
Now to sneak some time into reading between work today ;)
Post by: Nurse Julie on September 11, 2023, 08:46:49 AM
Looking for my early morning fix - found this excellent resource on here that I had missed out on earlier ! - http://www.sohc4.com/cb550/cb500/ and http://www.sohc4.com/cb550/cb550/Yes, good info but, that is only relevant to USA models (which is OK for you as you're looking at a USA model). But the info is totally incorrect for the rest of the world models, including UK models.
Now to sneak some time into reading between work today ;)
Post by: kurienp on September 11, 2023, 09:10:09 AM
Any similar site for UK models? There are some good concourse type models which look attractive at a better price than the link Trigger posted on earlier. Decisions decisions decisions ...
Post by: Nurse Julie on September 11, 2023, 09:15:40 AM
Yes, SOHC4.net is very closely linked to the UK Forum. Most of us belong to both.
Post by: McCabe-Thiele (Ted) on September 11, 2023, 09:24:59 AM
thank you ... that is good to know - and after my morning coffee, only now realised that, that is a different domain - sohc versus sohc4.
Any similar site for UK models? There are some good concourse type models which look attractive at a better price than the link Trigger posted on earlier. Decisions decisions decisions ...
If you trawl the internet looking at e-bay, auto trader & using Mr Google you will find a variety of 500's up for sale both private & trade. We have had the occasional members here put theirs up for sale here but its probably only a few each year.
This site is mainly about restoration, maintainance & problem solving with members who have a vast weath of knowledge & experience.
I am not quite sure if you are looking for originalaty/ concourse with an eye on investment or a nice looking bike that has had a decent engine that you can use in the summer.
The range of asking prices & auction prices are vast. As you will probably know most restored vehicles cost more to build than their market value. High quality restoration is not generally a money generating exercise except for the few.
All that glitters is not gold so its always going to be a risk buying something 50 years old at any price.
Post by: Oddjob on September 11, 2023, 09:28:16 AM
Not 100% sure it’s starlight gold as well, looks like candy gold which of course is incorrect for a K0. Looking again, it might be starlight, shame the pics are so poor.