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Topics - bobv7

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1
Misc / Open / How did stuff become so difficult?
« on: November 11, 2020, 03:08:34 PM »
First off an apology to anyone who feels targeted by this; honestly not intended!

Having read some of the questions being posted on this forum, have we got to the stage where we overthink just about everything? I read most topics out of interest and occasionally to see if I can offer an opinion or suggestion, but some are so basic and simple that I just think WHAT!!!!!. Are you really asking that! Most of the bikes owned here are so basic and simple to work on that back in the day a spanner in one hand and a Haynes manual in the other would have sorted nearly all problems. I know that sometimes this could end in the most horrendous insults to Japan's finest and a lot of non standard remedies resulted, but unless you had a mate handy with the tools you were on your own. Perhaps it's down to the arrogance of youth that all things were doable with a screwdriver and hammer but come on, age and experience should at least have some influence at this time of life?

Just get stuck in! End of rant.:D

2
CB500/550 / Front brake
« on: November 05, 2020, 02:23:28 PM »
I'm sure this is not a new problem but not one I've encountered before as my bikes are normally used regularly, but having a few problems this year the CB500 Four is not getting ridden and the front brake keeps sticking on. I've just taken it apart, cleaned up and copper slipped inside the calliper. I will change the brake fluid but is there any way I can stop this happening again?

3
CB500/550 / CB abuse
« on: September 23, 2020, 11:06:02 PM »
This has to be one of the worst cases of motorcycle abuse I've ever seen. Something should be done about it! >:(

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4
CB500/550 / Anyone interested in buying my bike?
« on: September 16, 2020, 10:34:58 AM »
I've not been riding my 1972 CB500 Four much and I think I really need a new project. It goes, stops and handles as it should with having so much spent on it! Not being a hard line rivet counter I'm quite happy to use bits that just make the bike work. However it is still a sound basis for a full restoration and my problem is I don't know how much to ask for it.

5
CB500/550 / Making your Granny limbo
« on: July 30, 2020, 05:31:05 PM »
Am I expecting too much from a 1972 500 Four? I'd been riding a 750 fuel injected bike before I bought this bike and the Honda feels "wooly" to me. It goes and revs well but it feels sort of bunged up like someone with a cold. Checked just about everything apart from having the carbs balanced with vacuum gauges. Can anyone recommend a reliable mechanic in West Sussex?

6
CB500/550 / Mixture screws
« on: July 22, 2020, 01:25:50 PM »
Just checking:-

Screw out to weaken, in to enrich?

7
CB500/550 / Revs /mph
« on: July 18, 2020, 03:41:44 PM »
Afternoon All

Can anyone tell me what rpm I should be reading at 60mph in top?

Cheers

8
CB500/550 / 500 Four ignition timing
« on: July 14, 2020, 03:07:28 PM »
Afternoon All

I had to take the advance retard unit out to free off the stuck bob weights. My question now is how to reinstate the cam tube in the correct position because as I see it, it is possible to set it 180 degrees out as fit fits back over the bob weight legs. I noticed a small mark on the edge of the cam but can't see any corresponding one on the inner part? :-[

9
CB500/550 / Fuel pipe 500 Four
« on: July 12, 2020, 12:25:47 PM »
One of the fuel pipes split at the tap and is too short to cut back. What sadistic SOB decided the best way to get fuel to the carbs was by routing the pipes that way? I'm getting really good at disassembling half the back end of the bike to take the carbs off which is not how I wish to spend my Sundays. I'm sure that the many learned members of this group have come up with a much improved solution to the problem, but in the mean time can anyone tell me what size fuel hose I need to get? Any assistance would be much appreciated.

10
CB500/550 / Chrome tank edging
« on: June 28, 2020, 11:06:33 AM »
The chrome strip on my tank had gone hard and brittle and not being desperate about originality I didn't fancy spending a lot on its replacement. After a bit of googling I bought some chrome "u" channel edging strip from Car Builder Solutions (No connection with this company). Turned up a day later and so I took the tank off, cleaned up the edges and got stuck in. Perhaps should have let the stuff warm up a bit which would have made the job a bit easier, but with a bit of pushing and squeezing the strip went on ok. I don't think it looks too bad but I'll see how long it stays that way having been smacked in the face by loose screen trim in the past!

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11
CB500/550 / Replacement dials
« on: June 26, 2020, 11:28:00 AM »
Both the speedo and tacho on my 1972 CB500 Four work but are the wrong ones and very tatty. Would any of the learned company have suggestions for replacement items from perhaps other Honda models or maybe custom parts? I don't mind which but it just something you have to look at a lot should look good.

Does anyone know the drive ratio for these dials? I've found some custom parts that give the following info :- Speedo 1:2 Tacho 1:4. Any good?

Cheers, Bob

12
CB500/550 / Rev counter
« on: June 14, 2020, 08:11:27 AM »
Can any of the Learned Members tell me what the rev counter should be reading in top gear at a selection of normal road speeds? I'm assuming that my bikes' gearing is standard. Cheers. :)

13
Misc / Open / A decent ride on the CB500 Four
« on: June 13, 2020, 02:58:11 PM »
This is the first longish ride I've taken on the bike and it did take a little bit of time to get everything co operating! Too much time sitting in the garage and the carbs grumbling about getting back to work I suspect. I must have done over a 100 miles but not intending to go far I forgot to make a note of the speedo reading before I left. It did prove that all the major parts seem to be working pretty well except a possible weak gear change return spring and the right hand mirror mainly giving great views of a clear blue sky. However it did remind me that the bike is getting on a bit. It will hit an indicated 70 and even 80mph but it is a bit like asking your Granny to bungy jump with the chance that things could end badly. 60 is ok but 50 is really comfortable for a naked bike and that's probably saying more about my age than the bikes capabilities. The handling constantly surprises me with how good it is which I suspect owes a lot to the modern tyres and the bikes' relatively light weight, but after riding fuel injected bikes I still find the 4 carb throttle action very heavy in spite of much fettling. A good bike for a Sunday morning ride out. 8)


14
Out & About / First real run on the 500
« on: May 25, 2020, 01:16:16 PM »
I've just come back from the first mixed town and country run on my 500 Four and thoroughly enjoyed it after being reminded that it needed petrol to go anywhere. It has reinforced my opinion that this bike was never intended to be a sports machine and it has more in common with the Sunbeam S6 and 7 from the 1950s and '60s. It is a gentleman's conveyance allowing one to enjoy the experience of steady riding and the passing scenery. It resists being hurried by requiring two handfuls of throttle to drag those four carb slides open and a certain care in gear changing, although this may be down to weak gear selector springs. Once I'd got my brain to accept that this is old technology, carbs, not injectors, I rather enjoyed the experience of steady progress over neck snapping acceleration. It also comes as pleasant surprise how light it is and how well it handles on modern tyres. The front does squeak a bit but the brakes work very well, again more likely due to having modern rubber front and rear. Had a very nice couple of hours out on the road. :D

15
Misc / Open / CB750 automatic
« on: May 10, 2020, 11:41:07 PM »
I think I rode tested one of these back in '77 or '78. Terrifying. :o Anyone else remember them?

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