Hello from newest newb - CB500 - Norwich, Norfolk

[VinceM]

Hello All,

So after being away from bikes for over 24 years I’ve decided to get back into riding by buying a 1974 CB500. The wife says it’s a mid life crisis. It’s a bit of a nostalgic purchase for me as I fondly remember my Dad’s various CB’s when I was a child.

The bike is an April 1974 registered bike with VIN CB500 2051XXX (that doesn’t mean a whole lot to me at this point so any insight would be appreciated). It’s not a concourse bike by any means but neither is it an absolute dog. It starts, runs and rides at least! Battery was dead on arrival and it started off the kickstart on the third kick no problem.

I’ll be cleaning it up, polishing, tuning it etc. over the winter as a bit of a project. The only real challenge I can see so far is the air box lid (tool tray?) which is missing and was gaffer taped over by a Honda dealership to “richen the mix”. I have learnt that particular part (or parts - I’m struggling to identify precisely what is missing) is impossible to find!

I’m sure this forum will become invaluable to me as I go through the bike over the coming months.

PS: pic is in my profile avatar, it wouldn’t let me upload pics from my phone as they’re too large.

[Nurse Julie]

Welcome to the Forum Vince.
That's a UK model CB500/4 K1 by the looks of it, I have the same model. We love a mid life crisis on here 😁😁😁 Enjoy your new bike.

[McCabe-Thiele (Ted)]

Welcome to the forum we look forward to a bigger picture - I have found it easier to upload onto Flicker then post the BBCode link - no issues with file size - done easier on a laptop or PC but sure a fancy phone will do the trick.

[SteveD CB500K0]

Sorry about that Vince. Server space dictates the limit of 1M for pictures (to be honest, there’s no advantage once you go above that, especially if you are using a mobile device)

You need 5 posts to be allowed to upload images. This saves me hours of spam remove all .

Read the FAQ on the Newbies Start Here section.

Steve


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[Johnny4428]

Welcome Vince from Orkney! (you can google it) think we are the most northerly members in the UK. I’m afraid this “midlife crisis” can start midlife, but thankfully doesn’t have to be completed by a certain time.😂😂

[Bryanj]

All UK models were K1 and frame numbers dont tie in sequentialy with US ones so buld date is difficult, but from onther dated ones it may well be a 73 sold late. Dont matter anyway now as its over 40 so free tax and mot exempt

[Nurse Julie]

All UK models were K1 and frame numbers dont tie in sequentialy with US ones so buld date is difficult, but from onther dated ones it may well be a 73 sold late. Dont matter anyway now as its over 40 so free tax and mot exempt

My UK K1 is a 206*** VIN, registered in October 74 Bryan. So Vinces bike ties in spot on with April 74 registered. Don't forget the UK K1's went up until 1975.

[flatfour]

Vince, for a moment I thought that you might have bought my old CB500 K1!

After many long years of ownership, just over two years ago I sold it to an acquaintance who already owned a CB750 and wanted a 500 to go with it. He lives in Norwich and did not keep the bike for long, telling me that although he enjoyed riding it, he found it a little small and lacking in torque compared to the 750.

Mine was, however a January 1974 registration and gold/black with standard exhausts. It was also in very good condition at the time that I sold it.

I actually preferred riding the 500 to the 750 and thought that the handling was far better and exhaust note really lovely and, if I didn't have other bikes to look after, I would most certainly buy another.

[Bryanj]

Julie, on my list is a 205 from 73 and a 205 from 74 then a 206 dated 75 plus a later 206 dated 12/74.
Its simply a guess with UK  ones unless you spend the money with Honda to get a letter.
I know some of the dates i have were verified by letter.

[Nurse Julie]

Julie, on my list is a 205 from 73 and a 205 from 74 then a 206 dated 75 plus a later 206 dated 12/74.
Its simply a guess with UK  ones unless you spend the money with Honda to get a letter.
I know some of the dates i have were verified by letter.

Is your list a mix of 1st registered UK models and USA models Bryan?

[Moorey]

Welcome to the forum and have fun with your new purchase.

[Bryanj]

Yes Julie, the US  ones are verified by vin plate info as are some of the uk verified by Honda, the UK numbers, being K1 go out of numerical sequence with the US ones.
Just to confuse us Honda were building 500 K1for us, 500 K2 for the yanks and started the 550 K0 for the yanks all in the same year and probably same month

[philward]

Welcome from me too Vince. Tool trays are hard to find but do come up occasionally at a price.
Enjoy your riding and tinkering

[SteveD CB500K0]

I’m sure someone on here was going to 3D print those?


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[philward]

I’m sure someone on here was going to 3D print those?


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That was Rich (RGP750) Steve - but it was only the oval ring that has the gauze in (that fits in the tool tray) - and Julie sells the gauze off course. Don't think anybody had a go at the actual tool tray that I'm aware of?