New member South Yorkshire

[Gv8power]

Hi I have a 1975 Honda CB 500 four that has been in the family 30+ years maybe more . It is time to restore the old girl after sitting unused for 12 years

[mike the bike]

Welcome to the forum.   There's loads of people on here only willing to help with the restoration.   A few pics would be good.

[Bryanj]

ots of bits about for those but some are very pricey and a few unobtainable, I can do a genuine Honda manual and parts book on cd for not much

[Gv8power]

Hi thanks I have the shop manual & Haynes manual . The engine is the main thing doing a full rebuild it's getting there just need to work out main & big end bearings

[Bryanj]

Unless they are badly scored you can reuse them saving a lot of time, money and searching as a lot of the shells are not available now

[Seabeowner]

Nice to see another 500 joined as I think it's the Goldilocks bike. (not too big, not too small)
I've never replaced any shells, as mostly I've had a running bike. My criteria was always been if the oil light did not come on tickover after a blast to get the engine and oil really hot it was probably OK and provided that was supported by finding no nasty surprises inside, just buttoned it back up. But shells are difficult to find and CMS only have two of the four sizes.
Only needed to strip for primary/cam chains and gearbox issues.

[AshimotoK0]

Nice to see another 500 joined as I think it's the Goldilocks bike. (not too big, not too small)
I've never replaced any shells, as mostly I've had a running bike. My criteria was always been if the oil light did not come on tickover after a blast to get the engine and oil really hot it was probably OK and provided that was supported by finding no nasty surprises inside, just buttoned it back up. But shells are difficult to find and CMS only have two of the four sizes.
Only needed to strip for primary/cam chains and gearbox issues.

+1 but I would replace the cush drive primary rubbers as a matter of course  (same part no. as 400/4). I remember rebuilding a 400/4 engine when it was less that 10 years old and those rubbers were really hard compared with new ones. Why not post some close up pics of your crank journals and shells and Bryan,Trigger or Oddjob on here will tell you if they look OK to reuse. That's what I did with my 500/4 crank.

[Johnwebley]

welcome to another 500 owner

 lovely bikes ,small enough to manage,big enough to cope !!

 lots of help here,
 Honda built the 500 after correcting all the mistakes of the 750 !!!


 "ducks ,and hides behind the sofa !! "

[hairygit]

You may well hide John! 750's didn't have the gearbox problems of the 500, nor a dodgy prone to failure clutch pushrod!

Sent from my X6pro using Tapatalk

[Johnwebley]

just that /those

 the gear box if fairly major,agreed,but an easily replacable clutch pushrod is very minor !!




  the motor is wet sump,far more compact,even given the capacity ,

 but,truth to tell,all sohc are great pieces of engineering

[Moorey]

Welcome . How have you let it sit for 12 years. At least you are putting that right now. Enjoy.👍