Other Stuff > Misc / Open
The Covid Thread
SteveD CB500K0:
1972 Honda CB500/4 - CJF937K
Originally published January 2009
Here she is in when “newâ€, 5,627 miles on the clock and MOTs going back to 1982. The engine is not original as the number suggests that it is from a K2, whereas the frame/VIN is from a ‘72 (â€K0?â€)
“Wrong†bits [anorak mode ON]
* Tank paintwork and lack of pinstripe
* Seat (no strap)
* Hagon shocks
* Front mudguard has only rear stay so must be from a later model (probably a 550)
[/anorak mode]
After 500-odd miles in the first year of ownership I was shocked to fail an MOT! The tester informed me that one of the steering lock stops was missing (broken off) on the bottom yoke which meant that the bars touched the tank on full lock. It had obviously been like this for years, but the tester was adamant and I had to take it away and get it fixed.
David Silver had an NOS bottom yoke in stock for just £23.50 and a set of taper roller bearings for £27.61 - yes, the bearings cost more than the yoke!
Here's a picture of the instruments
The grab handle
Front brake
It has been suggested that the Japanese script on the front brake master cylinder cap says "Stop looking at this and watch where you are going!"
By January 2009, I'd had an MOT Advisory for the last two years about my front tyre which was badly feathered and almost down to the wear lines. I decided to order up a new one from Gary at www.gsmotorcycletyres.co.uk - he supplies and fits tyres for all my bikes (as well as being my IAM Observer when I was training and all-round good bloke).
I've gone for a straight replacement of the existing Avon Roadrunner. Thought about having a ribbed front (like in the old days) but decided to stick with the pair.
Front: AM20 90/90H19
Rear: AM21 100/90H18
Here's a picture of Gary "struggling" with the installation (no quick-release stuff on these old bikes...)
Since then, the bike has hardly covered any miles (see my exploits with VFR Hondas and Triumph Triples) but has been begging me to sort out the gearbox, which jumps out of third gear when under load. This is bad as third is the "powering out of roundabouts" gear!
This is a common fault on these early fours and may form part of the explanation as to why the model only lasted 2 years before the "new" CB550 came along with an extra 50cc and a redesigned clutch and gearbox...
The problem lies with wear to the selector forks. These are now "unobtainium" but I have managed to pick up a complete 500/4 gearbox from Warehouse Motorcycles, a breaker in Godstone (Surrey), not perfect but between the two I should be able to put together a working replacement.
The bike is currently on SORN - I spend too much time riding my Sprint!
CJF was sold to a fellow enthusiast Malcolm Avery in September 2011. He was looking for a 500/4 that was good but that needed a bit of work. He took the gearbox bits and promised to let me know how he got on. I first met Malcolm at a Classic Bike magazine photo-shoot. His T150 Trident was being featured alongside Eamon's CB750K0 and a Mach III Kawasaki in Jim Moore's "Back to 1969" copy in July 2009. It was sad to see her go, but I needed the money to put "Goldie" back on the road.
I'll post a photo of the proud new owner when I can get one.
taysidedragon:
I dug out some old photos. They're not great, being digital photos of old prints from the seventies. 🤔
BSA Bantam D7 was my first bike, T100 was bike number 3 (with temporary wrong front mudguard). I bought that one from the Polish guy in Penlline Rd Cardiff who had a yard full of old British stuff. I bought a lot of stuff from him over the years. The dog wanted to be in the photo too!
The Bonneville was number4, originally gold and black, I had just painted it after a SMIDSY with a Ford Anglia. The car came off worse. 😁
Just for a laugh the last one is me and the wife to be on our way to a fancy dress party. Any other embarrassing photos out there folks?
Bryanj:
Cant seem to transfer the sepia ones
SteveD CB500K0:
Ah the days when you could just put on a bin bag and go to a party
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
MrDavo:
My first bike was a Bantam D14/4. My first trip was to celebrate my 17th Birthday, I fell off on the way home because no one had told me about leaning over around corners.
It was as unreliable as any umpteenth hand Brit bike of the day, and I soon got into the idea of having to fix the bike using what was in your pockets and what you could see around you. When the Bantam’s points cam woodruff key snapped, I got a few miles nearer home using a piece of matchstick.
What’s the most off the wall improvised roadside repair you ever did or saw? I’ve seen fence wire used to lash up a broken exhaust, and a holed piston and it’s rod removed from a Triumph twin outfit to make a ‘get you home ‘ single.
Navigation
[0] Message Index
[#] Next page
[*] Previous page
Go to full version