'71 cb500k basket case to road legal ( cafe ) conversion

[simonster]

This isn't day one on this project...it's actually day 365, but it's still as it arrived in the back of the sellers van a year ago. I wasn't ready for a new project as I was still midway through renovating my 1960 Triumph bathtub and that has just gone through the MOT so job done and nice she looks too! So looking ahead to the 500k my idea is to start again from the tread up. It's obviously had some work in the distant past as the rear swing arm has been braced for additional strength so possibly been raced but not for many years as it was in someone's shed since the early nineties so the story went. I have started tracing the electrics and marking these up for easy reference for when it all goes back together which I'm hoping will be this time next year or earlier if everything goes to plan and i get plenty of time on what will be my Saturday morning project....work and home life permitting. I have a definite idea how things are going to look on this bike. The frame will be reworked with short tighter upright onto a loop saddle to fit the contour of a fibreglass single seat with hollow seat hump. I want an extended and knee contoured tank ( will look at 500t to see how this fits the frame as these have a longer profile) I want the bike to look bare from the engine back so inventive designs in the electrics dept will be the order of the day ( any suggestions here are welcome) as this will make the project either a success or not. I will post pics as the bike hopefully progresses.

[stuartni]

sounds interesting get some photos up

[simonster]

My photo files aren't loading..!! i think too many bytes.. any ideas??

[Ewan 500 K1]

compress the photos first ... save them .. and then try posting ? Microsoft Office Picture Manager can compress them via the Edit Pictures tab

[simonster]

Pics before the work begins.

[simonster]

The Triumph bathtub is a recently finished project and the garage is the workshop. Further pics to follow.

[simonster]

I took a gamble and sourced this fuel tank on fleabay. It is untouched and the inner lining is rust free. This tank has a similar saddle to the standard 500 but the mounting shroud on the inner saddle sit about 1 inch closer together. It was a simple job of cutting back the pins on the frame by 1/2 inch each side and trimming the rubber boots to match. The tank now sits in a perfect position on the frame about 1/2 inch further forward but still clear of the full rotation of the handlebars. It is also about 1 inch longer in total length than standard and sits further back from the rear mount. A mounting lug will need to be welded to suit.

[simonster]

The 500t fuel tank in position.

[SteveD CB500K0]

OMG!

Back in the 70's, having a 500T was almost as bad as having a scooter...

I've never seen one of those tanks on a 500/4.

[simonster]

I know they were always seen as the poor cousin to the Honda range, but they seem to be having a resurgence in popularity, especially amongst the import market! If i'm honet, i do prefer the 500t tank over the 500/4 with its larger dimensions and sportier knee contour. i think it will help with the stretched tank look on this conversion.

[Ewan 500 K1]

The 500t fuel tank in position.

wow , I just bought a 500T tank exactly like this on fleabay ... minted inside, same colour and looks like same kind of marks on the paint, same pinstripes, same sticker above the petrol cap, came nicely wrapped in a towel  ... is it yours ? ... you've changed your mind about your build ??

[simonster]

I had to just check it was still in the garage...but can safely say that it isnt mine!! nice to know t

[simonster]

....that they are still original though. I'm interested to know if your tank is playing a part in your 550/550 mongrel?

[JamesH]

compress the photos first ... save them .. and then try posting ? Microsoft Office Picture Manager can compress them via the Edit Pictures tab

Worth downloading Google Picasa (free) - great for exporting photos at good quality / low file size.

[mickwinf]

A member of this forum did a 550 café using a 500t tank a year or two ago, cant remember who but it looked good when finished