Honda-SOHC

SOHC.co.uk Forums => CB500/550 => Topic started by: deltarider on January 26, 2019, 10:55:45 AM

Title: The 'joys' of the CB500s wiring diagrams
Post by: deltarider on January 26, 2019, 10:55:45 AM

In 1980 I bought my CB500, first registered in 1977. No Owner's Manual under the seat, so I asked Honda The Netherlands if they could send me one. They sent me this one: http://www.honda4fun.com/pdf_libretti/500/CB500_k1/CB500_K1_1.pdf. Although that booklet contained no less than four wiring diagrams, none of them applied to my model; they all showed one fuse where my model had three.
Not until last week - 38 years later - I got the appropiate wiring diagram for the CB500K2 (ED)*. I had informed on the French and the German site before, but it is thanks to the fratelli of the Italian site that I now have it in a readable resolution.
What strikes me, is that the wiring diagram says:

CB500 WIRING DIAGRAM (U.K.- EUROPEAN TYPE).

Now the diagram clearly applies to my model: it shows the three fuses and also depicts the not connected and useless LB/W and O/W wires that are in the bucket of my headlamp which the US CB550s used for running lights. Now correct me if I'm wrong, but I always thought that the CB500K2 (ED) model was not imported in the UK. Anyway, if it was and if any of you need the correct wiring diagram, send me a PM. BTW I'm still on the lookout for that model's wiring diagram for the French and the German type to make them happy, although I do not think they will differ much. If any of you happens to have this CB500K2 Owner's Manual:
http://www.honda4fun.com/pdf_libretti/500/CB500_75/libretto500_1.pdf,
http://www.honda4fun.com/pdf_libretti/500/CB500_75/libretto500_2.pdf
http://www.honda4fun.com/pdf_libretti/500/CB500_75/libretto500_3.pdf
the three wiring diagrams are in the last pages and I would be much obliged if someone could scan also the French and German one in a readable resolution. There are some strange things in that Owner's Manual btw, but that's another story.
* It's my believe that this model and also the later CB500K3 served to empty the Honda shelves of leftover 500cc engineblocks.

Title: Re: The 'joys' of the CB500s wiring diagrams
Post by: Nurse Julie on January 26, 2019, 11:04:15 AM

You are correct. CB500/4 K2 was never imported in to the UK officially by Honda. The UK CB500/4 K1 has only a single fuse loom.

Title: Re: The 'joys' of the CB500s wiring diagrams
Post by: deltarider on January 26, 2019, 12:21:03 PM

I have the feeling these 'European' CB500K2s were some sort of a batch that was decided upon only in the last moment where to ship it to, in other words where supplies of the previous model had fallen short. 'Grey' import maybe also.

Title: Re: The 'joys' of the CB500s wiring diagrams
Post by: Bryanj on January 26, 2019, 01:17:11 PM

In 77 it should have been a 500K3 which does have 3 fuses

Title: Re: The 'joys' of the CB500s wiring diagrams
Post by: deltarider on January 26, 2019, 06:01:57 PM

Bryan, the 'year' is irrelevant and only leads to confusion, I'm afraid. My bike was first registered in 1977 but that in itself is not very meaningful. The bike was probably assembled in 1976, if not 1975... Have a look at that Owner's Manual I posted http://www.honda4fun.com/pdf_libretti/500/CB500_75/libretto500_1.pdf. It definitely applies to my model, but bottom left on the front cover of that booklet it says: 1975!* But... even stranger is what we see in the pics on page 66 and 72:
http://www.honda4fun.com/pdf_libretti/500/CB500_75/libretto500_2.pdf
On page 66 we see the blowby gas filter element that we know of other Honda models but that never was on any CB500 with the exception of the much and much later CB500K3 (1978). And on page 72 we see a RH side operated clutch depicted that neither was on any CB500, again with the exception of that much later K3. The rest of the pics in that booklet are correct for my model but not for the K3 that has its own Owner's Manual. It's a mess! It looks like several factories made various parts, that others did not know of, but that were later assembled anyway. I don't rule out my type of bike was 'grey' import and a batch that was years and years in storage before it was shipped.
* The CB500K2 (ED, F, G) parts list was compiled May 20, 1976...

Title: Re: The 'joys' of the CB500s wiring diagrams
Post by: Bryanj on January 26, 2019, 06:15:28 PM

Has it got a vin plate with date? Or can you pm me the frame and engine numbers to see where it fits in my list of numbers. Thanks Bryan.

Title: Re: The 'joys' of the CB500s wiring diagrams
Post by: deltarider on January 30, 2019, 11:45:07 AM

Update. I just achieved an original CB500K2 (European type) Owner's Manual. It contains three wiring diagrams for the: 1. UK-European type, 2. Germany type and 3. French type. I've scanned them all (around 1 Mb) for who is interested. By the way: in this, but also several other wiring diagrams we find the color 'pink' listed (see pic). So far I have not detected pink wire in any scheme . What is it used for?