Honda-SOHC
SOHC.co.uk Forums => CB500/550 => Topic started by: corromant on July 05, 2015, 08:17:37 PM
-
Well after3 months of waiting I will hopefully be collecting my new bike tomorrow, a 1975 CB500 four. So a few questions:-
How do I tell which model it is? & from a mechanical point of view does it make any difference when buying spares?
The tyres on it are unused but will be at least 5 years old (Avon RoadRunners) should I replace them? I feel I probably should but what do others think?
Oil? Back in the day would have been mineral oil or should I use a semi synthetic. I have found a good price on Shell Advance SX4 15w 40 (mineral oil), as I understand the low end of the viscosity range is needed on cold weather which I won't be using the bike in, so will 15 40 rather than 10 40 be ok. What oils do other use?
I'm sure I will have plenty more questions in the coming weeks, will try & post some photos tomorrow.
Thanks Conrad
-
as far as the tyres are concerned, have a close look for any cracks or damage. otherwise, they should be fine.
-
It depends how hard you intend to ride overtime the rubber goes hard even if they look fine they wont grip or flex as well as new rubber.
I would use 10w40 mineral oil and spend the savings on other goodies. ;)
Mick
-
Oil, I use Tesco diesel and petrol suitable engine oil on the reccomendation of a forum member, regular changes are more inportant than buying fancy stuff. Some of the more sophisticated oils can cause cluch slip if car orientated.
Tyres - I personally wouldn't hesitate to use any tyres that can pass an mot. If you really push your tyres and bike to the limmits, maybe buy new but that would only be something I would bother with if really thrashing the bike, and if you wanted to do that a 40 year old bike probably wouldn't appeal... the clue as to model will be in the frame number, a few members here would be able to tell you, but I am not one of them, of course you could also quote the frame number to a dealer such as David Silvers when ordering spares and they could tell you. It might make a difference on some bits such as throttle cables, and tail lights, but also many bits may have been changed over the years so nothing is garunteed.
-
How do I tell which model it is? & from a mechanical point of view does it make any difference when buying spares?
In the first few pages of every part list you'll find the engine- and framenumbers of that particular model: CB500, CB500K1, CB500K2 [A], CB500K2 [ED, F, G]
http://www.honda4fun.com/materiale-documentazione-tecnica/parts-list/parts-list-cb500
Oil? Back in the day would have been mineral oil or should I use a semi synthetic. I have found a good price on Shell Advance SX4 15w 40 (mineral oil), as I understand the low end of the viscosity range is needed on cold weather which I won't be using the bike in, so will 15 40 rather than 10 40 be ok.
You're right in your assumption, 15W-40 is fine unless you wanna run your bike in freezing conditions. I always have used 15W-40. The SX4 is a good oil. I personally use Castrol High Mileage GTX 15W-40 that does a good job in keeping the rubbers elastic and tight.
-
Hi Conrad, I use comma eurolite 10/40 available from Frodingham motor spares local to us, I have had no problems with clutch slip using it. If your bike is a UK model it will be a K1 as the K2 was never imported here, most things are the same.
-
The K1 and K2 are the same bike but, the K0 500 has a different seat cover, seat pan, seat lock, main loom, sub loom, switch gear,. ear's and a smaller reflector.
If the bike has been sitting around on the tyres, they can flat spot and the rubber will go hard.
-
The K1 and K2 are the same bike
They are not. Actually the K2 sold in European markets (I believe not in UK) differs from the K2 sold in USA and had many things in common with the CB550K2 '76. Most likely his is a K1. Engine- and framenumbers will tell.
-
The eagle has landed, just need to wait for my neighbour to get home to help me get her out of the van. Then I will take some photos & see if I can post them.
Thanks for all the replies.
I will text you Mick then you can come & have a peep if you want.
Conrad
-
Give me frame and engine numbers and if you can details from the vin plate on the RH side of the headstock and i will give you all the info i can
-
Hi Bryanj,
I have some of the info to hand, I will have a look for the vin plate tomorrow.
Engine No. CB500-E-2153252
Frame No. CB500-2064653
Thanks
Conrad
-
A couple of quick pics as it was raining & I wanted to get her away in the shed
(https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/12629894/IMG_0152.JPG)
(https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/12629894/IMG_0148.JPG)
Look at the rear on that !!!!
-
wow,
that looks great
-
Not mint but very good
-
According to those numbers it should be a UK model K1 Built before 12/74. As a UK model there will be no vin plate and the wheels are aftermarket
-
Brianj,
Your correct there is no vin plate, yes the wheels are non standard, my intention is to put it back on to spoked wheels but the alloys will do for now.
Oddjob,
The lights work as they should other than there is no way to have just a sidelight on, haven't looked yet to see if there actually is a sidelight bulb in the H/L unit.
Thanks to all for the comments & help.
Conrad
Just found out the tax was last due in 1985 so I would assume it's not been on the road in 20 years.
-
Nice looking 500 :) Looks like it has the same switch as mine: Red dot= off, then Head light, then Park/side light and far right is High beam.
-
So when you switch from dip to main, does the light go off?
-
Mine has P L H, which I assume is park low high. So it looks like the side light should be on all the time the ignition is on.
I notice that the ignition has three positions, off on & what is the other one for?
Just noticed that when I turn the ignition on the instruments light up & so does the rear light.
Have had a look inside the headlamp this morning & found that the side light isn't connected. Another job to sort before MOT
Conrad
-
So when you switch from dip to main, does the light go off?
Yes Steve, when you go from dip to main, it goes on park/side light. A very early Honda problem ;D
-
Mine has P L H, which I assume is park low high. So it looks like the side light should be on all the time the ignition is on.
I notice that the ignition has three positions, off on & what is the other one for?
Just noticed that when I turn the ignition on the instruments light up & so does the rear light.
Have had a look inside the headlamp this morning & found that the side light isn't connected. Another job to sort before MOT
Conrad
The third position on the ignition is your park light = side light on the front and tail light on the rear.
-
With that description it has had a non UK RH switch fitted and these are not so easy to get now(UK ones that is). You can fit the round switch on the LH side, it wasn't on all UK ones as i remember but retro fitted by a lot of owners. It is available at Dave Silver but a bit pricey and the screw comes seperate!
You can just fit a front sidelite bulb and as long as it works there is no MOT or C & U reg that says lights have to turn off
-
So when you switch from dip to main, does the light go off?
Yes Steve, when you go from dip to main, it goes on park/side light. A very early Honda problem ;D
I can tell you from experience its fucking scary when you go to dip your lights mid corner and your plunged into darkness.
Mick
-
Pah! That's nothing.
When I switched from a VFR800 to a Triumph Sprint 955, the Triumph had the kill switch where the VFR had a dip switch.
Go figure what happened next...
-
Notice anything odd with this?
(https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/12629894/IMG_0148.JPG)
I hadent either till last night, look at the springs, I'm hoping that one of them is upside down.
-
It could be my imagination but, is she sort of leaning at a peculiar, twisted angle and are the shocks different on each side? :o :o :o :o
-
I bet that rides strange ;D
Mick
-
I will get the shocks off & see how they compare Julie, but the shrouds look to be a different length in the photo.
Perhaps more expense.
No idea how it rides Mick I haven't had it on the road yet.
-
If they are different length shrouds, that could mean you have one CB500 and one CB750. I would measure the length from eye to eye.
-
.... and while you at it check the back wheel for tracking, it looks decidedly 'turned to the right'. Pics can be misleading though...
-
You know what's missing off that bike?
The light switch. Should be an extra handlebar switch if it's a UK model, which TBH it looks to be. Wonder how the lights are wired to come on? unless they are cross wired in the headlight so they are on all the time.
Have managed to source the missing switch, so that will be another job to do over the winter.