1972 Honda CB 500K1

[flyin900]

I rebuilt the carbs too and have just finished setting them up and leak testing them. Some before and after pictures.

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[dontwantapickle]

those carbs look great!
looks like it's gonna be a nice bike.

[flyin900]

Quick update as my friend came by yesterday and we installed the motor into the frame and the build is moving along nicely now. I painted and shot urethane clear coat over both the tank and side covers and after a few fits and starts they came out nice. They are both a metal flake paint in the black and emerald green colours and show well in the sun.

Nothing a little OCD can't fix is my motto.

I purchase a used aftermarket four into two exhaust to replace the four into one that came on the bike. It won't fit on the left side without detabbing the frame of the side stand mount. Not an option for my friend, as he wants to retain the side stand. The seller did make me aware of the potential issue since he also had it on his later CB550 frame too; yet I had hoped the CB500 frame having the side stand tab in a different location would avoid the issue.

So I have some exhaust garage art for the next little while.

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[Jonesz]

That is going to be one sharp looking ride. Nice work so far!

[desertrefugee]

Holy smokes, that is nice work! (Nicely set up shop, too).

[flyin900]

Thanks guys it will be a nice ride for him as an introductory rider to get back on a motorcycle after a very long layoff.
The four into one exhaust that came on the bike is cleaning up nicely. It had remenents of a melted bike cover on the headers and what looked like rust, so I wrote it off as a restoration candidate. The plastic residue is coming off after a heavy soaking for a few days in petroleum degreaser solution and the rust was mostly dried on mud in the header collector crotch.

[Lucien Harpress]

That is a VERY nice color. Reminds me of my KZ, if a bit darker. That weird between-blue-green-and-black has always appealed to me. Looking forward to the finished product!

[flyin900]

Here's a few more pics of the progress since it has been a busy week, so I have been attaching a few items as I have had time. The 4 into 1 exhaust cleaned up very well and fits good. I have most of the electrical in place and the coils and plugs all wired and ready to go. Lots of other small items have been attached too, so the carbs and the air box are next up.

[tomk1960]

Your work looks excellent! The engine and frame look outstanding and your paint work is awesome. Your friend is going to be thrilled with the bike when you're done. Keep posting pictures - I can really appreciate the work you're doing.

[flyin900]

Finally got a few more pieces attached and the carbs and electrical and battery box are in place.
I am just waiting for more funds from my friend to move into the final stages of the build.The next steps will be tires and wheels needing some polish work, plus replace the wheel bearings.
I have new seat strap buckles coming and some of the final little cosmetic touches are to be put on once the bike is running. I have the Honda disc logo for the alternator cover and needed to buy the little clips that hold that disc in place from CMS in Holland. They are a snug fit and I want to be sure the bike is charging before a lock that cover down on the alternator case.

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[flyin900]

Waiting on some new shoes and bladders on the bike. Both rims are in need of replacement for long term use with some heavy internal rust on both the rim and spoke adjusters. Yet for getting the bike back on the road they are just fine for a few more years of general use. I did a wheel bearing replacement on both wheels and refreshed the rear chain drive cover plate with a DupliColor "Silver Wheel paint" It is tough and has a metal flake finish that looks excellent.

I did a little mock up with the tank and side covers and seat just loosely in place to see how it will look. I like the overall look and design of the stock parts and keeping the original seat and body panels and front fork area.

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[Whiskerfish]

Looks Fantastic!!

[Graham Cracker]