1972 Honda CB500 Four Updates for 2/28/2014

1972 Honda CB500 Four Updates for 2/28/2014

Thanks to the rain, I wasn't able to get as much done with the 72' CB500 Four today.  I was hoping to take this one out for a test ride but mother nature had other plans.  I got to work on a few things at least.  The new velocity stacks look really cool and I'm happy with how they tuck in nicely.  I was afraid there was going to be too big of a gap between the stacks and the side covers but they actually fit nicely.  As I mentioned in the last post, the carbs have already been re-built and re-jetted to work with the velocity stacks versus the old air box.  I may even consider putting these on the 71' CB500 Four as well.

I also got to start the 500 four up today for the first time!  That was probably the highlight of my day.  It sounds great, but is still having some trouble idling.  Once I am able to get it out on the open road I'll have a better idea of whether it just needs to be run or if further tuning needs to be administered.

After I get it registered and everything I will have some time to spend getting all the rust removed and have fun finding parts on EBAY to get it back to its original shape.

The front caliper that came on the bike when I bought it was seized, come to find out, but luckily I had a spare to use as a replacement.  I had picked it up at the Long Beach Swap Meet because I thought I was going to use it for another build but ended up not needing, so it finally came in handy to have.  I'm 99% sure the replacement works fine, but I wasn't able to test it because I also found that the lower brake line hose is needing replacement as well.  I ordered one on EBAY, so I'll be able to swap that out in a couple of days once it arrives.  I think I paid around $25 bucks for the new one, but its a small price to pay to get this thing out on the road with some stopping power.

Till next week!