What did you do with your CB500 today?

Sullivj, your bike is beautiful.

I´ts a CB500, 2014 model!

Talk about OCD there

I consider myself a nitpick, but I've yet to paint a screw...

I try to go an alternative way; exchange rusty stuff with A2 stainless, eliminating the problem at its root.

Thanks chaps. I know I need professional help   

I would normally exchange for stainless, but I didn't have a matching screw with the same thread pitch.

I'm nearly at the point where I'm happy with the condition now. I just need to spray the down pipes of the exhaust. I'm tempted to take them off, but have heard some horror stories about seized and snapped studs.

I had to replace the original header-pipes on my bike last year when it'd covered 93,000 miles. This bike has been neglected throughout its life and corrosion is evident everywhere, however none of the fasteners gave any issue whatsoever and this is what I did.....

Liberal use of Plusgas before and after every ride for a week and undid the manifold-studs when the engine was hot. I dunno if it was that alone that helped, but it did, so I recommend it. I was concerned about it, like yourself, but honestly, Plusgas is beautiful stuff!

badseeds wrote:
Liberal use of Plusgas before and after every ride for a week and undid the manifold-studs when the engine was hot. I dunno if it was that alone that helped, but it did, so I recommend it. I was concerned about it, like yourself, but honestly, Plusgas is beautiful stuff!

Yes, the heat helps - it helps the plusgas work its way in *and* it helps with releasing the studs.

I didn't do this and snapped mine. Luckily It wasn't too difficult and I could use a stud extractor to get it out (eventually).

Thanks chaps. I'll get some plus gas.

What I did today.

Love your tank badseeds, very cool   
Today I fixed the front OS indicator; I've got arrow indicators on the front and the bulb holder was a tad corroded (couldn't get the duffer out!) so I replaced it with a spare.
To-do over weekend: Hi-Lo switch is intermittent so I'll break the switch gear down and give it a clean & re-grease!

teamster1975 wrote:Love your tank badseeds, very cool   

Cheers mate! I have a mountain of spares, if your switchgear has died you can have one of mine for the price of postage.

badseeds, you know sullivj won't be able to sleep tonight after seeing your pics! LOL!

TimReal wrote:badseeds, you know sullivj won't be able to sleep tonight after seeing your pics! LOL!

Ha ha! Yeah, I reckon he's probably quietly sobbing, rocking back and forth crying 'why!?'.

BLOODY HELL FIRE!!!

It's taken me this long to calm down, take some Prozac and muster up the courage to post a reply... I still don't think I'll sleep tonight... I keep going out to 'tango', my over-polished steed, and tellirng him "you really don't know how lucky you are".....!

I started by thinking that someone had stolen your bike and abused it by joyriding...! Then, slowly the realisation dawned on me that it was in fact, actually YOUR bike..!

Has that exhaust ever been polished? There are some fundamental manufacturers recommended parts missing.... Is it even road legal?!

Please come down to Gatwick, and let me polish the salvageable bits for you... I'm told that it will be good therapy for me....!

sullivj wrote: ....I just need to spray the down pipes of the exhaust. I'm tempted to take them off, but have heard some horror stories about seized and snapped studs.

Why not just brush paint them in place? lot less hassle. Ok, takes a bit of time but, the heat resistant paint is thin (needs about 4/5 coats) and doesn't leave brushstrokes. Use a short handle brush to get in round the back of them. Finish is fine..... but then I'm not OCD!

Oh wow! That properly made me laugh!

I know nothing of this particular bike before 91,000 miles. I convinced a friend to buy it as a dirt-cheap way to get about, but she quickly got bored of spannering and bought a shiny bike. I already had a CB500 and had fallen for them in a big way so took pity on this heap and gave £300 for it (with some MOT and rent). It really is quite horrific, but everything works and is legal!

I replaced the complete exhaust after the original fell to bits, the disc, caliper and mastercylinder are a matched set from a lower mileage bike. New shocks, rectifier, CCT, added hotgrips, comprehensive crash protection and an awful colour-scheme that's noisy on the eye provides a thoroughly practical machine that nobody would be caught dead stealing. Random strangers talk to me, girls pose for pics (okay, once) it makes people smile!

It may be a bag o'shite, but it's MY bag o'shite!

Tim was right, I couldn't sleep!

Bs, I think you're right about no one would steal it... Actually, I quite like the 'rat-bike' look, but don't tell my local Autoglym salesman!

badseeds wrote:Cheers mate! I have a mountain of spares, if your switchgear has died you can have one of mine for the price of postage.

Cheers for that! I'll see what it's like when I take it apart

Today, for the first time since November, I cleaned my bike:





Its not as clean as some on here, but it is better than it was, espeically for a 70,000 mile bike.

For the first time since fitting it last year I adjusted and topped up the Loobman chain oiler and fitted a  rad protecting mesh:



I got an off cut of mesh from a fencing place for a quid and sprayed it gold (because I'm vain). The paint came from poundland, so the whole thing cost £2 and I've got enough to do a few more. If anyone wants any I can bring it to Stratford for the next meet.

I also got a spare set of forks off Ebay for £46. It means I can get the seals done, paint the lowers and still use the bike.

Nice colour on your wheels. The whole bike looks good (headlight stay aside!). I'm presently rebuilding my forks. Never done it before but it's not been too bad so far. I just need to drift the seals in...

I do need a proper headlight bracket, these came on the bike and I've not got round to sorting it yet.

When I do the forks I'll get one and swap them over.

My local bike shop always has a few CB spares kicking around.

For 70k, that looks like it's in great condition.

I think I've got a headlight bracket in the shed if you want one?

It looks better from a distance.

After the forks I'll be ding the wheels, the paint is starting to peel on them. Hopefully I can find a second pair, then get them powdercoated in the same colour as these.

I'll PM you about the headlight bracket, then I can get it painted before I fit it.

Rather than just fix it as things go wrong I'm trying to build up some spares and make minor improvements everytime I need to do anything to it.

UKTyler, could you tell me, did you have to extend your cables etc to fit the Renthal bars, and if so where did you get them, thanks in advance   .

sullivj wrote:Tim was right, I couldn't sleep!

Hmmm...

Perhaps some not so shocking pictures may help you get your OCD under control:


Okay, this may not be CB parts, but for the sake of helping you sleep, I thought they would do

Actually, this particular piece of mechanics - which by the way is genuine Honda stuff - has just celebrated its 41-years-birthday.
Meaning it had been on the street for two years when the americans finally left Saigon in 1975.

Out of nowhere, a soundtrack by The Stones come to mind - Can't Get No...

Also, Austin Allegro hit the market that year. Just in time for the energy crisis...

Changed the rear brake pads.

This is why:


I think the old ones were factory fitted - they have a 'Brembo'-stamp on the back...

Can't wait to try out the Vesrah-bits. Got 'em on the front brake too and they have a massive bite! Combined with HEL stainless steel braided hoses all over, my brake system upgrade is now complete.

Come March 1...