the one thing I don't get about the CB500

One thing I've never understood about the (naked) CB500 is why the radiator finishes *below* the plastic covers. Have a look at how the radiator sits in relation to the two side covers either side of it - it's as though the covers are two/three inches too high. Or two/three inches too short. Very strange. It's like the position of the radiator - or its size, or both - were changed at some very late stage in the bike's design and the moulds for the plastics weren't updated.

Has this part of the bike's lines ever caught anyone else's eye?

I know what you mean. Perhaps it's to do with airflow around the radiator?

Dunno. Ditched those plastic panels. Ugly & useless.

From what I've seen so far the CB500 seems to run under temperature as standard. 

Maybe when designing it Honda had thought to make a CB500 radiator, but then ditched the design and put in a slightly bigger radiator which they were already manufacturing for something else?

This is purely speculation though!

Yeah - a spot of parts bin plundering.

stormbringer wrote:Dunno. Ditched those plastic panels. Ugly & useless.

i wouldnt mind ditching them but they support the tank a little, did you replace them or do anything to fill in the holes??

I don't mind the look of 'em on a standard machine. Though, mine won't be keeping them.

glen.wilson1@gmx.com wrote:i wouldnt mind ditching them but they support the tank a little, did you replace them or do anything to fill in the holes??

As far as I can tell, they're fixed with rubber bushings, and have no part in holding anything in place. First reason I ditched mine was that one had a really(!) bad paint job and the other had a hole in it from a scottoiler-adjustment-thingy which I also ditched.

Yuck! Gotta go!

Besides, it gives the bike an even more basic expression. I like that - just the bare necessities (quoting Baloo).

Stormbringer, your bike is missing on the "show your bike" topic!
 

There are several thundersport CBs on eBay at the moment - and they have the rad covers on. Strangely. But then - I suppose it helps guard against potentially slippery liquids spilling over the track in the event of an off. It's the only reason I can think of for keeping them on. You'd think racers would ditch anything they can - including something non-essential, quite fragile and that doesn't do much if anything to enhance handling or drag.

Know what you mean about them being neither use nor ornament, but I located a power take-off for my sat-nav behind one (bracketed to the frame tube) and that cover keeps it nice and water resistant. The square hole also ducts the cable up nicely to the handlebars.

Gonzumzum wrote:Stormbringer, your bike is missing on the "show your bike" topic!
 

Okay then. Hopefully this will make you long for summer