mod or upgrade

by American john Sun 09 Mar 2014, 1:36 pm

I love my cb500, my question is is it worth spending £1000 on an exhust, air filter rejet, springs and shocks or should I sell up and buy a fazer or hornet. While I an test ride other bikes I will never know how good the little cb could be.
Has any one done these mods and also ridden other half fraired bikes.

by muttley1 Sun 09 Mar 2014, 1:53 pm

Hi,
all cb5's are 10+ years old so mods are everywhere. Firstly your 1k budget is way over. Sluggish (Chris) was selling a Quill stubby exhaust for £50. Hagon springs are about £75 for fronts, £150 for rears, keep the standard air filter, service the bike too. Worth adding braided hoses and a flyscreen too, all this you can do yourself and you'll still have change from £300.

Comparing the cb to bigger/other bikes is going to lead nowhere, you need to work out what bike you need for the riding you do on the roads you ride. What Bike, Ride, MCN won't help really, they are a shop window full of sweeties that are irrelevant for most riders imo.

I have ridden a half faried Hornet, it is 98bhp (cb5 is 57) and also put screens on various bigger bikes. All were much more powerful, heavy and great for some purposes. The key benefits are more overtaking shove, road presence, pose value and more running costs.
The cb5 with screen is excellent for everything except fast motorway work - more mass = stability I've found.

atb

m1

by American john Sun 09 Mar 2014, 3:32 pm

I have the s half faired version. I might have another look at the cost. Its only in the past month I have started to look at biggrr machines as the wife is thinking of coming away for a weekend riding. I never find over taking a problem as my last bike was 33bhp then before that a 125. So the cb500 is like a rocket ship to me. I just want a bit more oomph but dont want to loose the light hadling and easy feel of the bike. Plus I am a poor working man so at £110 to tax and insure fully comp I love that I can afford her

by Beresford Sun 09 Mar 2014, 5:06 pm

American john wrote: So the cb500 is like a rocket ship to me.

Just savour that fact. I've seen too many people get suckered into buying ever more expensive blingy bikes just for status really, in spite of the fact that something like the CB500 answers all their real needs
(rather than "wants") and mostly the more expensive machines have performance that is just inaccessible on the roads of today.

by Guest Sun 09 Mar 2014, 5:17 pm

American john wrote:Its only in the past month I have started to look at biggrr machines as the wife is thinking of coming away for a weekend riding.

The CB5 can cope fine with a pillion; before the children came along my wife used to go rallying with me and I've had my best mate (6'3 and 15st odd) on the back for a rally on the isle of wight; it didn't miss a beat even with all the luggage. Amazing machine!

by **eternally_troubled** Tue 11 Mar 2014, 5:23 pm

Better to keep the CB5 and save your money to fix the bits that are broken (if any) and spend on petrol to take you places...

by Gonzumzum Wed 12 Mar 2014, 10:40 am

2 things.
Those prices are way way over rated.
The CB5 is the BEST bike INDAWORLD. So change can only be to worse.

by Basil Moss Wed 12 Mar 2014, 9:54 pm

You'll have far more fun tinkering with your CB500 than you will just getting a new bike. Just think about it. You could get a new bike, like, once, and the novelty will wear off in a few weeks. But you get a new exhaust next week, a new air filter in a couple weeks, then do the valve clearances at some point. Then try different tyres, maybe get a dyno run and see what the fuelling is like... This could go on for ages, you'll get your moneys worth out of the Haynes and spend many happy weekends up to your elbows in grease.

But it depends on what you want, if tinkering isn't your bag, get a Hornet. Then you'll probably want a CBR600 a year down the line, a Fireblade after that, before you know it you'll have a Blackbird... Which would all be totally cool as well, it all just depends what you think will give you the most fun.

by **badseeds** Wed 12 Mar 2014, 11:01 pm

Beresford wrote:in spite of the fact that something like the CB500 answers all their real needs
(rather than "wants")

I also have a VFR800, which I love. I ride the CB500 more.

by **stormbringer** Thu 13 Mar 2014, 7:27 am

badseeds wrote:
I also have a VFR800, which I love. I ride the CB500 more.

I've been paying too much attention to badseeds' ramblings on his Viffer, so now I want one of those too Wink

Why? Because it sounds fun, not because I need it or anything.

My CB does anything, goes anywhere and is cheap as chips to have, compared to what the other motorcycle fashionistas in my area spend on their hobbies.

Hobbies... Once again, the CB comes out on top; these fashionistas seem to vanish once it starts raining - I happily take out my CB anyway, knowing it can take the abuse. It's a tool as well as a hobby. And Basil is spot on - there's loads of fun in getting those joys one after the other, tinkering.

There's only one thing the CB is no good for; long distance high speed motorway work. It will most likely do 100 mph for hours on end if you insist, but without a fairing you will eventually become tired of hanging on to it. My comfort zone is in the seventies, and that's not suitable for motorway.

So, what do you do? Turn something bad into something good: You take the winding road and have a blast Smile

For holiday use, I'd get a GPS. It helps you maintain a general direction while travelling the twisties, meaning you end up at whatever hotel you intend to spend the night.

This way, a day's worth of riding may not take you as far as when you spend your hours in the left lane on europe's motorways, heading south at near-ballistic speeds. And so what?

by **badseeds** Thu 13 Mar 2014, 12:01 pm

I view my CB as a tool, an appliance. I generally don't do big miles on it, although I have done a few 400/500 mile days. I've tried a screen, which was good, but then I acquired the crash frame that protects the clocks and headlight - this means you can't use a screen, but shortly after fitting the frame I crashed on black ice and the bike slid face-first into the kerb..... Would've smashed the clocks and light for sure.

by Beresford Thu 13 Mar 2014, 1:33 pm

I also have a VFR800, which I love. I ride the CB500 more.
Why? Because it sounds fun, not because I need it or anything.
There's only one thing the CB is no good for; long distance high speed motorway work.

Gentlemen
We all NEED at least 3 bikes !!

by Basil Moss Thu 13 Mar 2014, 10:44 pm

stormbringer wrote:
There's only one thing the CB is no good for; long distance high speed motorway work. It will most likely do 100 mph for hours on end if you insist, but without a fairing you will eventually become tired of hanging on to it. My comfort zone is in the seventies, and that's not suitable for motorway.

I used to ride a 100 mile trip on the M1 and A14 twice in a weekend on my CB500. I've not got a flyscreen or anything - just used to tuck down behind my tank bag. HTFU. Wink

by **badseeds** Thu 13 Mar 2014, 10:48 pm

Beresford wrote:
Gentlemen
We all NEED at least 3 bikes !!

Yes! A work-a-day bike, a 'bahn stormer and something to play on. Whatever you like, but as the man says, three's the magic number!

by HomeBrew Thu 13 Mar 2014, 11:37 pm

badseeds wrote: I acquired the crash frame that protects the clocks and headlight - this means you can't use a screen, but shortly after fitting the frame I crashed on black ice and the bike slid face-first into the kerb..... Would've smashed the clocks and light for sure.

Hey mate, any chance of a link? I really wouldn't want to muck up my lovely clean clocks!

by wishnik Fri 14 Mar 2014, 11:15 am

badseeds wrote:

Beresford wrote:in spite of the fact that something like the CB500 answers all their real needs
(rather than "wants")

I also have a VFR800, which I love. I ride the CB500 more.

Me too Badseeds - VFR's are unbeatable but the CB500 is so nimble and light and cheap to run!

by **badseeds** Fri 14 Mar 2014, 6:23 pm

HomeBrew wrote:Hey mate, any chance of a link? I really wouldn't want to muck up my lovely clean clocks!

I take it the clock casing arrived safely. There's not much available on the aftermarket. They're used almost exclusively by couriers and I bought mine from a courier via ebay.

The only thing I can find is this. Not as nice as mine, and look a bit 'Early Learning Centre', but certainly cheaper than fixing your lights and instruments.

If you like, I can take hi-res pictures of mine, note dimensions and you can make one.

by **badseeds** Fri 14 Mar 2014, 6:26 pm

wishnik wrote:Me too Badseeds - VFR's are unbeatable but the CB500 is so nimble and light and cheap to run!

What VFR do you have? Lovely aren't they!

by HomeBrew Fri 14 Mar 2014, 8:53 pm

Early learning center- yes very. Hmm maybe I will just go more slowly on mud.

by wishnik Sat 15 Mar 2014, 8:04 pm

badseeds wrote:

wishnik wrote:Me too Badseeds - VFR's are unbeatable but the CB500 is so nimble and light and cheap to run!

What VFR do you have? Lovely aren't they!

My first VFR was a VFR750FM (J reg) that I bought in 1992 and crashed badly in 1997. I rebuilt this and traded it in for a VFR800FiX (1999) which I still have - fabulous machine now done 47k miles!

by **badseeds** Sat 15 Mar 2014, 8:30 pm

wishnik wrote:My first VFR was a VFR750FM (J reg) that I bought in 1992 and crashed badly in 1997. I rebuilt this and traded it in for a VFR800FiX (1999) which I still have - fabulous machine now done 47k miles!

Eh! I have an Fi-X, too. It's at 53k miles now and needs some age-related attention, suspension, clutch and electrics f'rinstance. And yes, they're fabulous. I have the fastest coloured one, yellow. I assume yours is one of the slower red or black ones......

by wishnik Sat 15 Mar 2014, 10:07 pm

badseeds wrote:

wishnik wrote:My first VFR was a VFR750FM (J reg) that I bought in 1992 and crashed badly in 1997. I rebuilt this and traded it in for a VFR800FiX (1999) which I still have - fabulous machine now done 47k miles!

Eh! I have an Fi-X, too. It's at 53k miles now and needs some age-related attention, suspension, clutch and electrics f'rinstance. And yes, they're fabulous. I have the fastest coloured one, yellow. I assume yours is one of the slower red or black ones......

Mine has a few age related issues too - rear shock could do with replacing, front fork lowers could do with a repaint so could the wheels but it still goes like stink! Mine is stealth black - you can't tell how fast it is going (certainly much faster than the red (pink!) ones :-)

by **badseeds** Sat 15 Mar 2014, 10:15 pm

wishnik wrote:

badseeds wrote:

wishnik wrote:My first VFR was a VFR750FM (J reg) that I bought in 1992 and crashed badly in 1997. I rebuilt this and traded it in for a VFR800FiX (1999) which I still have - fabulous machine now done 47k miles!

Eh! I have an Fi-X, too. It's at 53k miles now and needs some age-related attention, suspension, clutch and electrics f'rinstance. And yes, they're fabulous. I have the fastest coloured one, yellow. I assume yours is one of the slower red or black ones......

Mine has a few age related issues too - rear shock could do with replacing, front fork lowers could do with a repaint so could the wheels but it still goes like stink! Mine is stealth black - you can't tell how fast it is going (certainly much faster than the red (pink!) ones :-)

Yeah, my fork lowers look 'weathered', too. You don't see too many black 800s. Every-man-and-his-dog bought red 'uns.

I have the Honda Shop Manual and supplements if you ever need to borrow it. I've upgraded the mirrors on mine to the later types as I never liked the 'condoms'. If yours is still wearing its originals I have a spare, can't remember which side, but you can have it FOC. I'll let you know when I'm next at Team Badseeds HQ.

by wishnik Sat 15 Mar 2014, 10:20 pm

badseeds wrote:

wishnik wrote:

badseeds wrote:

wishnik wrote:My first VFR was a VFR750FM (J reg) that I bought in 1992 and crashed badly in 1997. I rebuilt this and traded it in for a VFR800FiX (1999) which I still have - fabulous machine now done 47k miles!

Eh! I have an Fi-X, too. It's at 53k miles now and needs some age-related attention, suspension, clutch and electrics f'rinstance. And yes, they're fabulous. I have the fastest coloured one, yellow. I assume yours is one of the slower red or black ones......

Mine has a few age related issues too - rear shock could do with replacing, front fork lowers could do with a repaint so could the wheels but it still goes like stink! Mine is stealth black - you can't tell how fast it is going (certainly much faster than the red (pink!) ones :-)

Yeah, my fork lowers look 'weathered', too. You don't see too many black 800s. Every-man-and-his-dog bought red 'uns.

I have the Honda Shop Manual and supplements if you ever need to borrow it. I've upgraded the mirrors on mine to the later types as I never liked the 'condoms'. If yours is still wearing its originals I have a spare, can't remember which side, but you can have it FOC. I'll let you know when I'm next at Team Badseeds HQ.

Thanks Badseeds, jolly decent of you chap. Do you ever hang out at Bikers Oracle? Great bunch of VFR nuts on there! I do still have the condom mirrors but may be upgrading to the Fi1 type if I can find the dosh ... also want a hugger, refit a double bubble screen (had one before but it got broken), sargent seat would be nice ... I have a long list!

by **badseeds** Sat 15 Mar 2014, 10:33 pm

I'm a member, but I can't remember the last time a I visited the forum. This is the only bike forum I look at these days. I like the cross-section of people and ages on here - a reflection of the honest, unpretentious machine will all love.

If you do switch mirrors, don't be afraid of pattern ones. I coughed up for genuine Honda, because she's worth it, and within a few months the reflective backing on the mirror glass started falling off in one corner.....

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