Rebuilding CB500 For The Track - Any Advice?

bridgestone 003 or s20 tyres, youll pick scrubs up cheap off anyone that races, rear hagon shocks, heavier weight fork oil eg.15w, pull forks up through yokes 10mm, straight bars, foot rest riser plates, higher level exhaust can, one piece race seat unit. 
im sure there is more but thats off the top of my head.

You're alot more restricted with what you can do if you want to race it in the thundersport. If on the other hand you just want a track day bike, you can pretty much do what you like so long as it's deemed safe by the track & the exhaust is within their db limits.

Thanks Tricky, that is quite a list. I am on a pretty tight budget though, so not sure I can attack all of those things. New Hagons alone would be £160. What would see the biggest improvement?

Ashcroc: I don't have any intention to enter Thundersport (Yet!) so I guess it is carte Blanche at the moment!

The bike is currently stock, the only "Mod" is a K&N air filter.

scottrichardwalker wrote:Thanks Tricky, that is quite a list. I am on a pretty tight budget though, so not sure I can attack all of those things. New Hagons alone would be £160. What would see the biggest improvement?

second hand non-adjustable hagon rear shocks go for about £70.
fork oil £15.
scrub tyres £50.
they are the three things i would do first, and they will transform a road bike for the better on track.

pull forks up through yokes = free
foot rest riser plates, make some = £3

with a standard 15 tooth front sprocket use a 42 tooth rear sprocket £10-£15
or keep standard 40 tooth rear and put a 14 tooth front on.

Excellent stuff, thank you!

I shall look into getting the necessary parts. The change in sprocket, will that increase acceleration/hurt top end or vice versa?

Also, I am unsure of the exact reason for pulling the forks up through the yokes, I assume that will make the bike turn in quicker? Will that not upset the rear though?

scottrichardwalker wrote:Excellent stuff, thank you!

I shall look into getting the necessary parts. The change in sprocket, will that increase acceleration/hurt top end or vice versa?

Also, I am unsure of the exact reason for pulling the forks up through the yokes, I assume that will make the bike turn in quicker? Will that not upset the rear though?

either sprocket change gives greater drive out of corners, and yes you lose a little top end, but its what every racer uses on all tracks.
the forks mod makes the bike turn quicker, but due to it not having a 150mph top speed (lol) it wont affect the stability.

All the stuff Tricky said. Hagon fork springs also but if you can't afford just yet try some spacers on top of the springs to get a little more preload. Think I had 20mm in my last one, just put hagons in this one. This and rear hagons is the biggest improvement you can make (in my opinion).  Don't bother trying to tune it, they're quick enough if ridden right.(Flat out everywhere

Don't know what's going on with my post but only half of it is showing? I also said T/S won't allow a K and n. I've ditched the fan and took thermostat out . Also removed front caliper outer seals to reduce brake bind and disc warping . Get some spare wheels with wets on .They are possibly the easiest thing to ride in the wet and can seriously embarrass the big bikes .

Hi,
I'd add, don't get ahead of yourself, just do a trackday and see how you get on, you may love it, like it or just tick the box that you've done one. For this, suspension on max and off you go. Just do an evening session to get the feel. You'll need 1 piece or zip together leathers.

If all good, let the improvements commence. Remember that the improvements you make might make the bike less saleable so perhaps keep the bits that come off.

Cheap upgrades are thicker fork oil, new brake fluid, steel lines if you don't have them, new oil and track tyres (evo's work fine on the road though). Centrestand off too.
I've found that firming up the suspension with front hagons means you need to do the rears too or the bike feels soft when you get the power on. Hagons can make for a jarring road ride though, one of my cb5's has hagons f+r, thick oil, corners great, rattles fillings on b roads.

atb

muttley1

Hi Guys

Thanks for the advice. I haven't yet been on track, so like you say Mutley, I don't want to go "Full bore" until I know its something I "Love" doing.

It is now all back together having had new oil and filter, spark plugs, coolant and brake fluid and pads front and back as well as the removal of the centre stand grab handles, mirrors etc.

I will let you know how I get on and how the bike evolves!

Thanks

Scott

matt aka burning_rubber may have some good info and take a look at his thread and YouTube stuff as he went on track with almost a stock bike so if your just dipping your toe so to speak I don't think there is much you have to change just to have a go.

other than that pretty much what tricky, mutley and the guys have been saying - have you been on the cb500racing forum?

type CB500 Racing into eBay and you get to see some of the Shep fibreglass products, according to the guy that sprayed some me they are very good quality though if your interested in the who single seat and rear fairing section that incorporates the seat you'll need to contact him iirc.


to plug my own stuff I have a 42T JT sprocket for sale aswell as a single seat cowl cover 

Good Evening

I have just had a quick look on the Items for Sale section but could not find the single seat cowl or 42T rear sprocket.

Could you provide me with the links to these or post a picture(s) and price here?

Thanks

Scott

never actively tried to sell the sprocket likewise with the cowl on the forum - did stick it on eBay for awhile but didn't sell.

Could you send me a couple of pictures and a price as I am interested!

Hi Guys

Just thought I would share a photo of me on track with my beloved CB5. Although I rebuilt her, she is still currently stock, but she performed very well. The clutch did begin to slip towards the end of the day, but this was to be expected as it was doing this before the event. Looking to sort the clutch and upgrade the exhaust/suspension before a trip to Mallory next month!

https://i.servimg.com/u/f18/19/27/68/75/receiv10.jpg

Excellent!  Glad to hear you had a good time.

You should be able to fix that slipping clutch without too much drama.