What did you do with your CB500 today?

I've had those symptoms twice on my CBs.
First was rear suspension was shot, fixed with new shocks and the headshakes were gone. The prevailing advice at that time was that the shake at the front end is usually traced back to a problem at the rear.
Next, and much more recently, it was cured with a front suspension oil change. But my most recent CB still tends to get shaky on the front when I fit my two-lid topbox on the rentec rear rack and stow any more than about 1kg of gear within. Again, I think back to the advice I received years ago and that the front can be affected by what's happening at the rear.
Then there's tyre pressures. A likely and cheap to fix culprit.

Thanks for the suggestions cp1, I probably have all of the above

Original shocks set on max as sometimes carry a pillion and can feel them bottoming out when chugging along.

Largish top-box with some weight in it but not excessively so.

Just changed the fork oil, so should not be that, but will check to make sure I have not blown a seal as the fork gators are very snug so might not see the oil.

Checked the tyres just before going out, but always worth a quick look just to make sure.

Then of course the process of elimination, which shocks are the current favourites?

The original shocks set on max. would be my guess. At this stage, all CBs are a minimum of what, twenty years old?

Yup, would have to agree as to the likely culprit.
What is the current 'budget' replacement choice?

I've heard Tec shocks are good and cheap.
Hagon are the only ones I've any experience of and they were the go-to about ten years ago but I'm not sure on price nowadays if they're competitive any more.

So had a rummage around for shocks and could not really find anything on the TEC ones, plenty of YSS / Hagaon etc then thanks to Beresford for putting the link to https://www.tecbikeparts.com/ in another post and mentioning that they do parts for other bikes as well as the Triumphs.

Anyway ordered a set of shocks just under £70 delivered.... bargain (hopefully they will be fine)

After a bit rainy ride I noticed front brake lever wasn't operating smoothly. After cleaning and lubing the pivot screw it got better, but still some random resistance remained. 

When taking it apart I cleaned the lever inside and outside, but forgot to clean inside of the bracket. Turns out there was some binding goo that was causing the issue. After second strip and properly cleaning and lubing everything, CB has a nice, smooth brake again.

[EDIT]
And made kickstand enlarger. First - for standing CB on lawn/dirt road without stress, and second - to stop scraping paving in front of my workplace  (bottom part is made from polyamide).

What'd I do with my CB today?

I picked it up from its hibernation @ local dealer, where it has sat since october-ish last year. I wanted not only to shed a little professional TLC on it, but also save it from sitting outside in the snow.

It's genuinely fun to be back on the CB. It's so easy to work with, nimble and above all eager to get going.
Came home freezing cold (twas actually snowing as I arrived at the shop...) yet with a big grin on my face.

Chuffed!

Now I'll go figure out how to stick a couple of Puig LED foglights to the front end. Having replaced the dull OE reflector/halogen thingy with LED, power draw dropped and now my regrec is absorbing the excess juice. Not good - almost as bad as driving with the lights off.

Just fitted the new TEC shocks, what a difference.
Almost completely stopped the bars shaking, much better ground clearance and better machine control.
I wholly recommend if yours a feeling a little tired.

Sold it.
Well, I did on Sunday.
I am officially out of the CB500 club again :sadface
In rolls something a bit different. Drumroll please... A 1993 Honda XLR200R

https://imgur.com/gallery/UBt8oCb

Back from a week away and out for an hours local riding. I'd put on a powerbronze headlight screen so good chance to see how it went. No drama, bike all good but it'll be new tyres soon, bt45's are looking tired.

Also made space in the garage so now there's room for another bike, I'll have a look about and see what's local.

muttley1

Just back from a few days away 700 miles, my back is killing me, otherwise a great time

Cleaned and lubed chain. Shiny again

Chain maintenance.
Also, replaced ugly and beaten up aftermarket bar ends my CB came with. Got some less ugly  ones, they look almost like OEMs.

Passed MOT today No Advisories... WooHoo

Unwrapped my baby this morning after 18 months of covid hibernation. 
She was turning over okay but wouldn't fire. Then noticed petrol dripping down onto the sprocket cover. It must have been happening for a long time as a line of paint has pickled off, right down to the plastic.
Seems I won't be riding tomorrow.

Happy 50 miles on local B and c roads. Harvesting has just got going so spilt corn, combine dust etc to add to the usual hazards.
HS2 is in full swing here and its inescapable on a rideout. Its a full on mess of depots, felled trees, empty fields and an environmental disaster zone. Its not until you see the full acerage of the work that you see the damage being done. If you're coming to MotoGP next weekend you'll not miss it!

In better environment-related news, my 1995 bike is running fine on E5 fuel, I'll have to check this but 74mpg over the last 2 fill ups (340 miles).

muttley1

muttley1 wrote:74mpg 

HOW?!?!?

I struggle to keep my mileage above 45 - 47 mpg, and here you say you get this? 

Maybe it's because my CB is restricted to 25kW, but on the other hand I don't push her above 6k rpm often. I usually keep rpm in 3.5 - 5k range (city traffic and motorway 50/50). I run E5 too if it is of any concern.

No idea, I ride small roads and speeds are around 50mph or so.

How did you arrive at  74mpg?
We have about 4.5 gallons in our tank, which would have given you a tank range of 340 miles

Litres used x .22. Divide that figure into the miles ridden.

Like I say, I'm pretty surprised and will check when I next fill up, it normally does 62 or so mpg but on E10.  Only difference is riding more sedately on slower roads and I've done a few distance trips too.

My other cb5 does 55mpg.

I also enjoy 70+ MPG 
Must admit I thought it was the norm, as I do not ride in a 'spirited' fashion

My older (1995) bike rolled passed 50000 miles, the other (1999) blew a fork seal so not all good news.

Ref the fuel thing, its a mystery indeed, I did a 90 mile cotswold route on Saturday and doubt it got over 60mph apart from a few overtakes so will see how it looks at the next fill up.

muttley1