1972 Honda CB

CB500

OK. Hello. relisted due to a non-paying bidder. This is a NO RESERVE AUCTION for my 1972 Honda CB500. Ser. No. CB500-2030612 Manufacture Date: 6/72 This bike is a 72 CB500. The CB500 however, was notorious for having transmission problems. So, Honda began making the CB550 and the CB550 engine is a much better engine. Many Honda Dealers were faced with buyer bringing in the CB500's with bad transmissions, so, Honda had then install CB550 engines in the CB500's that had bad tranny's. So, here we are. A rare bike!!! We also have researched things and found that Honda actually put some 550 engines in some CB500's. This one might be one of them. This would make this bike one of the rarest Honda's of the day. ENGINE # CB550E-1016878 Nice!!! OK---Read this article from a reliable Honda mechanic from the 70's. "Solutions to two major problems on the 500 and a few other smaller improvements make the 550 a considerably better motorcycle. Fixing the 500's two big flaws-an ill-shifting transmission and a clutch sometimes prone to slipping-makes the biggest difference in the 550 aside from a bit more mid-range urge.The old transmission used to clunk noisily, hang up in false neutrals between gears and generally offer a disagreeable action and feel. It was a lousy gearbox. Honda completely redesigned the drum and shifting mechanism so the 550 now has short-throw, knife-sharp action that selects gears with a barely discernible snick. Even at speeds when boots often deal clumsily with the gear lever, the new transmission in the Honda 550 doesn't miss at all.Correcting occasional clutch-slipping problems involved another total redesign and all new tooling. Since one of Honda's proud points has always been light lever pull, stiffer springs were not considered as the solitary solution to slipping problems. Slightly stiffer springs, improved friction material on the plates and a change in throw-out rod leverage all help toughen the clutch. A further precaution in the form of a reduced primary ratio (3.246 on the 500 to 3.063 on the 550) maintains an equivalent amount of torque multiplication at the clutch despite a torque increase in the engine due to bigger displacement. A parallel benefit of the faster-spinning clutch is longer, more efficient operation of the Morse Hy- Vo primary chain since it likes the larger sprockets necessary for the new primary ratio better than the smaller ones on the 500. The new clutch fits inside a diecast sidecover which also incorporates an external cable buttress and rod-play adjuster so the clutch may be tuned from one side of the bike without removing any covers or plates. The opposite, or left, sidecover is now free of the clutch plumbing which cluttered that side of the 500. All of these clutch modifications are almost an over-reaction to a fairly uncommon problem, but the result gives the 550 a smoother, wider friction point than most Hondas and absolutely flawless operation."This bike runs perfect and everything works as it should. The motor puurrs like a kitten till the 4 pipes roar! Actually, these are the stock mufflers, so the bike is pretty quiet. The original motor blew up so the owner installed a nice CB550 engine in the bike and connected the stock CB500 exhaust. This bike would make a perfect cafe racer!! All you would need to do would be add a cafe seat, clubman bars, bullet tail light and bullet turn signals and you'd have a bad boy cafe racer!! Like I said, the bikes runs very nicely!!! The tires do have some checking so I would replace them. Brakes all work excellent!! The gas tank is prefect inside and is currently full of nice fresh high test gasoline. The exhaust system is very respectable. The gauges all work excellent. rUBBER FORK BOOTS ARE EXCELLENT WITH NO LEAKING THAT i CAN DETECT. You can ride this bike home if you want. It is a daily rider right now. Comes with the owner's manual and the Clymer's Shop Manual too. The bike has the "black out theme" to look cool. Find your wild side and your wild spirit and have a go at this Honda. Please bid early and bid strong as many people are sniping now and you don't want to miss out over a mere $25.00. Ask all question. Look at the pictures and you be the judge and bid accordingly. I will try and answer all of your questions honestly. Thanks for looking. You be the judge as to what you feel this bike is worth. Thanks very much for your interest!!! PLEASE READ THIS: PLEASE DO NOT BID IF YOU ARE NOT GOING TO PAY. THIS IS AN ABSOLUTE AUCTION. THE BIKE WILL SELL TO THE HIGHEST BIDDER. YOU ARE OBLIGATED TO COMPLETE THE EBAY TRANSACTION IF YOU WIN. EBAY IS NOT A WIN THE AUCTION AND THEN GO LOOK AT THE BIKE AUCTION. IT IS A LEGAL AND BINDING CONTRACT. THANK YOU VERY MUCH. PAYMENT TERMS: HERE'S HOW I DO BUSINESS ON EBAY. THE BIKE MUST BE PAID IN FULL WITHIN 3 DAYS OR LESS OR THE BIKE WILL BE RELISTED AND YOUR DEPOSIT FORFITTED. I REQUIRE A $300.00 NON-REFUNDABLE EARNEST DEPOSIT WITHIN 24 HOURS OR LESS AFTER YOU WIN THE AUCTION. I WOULD LIKE THIS BY PAY PAL BUT WILL ACCEPT OTHER MEANS OF PAYMENT IF YOU MAKE PRIOR ARRANGEMENTS WITH ME BEFORE YOU BID. PAYMENT OF THE FULL AMOUNT CAN BE MADE BY PAY PAL (I PREFER THIS), OR, BY CHECK. ALL CHECKS MUST CLEAR YOUR BANK BEFORE I WILL RELEASE THE BIKE. INTERNATIONAL BUYERS: MUST PAY BY PAY PAL ONLY. I DO NOT CRATE OR SHIP. I AM NOT AN EXPORTER BUT THERE ARE EXPORTERS NEAR ME IN DETROIT, MICHIGAN. SHIPPING: THIS IS A LOCAL PICK UP ONLY. THE BUYER MUST ARRANGE THEIR OWN SHIPPING. USHIP IS A GOOD VENUE TO USE TO FIND A SHIPPER. I HAVE MANY THAT I HAVE USED FROM USHIP AND THEY ARE RELIABLE. I deliver up to 150 miles for a flat fee of $150.00. FEEDBACK: I STRIVE FOR YOUR 5 STARS ON ALL THE FEEDBACK BULLET POINTS. SO PLEASE ASK ALL QUESTIONS PRIOR TO BIDDING.