"jminer" (jminer)
08/29/2020 at 19:50 • Filed to: None
0
18|
"jminer" (jminer)
08/29/2020 at 19:50 • Filed to: None | 0
| 18 |
Goy my 71 CB500 back up and running very well but it’s not charging.
Time to dig into the 50 years of dodgy electronics repairs and modifications. Some of these are mine as I’ve o wned the bike for over 10 years, but I’ve only ever repaired enough to fix the immediate problem.
Couple of burnt pins that’ll need replacing so far. We’ll see how she goes though.
Wish me luck oppo!
Update:
After a couple hours of tracing wires, planning out how I wanted to fix it, a trip to Oreilly’s for butt connectors and time with the soldering iron she’s “fixed”!
All the same old parts in there, but with the terrible butt splices replaced with mediocre solder plus tape and burnt pins replaced with bullet connectors. Nothing caught fire when I hooked up the battery or started it - always good!
Started it and still no burning smell so I grab the multi-meter
Excellent!
Full disclaimer, I checked it again later and above idle she showed 14.5 at the batt so I may need to check the regulator as that’s kind of overcharging. My mediocre soldering skills fixed the rectifier though !
shop-teacher
> jminer
08/29/2020 at 15:31 |
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Good luck!
We're all counting on you :)
DipodomysDeserti
> jminer
08/29/2020 at 15:45 |
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Here, found your fix! The factory regulators and rectifiers never worked that well even when new. Only bike I’ve owned still running the factory hardware was a ‘78 CM185 I owned. The trickle charger I bought fifteen years ago
to replenish the battery every night is still running strong!
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jminer
> shop-teacher
08/29/2020 at 16:27 |
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Thanks ! Luckily there is only like 30' of wire in the entire bike but there are definitely some dodgy things in it. Some are definitely my fault...
I also forgot that the connectors are a style they only used for 1 year so it's either repair or rewire that whole section with new connectors so I've got my meter, wire, soldering iron and a bag of bullet connectors to repair and bypass burnt pins.
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jminer
> DipodomysDeserti
08/29/2020 at 16:30 |
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I’ m contemplating replacing it, it’s still running the stock regulator but the rectifier has been replaced (dodgy butt splices by me repaired twist and tape by PO) and it worked well enough for a while.
This bike has a 1 year problem of using round pins instead of spades in the connectors so if I buy a new one I’ve got to rewire it anyway.
If I replace it I’ll do this and go with a 2 in 1 unit.
https://4into1.com/regulator-rectifier-honda-cb350f-cb400f-cb500-cb550-cb750/
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shop-teacher
> jminer
08/29/2020 at 18:55 |
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Who among us has not imparted some butchery on a project at some point?
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jminer
> shop-teacher
08/29/2020 at 19:34 |
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This was my first ever real project too. Bought this when I was 24. I had some experience as I’d done a Spree just before this but it was in a lot better shape.
The old bike here had sat since the early 80's when I bought it so she needed a very thorough go through.
I did find some success though - the bike charges now, bordering on overcharging. So I fixed the rectifier wiring buy may need to take another look at the regulator as it puts out 14.5 volts now.
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shop-teacher
> jminer
08/29/2020 at 21:51 |
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Dude, I am not proud of some of the things I did in my mid-20's. Really not proud.
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shop-teacher
> jminer
08/29/2020 at 21:54 |
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Also, and more importantly, good work!
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jminer
> shop-teacher
08/29/2020 at 22:09 |
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Thanks!
Yeah, not sure what possessed me to buy a nearly 40 year old bike but after I spend a year getting it running and riding again I loved it!
It spend like 7 years as my main bike and got a fair bit of miles but being old and fairly well trashed and put back together not as well it broke down a couple times a year necessitating a diagnosis, parts ordering, then repair meaning it was down for a few weeks.
There are definitely things to be fixed yet but I’m knocking them off and hopefully next weekend will take it for a ride again.
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shop-teacher
> jminer
08/29/2020 at 22:13 |
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I'm still itching for an actual motorcycle. A cheap project is awfully tempting. I haven't been able to make myself commit to it though.
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jminer
> shop-teacher
08/29/2020 at 22:44 |
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If you want a major project I have a 80 GS750 with a locked engine and no keys but has a title and was last on the road in something like 83 that’s yours for nothing if you want to drive down and get it. It’s the last project bike I have left, sold everything else and this one will go on FB marketplace soonish. It’s worth more as a parts bike than as a project but I don’t have the energy to tear it apart.
I can’t recommend driving that far for it, but I had someone drive down from Wisconsin for a parts bike I was selling for $100 once. It was a pretty uncommon bike (74 GT380) but still!
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shop-teacher
> jminer
08/29/2020 at 23:06 |
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Nah, that’s too big of a project, and definitely too far from Chicago. I appreciate the offer though!
You offered me a very cheap price on a couple bikes back in the winter. A Hondamatic and a ... Something. I just couldn’t muster up the confidence to ask my wife if I could haul all the way down to St. Louis to drag a couple cheap old bikes home, that I wasn't sure where to put . I super regretted not having those to work on during quarantine.
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jminer
> shop-teacher
08/29/2020 at 23:17 |
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Yeah I wouldn’t recommend driving down for it - you’re making the right decision. You’re good enough at FB shopping when you’re ready to pull the trigger on a bike you’ll find the right one.
I kind of regret clearing out as many projects as I did in the fall, I had less things to keep me occupied but do very much enjoy all the extra space and less clutter.
That Hondamatic went to a guy who pulled on the engine and put it in a go-cart which wa s an awesome use of it.
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shop-teacher
> jminer
08/29/2020 at 23:49 |
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There are plenty of cheap old UJMs around here, that’s for sure.
That is an awesome use for the Hondamatic!
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jminer
> shop-teacher
08/30/2020 at 17:45 |
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When you’re ready to buy one I’ll strongly recommend a Honda SOHC four, they’re fairly common, solid performers, look good and still have solid parts availability. That and there’s the SOHC4 forum which awesome and full of people that really know their stuff.
I’d specifically recommend a CB550, I own the CB500 and it has a fair amount of quirks but most were fixed in the 550. It’s a nice light bike coming from a scooter which has plenty of power for the highway but is still very nimble.
I wouldn’t blame you for wanting something newer and more reliable though, it is hard to beat the looks of a 70s Honda in my book though.
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shop-teacher
> jminer
08/30/2020 at 18:40 |
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I’d love to get something newer. I really dig the new Rebel 500. M y budget simply doesn’t allow for something like that anytime soon. Raising a family on a middle school shop teacher’s salary limits things :)
I’d love to pick up something like this for under a grand. Preferably $500ish. I agree, these old Honda’s are gorgeous.
https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/413453836297614/
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jminer
> shop-teacher
08/30/2020 at 19:05 |
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That price is nuts for that bike. Once fall hits you should be able to find one for $5-700 in that complete but not running condition.
Can’t blame you for wanting a new bike, I have one too as I wanted a bike that w ould always start. In a normal year you can usually grab one a model year or so back for $4k, that’s how I got my 20 15 cb500x.
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shop-teacher
> jminer
08/30/2020 at 19:11 |
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Yeah, that’s what I was thinking for that bike. I’ll be keeping my eyes peeled for deals this fall. I’d love to have one as a winter project.
Hopefully in a few years I can pull together the budget for something nice and fuel injected.