What to look for on a second hand CB500 twin?

[stinkwheel]

I'm off to look at one tomorrow for the girlfriend.

Her licence goes full power next summer and she's doing more miles than I expected on the GPz305 which is a bike I don't trust one bit not to break down on her.

I said I'd start looking for a bike now on the basis that I always see good bikes at a good price when I don't need one and none when I do.

So, a bloke down the pub is selling his 2000 CB500 with 25k miles on it. I personally know everyone who's owned it from new and know that the local mechanic who services it is generally well regarded (albeit the last bike I bought off him ate its own big end 600 miles later but I don't think that was due to anything he did).

So, I know the exhausts rot on them. Anything else I should be checking out?
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“Rule one: Always stick around for one more drink. That's when things happen. That's when you find out everything you want to know.”
I did the 2010 Round Britain Rally on my 350 Bullet. 89 landmarks, 3 months, 9,500 miles.

[ajb]

I had a 2000 with 20k on it, the downpipes would rot and I also noticed the rear shocks rusted easily.

I also noticed that the seat rubs the tank and had taken some paint off, not visible unless the seat was up but may have been a problem at some point (decent storage under seat mind).

I bought a fenda extender from Pyramid Plastics to try and reduce it, probably would have got a hugger too but sold the bike.
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CBR125R '05 > CB500 '00 > CBR600F '99

[Major_Grooves]

Other than the downpipes continually rotting I didn't have any major problems with mine. Engine was great, despite my neglect.
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About me|@Major_Grooves|My company|Digg|Flickr

[Tristan.]

bottom fan mount rots too, causing the fan to rattle and eventually put holes in the rad.

Only had that on my 95 though, which was generally filthy.

[metalangel]

I found the headlight could come loose, especially if you fit a headlight-mounted screen to it (note: the light was loose before, as the bolts weren't very good)

The seat rubbing the tank is also a big thing - my paintwork was half gone where the seat met it.

Apart from that and general patches of rust appearing here and there, it didn't cause me any other problems and I was very happy with it.

If she wants a topbox, I still have it and the mount from mine. Not especially hard to fit.
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Previous: 2002 Honda CB500 (sold), 2007 Suzuki SV650SK6 (crashed), 2005 Yamaha FZ6 Fazer (sold). Currently bikeless
"A faired bike will get you 10x more clunge than a unfaired one." -Marlboro Matt

[multijoy]

Rear shocks would be my thought, along with downpipes made of cheese. I'll second the paint/seat rubbing thing.

Sandybikespares on that there ebay do decent stainless replacements for £130 ish, and the hagon replacement rear shocks made a world of difference to the OEM ones, again in the region of £100.

Oil starvation is the only real killer as I understand it.

To put it another way, my mrs' CB500s is on 63,000 or thereabouts and feels like it's barely broken in! (Mines on half that but doesn't feel anywhere near as smooth, but I'll put that down to the dreaded 'PO')

edit: Also, the air filter bolt holes are also a bit cheese-like and can be prone to stripping- watch for superglue bodges and the like to hold them in, which could require a new airbox.
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'11 CBF1000A, '99 C90, '98 CB500
silky666: He rode amazingly well considering his bike is the weight of a small van and had slicks on.

[tonyts50]

fuel tanks like to rust inside out worth checking
throttle cable check that for wear
other than that GREAT BIKE !!!
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tony ts50 gone from off road to on road to back off road cat c write off

why am i such a prick !!!! im such a fucking soppy bollocks

[stinkwheel]

Well. It all looks pretty tidy and has a spare OE exhaust system with it for when the original lets go.

A few paint chips and the odd bit of peeling paint here and there on the engine which is what you'd expect for its age. Fired up first press from stone cold on what is very obviously a fairly flat battery due to lack of use. Judging by the dust on it, I'd say it hasn't even been touched for a couple of months prior to me coming.

Just need to see if he's willing to take my offer. I get the feeling he was looking for more but I'll let him think on it, I've told him the maximum I'm prepared to pay so the ball's in his court now.
https://www.bikechatforums.com/download.php?id=67511
____________________
“Rule one: Always stick around for one more drink. That's when things happen. That's when you find out everything you want to know.”
I did the 2010 Round Britain Rally on my 350 Bullet. 89 landmarks, 3 months, 9,500 miles.

[metalangel]

Ah, the 'S' version, very nice and a bit rare!

Look at the state of the can and pipes, I hope that's just 'brown dust'!
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Previous: 2002 Honda CB500 (sold), 2007 Suzuki SV650SK6 (crashed), 2005 Yamaha FZ6 Fazer (sold). Currently bikeless
"A faired bike will get you 10x more clunge than a unfaired one." -Marlboro Matt

[stinkwheel]

[njd27]

[sickpup]

That's probably worth an easy £1500.

[ajb]