Talk to me about CB500's. (Winter Hackage)

[garth]

As above.

One locally for £600 with a stainless system and stuff.

I know they race them in the cb500 cup.

Any good to ride?

Be ok two up?

Just want a cheap hack for winter now the hornet has gone.

[WannaBeDude]

Afaik - in good nik, they are the cheapest to run .. get it if its good !

Go racing for cups 2
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Jogging on, destination living.

[angryjonny]

Almost identical to an ER-5, just a bit better put together IMO.

Both are perfect commuter winter-hack type bikes as long as you don't want any weather protection. Drop one on its side in the rain/ice and if you're lucky you'll simply be able to pick it up and ride off again.

50ish bhp doesn't exactly set the world on fire and (again IMO) parallel twins are about the least satisfying engines to listen to, but if it's about getting from A to B on a cheap simple machine you can't really do much better.

[WannaBeDude]

Heard their a bit dire for a big bike rider to use, but better than a 125 i would of thought ..

Crash bungs and large flyscreen ftw, heated grips and kriega
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Jogging on, destination living.

[garth]

It's got crash bars too. I've a little fly screen at home, all it needs is a scottoiler and mx brush guards before it's properly winter-proof.

Paint peeling off engine, but that looks to be common. I'll have a look tonight if I can.

I don't *need* a bike through winter but it's a nice option to have.

[Pie-Roe]

My old flat mate prepped his for the thundersport (I think it was thundersport 500 anyway) with a high level lhs exit can, rearsets, lockwiring etc.

It was okay. Surprisingly nice sound. 002s work nicely on them.

I had one for 2 months as a runaround. Handled everything fine, bit of fun riding (although dog slow and corners are scary above 60!) but mostly boring motorways. Fuel economy was good.

Side note, every time you post I think it's miss edward now as your avatars are so similar.
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Previous: GSF600, FZR600 x2, ZXR750, XT600 Tenere, CB125, CZ125, ETZ 250, ER5, CCM R30, DRZ400, RF600x4, RF900x2, GS500, VTR1000F, 640 SMC, CB250 NIGHTHAWK, GT550x3, GPX750 TE610, CB500, X11x2, SV650, ZING 125, TL1000R,CB250 Superdream, CBR1100XX

[garth]

[GREENI3]

Excellent bikes!

Most say they are boring, but you can actually have a lot of fun on one.

I'd snap that cb up before someone else does at £600!

Fyi on the crash bars; there are rumours that they can actually bend the frame in an accident, although I don't know how true this is.

I opted for engine casing covers in the end.

[Derivative]

I like my CB.

Two up - it's fine for me at 140kg combined weight. If you're a bit heavier, you might need to play with and/or upgrade the rear suspension.

Though you must be mental to consider riding two-up in winter.

[Ingah]

I wouldn't buy an ex-riding school CB500 hack to rely on. Take it from someone who has.

£600 does sound cheap, but then it depends exactly what you're getting. If it's on the original downpipes, check them carefully.

Upgrading the suspension is actually pretty cheap, with a new pair of Hagon rear shocks for ~£130. But they're the kind of bikes where the owners aren't going to grease the swingarm bearings (which is apparently not an easy job on this bike) or change the front fork oil / springs, so a proper suspension overhaul will probably require a lot of work.
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-- Ingah

[garth]

[stinkwheel]

[WannaBeDude]

Agreed, its a bit like my 125 2 poke, you can go faster and faster, cornering etc -

Some people, just dont have it in them to ring a bikes neck like one can, or brake late and keep corner speed etc.


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Jogging on, destination living.

[Blau Zedong]

[WannaBeDude]

Depends whats more fun, 120 round a conrer in a scubby, or around 60 plus in a old banged out mini !!
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Jogging on, destination living.

[garth]

The classified ad has been taken down and the seller didnt respond to my mail or voicemail, so, meh anyway. I'm not desperate!

[garth]

Bought it. Broke it within half hour, but I bought it.

[MG]

How'd you manage to break a CB?

good choice btw
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'03 Honda Cityfly 125 > '02 Honda CB500S > '98 Honda CBR600F

[Wave2k]

How much and how bad did you break it ?


CB500s
https://www.myiconart.com/9112-large/fonejacker-t-shirt-terry-tibbs-talk-to-me-mens-tee.jpg
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Ducati 1299 Panigale
2009 Corvette C6 z51
RS125->CBR400->RXS100->GSXR750K2->Ducati749S->CBR600RR5->TL1000R->DRz400->RSVR1000->Honda VTR SP1->CBR400->GSXR1000K6->Honda H100->CBR600RR3->Ducati1299

[garth]

96 on a P plate, 3 owners, FSH, 27k, 12 months mot 6 months tax, stainless system, heated grips, Renntec Rack, engine bars....


£500.


Rear shocks are scabby and a the LHS engine casing has paint peeling but other than that its pretty tidy.


Nothing major breakage wise, I just ripped the valve out the back wheel doing the tyre pressures. I've taken the wheel out, will get a new one fitted tomorrow.


Does anyone want some crash bars? They clamp on the bottom frame rails and to the front engine mounts.

[UnspeedySam]

Sounds bloody good for the money. But I guess it is nearly October and they have a rep for being a tad bland. Post some pics so I can look out for you around Southampton...can't miss me if I'm on the TRX
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Riding: BMW R1150RT `02 bought mildly crashed
Fixing: Also the BMW as I get less broken bits
Gone: ZZR600 '00, TRX850 '97, RXS100 '93, JS125-6B '07, BMW R1100RS '93, Kawasaki ZX-6R-J2 '01, Honda Bros NT400 NC25 '88

[WannaBeDude]

Why you taking crash bungs off, replacing or your just too good a rider
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Jogging on, destination living.

[stinkwheel]

That sounds like an absolute steal.

There is something odd about the paint honda use on the engine cases. Especially the left one. I've had to strip and repaint them on both VFRs and on Mrs stinkwheels CB500.

I did them satin black with plastikote BBQ paint. Looks better than the silver.
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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.

[gorillaonabik...]

The first time I rode one, I handed in my 'blade and took a CB500 as a courtesy bike. I discovered the CB500 was a lot of fun in a small package around London. I think it's a great commuter bike to have fun on.

I really enjoyed it but maybe I'm just crazy.

No, hold on a sec, I'm definitely crazy...
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FZR400 (blown engine), ZXR750 (blown engine), ZX6R (accident), CBR600 which had engine issues after which I learned to change gear..., CBR900, CBR924 (stolen), CB600, CB1300 (everything blew up), BMW K1300GT (written off, hit from rear while stationary), Bandit 1250 for a couple of months, Triumph Sprint ST 1050 (nicked) and somewhere in there, I wrote off a Ducati 748 at Cadwell.

[Spudda]