Opinions on this CB500

[_Troy_]

Morning guys and gals.

I've been looking for a budget commuter recently, and have spotted the following at the local dealer. Just after some opinions on price and the bike itself.

It's on a 51 plate with 28,000 miles.
Has a scotoiler, stainless steel brake lines, fly screen, engine bars.
Recent tyres and chain and sprockets.
Corrosion to down pipes, not considerable, but something to note.
Exhaust is rusted, and has been painted to cover this up. Looks ok, but something that may need replacing.
New MOT and 6 months tax.

It's up for £950. Is it a good buy, too expensive, down pipes a big cost to consider etc.

https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3726/13133365813_1f9ba22c2f_c.jpg
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Current bike: ZX6R J1
Previous bikes: CLR 125 | GS500 | ZX6R G2 | SV650

[Amber Phoenix]

TBH most bikes you look at over 10 years old will be in need of new downpipes, if they haven't already been done. It's not too bad a job todo yourself (assuming header bolts aren't corroded and seized to hell), with new set of stainless pipes coming in for about £150.

Mileage ain't too bad for age. With new tyres and chain recently fitted, fresh MOT, that's not too bad a price, based on what you've told us so far.

Look up MOT history for prior fails and advisories.
How are the forks, any nasty pitting?
Brakes in good order?
Any side-to-side play in wheels?
Running smooth, start first time?
Any other bashs, knocks etc that might give clues to prior crashes etc.
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Beginner Biker Adventures Blog
Yamaha FZ6 S2 2007

[stinkwheel]

The exhausts on those are rusty within a couple of months of rolling out of the shop. I'd be more suspicious if it wasn't rusty and painted.

Check the radiator for corrosion too.

Check the front brake for pulsing under braking, they've replaced the brake lines, have they been having a problem? (Mrs stinkwheels one had terrible problems with a pulsing front brake)

It's about due blowing its fork seals if they are the originals.
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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.

[_Troy_]

Thanks for the responses guys. Fork seals just replaced, knew I missed something.

Forks are slightly pitted, radiator looks fine. Engine started first time and sounds sweet as they come. I'm hopefully going for a test ride this afternoon, so can check brakes and other moving parts.

Doesn't look like it's been dropped or thrown down the road, but there are some minor scrapes here and there.
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Current bike: ZX6R J1
Previous bikes: CLR 125 | GS500 | ZX6R G2 | SV650

[P.]

What is your commute exactly?

I had an ER5. I'd rather mince my testicles and rub them in salt than ride another 500 twin on a motorway.

[MarJay]

28k mile CB500 for £950? Sounds like cracking value if the bike is in good condition TBH!
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British beauty: Triumph Street Triple R; Loony stroker: KR1S; Track fun: GSXR750 L1; Commuter Missile: GSX-S1000F
Remember kids, bikes aren't like lego. You can't easily take a part from one bike and then fit it to another.

[_Troy_]

Commute is around 30miles each way, mix of town and a roads, with a short dual carriageway stint.

I won't be using the bike every day. Some days I will need a car, and some days I won't want to sit in the rain for an hour. But probably 80% of the time I'll be biking it.
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Current bike: ZX6R J1
Previous bikes: CLR 125 | GS500 | ZX6R G2 | SV650

[Motorhate]

CB500s have great engines but the downpipes are always a problem, hence the reason mine have been replaced with stainless steel. The engines really are great though and 29k is nothing really as they are good for 150k miles at least. Also check the tank where it meets the seat for rust too as they are renowned for rusting there.

They aren't the greatest on motorways but by no means inadequate at all and from what you say your commute is it'll be fine. If you can get a cheap fairing set for it, it'll be even better on motorways.

Price is about right but I'd try and haggle for cash, maybe £850 - 900.
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Current - Harley Davidson FXDB Street Bob | Harley Davidson FLTR Road Glide | Harley Davidson Road King
GONE - Honda CB500 Ratbike | Yamaha FZ750 | Yamaha XVS1100 | Kawasaki VN2000 | Kawasaki ER-6 F | Harley Davidson XL883L Sportster

[_Troy_]

[P.]

Town and A roads would be fine, open A roads and motorways just... shoot yourself.

Good condition, long tax and test, low-ish miles. Wouldn't sniff at it if I needed a bike.

I did however buy a slightly older and tattier ER5 and sold it for the about the same price, £250

[Motorhate]

[_Troy_]

[P.]

Meh, bought Vara at 50k ish, got rid at 77,000

[Rogerborg]

MOT from a dealer or a dealer's mate is just an entry in a database. Go by the bike's actual condition.

[_Troy_]

I know what you're saying Roger. I'll give it a good test when I can, and will be sure to check everything. The seals did look knew, but again, will make sure I test them.

I do know the dealer though, as have bought a bike from them before and had number of repairs and MOTs done by them, so I do have some trust in them.
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Current bike: ZX6R J1
Previous bikes: CLR 125 | GS500 | ZX6R G2 | SV650

[trevor saxe-coburg-gotha]

If you were really determined to chip away at that price you could ask him to remove one of the swing arm pivot caps (it's a plastic "chromed" cover about 45mm diameter two inches up from gear selector on LHS rear brake on RHS). The cap comes off quite easily (though may lose some of its teeth in the process!) if prised carefully with a small screw driver. The recess within will almost certainly be quite rusted, even if the bolt itself appears less so. You then say you're concerned this corrosion is a sign of a deeper malaise - i.e. rusted swing arm bearings. Might be worth a try.
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"Life is a sexually transmitted disease and the mortality rate is one hundred percent."

Mobylette Type 50 ---> Raleigh Grifter ---> Neval Minsk 125

[Davie J]

Like it's been said above, the downpipes corrode first on every CB500. I've now a few pinholes appearing on my can (downpipes seem fine) and I'm gonna order one of these https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/SIMMI-STAINLESS-STEEL-EXHAUST-CAN-Honda-CB500-1994-2003-/261298058957?pt=UK_Motorcycle_Parts_13&hash=item3cd693f6cd

I'll be pulling the radiator off and painting it shortly as well.

If the forks are still a bit spongy I've heard of people using 15W oil instead of 10W. Probably get around to doing this at some point myself.


Bought mine (a 52 plate with 11k on the clock) for about £1k a couple of years back. Doubled the mileage in 6 months. Only downside there was the flat spot that developed on the rear with all the motorway travel. Got about 12k out of a BT45.
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Kwak Z750R Black Edition
Marauder 125 K3 (Murdered by a Megane), Varadero 125 V7 (sold), Varadero Thou (Sold), CB500S (Sold).

[c-m]

[Davie J]

Maybe depends on how tall you are.

I'm 5'11" and with my buggered knees the CB feels a bit cramped sometimes.
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Kwak Z750R Black Edition
Marauder 125 K3 (Murdered by a Megane), Varadero 125 V7 (sold), Varadero Thou (Sold), CB500S (Sold).

[garth]

CB500's are the diesel car equivalent of the bike world and should be avoided at all costs if you have any interest in enjoying your commute.

[Motorhate]

[Motorhate]

[garth]

[_Troy_]

Ha Garth. I'd love to enjoy my commute, but I need something capable of 60mpg, low insurance, little maintenance and reliable as hell. I'd also love to stay away from twins, but exciting IL4s don't meet all of the above criteria.
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Current bike: ZX6R J1
Previous bikes: CLR 125 | GS500 | ZX6R G2 | SV650

[CaNsA]

Considered getting a 400?