No.34: 2007 Honda CBF500

[Ted]

I've not been on 2 wheels in a while, and wanted to get back into it, I did recently look over one of my old Honda CX500's, but that needs a lot of work.

I decided the cheapest option to get me back on the road was just to buy a little commuter bike.

My favourite style of bike is a crusier, so to me this looks way too sporty!


https://i.imgur.com/YXjSgbp.jpg



It's tatty, bit was cheap, and the look is sort of growing on me.

[UncleFester]

Get a short exhaust, remove the baffle, make lots of noise - grin lots
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2017 Z1000SX

[Ted]

I might go for something slightly louder, but not too much. Too old for all that! Lol

[Ted]

Got to sort out a front tyre for it.

Tempted to buy one off the net and fit myself, but not sure if I've ever changed a bike tyre before...

[UncleFester]

Think mine is on Bridgestone Battleaxe ..... can't fault them.
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2017 Z1000SX

[Ted]

That's the 3rd recommendation for them!

I'll nip into a garage tomorrow and see what they have. Think maybe getting the garage to fit is a wiser move.

[Ted]

On a slightly different note, there is space for a D-lock under the seat, does anyone know what ones fit?

[Ted]

I'm keeping a running total on this, as the aim was to get back on 2 wheels for £1000 all in (including insurance).

Bike purchase price: £535
Front tyre (supply, fit & balance) Bridgestone BT023: £109

Current spend: £644



The garaged also noticed a couple of issues...

Ones I had spotted:
-front brake pads low
-front brake disk thin
-r/h fork seal weeping

Ones I hadn't spotted:
-rear shock worn
-chain too tight
-slight play in front wheel bearing

[B5234FT]

Most of those should be easy and cheap fixes if you're handy with tools and there are no underlying issues (pitted fork stanchions for instance).

The brake disk is likely the biggest expense there.

[Ted]

I'm reasonably handy, luckily.

Stanchions look pretty good, will probably leave the fork seals for now, as it's only weeping a little bit. Mind you, I'm quite a lump so they might blow out!

Brakes I'll sort ASAP, going to look at David Silvers, they should do them.

I've got to find what the chain slack should be, the garage say it's too tight, but once I'm on it that might be a different story...

[Ted]

Bike purchase price: £535.00
Transport (local, own van): £0.00
Front tyre (supply, fit & balance): £109.00
Insurance: £211.40
Tax (12 months): £62.00
Clothing (already owned): £0.00

Current spend: £917.40

[Shaft]

[UncleFester]

If it's anything like all the other Hondas of that age ( and the previous owner hasn't upgraded ) keep an eye on the condition of the downpipes.

Second hand in mild or stainless can often be picked up for a bargain.
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2017 Z1000SX

[Ted]

Last chain drive I had was my 125, that was some years ago, I remembered sitting on it to check the chain, but thats all I remember!

Downpipes do look a bit rusty.

[Ted]

Found a manual page online, said chain slack should be 30-40mm. Does that sound right, seems a bit too loose?

[stevo as b4]

35-40mm slack mid span, was the recommended chain tension on my ZX6R and about the same on the VTR I think too.

It looks slack I agree, but a tight chain will hurt your bike much more than a loose one unless it comes off or breaks that is.

[Ted]

Had a look today, chain slack is about 25mm, didn't have a big enough spanner to hand for the axle nuts, but will sort ASAP.

Had a little ride, the first one! Did the usual not-ridden-in-a-while stuff, tight turns in a car park were a bit iffy, when out on the road I hit neutral twice accidentally.

Got the hang of the clutch and clutch less changes pretty quick, unsure where it wants to sit in the rev range though.

Engine feels and sounds like a 60k one, is a bit loose and rattly. Garage were correct about the rear shock, you notice the excessive rebound on larger bumps.

I didn't go any quicker than 50mph, forgot to swap the tinted visor for the clear, and it was starting to get a bit dark, so had visor up.

Generally I think the bike has some potential, not overly sure on seating position as it seems to demand your nuts are rubbing on the tank.

I do need new bike trousers though. I appear to be fatter than I once was!

[Ted]

Insurance issues, updated.

Bike purchase price: £535.00
Transport (local, own van): £0.00
Front tyre (supply, fit & balance): £109.00
Insurance (Flux): £211.40
Insurance refund (Flux): £-181.40
Tax (12 months): £62.00
Clothing (already owned): £0.00
Insurance (Hastings): £158.00

Current spend: £894.00

[Ted]

Logbook came through quick!

Although I'm going to spend a bit more on the bike, I'm drawing a line under the above, so to get back on the road after years of not riding, it's cost me under £900 all in. I'm quite happy with that.

[Ted]

Weather looked nice this morning, so went for a cruse before work!

https://i.imgur.com/KWtwyaX.jpg

However, I noticed when I got back that I had lost a couple of bolts, one on the chain guard, this might have been missing before, and one from the coolant bottle, which was not missing before. Also one front mudguard bolt was loose.

I might have to go over it checking every bolt!


Clutch cable is also out of adjustment. Hopefully a new cable will sort it.

[Ted]

Oh, also, I'm still not sold on the riding position. It seems to want me pressed against the tank.

When I got off it earlier the tip of my penis was numb.

[Alex A]

[Ted]

[Ted]

The other day I replaced the coolant bottle bolt, as it fell out! Also replaced a missing tie down type bolt.

This evening I've just sorted the loose pillion seat lock, replaced the absent seat bolts, and changed the oil.

Other than that, nothing new to declare!

[UncleFester]

For me - that's what i love about the CB500 ... it doesn't really need much once it's running and due to the age / history of them, no one expects them to be clean and shiny .... so you can get away with just using it.

Which I guess is what coming back after a break is all about.
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2017 Z1000SX