1972 Honda CB500 Four project bike part 3, getting it running

[@davidverburgt4337]

Awesome video! I love watching you work on and diagnose issues with the bike! Congrats on getting the bike running!

[@OldCarAlley]

It runs surprisingly well for not being on the road since 76. Now I'll order some needed parts for it, plus ape hanger handle bars.

[@hughmackellar7941]

No better time than this winter to paint the frame, the engine and detail it out.

[@OldCarAlley]

After some work around the house, I might take it apart and clean and paint it up.

[@majorpayne5289]

That 100 mile FALL dirt bike ride sounds great. Enjoy! That engine sounds great! Betcha it’s had some work inside! Yes, disassemble and paint up! U know u want to, H! Lol! I think I’ll start looking around a bit for an old Honda bike. The new shower looks great. Also, love these long vids. Thx H! Blessings to ya sir.

[@OldCarAlley]

It's fun working on the old Honda bikes. Parts are easy to get and they're easy to work on. The new shower.... wow it's awesome, I love it!

[@wesleypulkka7447]

Howard, that engine doesn't blow blue smoke and the top and bottom ends are rock solid! Great find! It's hard to beat 52 year old Honda quality!

[@OldCarAlley]

In one of the videos, I show the machining still visible in the cylinders. It has 12,000 miles, so it's low milage for this bike. It seem to be a good engine.

[@wesleypulkka7447]

@@OldCarAlley Just run the best oil and filters and it will run for many years to come! Honda 4s are right up there with old BMWs. I helped a friend do a valve job on a BMW 600 CC many years ago. It had 50,000 miles on it and there was no ridge at the top of the cylinders. It was fitted with the original Earls Fork that works great with sidecars and off road! .

[@OldCarAlley]

@@wesleypulkka7447 I purchased good oil, but put cheaper oil in it, just to make sure it runs good, and flush out all the old oil. I change it again after riding it 50 miles or so.

[@kevinhawley8803]

Good video Howard, I think you should put the airbox on and put some miles on her!

[@OldCarAlley]

That might not be a bad idea, but I'm kinda thinking of waiting until spring to save on insurance cost. I was also thinking I might start disassembling it in the week or so for paint.

[@jeffreycarter2428]

I will like to see you paint the bike frame, and motor.

[@OldCarAlley]

Will do

[@ricktotty2283]

It’s fixing to be winter this week. We did the same thing to both our tubes. No one ever used the tubes.

[@OldCarAlley]

Yep, but we will still get nice days yet. I may start gathering the needed parts for it, now that I have seen it run, and fairly good too.

[@OBC-radio]

I think you should paint it, it’s a really cool bike and I think will be a blast to ride! I think you’ll end up keeping it. 😎 You’re braver than I am though, those straight-pipes are loud!

[@OldCarAlley]

Surprising it was not as loud as expected. I "think" I can ride it out of the neighborhood without getting into it, so I don't disturb the neighbors too much. Yeah, I'll paint it up. It will give me something to do during the winter.

[@liljoeii6091]

Thank you for the video

[@Mike-pc2xl]

I put a 90* fitting and an aluminum tube with the drain cock under my similar compressor. It sticks out far enough that I no longer climb around on the floor to drain the unit. I enjoy your videos and reference your Galaxie series frequently, as I am now doing a '65 XL convertible.

[@OldCarAlley]

I think about doing that every time I crawl under to drain it. One of these days maybe. Glad my videos help you out. I love the mid 60's Ford's!

[@t-rodzgarage]

Knowing how meticulous you are from watching your videos I don't think you'll be satisfied until you tear it down and paint it up ! I'm kinda like that too.😊

[@OldCarAlley]

Yep, you're correct!

[@garywilson12]

500 sounds real good love the exhaust sound if you dont have anyother pressing projects pulling the engine would make for some good video

[@OldCarAlley]

The only way to painting it up, is by disassembling the bike, so eventually I'll rip into it.

[@stephenmalone1673]

Paint it. Fun video, thanks.

[@OldCarAlley]

Yep, I might start pulling the engine this coming weekend. I'll paint it up, as soon as I get it out and prepped. It can dry why I work on the frame. It needs a lot of sanding.... the swing arm will fit in my blast cabinet though.

[@johncaballero8013]

Am curious as to what happened to the ‘66 Galaxie convertible you restored. Did you sell it?

[@OldCarAlley]

I sold the Galaxie a year and a half ago. Its new home is in Northern Idaho.

[@stephenholland5930]

Try and keep up😉

[@beehood5601]

On your estate sale adventures, look for a camera tri pod.

[@OldCarAlley]

I have a nice one.... but it's a pain to use in low areas.

[@Martin48964]

It's great to see you do your magic on your projects. Hopefully it won't be too cold for it's first ride! The shower looks good too! How long did it end up taking to install? No more lifting your leg to get in and out, nice!

[@OldCarAlley]

I might start taking the bike apart to paint, so I may not get it out on the road until spring. The shower is awesome! I love it. It took three days total, two days of work, one between work days for inspectors to approve the work.

[@Martin48964]

​@@OldCarAlleyLooking forward to the tear down. Knowing you she will look brand new when finished.

[@OldCarAlley]

@@Martin48964 Some of the chrome is kinda rough, like the rear wheel. Painting it up will be a big improvement, but i'm not spending the money on chrome plating. It's just not worth it. I do see everything is still available, even the chrome stuff and it's not terribly expensive either. I let the next owner replace or re-plate the chrome. I did polish up most of the chrome today..... 80% of it polished up really nice. I might order 12" high chrome ape hanger handle bars tomorrow. They're about $50 on Amazon.

[@Martin48964]

​@@OldCarAlleyI'm sure the new handle bars will add to the over all look of the bike. The $50.00 will be well spent and the new handle bars will certainly complement the rest of the bike.

[@OldCarAlley]

@@Martin48964 Totally

[@DCR52]

Is that a Campbell Hausfeld compressor?

[@OldCarAlley]

It's a Detroit. Who made it for them, I have no clue. Detroit Air Compressor is less than a mile from my house. I recently picked up an air filter there for the compressor.

[@DCR52]

Go ahead and tear it down.

[@OldCarAlley]

Yep

[@margegsell958]

Yep, tear it down. If you don’t you’ll later look at it and kick yourself for not doing it.

[@OldCarAlley]

Hoping to do a little work on it next week.... been doing things around the house before winter sets in.