Pelican Parts Forums - Cafe Racer Thread

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Man, I'd love a cafe bike.

It is mis-identified.

It is not a Honda CB 500.

It is a Honda GB 500. They also made them in 400 cc size for non American markets.

Imported to America around 1989 to 1990. Sold for a year or two beyond the importation dates because they were such poor sellers the dealers had them sitting for a few years. Many parts are very hard to come by.

I had one and it was great around the city and in the twisty bits. I still miss it.

Why, oh WHY was this thread revived? Gawd I'd love a cafe racer.....

My favorite ride in small sized MCs was the Yamaha SR 500 thumper. Light to lght was able to blow off multi cylinder 5-600cc bikes and was real tossable in the curves.

http://www.sr500club.org/files/galle...et_tracker.jpg

Larger bore was a 850 Le Mans. Not my ride but I had a 920 bore kit and Bub pipes.....loved it.

http://www.bikeexif.com/wp-content/u...50_le_mans.jpg

How about a MH 900e

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jim Bremner (Post 5658926)

Honda GB500 Tourist Trophy Bike

GB500

Jim... Stop that! Stop it right now!

Couple nice Ninja's on CL too...

Just got bill for step daughters wisdom teeth :rolleyes:

No bike for me :(

RPKESQ thanks for the ID correction, I've been looking into the lowdown on this model. I hadn't realized that it is a single cyl. engine, what is the character of this engine? wide power band? Much vibration? I see some special suspension parts, what are the hard to find parts? Consumables or others?

The CL listing really has me thinking!! Does this seem the right price range?

I also like the Phil Little cb 400

Single 500s are typically torque monsters.

If anyone wants the GB500 on craigslist...

I'll inspect it and arrange shipping + store it in my warehouse for a reasonable amount of time.

The fee will be 500 miles give or take.

If I only had a larger garage, Jim...

Maybe I can keep it in the office at work and call it office decor--take a tax deduction on it, too.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Noah930 (Post 5659779)

If I only had a larger garage, Jim...

Maybe I can keep it in the office at work and call it office decor--take a tax deduction on it, too.

I'll store it for 250 miles a month, In my ware house in Hawaiian Gardens!

I removed this from my parents basement.... needs an engine rebuild and new rubber bits. This should keep me busy over the winter.

TD2B
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1289784181.jpg

Ed

An uncomfortable looking seat - vs. a very comfortable looking one....

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1289784718.jpg

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1289784750.jpg

http://www.desmotimes.com/Images/Sport_Classic_1000/sport_classic_1000_1.jpg

sorry meant to open as a pic not a link can anybody fix?

Quote:

Originally Posted by tevake (Post 5659196)

Yes, single 500 cc. Also in Australia and some other places as a 400 cc. The engine is beautifully tuned to be perfect around town and in the curvy parts of the world. It works hard above 80 mph. It is not very powerful and does not respond to inexpensive "tunning" very well.

Some people bore it out (there used to be a kit for this) and some swap the engine for a more powerful Honda single (like a 650). With a larger carb and freeflowing exhaust, hotter cam, etc. some have tried to race it, without much success.

It is a great bike to leave alone. It looks good (except for the mirrors, IMHO), sounds good to me and my neighbors, stops fine and sips gas (50 mpg). It needs nothing and is reliable and fun. The only thing I did for mine was bar end mirror, better rear shocks and revalving the forks. I used Mobil 1 in mine from new and it never had a single issue for over 50K miles. I am sorry I sold it. It made me happy every time I road it.

Parts are a problem due to extremely low production numbers. All parts that are not common with other Honda models are rare. Exhaust, bars, frame, seat, tank, trim are all very difficult to find. As always buy the best one you possibly can.

Hey RPKESQ, Great details on the GB500 et all. My reading has taken me on to the CB350 twin, then the 350 four and 500/550 four, these are really well spoken of. Now back to the 350 twin. built in large #s fairly simple bullet proof design , easy parts availability, Good riding qualities.:)
This is all is purely in the theoretical as I have checked all the shops on island,craigslist, etc and have yet to see any CBs of any kind in the flesh. So this forum and other online info are my only guide at this point.
Ay any rate the CB350 is at the top of my list right now. But I do wonder if I will soon be wishing that I had gone for a 550 or such. The shipping from the mainland is 700+
which drives the need to make the best choice the first time. So I am all ears to any thing you or others here might be able to add to the process.

Cheers Richard