Honda CB 500 Four
Ø 180 mm
The Honda CB 500 Four was a sporty four-cylinder motorcycle model of the Japanese motorcycle manufacturer Honda and in 1971 came to market worldwide.
After the end of 1968 750 Four, a large series motorcycle had appeared with four-cylinder engine on the market with the CB for the first time, Honda wanted to continue this success in the middle class two years later. So in the wake created something smaller and lighter models such as the 1972 CB 350 F and 1975 as the successor to the CB 400 F.
Maintenance Note
Technology
The main technical characteristics of the CB 500 Four ( product code 323) and CB350 Four corresponded to the CB750:
- Four -cylinder gasoline engine, air-cooled, transverse in
- Overhead camshaft OHC, two valves per cylinder actuated by rocker arms
- Hydraulic front disc brake, rear drum brake
- Double-loop tubular frame
- Kickstarter and electric starter
- 5 -speed transmission
- 4-in -4 Exhaust System
In contrast to other Honda engines a toothed chain was used for the primary drive between the engine and transmission.
The CB 500 engine took out 498 cc at 9,000 min - 1 is a power of 48 hp ( 35.3 kW), which allowed 750 Four with a curb weight of 202 kg performance below the CB: top speed 172 km / h, acceleration 0 - 100 km / h in 5.5 s the flatter engine and thus lower center of gravity, which made it possible to 35 kg lower weight and some design improvements but by the smaller model, the judgment of the former reviews, good driving behavior.
When you enter 1971, the CB 500 cost in the U.S. $ 1,400 and 5,998 DM in Germany including 11% VAT. In the spring of 1973, the machine was offered in Germany for DM 5,595, or about 8,400 euros today.
Development
Some CB 500 published by the Isle of Man TT in the early 1970s; Bill Smith won the 1973 Production 500 TT races over four rounds, while a Suzuki T500 two-stroke reached the second place.
Also commercially proved the CB 500 Four as a success. The combination of performance, practicality and durability has demonstrated good sales in Europe and the U.S., but also influenced the long term the company's image.
The CB500 Four was built until 1978, then appeared the CB 550 Four -in-one, a 4-in -1 differed exhaust system by another tank and more modern lines as well. As the demand for the classic CB 500 Four was still large, it was decided that K- series with the CB 550 K 1977 back offer. These two models - 550 Four - in-one and K - had increased by larger bore by 10% displacement, the manifested itself in improved torque in the mid range, but only 2 hp more peak power brought. Furthermore, the clutch has been redesigned, details on the gear improved the ability to switch and a telescopic fork differently constructed ride comfort. Features and appearance, however, remained essentially unchanged, the modified 4-in -4 exhaust system was similar to the CB 750 K7.
Outside of Germany, there were also models, the optically largely the CB 500 F corresponded, but were equipped with the 550 engine.
The CB 500 with the old engine capacity was, however, later marketed in the form of K3, offered from 1977 to 1978, again only in small numbers.
Recent versions based on the reamed engine of CB500 Four were the CB650 ³ 627 cm ( RC03, product code 426 ) from 1978 to 1979, with 63 or 50 hp and the CB650 SC ( RC05, product code 460) from 1981 to 1982 with 63 PS.