2002 Honda CB500 CB 500 Commuter / Track bike Mechanically Superb, 65K miles

Here we have for auction is a very nice example of a 2002 Honda CB500

Firstly I would like to say that I have owned several CB500's over the years and have a huge soft spot for them.  This one I bought about 8 months ago after some toe rag stole my pride and joy Gsxr 600 and left me in a bit of a financial quandry needing a 'do-everything' bike quickly.  I can confidently say that its the best one I've had to ride and possibly the quickest too. Its in great condition and probably the best colour and whilst she is scruffy around the edges mechanically she is superb and needs nogthing doing to her. I have noticed no drawbacks with this example at all. This bike has been a do everything. go anywhere workhorse and has performed efortlessly during my daily London commute as well as tearing around the countries race tracks.

I am still tempted to keep it for the summer season as it really is a lovely example. not mint by any stretch. but genuinely flawless to ride. I have enjoyed it no end. however we have got a few European track days booked for the summer months and I feel I should really get something a little quicker. Having said that. around Brands or Mallory with sticky tyres and some bottle she runs rings around much bigger bikes.  

The bike for its age is in terrific condition. Yes she has a few battle scars (not during my owenership I hasten to add) but hasn't wanted for anything. In the last 6 months the following parts have been replaced for new. Tyres. sticky BT003 (as used in CB500 cup) with loads of tread. both sprockets and chain. Oil. Oil filter. Air filter. EBC performance clutch rebuild kit. Battery. Spark Plugs and HT leads. Front and rear brake pads and brake fluid. crash mushrooms. complete lock set after I broke key in the lock. rocker cover gasket. clutch cover gasket. Stainless Motad exhaust silencer and probably loads more.

In addition I had the carbs proffesionally balanced and de-gummed at Mistral Performance engineering and also had both callipers overhauled with new oil and dust seals.

As you can see she really has been looked after very well indeed and rides like a new bike. Whats more she is more or less standard (barring the crash mushrooms and stainless exhaust) and the only other mods to the bike have been done to improve her performance at the track by saving weight. The centre stand has therefore been removed as have the pillion footrests and pillion grab handle.

So. about the CB500.

Out they factory these bikes had about 52bhp. taking account of losses over the years probably now about 45bhp I'm guessing which is more than enough to have plenty of fun on. 0-60 is circa 4. 6secs and with the wind behind you she will go on to about 120mph which for a learner legal machine is not to be sniffed at. Its for this reaso that these bikes are loved by all from those starting out on bikes to professional racers.

I have owned and ridden all of the latest modern machinery including Gsxr's and Blades but nothing is quite as nimble and flickable as these. The standard suspension is excellent and the brakes really are fierce. one finger is all that is needed to stand her on her nose and its these qualities that make cb500s such a weapon on the tighter. twistier tracks where power and speed is less important than stopping power and manoevorability.

The brakes are the standard Brembo jobbies and having been fully serviced with new seals and oil they are fantastic. The suspension is standard and in great condition thanks to the rubber shock tubes and gaiters on the forks which have stopped the crap getting at them which is a common problem with the cb500.

The other problem with these bikes is the exhaust which is made of pig iron and rusts in no time hence why I have replaced with a fully road legal stainless Motad silencer. 94 decibels @ 5500rpm which keeps the officials happy even on the quieter track days!

The engine is running very sweetly indeed. compression is good and all gears are selected smoothly and positively thanks in part to the rebuilt clutch.

Tyres as I say and amazing and believe me on a dry day you will be scraping down footests. sidestand and exhausts before the tyres are even starting to struggle. The key to riding these fast is to hang off them. as far as you can.

She starts on the button every single time even when the temperature is down to -3 degrees she has only needed a minute or two on half choke. The battery is only about 2 months old so no problems at all there.

Whilst this bike is mechanically superb there are a couple of points that her down but then she is 13 years old.

There is the usual corrosion on the engine casings and the paint on the footrests has pretty much flaked off which makes her look a little tatty. There are a few scrapes on one of the tank side covers and scruffy areas on the rear cowling which I have tried to photograph. There is a minor amount of surface rust around the linkages and swingarm but really not too bad as I spend a lot of time washing her down to remove the grime.

Other faults.

The neutral that is a bit temperamental. sometimes it comes on. others it doesnt but this has never bothered me.

The wheels as you can see in the pics are miss matching and no longer clean up that well. one silver and one gold. this was done before I owned her.

I will check how long is left on the MOT and update the listing.  I think its about June 2015.

So in summary we have a mechanically lovely example of the ever popular CB500. A bit scruffy around the edges but does this matter. really.  I have had so much fun on her in the last 6-8months. She has performed effortlessly at rain soaked race tracks as well as sun drenched tracks and has proven herself as a reliable workhorse on my daily 50 mile commute into London. Currently showing 65K miles which will increase slightly as she is in constant use.

99p start and no reserve but I have a good idea what these sell for and what accept embarrasing offers. Feel free to come and view on appointment. Test rides are only with the neccessary licence. insurance and ?600 non returnable deposit should you drop her.

I can possibly deliver within a reasonable distance (50-60 mile round trip) but please message me first for a quotation. Any questions please do not hesitate to ask me.

The winning bidder is to deposit ?50 by Paypal within 24 hours of the auction. Collection within 3 days.

Thanks for looking and happy bidding. 07585700395 Christian  

Also published at eBay.com