My 1973 CB500
 

Not Miata related but what do you guys think? It's still a work in progress but over the weekend I installed the rear lighting, put a plate on it and took some pics.

Oh yeah, here's how it looked when I got it...

it looks like a shitty old honda, sorry m8

It's not so bad, but.... did you just buy it recently? I still have my old 73 CB450 (oooh - twin cam!!), but it's been quietly dry-rotting in my folks' garage for the last 20 years. Can't convince myself it's worth getting running again. Spooky handling, like all 70's Jap bikes.

I bought it a year ago. I just putter around with it, haven't had to worry about the handling too much. Only thing is I need to remove the factory front fork brace from the front fender and put it back on sometime, it could also use tires.

I have a new engine for it, when I install that I'll probably restore it. A nice cafe or restored/nice stock version of these bikes can go for $2500. I'm around $1000 into it including the bike, new engine, rear lighting, registration and some cafe bars I haven't installed yet. I wish it was a 750 but oh well.

I guess these are the new hotness, but I don't really understand it.

Well I don't understand you not understanding. British bikes like Triumphs, Nortons and BSAs have always been the "hotness", but at $5000+ for one in the same condition as my CB they aren't practical for the average joe. The old Jap bikes have the same look and are a tenth of cost.

Do you even ride anything?

i dig it, i always loved old cafe racer style bikes.

Nice looking bike.

I don't have a bike now, but I'd like one like that. I'm not out to kill myself, so I don't want a crotch rocket. Just something to cruise with.

Where did you get your bike?

Some old guy was selling it on craigslist.

i love the old honda bikes

i wouldnt mind having a GB500

it's a big improvement you made on it, great job.

a rant to the comment about not wanting a crotch rocket and not killing yourself....well i still just don't understand after all these years of riding. I caught tons of shit getting my first "crotch rocket" 8 years ago now, now i'm on my second. People told me i'd kill myself or they wouldn't get one because they're "so crazy" they'd kill themselves. it's such bullshit. First to the people who think they're so badass and crazy, follow me on my bike through some turns i'll have your knees shaking.....point is nobody hops on a bike and is instantly the man, just doesn't happen period, new riders suck. The other thing is that modern sportbikes are amazing. short wheelbases for quick steering and still retain stability at speed. The brakes are retarded, my bike has 8 front caliper pistons and weighs less than 400 lbs. the tires just get better and better every year, a fresh set of michelin pilot powers and you're good for all but serious track outings. Compare this to an 800lb harley or whatever, the thing can't go quickly to get you out of a sticky situation, that's right acceleration can save you! It cannot stop for shit, good luck when you need a panic stop...you do not need to be going fast for this to happen. Also when an unexpected decreasing radius turn sneaks up on you and the bike just can't lean any further because the tires suck or you're scraping parts, now you've either locked up the brakes and are heading off the road, have low sided, or most likely running the turn way wide and risking danger to yourself or others. Just because a sportbike can go fast does not make it any more dangerous than bikes that cannot go fast.

Agreed, Harley's suck, and I live in Milwaukee :eek:

But, you just made sportbikes less scary, now there'll be more squids out than ever! :gay:

+1 on cafe racers being retro-hot :cool: :bigtu: