Honda CB500 Four

CB500

Manufacturer	Honda
Also called	Honda CB500 Four 1972 model k1
Production	1971–1973
Successor	Honda CB550
Class	Standard
Engine	498 cc (30.4 cu in) air cooled 8-valve SOHC transverse inline-four
Transmission	5-speed
Suspension	Front: 35 mm telescopic forks Rear: Twin shocks with adjustable pre-load
Brakes	Single front disk, rear drum
Tires	Front: 3.25 x 19 in Rear: 3.50 x 18 in
Rake, trail	Rake: 64°, trail: 105 mm
Fuel capacity	14 L (3.1 imp gal; 3.7 US gal)

The Honda CB500 Four, is a motorcycle introduced by Honda early in the 1970s. It is similarly styled to the CB750, but smaller and lighter, with an output of 48 bhp and a manufacturer's specified top speed of 102 mph.^{[citation needed]} Like the earlier CB750 it sported a single front hydraulic disc brake, rear drum brake, electric starter, and sohc eight-valve engine. The four-into-four exhaust pipes echoed those of the CB750. It was deemed a better handling bike than the larger model, although it was still no featherweight at 201 kg (443 lb) (dry).^{[citation needed]}

Unlike the earlier dry sump CB750, the smaller bike has a wet sump engine. Also, the primary drives were different, the CB750 having a duplex chain, while the CB500 had a "Hy-Vo" Morse chain. The CB500 formed the design basis for the Benelli Sei, a 750 cc six-cylinder motorcycle.

Several CB500 machines were entered in the Production TT races on the Isle of Man in the early 1970s. Bill Smith won the 1973 500 cc TT Production race (four laps) riding one, 8.2 seconds ahead of second place Stan Woods mounted on a Suzuki T500 two-stroke, twin.^[1]

References