Honda CB 500 Four

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Honda (motorcycle)
HONDA CB500 02 b1.jpg
CB 500 Four K1 (YOC 1975)
CB 500 Four
Manufacturer Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
Sales description CB 500 Four
Production period 1971 to 1978
class motorcycle
design type Tourer
Motor data
Four-stroke engine , 4-cylinder OHC , air-cooled
Displacement  (cm³) 498
Power  (kW / PS ) 35.3 / 48 at 9,000 min -1
Torque  ( N m ) 40.2 at 7,500 min -1
Top speed (  km / h) 180
transmission 5-speed
drive Chain
Brakes Front disc brake single-piston swivel caliper Ø 277 mm,
rear drum brake Ø 180 mm
Wheelbase  (mm) 1,440
Dimensions (L × W × H, mm): 2,145 × 730 × 1080
Seat height (cm) about 80
Empty weight  (kg) 202
successor CB 550 Four (K)

The CB 500 Four was a sporty four-cylinder motorcycle model from the Japanese motorcycle manufacturer Honda and was launched worldwide in 1971. After a large-scale series motorcycle with a four-cylinder engine appeared on the market for the first time at the end of 1968 with the CB 750 Four , Honda wanted to continue this success two years later in the middle class. This resulted in somewhat smaller and lighter models, such as the CB 350 Four in 1972 and the CB 400 Four as its successor in 1975 .

technology

CB-500-Four engine with ribbed valve and generator covers from the Scheibel tuner

The main technical features of the CB 500 Four (product code 323) and CB 350 Four corresponded to the CB 750:

In contrast to other Honda engines, a tooth chain was used for the primary drive between the engine and transmission.

The CB 500 motor fetched from 498 cm³ - mm with a hole of 56 mm stroke 50.6 and compaction 9: 1 - at 9,000 min -1 an output of 48 hp (35.3 kW), which with an empty weight of 202 kg enabled only minimally worse performance than that of the CB 750 Four: top speed 180 km / h, acceleration 0-100 km / h in 5.5 s. The flatter engine and thus the lower center of gravity, the 35 kg lower weight and some design improvements enabled the smaller model to have first-class handling: "Das Motorrad" (Issue 19/75) judged "The chassis is a successful synthesis between driving comfort, sportiness and handiness and safety. The driving characteristics are excellent. "

"Das Motorrad" tested the CB 500 Four on the Nürburgring in 1972 and achieved a time of 11:02 minutes on the Nordschleife that was only 11 seconds longer than that of the CB750 Four.

When production started in the summer of 1971, the CB 500 cost $ 1,400 in the USA and DM 5,595 in Germany including 11%  sales tax . That was a very self-confident price, which made the machine by far the most expensive offer in a comparable environment. The big 750 cost only 900 DM more.

For comparison:

  • BMW R 50/5 : 4,295 DM
  • BSA 500 SS: 4,255 DM
  • Ducati 450 M II D: 3,599 DM
  • Honda CB 450: 4,248 DM
  • Kawasaki H1 : 4,700 DM
  • Moto Guzzi Falcone: 4,500 DM
  • Triumph Tiger Daytona: DM 4,040

Despite the high price, the CB 500 Four prevailed in its segment and became the best-selling machine in the 500 class. 70% of all 500s sold in 1974 were Honda Fours. In the spring of 1975 the machine was offered in Germany for 5,998 DM, which today corresponds to approx. 9,100 euros.

development

Some CB 500 appeared on the Isle of Man TT in the early 1970s; Bill Smith won the 1973 Production 500 -race the TT over four rounds, while a Suzuki T 500 - two-stroke engine came second.

The CB 500 Four also proved to be a commercial success. The combination of performance, suitability for everyday use and durability generated good sales in Europe and the USA, but also shaped the company's image in the long term.

The CB 500 Four was built until 1978, when the CB 550 Four-in-one appeared , which differed in its tank, slightly more modern lines and a 4-in-1 exhaust system. Since the demand for the classic CB 500 Four was still high, it was decided to offer the K series again with the CB 550 K from 1977. These two models - 550 Four-in-one and K - had a 10% increase in displacement due to a larger bore, which was noticeable in better torque in the middle speed range, but only brought 2 HP more peak power. In addition, the clutch was redesigned, details on the gearbox improved shiftability and a differently designed telescopic fork improved driving comfort. The equipment and appearance, however, remained essentially unchanged, the modified 4-in-4 exhaust system was similar to the CB 750 K7 .

Outside Germany, there were also models that largely corresponded optically to the CB 500 F, but were equipped with the 550 engine.

The CB500 with the old displacement was also offered again later in the form of the K3 from 1977 to 1978, but only sold in small numbers.

The last versions based on the drilled out engine of the CB 500 Four were the CB 650 with 627 cm³ (RC 03, product code 426) from 1978 to 1979, with 63 or 50 HP and the CB 650 SC (RC 05, product code 460) from 1981 to 1982 with 63 hp.

Modified versions

Modified 500 four from 1976

For many of its owners in the 1970s, the 500 four was a popular object for conversions that would be called tuning today. With the aim of further improving the driving characteristics and driving performance, a second brake disc was often installed, the footrests moved back, a clip-on handlebar was installed and perhaps even the engine output was increased. Full panels were also often screwed on. The standard 4-in-4 exhaust system almost always had to give way to a lighter 4-in-1 exhaust system with such modifications, which also changed the sound significantly. The picture on the right shows a typical conversion from the 1970s for this motorcycle.

The most famous professional tuners were Scheibel and Fritz Egli , who built a completely new motorcycle around the engine.

literature

  • Joachim Kuch: Honda motorcycles since 1970 ( type compass ). 1st edition. Motorbuch-Verlag, Stuttgart 2009, ISBN 978-3-613-02989-7 .
  • The motorcycle : Comfort first class , test Honda CB 500, issue 8/74 from April 20, 1974, Motor-Presse-Verlag Stuttgart
  • The bike: a matter of opinion , double test Honda CB 500/750 (CB 500 K4 / CB 750 K6), No. 13/76 of 13 June 1976 Motor-Presse Stuttgart publishing house

Web links

Commons : Honda CB500  - Collection of pictures, videos and audio files

Individual evidence

  1. ^ The motorcycle issue 21/1972
  2. ↑ Das Motorrad 6/75, p. 22
  3. ↑ Das Motorrad 6/75, p. 26
  4. ↑ This figure was based on the template: Inflation determined, rounded to 100 EUR and applies to the previous January