Honda GB500 1987

[pdh77]

https://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/Listing.aspx?id=1785678927

Anybody got any info on this trade me listing
Been thinking about one for awhile ant thoughts would be welcome.
Ta

[sidecar bob]

He's talking it up hard out. He's a gold digger. There will be cheaper ones where the seller isint so greedy.
It's just a used GB500, with a repaired tank, but hey, it was repaired by someone we never heard of, so that makes it more special than one with a mint original tank, or one that was painted by Darren at the local panel beaters because he's done that kind of thing every day for the last twenty years for a job.
I'm quite surprised the personalised plate is the only one in NZ, I would have thought there would be dozens of plates the same as that:facepalm:

[pdh77]

Thanks for your thoughts
The one in Wellington for 3k seems a good buy

[neil.]

I'm thinking prices on this sort of thing will be at a premium for the next couple weeks.

all sorts of people (including me) will be having ideas after checking out old bikes at the "Distinguished Gentlemens Ride(s)" that was held yesterday.

I do like the looks of that one though, but I am way too cheap to spend that much

[F5 Dave]

To be fair I've only ridden the 400, but I found it to be a thoroughly uninspiring budget bike. The 500 will be considerably more exciting, maybe up to the level of meagre.

For that money you could buy something much more fun to ride with better components. But heck if it's what you really like the look of and must have it then knock yourself out.

[Grumph]

To be fair I've only ridden the 400, but I found it to be a thoroughly uninspiring budget bike. The 500 will be considerably more exciting, maybe up to the level of meagre.

For that money you could buy something much more fun to ride with better components. But heck if it's what you really like the look of and must have it then knock yourself out.

Basically true. I certainly wouldn't argue against that. The stupid thing is just how easily the 500 can be raised from "struggling with a stiff rice pudding" to "much more sprightly - fun even".
I've done two of them now. Close up the air gap on the ignition pickup from around 1mm to about .25mm. Bit of fiddly work but nothing but time. That's it. It works.

[Ginge09]

If it's the retro look you want, and you've got $6500 to throw around, I'd be looking at something with a bit more poke. Like an early retro Triumph. Or an original Daytona which wouldn't have the top speed but would be genuine old school and cheaper on parts.

If you're sold on the Honda badge I would have thought a CB would be a better buy.

Nice looking bike but. Not 6500 nice though.

[jim.cox]

To be fair I've only ridden the 400, but I found it to be a thoroughly uninspiring budget bike. The 500 will be considerably more exciting, maybe up to the level of meagre.


When they first came out I took a 500 out from a dealer and took a ride with my friend who had an old BSA 500.

We both decided the BSA was a better ride.

The only thing the Honda had on it were marginally better brakes.

[pdh77]

Thanks everyone these are all very valid points.
Still nostalgia is a powerful thing

[sidecar bob]

Basically true. I certainly wouldn't argue against that. The stupid thing is just how easily the 500 can be raised from "struggling with a stiff rice pudding" to "much more sprightly - fun even".
I've done two of them now. Close up the air gap on the ignition pickup from around 1mm to about .25mm. Bit of fiddly work but nothing but time. That's it. It works.

How did you ever think to check that & work out that it would make a difference?

[sidecar bob]

When they first came out I took a 500 out from a dealer and took a ride with my friend who had an old BSA 500.

We both decided the BSA was a better ride.

The only thing the Honda had on it were marginally better brakes.

The BSA would be harder to push though;)

[Grumph]

How did you ever think to check that & work out that it would make a difference?

I'd had a KLR650 in the shop with starting problems. In sheer desperation, I checked the air gap - huge - closed it up and away we went...Amazing difference.
I'm guessing that a poor magnetic signal means the advance curve doesn't follow it's designed path - but it's a guess.

So when a GB500 appears and an old mate asks for help with a starting issue, try it again. His comment afterwards (ex racer) was to the effect that it was a whole gear faster and he'd look seriously at changing the gearing.


Pushing - depends on the BSA you're comparing it to. B50 is basically a big 250 and about the same weight as the Honda. B33 or Goldie are a full size heavy bike...

[avgas]

The BSA would be harder to push though;)
The Goldstar isn't bad to push. It's just how often you have to push it that made the GB's feel superior.

[ICE180]

if you can get one cheap do what I did put a Nx 650 motor in it much better
and it now goes very well
finding the 650 motor might be the hard part but if you can they bolt straight in

I did a thread on my build when I did it a few years back

[sidecar bob]

I assume the op has seen this.
Not my post, the ad at the top of the thread.
https://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/showthread.php/185975-Gb500-tt?p=1131112347#post1131112347

[HenryDorsetCase]

He's talking it up hard out. He's a gold digger. There will be cheaper ones where the seller isint so greedy.
It's just a used GB500, with a repaired tank, but hey, it was repaired by someone we never heard of, so that makes it more special than one with a mint original tank, or one that was painted by Darren at the local panel beaters because he's done that kind of thing every day for the last twenty years for a job.
I'm quite surprised the personalised plate is the only one in NZ, I would have thought there would be dozens of plates the same as that:facepalm:

James Lee is the best custom painter in Christchurch and one of the best in the country.

http://www.jamesleedesign.co.nz/

[F5 Dave]

Yeah everyone should have a flaming clown head or skull on thier vehicle. That's if mum won't let them have a bare breasted woman/Vixen.

[tanken2]

I would get the enfield continental 500 single café racer, had the gb 500 , like some ladies , all looks and terrible ride.

[F5 Dave]

What the hell are you talking about? There's no such thing as bad sex with a beautiful woman. Just not enough speed.