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Honda CB 500 Four K

Make Model	Honda CB 500 Four K
Year	1971
Engine	Four stroke, transverse four cylinder, SOHC, 2 valve per cylinder.
Capacity	498 cc / 30.4 cu-in
Bore x Stroke	56.0 x 50.6 mm
Cooling System	Air cooled
Compression Ratio	9.0:1
Induction	4x 22mm Keihin
Ignition	Battery, with points
Starting	Electric starter supported with kickstarter
Max Power	48 hp / 35 kW @ 9000 rpm
Max Torque	45 Nm / 33.1 lb-ft @ 7500 rpm
Transmission	5 Speed
Final Drive	Chain
Front Suspension	Telescopic fork.
Rear Suspension	Swingarm, double hydraulic shock's with adjustable spring preload
Front Brakes	Single disc 1 piston caliper
Rear Brakes	Drum
Front Tyre	3.25-19
Rear Tyre	3.50-18
Rake	64°
Trail	105 mm /4.1 in
Wet Weight	201 kg / 445.3 lbs
Fuel Capacity	14 Litres / 3.7 US gal

The Honda CB500 Four is a standard 498 cc (30.4 cu in), air-cooled, 8-valve, SOHC, transverse inline-four motorcycle made by Honda from 1971 to 1978. It was introduced at the London Racing and Sporting Motorcycle Show in February 1972, and sold in the US market until 1973, replaced by the CB550 in the 1974 model year, while continuing in the European market until 1978. The CB500 Four is styled like the CB750, but smaller and lighter, with a claimed of 50 bhp (37 kW) output and a top speed of 115 mph (185 km/h).

Like the earlier CB750 it has 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. 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.

Reviewing the 1972 show models, UK monthly magazine Motorcycle Mechanics described the CB500 as "one of the 'show stealers'. Four cylinders, in-line across the frame, four carburettors and single overhead camshaft motor, coupled to a five-speed gearbox give this 500 cc machine the performance of a 650 twin cylinder bike".

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.

Having established four-cylinder credentials with the CB750, Honda undertook the tricky business of making the layout work as effectively in smaller engine sizes. The second type of Honda FOUR, the CB500 was intended as a more elegant sports bike for the mature rider which still retained the essence of the original

The compact CB500F four of 1971 immediately impressed with its smoothness, comfort and reliability, proving capable of brisk touring even two-up. It had a smart two-tone colour scheme and a tidy looking power unit with an upright bank of cylinders. With a top speed over 110mph, the reasonably priced 500 filled the bill admirably for many sporting riders of the early 1970s.