GB500 rebuild

[guest7]

Brief summary: I have a GB500 for sale that needs some TLC

I dug out my old spoked XBR wheels with a view to refurbishing them and fitting them to my GB500. These came from my first wife's XBR500SJ and they are in pretty good condition. However, I can't even remember the last time I cleaned chain lube from the hub of a spoked wheel and now i know why, what a PITA!  

Anyway, the wheels are clean enough to start work on. The front's bearings seem ok, but they rear is missing one bearing and the spacer. I have new bearings and new spacer waiting to go in so that's a job for this week.

Whilst I'm doing that I will take off the master cylinder, braided hose and calliper complete and transfer them to the GB to replace the piece of old *******e that the previous owner had fitted.

GC

[guest7]

This project stalled somewhat recently due to the demands of family and work. I decided to sell the bike 'as is' and lose money on it. However, I'm waiting for my brother to tell me if he can help me finish this off in his massive workspace (for a consideration of the profit).

Watch this space
GC

[guest7]

In the end I decided to drag my sidecar outfit out of the garage to give myself space to work on the bike. My neighbour let me down over a garaging deal so the bloody outfit is now living on my front garden 

However, the GB is in the middle of the garage and I've been tinkering away at it. Tonight I bolted on the neat little alloy indicators and swapped my trick adjustable Tommaselli clip-ons for a set of XBR bars. I've had the Tomasellis on lots of my bikes and I'd rather hang on to them.

Tomorrow I will be  taking the complete front brake system off my outfit and fitting it to the GB. I know all the bits of that set-up are good and it will save time. As it happens I think I've got a GB polished alloy lever fitted to that MC anyway. I will also use the outfit's front wheel and disk (until i get the spoked wheel ready to fit).

I'll just keep working away until I get a firm offer, but if the bike gets close to being finished I will slap it on Ebay with a higher start price.

I will post some pictures tomorrow.
GC

[guest7]

Off now to the garage for the first time in two weeks (or so). Will report back later, wish me luck 

GC

[guest7]

Had a good day on it today. I detached the XBR from its sidecar and then took off its wheels and front brake. I swapped these over with the GB.

The GB now stands on a set of shiny(ish) XBR comstars amd I now know that the tyres are good (nearly new Mitas tyres), the brakes work and the bearings are fine. The spoked wheels still need rebuilding so I'm leaving them for now.

One of the things that has always been missing from my dual saddle GB is a saddle strap. The bolts are there but the strap is missing. I was talking to an acquaintance who runs a Scooters spares business and I noticed that his Lambrettas have just such a strap. When I asked him if he had any in stock he replied, "I've got one left, but you're welcome to take it to see if it fits". I took it, it fitted perfectly and he ended up charging me £3  

One of the less appealing tasks is to refit all the little shiny GB bits that I dislike. Consequently I had to undo the lower yoke bolts to fit the bracket that allows you to fit the chrome (plastic) yoke shroud. Next will come the chrome (plastic) horn cover. Each to their own I guess.

GC

[SteveC#222]

Seen this?

GB500

..er..£2250? 

[guest27]

Ah but it is a rare - repeat RARE - classic  just like the BSA's of his youth so it must be worth as much as those overpriced bikes are.

R

[guest7]

Well that focuses my mind on the rebuild I can tell you. If I get half that I'd be laughing (all the way to the tax office)

GC

[CHRIS211083]

theres no rev counter? and that speedo looks cheap? the seat is ok but not as nice as the original. he would be better looking for £1400 if its nice.

[SteveC#222]

Wrong seat,
Wrong indicators
Wrong headlight brackets
Wrong rear light?
Wrong speedo/ no revcounter
Wrong bars? (CBX550? look a bit high)
Dent in tank ( ok small and it happens a lot, clip-on easily hit it in a fall)
XBR chainguard

I'm not especially a stickler for originality, but if your asking near top dollar for a bike it should be neat original condition.  His modifications have probably reduced the value by at least a third.

[guest7]

Wrong exhaust (but much nicer as it happens)
Where's the fuse box gone? (should be in front of the top yoke, encasing the ignition switch).
The bars are Tommaselli adjustable clip-ons (just like the ones I've taken off my GB).
I'm not sure, but I'm certain the rear tyre is the wrong size too, it looks like a 90 or 100, not a 110.

Blimey, mine looks blinding in comparision 

GC

[guest18]

looks like a quick and dirty attempt to make it look like a brit, I'd run a mile unless it was good and cheap!! (ie less than a grand for certain!)

[guest27]

What a bunch of anoraks!!!   

Probably explains why it does not hold together like I thought it should.

R

[robG]

These are advertised on a regular basis for £3450 and I've seen them for £3750 recently so you could think this cheap at £2250 even with the non standard bits.

Theoretically someone should be ripping your arm off Graham.

Rob.

[guest7]

Here is the nice new saddle strap:


GC