Hey guys, new member here. Been lurking for a couple of weeks and reading up. A friend has an Ascot that she'll never do anything with and I'm seriously considering grabbing it.
Done plenty of vintage bike projects over the years, everything from XS650's to a KZ250 to a BUNCH of CB500/550's (my favorites). Plus, had a few more modern bikes, too. I'm a big fan of the Honda middleweights and currently have an '85 VF500F Interceptor and a '73 CB500/550 resto-mod.
I'll keep bugging my friend until I can get some pics and an answer out of her. In the meantime, I have a few questions:
* Has swapping out the headlight been covered? I really prefer a round headlight or maybe a number plate type deal. And why in the world did Honda stick the stock light up so high!?
* What's the O.D. of the stock exhaust pipe where you would bolt on a muffler? What about the O.D. on the header Thumperstuff sells? I have quite a few mufflers in my stash to choose from, just need to see if the I.D./O.D. match or are close enough to make an adapter.
* I see a lot of people go with the digital dash gauges. Is that just for looks or are there known problems with the gauges?
* Tell me what to look for when I get a chance to inspect this bike. I know, in general, how to inspect an old bike. But are the FT500 specific things I should look for? I know she said it needs caliper(s), but she couldn't say why. Just that she was told that when she bought it. No biggie, I just did them on the VF500 and they look similar. Any other things to look at particular to this model?
Thanks, and I hope to be showing off a new purchase soon! (I need another project like I need a hole in the head, but I just can't help myself)