1973 Honda CB500 Four – Original Paint Survivor – Matching Numbers – 9,700 Original Miles – Preservation Serviced by Kaplan Cycles

DETAILS

• YEAR - 1973

• MILEAGE - 9,773

• MAKE - HONDA

• MODEL - CB500 Four

• VIN - CB500-2112376

• TITLE - 

Feast your eyes on one of the finest surviving examples of Honda’s legendary middleweight superbike era: this absolutely stunning 1973 Honda CB500 Four. Finished in its highly desirable and factory-original Garnet Brown paint scheme, this is a true matching-numbers survivor showing only 9,700 original miles.

Finding an early CB500 Four in this level of original, unmolested condition is becoming nearly impossible. Most examples have been chopped into café racers, repainted, stripped of their original airboxes, or fitted with aftermarket exhaust systems. This motorcycle remains remarkably authentic right down to the original Honda HM323 four-into-four exhaust system, original chrome, original gauges, original seat cover, and factory bodywork.

Rather than performing a frame-off restoration, we chose to preserve the originality of this machine through what we call a full preservation service. The goal was simple: retain the integrity and character of this 53-year-old survivor while mechanically and cosmetically massaging every square inch of the bike as close to perfection as possible.

The result is one of the cleanest, best-sorted original CB500 Fours available anywhere in the country today.

Highlights

• 9,700 original miles

• Matching numbers

• Original factory Garnet Brown paint

• Original Honda HM323 four-into-four exhaust

• Original chrome throughout

• Original seat cover in excellent condition

• Original gauges, airbox, and bodywork

• Extensive 78.5-hour preservation service

• Fully sorted mechanically

• Beautifully detailed top to bottom

• Runs, rides, and sounds spectacular

Extensive Preservation Service & Mechanical Work

This CB500 received an extensive four-page work order completed by our Honda four-cylinder specialist, known around the shop as “Mr. Turbo,” who has decades of experience servicing vintage Honda fours.

Fuel System & Carburetors

• Fuel tank professionally cleaned, acid etched, and sealed

• Tank interior presents like new

• New fuel lines

• New fuel filter

• Carburetors completely dismantled and rack split

• All jets ultrasonically cleaned

• New needle valves and seats

• New carb floats

• New float needle rubber tips

• New pilot jets

• New 95 main jets

• Full carburetor restoration and synchronization

Ignition & Electrical

• New battery

• New battery tender lead

• New spark plugs

• New coils

• New condensers

Engine & Drivetrain

• Valve adjustment completed

• Cam chain adjusted

• Fresh engine oil and new oil filter

• VP94 ethanol-free fuel used

• Golden Spectro 10W40 oil installed

• New 530 gold chain

Suspension & Brakes

• Forks dismantled and serviced

• New fork seals installed

• Front brake fluid flushed and replaced

• Front brake caliper refinished

• New fork boots installed

Cosmetic Preservation & Detailing

An extraordinary amount of labor went into preserving and enhancing the originality of this motorcycle while respecting its survivor status.

Detailing & Refinishing Included:

• Entire motorcycle steam cleaned and hand detailed

• Engine covers sanded and polished

• Original chrome polished throughout

• Fork lowers polished

• Front and rear wheels cleaned and polished

• Brake hub vapor honed and polished

• Exhaust system removed, cleaned, detailed, and polished

• Swingarm refinished while preserving original warning decal

• Center stand restored and repainted

• Kickstand refinished

• Foot peg mounts refinished

• Frame rails professionally touched up

• License plate bracket refinished

• Rear fender cleaned and detailed

• Tank badges touched up

• Seat professionally cleaned and preserved

• Shocks cleaned and detailed

The original HM323 exhaust system is particularly noteworthy. These pipes are almost always rusted, damaged, or replaced. This set remains exceptionally clean and retains outstanding factory chrome. One small repair was professionally welded on the inside of a pipe and is extremely difficult to detect.

Condition

This bike remains an original paint survivor and is not represented as a flawless concours restoration. The beauty of this machine is its authenticity.

Imperfections include:

• Small area of discoloration on the original fuel tank paint likely from fuel exposure over the years

• Very slight ding on the fuel tank

• Tiny ding on the original headlight ring

These minor imperfections are insignificant compared to the rarity of finding such an original and well-preserved CB500 Four.

The original seat is in beautiful condition. The chrome presents exceptionally well throughout. The bike starts easily, runs beautifully, shifts properly, and delivers one of the best exhaust notes of the era.

Why the CB500 Four Matters

The Honda CB500 Four helped redefine the motorcycle industry in the early 1970s. Alongside the CB750, these smooth, reliable, high-revving four-cylinder Hondas effectively changed the market forever and pushed many British manufacturers into decline.

The CB500 hits a perfect sweet spot:

• Lighter and more agile than the CB750

• Approximately 50+ horsepower

• Around 450 lbs

• Top speed near 115 MPH

• Quarter-mile times in the low 13-second range

• Smooth, reliable, oil-tight, and virtually indestructible

These motorcycles are known for their legendary reliability and excellent long-distance capability while still offering sporty handling and one of the most iconic exhaust sounds ever produced.

Tires

• Front tire approximately 85% tread

• Rear tire approximately 90% tread

• Older tires but no visible dry rot and presenting beautifully

Financing, Shipping & Trades

Kaplan Cycles offers:

• In-house financing

• Trade-ins welcome

• Licensed and insured enclosed nationwide shipping

• Decades of experience shipping motorcycles coast to coast

We have shipped thousands of motorcycles across the United States and will ensure this CB500 arrives exactly as represented.

If you have questions, need financing assistance, or would like help arranging delivery, give us a call at 860-454-7024.

This is an opportunity to own one of the nicest original-paint Honda CB500 Four survivors currently available for sale in the United States.

Kaplan Cycles stands behind every motorcycle we sell.

God Bless America.

WHY SHOULD YOU BUY FROM KAPLAN? WHAT DO YOU GET?

“You are buying from the Kaplan Cycles Family. We are not just another big auction house. We are family-owned and operated and have been buying, servicing, and selling motorcycles since 1975. You will work directly with Ken Jr., Ken Sr., and/or one of the 30+ experts on our team. We provide museum-quality, white-glove concierge service from start to finish. Every motorcycle we sell is inspected, serviced, and supported by our team, and we stand behind it after the sale. You’re not on your own — we back what we build and what we sell.

With over 17,000 units sold and still 100% positive feedback, we are the best stress-free buying experience you can have. From the first call to delivery at your door, we will handle it all — because vintage motorcycles deserve support, and so do you.

With every bike we curate you get:
• museum-level inspection & preservation services
• every machine is professionally evaluated, serviced, & rotisserie detailed
• all critical systems are checked, adjusted, or renewed
• you get professional setup, tuning, and delivery prep
• done by the best experts in the industry — we ride and restore every day
• you get post-sale phone support
• you get white-glove, insured, always-enclosed shipping to your door anywhere in the country

You’re buying from Kaplan Cycles at the New England Motorcycle Museum, one of the largest vintage motorcycle collections in North America. Free museum tours and tickets are included with every bike sold. With every bike you purchase, a portion of the proceeds is used to support, continue, and improve the 501(c)(3) nonprofit New England Motorcycle Museum.

You don’t just win an auction — YOU are creating & helping to preserve motorcycle history, and you become part of our family, a Kaplan Cycles client for life.

We do not take new clients off the street.
We do not service bikes purchased elsewhere.
We only take new exclusive clients who purchase a motorcycle from us.

You get a guided purchase experience with, and from, the experts who care about the bike as much as you do. If there’s a problem, you don’t get ghosted. You call us — you will have our cell phone numbers — we will answer your call on weekends, and we will help make it right.

Auction platforms = listing only. No support. No accountability.

Kaplan Cycles = we stand behind what we sell.

You are buying museum-curated provenance. That means:
• expert evaluation
• documented condition
• professional presentation
• long-term preservation mindset

You’re not just buying a motorcycle — you’re buying a curated piece of motorcycling history.

From the #1 family in this business — Kaplan Cycles & the New England Motorcycle Museum.

Sincerely,

Ken Kaplan Sr.
12/28/2025”

AUCTION TERMS:

All motorcycles & vehicles are sold as-is where-is.

Kaplan Cycles guarantees all motorcycles are as-described. Please read the entire description and watch the entire video before bidding.

A non-refundable deposit is due immediately on purchase. PayPal or Credit Card is accepted for the deposit.

Cash (In-Person), Card (+3% fee), or Wire Transfer are our only accepted forms of final payment.

Full payment must be made within 7 days of auction close.

Your motorcycle must be picked up within 30 days of auction close. 

Exceptions are made only for international buyers OR buyers who have ALREADY made transport arrangements with a third party.

If a motorcycle is purchased and left here for longer than 30 days without written permission from Kaplan Cycles it will be resold. In the case of a re-sale, the owner will be entitled to a refund less storage fees ($25/ day beginning 30 days from auction close) ONLY if the motorcycle was paid in full on-time within the auction terms.

We always describe our motorcycles as accurately as possible.

You are purchasing a classic motorcycle. Even in cases where a bike may be in good running/ operating condition, new problems & idiosyncrasies can arise over-time from sitting or regular use.

If you have an issue with the motorcycle you’ve received, contact us within 24 hours of delivery and before leaving feedback so that we can address your concerns.

It is important you have at least a basic mechanical knowledge before purchasing and operating a classic motorcycle.

Due to our backlog, we cannot perform any additional service work or modifications on your motorcycle after the sale (ie; adding a light kit, different tires, etc.)

We respond quickly between the hours of 9am and 5pm EST, Monday - Friday

For our fastest service please call Ken Kaplan Jr directly at 860-471-0192

We will not charge out-of-state buyers sales tax.
Out of state residents will pay sales tax with their DMV. 

We are not a registering dealership. You will receive only the documents required to register your vehicle in your state.

In our listings, title status is always listed directly below the main description.

In some cases we will sell motorcycles without title or registration. In these cases we guarantee all motorcycles sold are free and clear. We will always provide a route to obtaining title. Generally in these cases, the motorcycle will be sold at a discount to accommodate expenses involved.

Documents are mailed via USPS priority mail with a tracking number. Please allow up to 14 days after payment in full for your documents to be processed and mailed.

Keys will be shipped with the motorcycle.

Warranty:

All Motorcycles sold "as is, where is" and Kaplan Cycles does not warranty any motorcycle sold. No express warranty and/or implied warranty are made by Kaplan Cycles. No statements by us give an implied warranty.

SHIPPING:

SEND US YOUR ZIP FOR A SHIPPING QUOTE!
WE WILL MAKE ALL ARRANGEMENTS!

We have the best shipping contacts in the nation who will provide the FASTEST transport times, have a perfect track record, and are always insured and ENCLOSED! All motorcycles are shipped WHOLE (roll-on, roll-off). We do not offer a pallet or crate service.

International shipping specialist contacts are available! They will assist in ground freight, customs clearance, and ocean freight to your country. International buyers will be required to work directly with our third party shipping contacts.

We strongly recommend you insure your motorcycle at the time of purchase.

PICKUP:

We require a 24 hour notice prior to pick-up. Please call us at 860-454-7024 during office hours Monday – Friday 9am – 5pm EST.

We will provide ramps, a dock for loading, and assistance to load for free.