Recently acquired this vintage motorcycle. With 11.6k miles it is good
condition. However, I know nothing about it. Looking for anything that
would help in restoration. Tips and tricks.

On Jul 10, 4:49 pm, berniepo...@yahoo.com wrote:
> Recently acquired this vintage motorcycle. With 11.6k miles it is good
> condition. However, I know nothing about it. Looking for anything that
> would help in restoration. Tips and tricks.

Basically it's a 500cc Shadow with a standard/sport frame. Most parts
will interchange.

Even though a rare bike, it's not considerably valuable based on the
age/condition. It's a nice bike though....just wasn't a good seller in
this country. I believe it sold best over-seas. I can't say much on
this though, the Blackbird was dropped from the US lineup and stayed a
strong model in Europe and Australia.

"Brian Walker" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
news:(E-Mail Removed) ups.com...
> On Jul 10, 4:49 pm, berniepo...@yahoo.com wrote:
>> Recently acquired this vintage motorcycle. With 11.6k miles it is good
>> condition. However, I know nothing about it. Looking for anything that
>> would help in restoration. Tips and tricks.
>
> Basically it's a 500cc Shadow with a standard/sport frame. Most parts
> will interchange.
>
> Even though a rare bike, it's not considerably valuable based on the
> age/condition. It's a nice bike though....just wasn't a good seller in
> this country. I believe it sold best over-seas. I can't say much on
> this though, the Blackbird was dropped from the US lineup and stayed a
> strong model in Europe and Australia.
>
>


Didn't some/one of those Ascot's have shaft drive?

On Jul 10, 8:08 pm, "Gary Walker" <t...@swbell.net> wrote:
> "Brian Walker" <shadowride...@hotmail.com> wrote in message
>
> news:(E-Mail Removed) ups.com...
>
> > On Jul 10, 4:49 pm, berniepo...@yahoo.com wrote:
> >> Recently acquired this vintage motorcycle. With 11.6k miles it is good
> >> condition. However, I know nothing about it. Looking for anything that
> >> would help in restoration. Tips and tricks.
>
> > Basically it's a 500cc Shadow with a standard/sport frame. Most parts
> > will interchange.
>
> > Even though a rare bike, it's not considerably valuable based on the
> > age/condition. It's a nice bike though....just wasn't a good seller in
> > this country. I believe it sold best over-seas. I can't say much on
> > this though, the Blackbird was dropped from the US lineup and stayed a
> > strong model in Europe and Australia.
>
> Didn't some/one of those Ascot's have shaft drive?

Beats me....

I know I remember looking at it when they were built. I bought
Suzuki's answer to the Ascot which was the Tempter 650. The Tempter
was a chain drive. I bought it because it had a couple features and
ergos that the Ascot didn't have.

I sometimes wish I still had that Suzuki. That was one of the only
Suzuki motorcycles that I actually wanted to buy over a Honda.

On Jul 10, 6:08 pm, "Gary Walker" <t...@swbell.net> wrote:
> "Brian Walker" <shadowride...@hotmail.com> wrote in message
>
> news:(E-Mail Removed) ups.com...
>
> > On Jul 10, 4:49 pm, berniepo...@yahoo.com wrote:
> >> Recently acquired this vintage motorcycle. With 11.6k miles it is good
> >> condition. However, I know nothing about it. Looking for anything that
> >> would help in restoration. Tips and tricks.
>
> > Basically it's a 500cc Shadow with a standard/sport frame. Most parts
> > will interchange.
>
> > Even though a rare bike, it's not considerably valuable based on the
> > age/condition. It's a nice bike though....just wasn't a good seller in
> > this country. I believe it sold best over-seas. I can't say much on
> > this though, the Blackbird was dropped from the US lineup and stayed a
> > strong model in Europe and Australia.
>
> Didn't some/one of those Ascot's have shaft drive?

The 1984 we have is shaft driven.

Thanks Mike & Bernie, for the pics and history. I thought
I recalled a shaft drive, and I always thought those bikes
were very attractive. Just more Honda iron(aluminum)
now gone to scrap. i.e. more Honda bikes discontinued.





"Mike G" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
news:mgladu-(E-Mail Removed)...
> In article <G4Wki.7916$(E-Mail Removed)> ,
> "Gary Walker" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote:
>
>> "Brian Walker" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
>> news:(E-Mail Removed) ups.com...
>> > On Jul 10, 4:49 pm, berniepo...@yahoo.com wrote:
>> >> Recently acquired this vintage motorcycle. With 11.6k miles it is good
>> >> condition. However, I know nothing about it. Looking for anything that
>> >> would help in restoration. Tips and tricks.
>> >
>> > Basically it's a 500cc Shadow with a standard/sport frame. Most parts
>> > will interchange.
>> >
>> > Even though a rare bike, it's not considerably valuable based on the
>> > age/condition. It's a nice bike though....just wasn't a good seller in
>> > this country. I believe it sold best over-seas. I can't say much on
>> > this though, the Blackbird was dropped from the US lineup and stayed a
>> > strong model in Europe and Australia.
>> >
>> >
>>
>>
>> Didn't some/one of those Ascot's have shaft drive?
>
> Yup.
>
> The first "Ascot" was the FT500 for 1982. 500cc single, chain drive.
> Interesting
> and fun street thumper.
>
> http://www.motorera.com/honda/h0500/...t/ascot-ft.htm
>
> The VT500FT V-Twin shaft drive "Ascot" came along next in 1983, sharing
> the
> "ascot" name for a year.
>
> It also shared a considerable amount of parts with the VT500C 'Baby
> Shadow' (got
> one myself - a 1986).
>
> http://www.motorera.com/honda/h0500/...t/ascot-vt.htm
>
> http://www.motorera.com/honda/h0500/shadow/shadow.htm
>
> The 500cc shafties are set up for small riders, having a very low seats,
> compact
> riding position and pegs that are straight below the knees. The offset
> dual pin
> crank and balancer makes for an incredibly smooth engine that revs high,
> and the
> water cooled engine matched with the six speed trans and shaft make it as
> happy
> in traffic as it is on the highway, and a joy to ride two-up for smaller
> riders.
>
> My S.O. at 4'-10" wouldn't be able to ride on her own without the VT500C.
> Can't
> reach the ground or the forward pegs on a VT600C or VLX.
>
> The engines and rear ends are swappable on the 500 V-Twins, but the
> running gear
> is quite different. Standard Cruiser vs. early Street Tracker.
>
> The FT500 Ascot single rides more like the XL dual sport models of similar
> size,
> but with no dirt capability whatsoever. Thumpy and fun. The small tank
> keeps it
> from going very far.
>
> The 1989 GB500 Tourist Trophy is another favorite of mine from the
> 'singles'
> collection. I have one of these put away for a future restoration. Factory
> Cafe
> Racer style in a limited production run.
>
> http://www.motorera.com/honda/h0500/tourist/tourist.htm
>
> Mike G.
> -