Honda CX500

Returning to motorcycling after seeing off the kids etc - from a friend have
been offered an immaculate 1982 CX500 (95,000km) at a reasonable price
($1800). The main use will be pottering around and recreational riding in a
rural (blacktop) area. I am looking for advice/comments on this machine and
its ilk regarding their strengths and weaknesses. Thanks.

 

In aus.motorcycles on Fri, 25 Feb 2005 21:50:25 GMT

The plastic maggot is a heavy, slow, reliable old thing with slightly
odd handling.

There are lots of bits for them in England, fewer here but they are
about.

It won't set the world on fire, but it will provide pottering about well
enough.

Hmm.. it was the maggot that had the alternator in the middle of the
engine wasn't it? Best be very sure that the electrics are in top class
condition and the alternator is charging correctly.

Zebee

 

You Make it sound far worse than it is... If you have the replacement on
hand
it takes less than 1 hr to replace and ride off again..
( with out taking every thing off the eng including the radiator )


Try this link " Ivan " as it will answer most of your questions

http://groups.msn.com/AustralianHondaCX500CX650Register

 

The only way that's a reasonable price is if he's actually offering you
two CX500's.

It might be immaculate, but it's 23 years old. There are_much_newer
bikes which can be had for that sort of money, especially if you don't
limit yourself to shafties.

 

It'd have to be more than just immaculate for $1800, IMHO. Perhaps
gold plated, or previously ridden by Elvis or something.

Not that CXen aren't good bikes, and 100,000 isn't that bad for a CX,
but the later ones ('E') have far better brakes, suspension and chassis.
Actually, now I think about it, I'm not sure what year the 'E' models
started ... what brakes does this one have, dual-pot or single-pot?

-----sharks

 

Don't these bikes have the barrels as part of the crankcase so the engine
has to be stripped down the get a rebore? It might be up for one at this
stage of it's life. Not something I would like to contemplate. Separate
barrels for me.
Stephen

 

Had one for nearly a year and enjoyed it, in a strange kind of way. Mine
was the custom model 500C, raked handlebars, stepped down seat..
Handling is pretty ordinary, braking with small diameter Front disk and rear
drum was very average but enough to pull the bike up from <60km/h.

There's more than enough of vibration for freeway speeds but can be dampened
somewhat from reaching your skull with some foam grips, sheepskin etc..

Check the usual suspects, drivetrain, swingarm play, suspension leaks, wheel
bearings and coolant leaks. All not too expensive to fix but worth a
bargaining chip.

Cheap to maintain with lat heads ( valves) , can run on dino oil, clutch is
cabled ( so keep spares ) and consider changing the brake lines to braid if
they are still original.

The main reason I bought mine was a cheap commuter but quickly discoverd how
outdated it was in today's metro/commuter traffic. Decent scooters ( >125cc)
would blast the CX from the lights nearly always, so became very hesitant in
grabbing pole position at the lights. If you live away from the
husttle'n'busstle or most of your riding is freeway stuff, then you'd be ok.

I you intend to 2up now and again, take your pillion with you and try it
out. Then you'd really gauge how underpowered it is.

They called it the "poor mans guzzi" but i'd be more confident with a guzzi
( even a V50 ) than a CX500 for the riding i do.

If you're not hooked on the CX's good looks, why not see what else 2K would
get you. Yammie XJs, XS's? Kawa Z's and GPZ's? far more enjoyable and
versatile bikes in my opinion.

vifer

 

What Yr & what were the Turbo CX500s like? I've seen one around a few Yr
ago, I know they're an import, But just curious.

Aido.
Bikeless.

 

Yeah, but the CX500 is a CLASSIC!, IK.


---
Cheers

PeterC [aka MildThing]
'81 Suzuki GS450-s
'87 BMW K100RT

www.dmcsc.org.au

 

They were sold here by Honda Australia, from memory in the mid 80's.

Interesting technical excercie, but with mega-lag unfortunately.

David

 

Sorry Peter.... we all know the CLASSIC is the Kawa gpz900R


beer mate?

Johno

 

How's that? Because some stumpy actor gave everyone the impression he was
chasing F14's down the runway on one?

Pah!

JustAL

 

The GPZ900R is THE classic.

The CX500 is still A classic.

---
Cheers

PeterC [aka MildThing]
'81 Suzuki GS450-s
'87 BMW K100RT

www.dmcsc.org.au

 

....newer, betterer bikes (probably even the GPX250)...

We shafterers don't see it as a limitation, more of an escape.

Gary

 

Yes, watch the alternator stator windings. They weren't well
secured,

I'll second that, it only takes about an hour once you've done it 3 or
4 times... ;-)

(A trolley jack is handy, though!)


BTH

 

They're all right, but I wouldn't pay $1800 for one unless it had new
tyres and brake pads, 12 months of rego, and a set of panniers full of
bottles of good vodka. ;-)


BTH

 

Pah! There is no such thing as good vodka.

 

I find you can hide the taste with good scotch whisky.
Drink the whisky first, and hide the taste of the vodka
by giving it to other people.

-----sharks

 

Plenty of food for thought in that lot and a few chuckles as well - thanks
all for the replies - ivan

 

No worries. Whoever mentioned the reboring problems was right,
by the way, it's a pain in the ring.

-----sharks