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No.27 - 1981 Honda CX500

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Ted
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PostPosted: 11:11 - 03 Apr 2015    Post subject: No.27 - 1981 Honda CX500 Reply with quote

I thought I'd start a 'project diary' for this bike:

Honda CX500 (498cc), registered November 1981 (suffix X-reg) in Shrewsbury.


I bought it back in October 2010, from memory I think the guy that owned it had bought a newer bike, he had owned it for just over 4 years. The MoT had expired in April 2010.

I bought it as running, think I only paid about £200-250. I was going to run it straight in for an MoT when I got home, but on checking the lights the indicator switch shorted and started smoking. I rolled it into the shed to sort out later, and it just kept getting put to the back of the TTD list.
I then moved it to storage away from home due to a break in.


However, I dragged it out of storage on Wednesday. The plan is to get it running and MoT passable, and then have it as an 'on-the-road project'. It may end up on the road quicker as planned though, as it looks like my car has just died, and I don't really want to buy another one at the moment.

I have another CX as well, also stored away from home. In the end I'm intending to get both of them on the road, swap a few parts between them, and sell the better/more original one, and keep the shitter...

The only photo so far is of it in the back of the van on the way home:

https://img.photobucket.com/albums/v474/EAM-Enterprises/temporary_zpsauqn1vri.jpg


...I might need a new numberplate (dropped a box on it).

I've got to grab a new battery, rinse the tank out, check the fluids, then see if she'll fire up...
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'07 Honda CBF500 / '93 Vauxhall Astra (www.fb.com/2wdOffRoader) / '04 Vauxhall Movano
Projects: '81 Honda CX500 x2 / '85 Land Rover One-Ten / ...plus many horticultural things.
||| Bike Test: DAS: PASSED 13/02/2009 ||| Car Test: PASSED 22/05/2005 |||
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yen_powell
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PostPosted: 12:28 - 03 Apr 2015    Post subject: Reply with quote

My first big bike after passing my test. Back then they were very uncool, but I didn't care cos I lurved it.
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WD Forte
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PostPosted: 12:37 - 03 Apr 2015    Post subject: Reply with quote

Had an embarrasing amount of CXs over the years and worked on even more so if you want any tips just ask.

A new to me CX would have these things on the check list
Rot:
Swinging arm and lower frame around the engine mounts
Dont be afraid to give it a good poke with a screwdriver
Rear foot peg hangers too.

Engine:
CAM CHAIN !!
Seen so many where owners waited until the thing was chewing its way out of the case and polluting the oil with metallic slurry before changing it
Big mistake, many engines ruined by neglect
they'll run for years if looked after.

Stator/Ignition
Easy to test and fix and apply alternatives if needed
It is an easy bike to work on and mine is still fun to hack about on
and cheap to insure and maintain too
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Snowdonia Rider
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PostPosted: 13:34 - 03 Apr 2015    Post subject: Reply with quote

Keep the pics and posts coming, I'll be interested in this Thumbs Up
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Ted
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PostPosted: 14:42 - 03 Apr 2015    Post subject: Reply with quote

yen_powell wrote:
Back then they were very uncool


They still are aren't they? Laughing



WD Forte wrote:
if you want any tips just ask


...I'm glad you said that... Very Happy ...many, many questions will follow!

For some reason the rear pegs on this one are welded on, I think it's because it's got a single aftermarket exhaust, and the guy had to move the pegs...




under_rated wrote:
Keep the pics and posts coming


I'll do my best!
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'07 Honda CBF500 / '93 Vauxhall Astra (www.fb.com/2wdOffRoader) / '04 Vauxhall Movano
Projects: '81 Honda CX500 x2 / '85 Land Rover One-Ten / ...plus many horticultural things.
||| Bike Test: DAS: PASSED 13/02/2009 ||| Car Test: PASSED 22/05/2005 |||
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WD Forte
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PostPosted: 17:09 - 03 Apr 2015    Post subject: Reply with quote

Totally unsexy and uncool
If it were a dog it would be some scabby flatulent old mongrel
But I dunno, they kinda grow on you.
I some times wonder why I'm not sick and tired of mine
when other bikes have been and gone.
Probably speaks to my inner pikey Laughing
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blurredman
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PostPosted: 18:19 - 03 Apr 2015    Post subject: Reply with quote

I am also someone who has had one for the past few years. Sometimes I hate it, and I do think it is ugly. But alas, it is reliable enough not to break down completely and has a certain comfortability about it that cannot be rectified on another bike for such a small price.

I look forward to seeing how this thread develops. What's the mileage on the bike? It seems that the majority of the high mileage examples of over 50k seem to be fairly uncommon and only the cherished lower mileages (20-40k) are found for the most part..
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Past: 1991 Honda CG125BR-J, 1992 (1980) Honda XL125S, 1996 Kawasaki GPZ500S.
Current: 1981 Honda CX500B - 91k, 1987 MZ ETZ250 (bored to 295cc) - 38k, 1990 MZ ETZ251 - 49k, 1979 Suzuki TS185ER - 9k, 1972 MZ ES250/2 - 17k.
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Ted
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PostPosted: 18:43 - 03 Apr 2015    Post subject: Reply with quote

I think it's at about 65k, but I'll double check. I'm not one to go by mileages, especially when its on a bike like this. Most CX's seem to have 'borrowed' parts from other ones over the years, so I never know if its the original clocks!

I don't think they are the most attractive bikes by a long shot, but they seem pretty comfortable. At 6ft2 with size 13/14 feet, my choice of bikes can be quite limited. I have to fold myself up to get on a sports bike, then get cramp in my legs after 1/4 mile! Cruisers are my ideal type of bike, but just don't have time for the chrome! I want a bike I can use whenever I want, not just when the sun is out... Wink
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'07 Honda CBF500 / '93 Vauxhall Astra (www.fb.com/2wdOffRoader) / '04 Vauxhall Movano
Projects: '81 Honda CX500 x2 / '85 Land Rover One-Ten / ...plus many horticultural things.
||| Bike Test: DAS: PASSED 13/02/2009 ||| Car Test: PASSED 22/05/2005 |||
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Oldie
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PostPosted: 18:46 - 03 Apr 2015    Post subject: Reply with quote

Sometimes the handling's a bit "odd" so lots of folk run their pressures at +2 (or more) although rear wheel bearings are another culprit. They're quite good at touring due to the immensely comfortable seat. Worth the effort.
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Ted
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PostPosted: 19:08 - 03 Apr 2015    Post subject: Reply with quote

Hmmm... The 'seat'. ...that I know needs some TLC. Rusted put around the edges. I might see if I can try and weld it up, will check the seat on the other one first...

Oh, and forgot, I have a spare engine as well. So if there are major issues I can rebuild one then swap. But I'm hoping that won't be required!
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'07 Honda CBF500 / '93 Vauxhall Astra (www.fb.com/2wdOffRoader) / '04 Vauxhall Movano
Projects: '81 Honda CX500 x2 / '85 Land Rover One-Ten / ...plus many horticultural things.
||| Bike Test: DAS: PASSED 13/02/2009 ||| Car Test: PASSED 22/05/2005 |||
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Ted
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PostPosted: 19:41 - 03 Apr 2015    Post subject: Reply with quote

I need a new battery before I can do much, I'm after a cheapy for now.

There are some on eBay for £25 (new), am I likely to get one cheaper elsewhere, or is that my best bet?
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'07 Honda CBF500 / '93 Vauxhall Astra (www.fb.com/2wdOffRoader) / '04 Vauxhall Movano
Projects: '81 Honda CX500 x2 / '85 Land Rover One-Ten / ...plus many horticultural things.
||| Bike Test: DAS: PASSED 13/02/2009 ||| Car Test: PASSED 22/05/2005 |||
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WD Forte
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PostPosted: 20:02 - 03 Apr 2015    Post subject: Reply with quote

£25 sounds about right for a YB14LA2
The seat pans often rot, there used to be a few plastic ones about
but I repaired my metal one and modded it for comfort.
I did this back in 2007 and its still good/sound now.
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Ted
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PostPosted: 21:07 - 03 Apr 2015    Post subject: Reply with quote

My next question was to double check the battery code. Wink

Just out of interest, what did you change on your seat. I've seen some cut down ones on cafe racers, but they don't look comfortable in the least!
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'07 Honda CBF500 / '93 Vauxhall Astra (www.fb.com/2wdOffRoader) / '04 Vauxhall Movano
Projects: '81 Honda CX500 x2 / '85 Land Rover One-Ten / ...plus many horticultural things.
||| Bike Test: DAS: PASSED 13/02/2009 ||| Car Test: PASSED 22/05/2005 |||
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WD Forte
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PostPosted: 21:56 - 03 Apr 2015    Post subject: Reply with quote

I'm 6'3" so like to sit back a bit
I used a lump hammer and extra foam to make the 'driver' part
of the seat longer prior to fiting new cover a couple of years ago.
This and highish bars make it a comfy old thing to hack about on.
My bike is a real mongrel built out of leftovers and anything that was to hand.
79 frame but later TI ignitioned engine frorn a GL which is
much better than the earlier CDI system IMO
Suzuki speedo, MZ screen and fork gaiters, Kawasaki master cylinder, BMW horns, Yamaha mech seal, electric cooling fan
All switch wiriing runs inside the bars, all lights led apart from the headlamp bulb and so on.
Thats the fun of having a cheap old bike you can have fun and play around with it.
Cant be doing with all that 'its a classic' bollocks, its just an old bike

The only thing I'm fussy about is, even if it looks shabby/ratty
it MUST all work and reliably too.
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Ted
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PostPosted: 22:43 - 03 Apr 2015    Post subject: Reply with quote

Rest assured this will not be a showpiece... Wink

If I get time tomorrow I might have a better look at a few bits, one being the throttle grip, as its not returning on its own.

I'm considering joining the CX-GL club, hoping the discounts will be worth it, but experience of doing that with car owners clubs leads me to think it won't! I can picture them all being rivet-counters, and I won't be heading down the 'genuine parts' route...
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'07 Honda CBF500 / '93 Vauxhall Astra (www.fb.com/2wdOffRoader) / '04 Vauxhall Movano
Projects: '81 Honda CX500 x2 / '85 Land Rover One-Ten / ...plus many horticultural things.
||| Bike Test: DAS: PASSED 13/02/2009 ||| Car Test: PASSED 22/05/2005 |||
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WD Forte
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PostPosted: 23:55 - 03 Apr 2015    Post subject: Reply with quote

I don't do clubs any more but even if i did
The lacklustre UK CX clubs are are put to shame by the cx500forum
which has tons of free info on all things CX and Gl

https://cx500forum.com/forum/forum.php

They even have a wiki

https://cx500forum.com/mediawiki/index.php?title=Main_Page

None of the UK paying clubs have anything like it and don't build yer hope up on big discounts.
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Oldie
Brolly Dolly



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PostPosted: 07:06 - 04 Apr 2015    Post subject: Reply with quote

https://www.cx-gl.org.uk/forum.php

I pay my £10 pa, but not for the discounts etc - just great help when needed, especially as there are always guys doing re-builds and someone before you has undoubtedly suffered your pain.

Don't even have a CX anymore but still find the site good reading. Not for everyone, of course, but I still find the need to fill my old head with even more technical wizardry that I'll probably never use.
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yen_powell
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PostPosted: 09:24 - 04 Apr 2015    Post subject: Reply with quote

I saw this one in 1990 at the Kent Custom Show, it was one of a matching pair, later seen buzzing up and down a ploughed field before the rider fell off.
https://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b165/yen_powell/cx500enduro.jpg
Nowadays of course the engines are in demand for more than just motorcycles.
https://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b165/yen_powell/0cx-morgan.jpg~original
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stevo as b4
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PostPosted: 10:59 - 04 Apr 2015    Post subject: Reply with quote

I know it's a horrific and sad thing to say, but I quite like some of the CRK café racer builds, and also like the appeal of a ready made kit of the major fabricated chassis parts, to allow a build by dummies with no specialist tools or equipment.

It's an idea that already appeals to me for when I'm about 70, and have the need to make something in the shed, but can't afford to buy machine tools, welding and spraying equipment etc.

What I don't know is where on the CX500/650T the turbo is mounted?
And secondly why has no-one ever liberated a turbo motor free from the fugly nasty standard bike to put into a café racer build instead?
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Ted
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PostPosted: 12:13 - 04 Apr 2015    Post subject: Reply with quote

I've got you guys to ask for advice though, rather than the CX-GL club! Very Happy

I might join in the end though, depends how stuck I get sourcing any obscure parts.



I've seen a few bits on some of the cafe racers that I might replicate, but comfort and practicallity are above all, so the low handlebars are not for me. Also most seem to remove the filter box and relocate the battery, leaving a massive gap in the frame, that and the hard-tail make it look front heavy...
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'07 Honda CBF500 / '93 Vauxhall Astra (www.fb.com/2wdOffRoader) / '04 Vauxhall Movano
Projects: '81 Honda CX500 x2 / '85 Land Rover One-Ten / ...plus many horticultural things.
||| Bike Test: DAS: PASSED 13/02/2009 ||| Car Test: PASSED 22/05/2005 |||
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WD Forte
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PostPosted: 14:06 - 04 Apr 2015    Post subject: Reply with quote

Stevo
The turbos are tucked in at the front
https://fc02.deviantart.net/fs8/i/2005/357/8/f/Honda_CX650_Turbo_Mechanicals_by_Azraphale.jpg
The guys I knew with them said they were fantastic to ride
but a PITA to own.


Teds bike is a 'B' the typical 'maggot' style with CDI ignition
preceded by the A and the original Z.
These and the Custom are all based on the twin shock, single spine frame
( my favourite for its simplicty and practicality)
The Gls and Euros have basically the same engine but with TI ignition and different frames, forks and monoshock suspension
which can become a PITA at this stage of their lives.
The 650s and 400s were and are scarce compared to the 500s
I have mate with a 650 lump in a Custom twin shock frame
He's clocked up 60,000 plus on it and its still going strong cos he knows how to look after it.
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stevo as b4
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PostPosted: 15:03 - 04 Apr 2015    Post subject: Reply with quote

First time I've ever seen one of ones lumps with the blower set up fitted. Thumbs Up

I always assumed the turbo was fitted behind the engine/hidden down low, like the XJ and XN turbo's were. It was the CRK kits that got me thinking that if the turbo was located in that empty space of the frame that Ted mentioned, it would make a nice feature.

Then again if the turbo is at the front it won't burn your arse, and I think the 82bhp would go much better in a stripped down lighter more basic looking bike build.
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Ted
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PostPosted: 16:09 - 04 Apr 2015    Post subject: Reply with quote

Both of mine are B's I think, here is the first one (photo is about 8 years old, it probably looks a bit worse now):

https://img.photobucket.com/albums/v474/EAM-Enterprises/Vehicles/Honda_CX500_81/DSC00358mini.jpg


Back to CX No.2 (vehicle No.27), I took some quick snaps today:

https://img.photobucket.com/albums/v474/EAM-Enterprises/Vehicles/Honda_CX500_2/WP_20150404_14_14_54_Pro_zpsytvva3dj.jpg


Rusty seat base:

https://img.photobucket.com/albums/v474/EAM-Enterprises/Vehicles/Honda_CX500_2/WP_20150404_14_15_20_Pro_zpssgevngui.jpg


Interesting welded rear peg, makeshift exhaust hanger, and various crusty bits:

https://img.photobucket.com/albums/v474/EAM-Enterprises/Vehicles/Honda_CX500_2/WP_20150404_14_16_26_Pro_zpspggl1kyf.jpg


Possibly had some leakage there...

https://img.photobucket.com/albums/v474/EAM-Enterprises/Vehicles/Honda_CX500_2/WP_20150404_14_16_48_Pro_zpsejqvdbf3.jpg


I'm not sure if that was the desired paint finish on the tank, but I actually quite like it. Might paint in the cracks, red or orange maybe...

https://img.photobucket.com/albums/v474/EAM-Enterprises/Vehicles/Honda_CX500_2/WP_20150404_14_17_28_Pro_zpssvtjfcs0.jpg
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'07 Honda CBF500 / '93 Vauxhall Astra (www.fb.com/2wdOffRoader) / '04 Vauxhall Movano
Projects: '81 Honda CX500 x2 / '85 Land Rover One-Ten / ...plus many horticultural things.
||| Bike Test: DAS: PASSED 13/02/2009 ||| Car Test: PASSED 22/05/2005 |||
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WD Forte
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PostPosted: 17:00 - 04 Apr 2015    Post subject: Reply with quote

Oooh!
I like that tank !
My own err 'textured' finish aint as good as that
If youre looking at the crusty bits and thinking about
Powder coating and stuff, don't bother as its papering over the cracks
I can tell you from bitter experience
they rot from the inside out !
the surface rust on the outside is the least of your problems
Flush the insides with oil/acf50/derustoprene/jollop etc after any repair/welding/painting and they'll be good for years.
I have 3mm holes in strategic places on my frame which get an injection of acf50 every year whether they need it or not.

That seat looks quite fixable,
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Ted
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PostPosted: 17:36 - 04 Apr 2015    Post subject: Reply with quote

With the frame I was thinking of getting a wire brush on it, then brush painting primer and black paint.

I'm glad you mentioned they rot from the inside out, I've poured used engine oil into metal framework before, so will probably do that. (messy, but cheap)

The paint on the tank looks like plasticoat or similar. I'm assuming it cracked in the sun, but the oval mark looks like pressure has been applied, the only way that springs to my (dirty) mind is the buttock print of a petit women... Maybe the last owner had some fun on this bike!
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'07 Honda CBF500 / '93 Vauxhall Astra (www.fb.com/2wdOffRoader) / '04 Vauxhall Movano
Projects: '81 Honda CX500 x2 / '85 Land Rover One-Ten / ...plus many horticultural things.
||| Bike Test: DAS: PASSED 13/02/2009 ||| Car Test: PASSED 22/05/2005 |||
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