Honda CX 500

[WildGoose]

got a possibility of one of these, would pick it up for next to nothing in a running condition, been sat in somebodys shed for a while

i know they are getting on now, but if anyone (probly the more old skewl) has any views/experiences/opinions on them, i'd be most interested to hear

common issues, major issues, reliability, reputation etc

thanks a lot
____________________
So in other words, he stopped you for being flagrantly in posession of a motorcycle in direct contravention of the Hippies, Darkies and People Whose Face I Don't Like The Look of (Police Powers) Act. 1976

[stinkwheel]

Mr.z will be along shortly, he has one.

I have seen maggots that have been round the clock twice, they were always a firm favourite with couriers.

I believe they sometimes have a problem with the cooling fan which is attached to the crank, otherwise, there is not a whole hell of a lot to go wrong with them. They are not the lightest or prettiest of motorcycles though (hence the nickname).

The price is right.

[mr.z]

(just call me mr.predictable)

Something thats been in a shed is going to need some bits doing to it.. personally for more than £100 i'd not bother unless it was excetionally low millage (ive been offered good runners for under £100 before, shedfinds more like £0-90max)

DO NOT start it!!!! before you do that take the cover off the back of the engine for the water pump impeller, get some soap on the mechanical seal (search cx 500 mechanical seal and there's a page somewhere with details how) otherwise it WILL tear it and its an absoloute bastard of a job to change the mech seal (engine out, degrease engine, put engine in oven, try to fit seal, break seal, repete as needed) This really applys mostly if its been stood over 6months+ over a year then its very likely to need some

The fan sometimes get a bit loose then self destructs (sometimes making a hole in your radiator 2weeks after buying it :/ ) just some locktite thredlock fixes that, and a sprung washer..

The other thing is the swingarms get a bit mouldy sometimes, check it carefully, tap with something metal, i hered one got covered with filler and painted over, passed an mot, then snapped killing the poor sod who bought it a few weeks later

You will need to clean the carbs out, they don't like being started after a week let alone ?? years

There good bikes provided you don't get one thats been fecked about with or run raggid (but often they will still put up with that anyway) do a compression test if you can

Parts are getting trickyer to come by, but a z/a/b can be picked up for cheap, just keep one as a donor bike and you wont have much trouble with spares generally, i'm looking to get a bmw sidehack at some point and get another z/a/b later..

Let me know if you have any other specific questions
____________________
>RidingSkills<->Tech Tips<->MyBikes<