So someone in my running group just posted a CB700 and a CB500 as free to a good home... so now, I've got both. Per his email, I thought it was two CBs - But I find myself with a CX500 on my hands.
The CX bikes are a water cooled, 4v twins with a transverse engine and shaft drive - Think MotoGuzzi'ish. I've torn apart a couple CBs, but this weird little bugger is new to me.
So, any got any experience with these? Google has lead me to a couple pages an such with info. But I thought I'd tape the knowledge reserves here as well.
I recall these bikes having an issue with the right side carb. Something about the carb dying and needing replacement. I had a friend that had one. While it was running he liked it but once the carb issue came up the bike got pushed off to the side and I don't think it ever got fixed.
Well it's not running right now... so I'm assuming there's some carb work that needs done anyway, since it's been sitting a bit. At a bare min a drain n clean. But good to know the right one might need extra watching.
Also, much like the Goldwings, the water pump is really a PITA to get to.
JM
In spite of their stock appearance they can actually be made into a pretty good looking cafe bike.
I had a friend with a completely stock CX that rode the crap out of that high mileage ugly beast. He never had any problems I recall. FWIW he was pretty quick on his R1 but rode that CX and a nasty old KZ1000 police special all the time. I think he enjoyed the fact the CX and KZ cost him less combined than a set of new tires for his R1!
(http://i292.photobucket.com/albums/mm21/JonTravisKing/CX500_CafeRacer.jpg?t=1276905067)
(http://i292.photobucket.com/albums/mm21/JonTravisKing/CX500_Red.jpg?t=1276905067)
(http://i292.photobucket.com/albums/mm21/JonTravisKing/SilverWingCafeRacer.jpg?t=1276905067)
I so love how Honda futzed around with all sorts of setups whenever they felt like it. Shaft drive? Okay! Oval pistons? Why not!
They must serve Sake to their engineers.
Oh this one is not that nice trav...
I think I remeber the CX having issues with the cam chain tensioners.
Quote from: yuu on June 18, 2010, 03:40:08 PM
Oh this one is not that nice trav...
I know what a 30 year old CX 500 typically looks like, but it is fun to see what somebody with vision and talent can do to an unloved motorcycle.
I have owned the turbo 500CX , and yes it was a very nice bike ;D
When i bought it on my first ride home i was doing about 200km/h and the fairing was that good i was wondering why all the cars around me were that slow
And just found a service and repair manual , but it's in Dutch so i don't think you could use it
[thumbsup]
French I might be able to swing a bit of... But Dutch :(
tomorrow I go give it it's will it live or is it too far gone assesmet.
I had a CX650 to cart around the wife, it was a great bike. Never an issue.
One more cafe'd CX500.
(http://www.perthstreetbikes.com/97742/cafe-racers-thread/IMG_2950.sized.jpg)
(http://www.perthstreetbikes.com/97743/cafe-racers-thread/IMG_2948.sized.jpg)
Yuu, did you decide whether or not it was worth keeping?
Thinking this ones a scrapper.
My 5 min walk around:
- Won't fire. Carbs need a rebuild at least... perhaps more.
- Front brakes do not work for some mystery reason. No feel of anything at the lever...
- Both foot pegs are damaged and need to be replaced. Been downed on both sides so more damage may be lurking
- I'm not sure there's a drop of oil in the forks.
- Dry rotted tries
- shredded seat
- rear light assy is wonked. Didn't inspect closely
- Doesn't roll backward easily - Anyone know if this is common to that bike? Or is it a sign the drive line is buggered up?
And those are the biggies...
That's a weekend ;D
I'd pass on it...
Last weekend, I went to a garage/yard sale here in Santa Maria and there was a CX650 Turbo leaning on a fence. I asked if it was for sale, Grandma said to take it. Little sister said, no, that's Joe's bike. So I come back later, and Joe wants some money for it. Not much, really, for a 1983 CX650 Turbo, with 17,000 original miles on it, some scrapes, but basically all there. So I bought it. Then I posted it on a CX site, and a guy made me an offer I couldn't refuse. Actually, several people made several offers. Apparently, there is a CX cult out there, and especially a CX 650 Turbo cult. So after owning it for 5 days, I sold it. And I also bought a KZ1000, the price was right, and it has a set of Keihin FCR flatslide carbs on it, but has never been sorted. It runs, it's been rebuilt (came with receipts), but it needs jetting and some detailing. This one I'm keeping. It's been a real good week.
As for those CX 500s, there seems to be a bunch of interest in those also. One of my co-workers told me he put 100,000 miles on one when he was a broke guy. 100,000 trouble free miles. So I think there is a demand for parts. The guy that bought my 650 Turbo had 8 of them (650 Turbos), next week, he will probably be on A&E Hoarders,
(http://i668.photobucket.com/albums/vv48/JonesMachining/CX%20and%20KZ/6-10-2010029.jpg)
(http://i668.photobucket.com/albums/vv48/JonesMachining/CX%20and%20KZ/6-10-2010032.jpg)
(http://i668.photobucket.com/albums/vv48/JonesMachining/CX%20and%20KZ/CX650Honda023.jpg)
(http://i668.photobucket.com/albums/vv48/JonesMachining/CX%20and%20KZ/CX650Honda021.jpg)
(http://i668.photobucket.com/albums/vv48/JonesMachining/CX%20and%20KZ/CX650Honda020.jpg)
Buy an in-lb torque wrench and use it religiously. Them old Honda love to strip screws. I did a fair amount of work on 2 or 3 of those in the mid 90s. The intake manifolds rot, too. Cheap replacement parts galore at sudco and K&L supply.
:)