Topic: CX500 ... reputation?

[gregwaits]

What is the general opinion of the CX500? How many years was this made and what is the availability of parts, etc? Are they more readily available than those for CBs? The reason I ask is I have an opportuinity to maybe pick one up locally that doesn't currently run, althought the guy says the engine is good. (whatever that means!)

[cb650]

Dad used to have a 82 GL500 that was nice.  There have been a couple threads on this but they might have been erased by now.   Try a search if not the rest of the peanut gallery will be out soon.
Think there was a camchain prob first couple years and a waterpump issue.





                                    Terry

[Dave K]

You are right, CB650. I had friends who bought the first ones and there was a fix. If it hasn't been fixed by now, it wasn't ridden at all.

[CBGBs]

I've read the CX500 is the best all around bike. This person who posted this opinion has owned quite a few really nice bikes over many years and he stated that for all things considered he would rank it one of the best. I think reliability, efficiency, and long term cost were high on his priority list.  I've ridden the GL500 and the bike ran very well. It seemed bullet proof. Had a nice sound and moderate grunt. I could see where on a lighter bike than the Silverwing Interstate, it could be fun. Insurance should be very cheap as well. But I prefer a bike that can really rev.

[DarkRider]

im noticing a common trend here...a lot of Hondas models have cam chain problems...even machines before the V4s..

[mcpuffett]

cx's were popular here in the uk as despatch riders bikes , they were very reliable and capable of high mileages  ,     mick.

[Brunow]

http://www.hondacx500.nl/ it's a site where you might find some info in dutch

Gtz

[crazypj]

There were about 5 different fixes for the cam chain 'problem'. The best thing to do is rev the hell out of it (seriously)
They are not a big twin and were designed to be kept near redline.
At lower RPM the load reversal on cam chain breaks off the tensioner bolt inside crankcase (forget if it was the lower pivot or lower tensioner, havnt done one for about 20yrs) Honda actually did a test where they held one at full throttle (about 10,000rpm) for about a week, then stripped it down to see what wore out, nothing really
Even the late model 'automatic' tensioner fails at about 18,000miles (it sticks but at least its a pretty easy fix as long as you check it)
PJ

[Green550F]

rode my uncles gl500 quite a bit. ok on the hiway but top havy around town. His  GL1500 actually handled better in town than the GL500 with solo touring seat option and an"Audio Cannon" stereo on it!

[Manic]

If my memory serves me correctly, this was the CX's were one of the first models that the incorporated the engine as part of the bike structure (no bottom frame), with that said, this caused problems on the main oil gasket to start leaking.  To replace it you have to pull the engine out of the frame.  I've had my CX for acouple of years now and haven't had any serious problems with it.  As long as you don't mind a oily pant leg, then you should be good.

[crazypj]

I dont remember any issues with oil leaks unless it had not been dropped? There were some problems with water pump seals but I dont remember doing too many, all of them were high mileage and not too well maintained

[grumburg]

Had a 79 cx500 for 3 years, never any problems. Was underpowed 2 up. Had 60k when I sold it. Last I knew, it was still going.

[HondaMan]

If my memory serves me correctly, this was the CX's were one of the first models that the incorporated the engine as part of the bike structure (no bottom frame), with that said, this caused problems on the main oil gasket to start leaking.  To replace it you have to pull the engine out of the frame.  I've had my CX for acouple of years now and haven't had any serious problems with it.  As long as you don't mind a oily pant leg, then you should be good.

Actually...Honda had 90s, 70s, 100s, 250s, 305s.... all where the engine was the lower stressed member of the frame. After the CB450 appeared and Honda used the featherbed-type frame, they never did that again until the CBX and the CX.

The CX500 had the distinction of being the most-stolen motorcycle in California and Colorado. To steal it, all you needed was a safety pin and strong shoulders. And, you couldn't throw a dead cat around here without hitting one....

[bryanj]

Rroblems:-
First model cam chain cushion bolt broke- Honda supplied a "kit" to fix BUT this did not include a new chain so
Second problem:-
Cam chain wore out prematurely meaning engine out again leading to
Third problem:-
Kit did not include thick copper washer under water pump impeller nut so water started leaking from what looked like mechanical seal but wasnt! Leading to:
Forth problem
By this time it was out of warantee so the owners "pulled" the engine themselves and did not know that the oil should be poured into the rocker covers after a rebuild---not just into the oil filler--so the trough that the cam lobes dipped into was not full and the cam lobes wore out! Leading to:-
Fifth problem:-
Another engine out and this time a complete strip, where if you werent carefull you damaged the main bearing sleeves resulting in big end failure on rebuild!!

BUT if the chain was replaced with the kit, requiring a 27mm deep socket, and was done properly (even in the 4.5 hours Honda allowed as warantee time!) these motors would do phenominal, untroubled mileages, only dying when the ocasional alternator failed.

[cb650]

There was a site that had a history and some project bikes the guy did.   Lost it but will see it dad still has it.   Was some cool stuff on it.




                                 Terry

[JSGAuto]

I use to have several CX500s, before I sold off most of my collection. 

The worst issue is the charging system.  It is very flaky.  Good stators are hard to come by.  I sold my spare USED ones for over $100 each. 

The problem is you have to pull the engine to replace the stator/rotor.  Not a fun experiance. 

I won't own another because of this. 

Stick with the inline motors!

[oldfart]

Rroblems:-
First model cam chain cushion bolt broke- Honda supplied a "kit" to fix BUT this did not include a new chain so
Second problem:-
Cam chain wore out prematurely meaning engine out again leading to
Third problem:-
Kit did not include thick copper washer under water pump impeller nut so water started leaking from what looked like mechanical seal but wasnt! Leading to:
Forth problem
By this time it was out of warantee so the owners "pulled" the engine themselves and did not know that the oil should be poured into the rocker covers after a rebuild---not just into the oil filler--so the trough that the cam lobes dipped into was not full and the cam lobes wore out! Leading to:-
Fifth problem:-
Another engine out and this time a complete strip, where if you werent carefull you damaged the main bearing sleeves resulting in big end failure on rebuild!!

BUT if the chain was replaced with the kit, requiring a 27mm deep socket, and was done properly (even in the 4.5 hours Honda allowed as warantee time!) these motors would do phenominal, untroubled mileages, only dying when the ocasional alternator failed.

Pretty accurate, I think, from someone who also was there.  :-)  The first year, 1978, was the teflon camchai slipper (guide) had teflon not trimmed away from the side that bolted to the crankcase.  So the bolt backed out and the cam chain got really loose.  The replacement slipper and all the remaining ones were correct.  Yep, other problems too.  The most significant one regarding the cam chain however I believe was that no mechanics knew how to adjust the cam chain.  Then there were loose alternator rotor bolts, very early units had rod bearings that were too tight (due to the instructions used by the factory assemblers being incorrect -- I still have a copy of those bad instructions, they were sent out to the dealers as provisional manuals).