Topic: What about the VT 500 Ascot? (and a possible package deal)

[Scott S]

 I've known for years that a friend picked up a bike to learn to ride on. She told my it was a Honda Ascot and going by what she told me, I always thought it was the FT single.
 She's done NOTHING with it and has recently had a baby. I've been messaging her about getting it. She finally got around to sending some pics and I was a little surprised to see that it's the VT 500 twin!

 She does have a title. It's been sitting for years. Tank looks like it needs a cleaning, but I'll have to check the lower part for the common rust area. The P.O. told her it needs a caliper, but I've overhauled brakes plenty of times. Then, just normal sitting bike stuff: battery, fluids, fork oil, coolant, etc. I'll assume it needs tires. I don't know the total mileage just yet. I'll probably go view it later this week.




 Her husband also has a CB360. I don't really have any interest in the CB, but if I can get a good package deal....
 He has a title. He has the carbs and side covers, but no air filters.



 I think I could get the pair for around a grand, flip the 360 with little or nothing done to it, and have a free or nearly free Ascot.
 Tell me about the VT500 Ascot. I'm thinking a true dual exhaust, something different with the headlight (why, oh WHY did Honda put the headlight up so high on the Ascot's?!?), maybe some tracker style bars and different rubber.

[Smudgemo]

Yep, the VT was the one I always liked when they first came out but I never pursued owning a bike other than a couple of times I almost bought one.  I still think I'd buy one if it fell in my lap for a good price (like this one is for you.)  I like the CB, too.  That would be a fun project.

[eigenvector]

Someone on Craigslist must be reading these posts - a new list has a very nice looking Ascot up for 5 gran I think?  Can't remember exactly - it looks beautiful though, who knows if it's legit or a scam though.

[scottly]

The only thing in common between an FT and a VT is the "Ascot" moniker. I was looking at one a couple of years ago, with a cleaned/lined tank, cleaned carbs, "runs well" etc, for about $1200. The VT motor was also used in a "cruiser" style bike for a few years. Pluses are that the VT is water cooled, and makes a lot more HP, but at a much higher RPM; a VT is just approaching it's torque peak at the redline for an FT.
The VT is a fair amount heavier than the FT, but may be a bit lighter than an SOHC 550?

[NobleHops]

Cheers!

[detdrbuzzard]

Honda used the frame as part of the coolant line, make sure the frame hasn't rusted

[Scott S]

 Made the deal today. Got a killer deal on this and a  1975 CB360. The Ascot is a keeper, not sure what I'll do with the 360 yet.
 Bike is in nice shape with a little over 11K miles. Minor scratches and needs some elbow grease and compounding, but the bodywork is straight and not cracked or dented. The tank needs a minor cleaning, but only above the line of the old gas. No rust through or thin spots; very solid and straight.
 I know it needs fork seals, all fluids and normal tune up stuff. The front caliper is completely missing, so I'll have to replace that and go through the brakes. I'll clean the carbs, just because (unless ya'll think I should try firing it up as-is and see what happens). Overall, a SOLID bike that doesn't need much at all!





 In the van....



 ...and after a quick bath.



 I plan on doing some minor "bolt on" cosmetic stuff, such as smaller turn signals, maybe a rear fender eliminator, probably do SOMETHING with the headlight and gauges (number plate or a round headlight?) and maybe a Trailtech Vapor gauge unit, depending on which way I go with the lighting.

[scottly]

Cool! What did you end up paying? Even if it was left with gas in the tank, the vacuum operated petcock should have kept the carbs fairly clean. Hook up a temporary fuel supply to the carbs and try to fire that sucker up!!! What have you got to lose?
Regarding the brake, the calipers themselves are fairly common, but the brackets that mount them to the forks are varied. The FT uses a 30mm twin piston caliper, and I would guess the VT is the same? There was also a 32mm version, and since you need a caliper anyway, I would try to get one of those. See the brakes section of tips and tricks for more info on which models used the 32mm calipers.

[Scott S]

 I cross referenced the part # for the caliper and found one for a Shadow that has the hanger, bolts, etc. Should be the same as what I need. It just so happens that I have a brand new master cylinder sitting on my work bench, and there's a hydraulic supply house down the street that can make me a braided stainless hose for cheap (correct brake fittings and pressure tested).
 The tank looked rough in the pics, but it's really not, and it's only the exposed part above the fuel level. What I can see below that is clean. Should be easy to clean with vinegar or EvapoRust or The Works, etc.
 I considered just trying the carbs, but I'm suspect of fuel reside that was left in there. But you're right, what have I got to lose other than time?

 The deal was really, really good and included a '75 CB360, too. The carbs are included, but no air filters or side covers. Titled. Good compression. The triple is cracked, but I found a CM400 replacement that's a direct for for $25 shipped.

[Scott S]

 Yes, that's 3518 miles. And the mufflers are pristine.

[ekpent]

  Cool collection of stickers lining the inside of the van 

[Scott S]

  Cool collection of stickers lining the inside of the van 

 Good old Creepy Van. '86 Chevy G-10. The radio gets static after a while, the heat and air are just suggestions, it gets horrible gas mileage and there's wind noise. But it's dependable as an anvil and strong like bull!

[MoMo]

Good deal, you'll enjoy it.  Plus.................the van is ....Larry

[BomberMann650]

I have a special fondness for ascots

[grcamna2]

Will your Wife be using the VT500 Scott ?

[Bankerdanny]

I like that VT a lot. I would prefer an FT, but wouldn't turn down a good deal on a VT. The liquid cooling would make it a great Chicago commuter bike.

[Scott S]

Will your Wife be using the VT500 Scott ?

 Girlfriend, and yes, she likes being able to flat foot it.
 She's eyeballing the 360, but the wide seat on the vintage bikes makes it hard for her to flat foot them.

 I'm looking for the air box parts and side covers for the 360 if anyone has a lead.

[Scott S]

I have a special fondness for ascots

 That's awesome.

[grcamna2]

Will your Wife be using the VT500 Scott ?

 Girlfriend, and yes, she likes being able to flat foot it.
 She's eyeballing the 360, but the wide seat on the vintage bikes makes it hard for her to flat foot them.

 I'm looking for the air box parts and side covers for the 360 if anyone has a lead.

That's nice that your girlfriend wants to ride.I would have a tough time being a passenger but it's nice being 'behind the bars' 

[Don R]

 My local Honda Guru has 400K plus on a Valkyre and bought a couple VT's for himself. He's getting older and can see the need for a lighter bike in his future. His main problem is the electrical panel in the front with the circuit board in it not making good connections and very difficult to troubleshoot.

[Scott S]

 Tank, before and after EvapoRust.





 I pulled the air filter and 75% of the foam was GONE. But there was a nice stash of kibbles in the air box. It never ceases to amaze me where the varmints can get.




 Cleaned the housing with Simple Green and carb cleaner. Vacuumed and wiped out the air box. Used some leftover UNI foam and made a new filter.

[Scott S]

 Pulled the carbs and I'm glad I did. I can still smell the old gas that came out, and while the throttle turned, the slides were stuck. Diaphragms are good. I dropped them and the CB360 carbs off with my carb guy.

[grcamna2]

Scott,
I had a 'part-time buddy' who I did exactly what you're doing on the exact same bike;he bought the bike as a barn-find.I cleaned his carbs.,adj. valves,etc.. and the guy wouldn't let me finish fine-tuning it by synchronizing his carbs.. w/ my gauges,like he couldn't afford to let me do it(I think he felt like I owed him something  )or something.I tried to explain it wouldn't ever run 100% until I did that.
I hope you fine-tune yours by synchronizing your carbs. plus idle it down low(while using the synch. gauges)and set both pilot mixtures screws for best idle;you may need to drill-out the seal-plugs covering the pilot mixture screws as they closed/sealed them from the factory.

[Scott S]

 I bench and THEN vacuum sync ALL my SOHC4's. This is my first go at the V-Twin. It was suggested that I vacuum sync the VF500, but holy hell that's a complicated process to set the mixture and vacuum sync on the V4! It runs damn good with the bench sync, so I left it well enough alone. I'll see how the Ascot runs.

[grcamna2]

You know that synch does help