Topic: Honda GB500!?! Where have I been?

[mikedialect]

I was paging through this month's classic motorcyle and I saw a Honda GB500. This is proof of how much of a noob I am! Where can I find one of these?? Did they make them in the us? It's a beautiful bike and I haven't really seen a late 80's bike that I loved- so naturally I was really curious!

Anyone here have one with some good pictures?

[SteveD CB500F]

These were very popular in the UK

Don't know if they still make them though.

[S-Dog]

They are B E A U tiful in person.... I saw one this fall and couldn't believe that it wasnt a modified bike.

[ofreen]

It's turned into a cult bike in the U.S., but they didn't sell well when current.  They are around.  They pop up on Ebay.  They were priced high when new, and people are still gettting good money for them.

[mikedialect]

It's turned into a cult bike in the U.S., but they didn't sell well when current.  They are around.  They pop up on Ebay.  They were priced high when new, and people are still gettting good money for them.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Honda-GB500-1989-Honda-GB500-Absolutley-perfect_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQcategoryZ6708QQihZ012QQitemZ220177959662QQrdZ1QQsspagenameZWDVW

yup, well, it looks like I'll be adding another bike to the 'want badly, but probably won't own' box

[S-Dog]

That bike is the exception to the rule... WOWOWOOW 

[ekim98]

I've seen the picture before but I figured it was a dam good cafe conversion. That's one good looking bike. I can't believe it didn't go over big in the U.S. I'm going to keep my eyes open for that. 

[S-Dog]

From what I understand, a decent one with the right miles will go for about $3-4k

[Raul CB750K1]

In Spain they sold a very similar bike, the XBR500, with alloy wheels.

[Superbiker_uk]

The 400cc version (CB400TT) used to be available as a 'grey' import. I always liked the earlier singles that were sold in the UK as the XBR500. (Raul posted about the XBR just as I was about to post. Great minds think alike )

[shoggoth80]

Those are nice machines. I have never seen a GB500 in the flesh. One of those machines that would be worth trying to keep an eye out for. I recall reading an article where someone used the raidal valve head on the top end for a racing machine. Apparently the engine was similar enough to some of other big singles to build one hell of a hybrid (the guy used one of the dual carb heads like the XL600 uses). All in all, really rad machines.

[mikedialect]

The 400cc version (CB400TT) used to be available as a 'grey' import. I always liked the earlier singles that were sold in the UK as the XBR500. (Raul posted about the XBR just as I was about to post. Great minds think alike )

that thing is sexy, too!

I guess I was wrong about the 80's! however, other than the delorian I still can't find a car I liked in the 80's.

[Pwfyrcat1]

Here, add another1

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Honda-GB500-GB500-GB-500-The-Thumper_W0QQitemZ220176611105QQcmdZViewItem?hash=item220176611105

[HITMAN]

In Spain they sold a very similar bike, the XBR500, with alloy wheels.

The wheels on that XBR500 are unbelievably cool, suppose they are made of unobtainium.

[mikedialect]

it seems as if they were drawing more off of THESE bikes for the 'new cb750' than they were on our favorites.... HMMMMM

[754]

If you like them wheels in Gold anodized..

search Honda CX 500 Turbo..

 If I had any I would sell them ASAP..

[DammitDan]

I saw one at the Barber vintage festival in the VJMC (Vintage Japanese Motorcycle Club) paddock.  It was beautiful! 

I think Vincent took a clue and copied it

[dusterdude]

now that looks good.

[Uncle Ernie]

I've had a couple.  That one above is so high because of the mielage.  You can find them with under 20K for $4500.  They are purpose-built bikes that are not comfortable on long rides -mileage depending on age and weight.  If you weigh ore than 180, maybe 200 lb you may find the engine a bit enemic.  The SR500 has better poop down low.  (Apparently, it's relatively easy to transplant an SRX engine in there, or do a 600 kit conversion).
That said, the bike is incredibly light.  You think about a turn and you realize you're already in it.  A big plus for me was electric start.  Oil changes are a ghastly mess.  Otherise easy and economical to maintain.  I still pine for mine.  If I ever get some money again, I shall have another.

They were offered in other countries after they quit the US.  Americans seem to be quite fickle.  The W650 suffered the same fate.  I'm not selling that one.

They are also occasionally in Cycletrader and bradsbikes.  There is a Yahoo group, and one turns up there on occasion, also.

[Bob Wessner]

I like the looks myself. Sadly, I'm in the 200+ lb category, but my riding tends towards the enemic anyway.

[SEBNN]

Very nice, I would have to opt for a different rear fender and larger headlight, but otherwise, why didn't these take off after the cb era.  Kinda like the suzuki gs500 in looks, but much more of a classic build IMO.

[turin39789]

http://www.google.com/search?source=ig&hl=en&rlz=&q=gb500+site%3Acraigslist.org

[MRieck]

I've had a couple.  That one above is so high because of the mielage.  You can find them with under 20K for $4500.  They are purpose-built bikes that are not comfortable on long rides -mileage depending on age and weight.  If you weigh ore than 180, maybe 200 lb you may find the engine a bit enemic.  The SR500 has better poop down low.  (Apparently, it's relatively easy to transplant an SRX engine in there, or do a 600 kit conversion).
That said, the bike is incredibly light.  You think about a turn and you realize you're already in it.  A big plus for me was electric start.  Oil changes are a ghastly mess.  Otherise easy and economical to maintain.  I still pine for mine.  If I ever get some money again, I shall have another.

They were offered in other countries after they quit the US.  Americans seem to be quite fickle.  The W650 suffered the same fate.  I'm not selling that one.

They are also occasionally in Cycletrader and bradsbikes.  There is a Yahoo group, and one turns up there on occasion, also.

I agree...the GB was rather weak in the engine dept. I worked on a W650 early the past spring. Turning the mixture screws out 3.5 turns, shimming the jet needle .020 and going 1 up on the main totally transformed the bike. I couldn't believe it and neither could the owner. A neat bike to ride around on. I believe it was White Brothers who made a lot of engine parts for the GB.i.e. pistons, cams, valves, carbs etc. That bike would be a lot more fun with and extra 20HP or so.

[mikedialect]

http://www.google.com/search?source=ig&hl=en&rlz=&q=gb500+site%3Acraigslist.org

that search paramiter just changed my world. I did not know you could do that. I am now ruined.

[heffay]

email me for the 89 cycle world writeup about the gb500 in pdf format... 1.5mb