Topic: Buddy bought a Honda VT500 Ascott...cool bike...i think?

[ColinMc]

A friend of mine just bought his first bike, a 1984(?) Honda VT500 Ascott. I took it out for a spin, fun bike! Seems to run nice and has a nice torquey motor as well. Tiny gas tank though lol. It is in great shape, less than 4k miles and it has new tires and all that good stuff. Anyone on here have much experience with them? Seems kind of a rare bike from the little "googling" i've done on them.

Verdict: I wouldn't mind owning one with a slightly larger tank and a less goofy headlight/cowl setup in the front. Looks to be easy to modify...but is it rare for good reasons or bad reasons?

[kirkn]

Nice bikes.

Rugged motor.  Liquid cooled and very user friendly.  My mother had the Shadow (cruiser) version of that motor.  Had over 50K miles with no problems.

I have the FT500 single cylinder version of that bike.  As you say, very fun.  64 mpg, too!

They're rare only because of the collapse of the US economy back in the early 80s, combined with the Japanese makers cranking out tons of new and different models, seemingly just because they COULD.

He should have fun with it.

Kirk

[hoodellyhoo]

I want one of those soooo bad. Everytime I see one I can't help but think "now that looks like a fun bike".

[ColinMc]

Yeah it handled very nice, the PO had installed new rear shocks that are nice but the front end needs some attention...at least some fresh oil or something. Other than that it's a super comfortable bike. Fits my 6'2" lanky butt no problem. I'm pretty jealous...I hate that after getting my CB I look at every bike and think "hmmm...a set of clubmans would do wonders!"

[Shenanigans]

Speaking of the thumper version, has anyone rebuilt one? There is one sitting here with a holed piston and I was thinking of bringing it back. I cant imagine it being too hard, but I thought I would ask.

[DarkRider]

Shouldnt be that hard given its engine is based off of the XL500 dirt bike.

[kirkn]

Simplicity itself.  It's a non-RFVC head, SOHC, wet sump, chain-driven counterbalancer, air cooled engine.  Almost as simple as a stone axe.  If you're the slightest bit comforatable with that kind of work and have the parts on-hand, you should be able to do it in a weekend!

Good luck,

Kirk

BTW - here's a link to another forum where the members all discussed a users purchase of a VT500:

http://www.armbell.com/kz400/viewtopic.php?t=3178&highlight=vt500&mforum=kz400