Topic: Best bike around 1,200 used? (how about CX500?)

[B.O.X.N.I.F.E.]

I'm trying to help a buddy find a decent bike in his price range. He's looking around 1,200 and wants something late 70's through mid 80's. Not specifically looking for anything stylish, just a reliable bike that can cruise at 75.

I'll be his mechanic, so he won't have to worry about tune up costs. He also, for some reason, doesn't seem to like yamahas.  

[UnCrash]

Drumroll please ... How about a CB750, CB650, CB550, or CB450 ?

[Chester345]

COUGH COUGH









<=====

[B.O.X.N.I.F.E.]

.... and doesn't want the same bike as me. I have a 550. Sorry, should have mentioned that. We're about to do a cross country trip and he needs something that is easy to tune up and will run all day.

I guess I'm asking, what are some other mid size (550 - 750) bikes from the early 80's? Don't know much about anything other than Hondas (and Chevys  )

[IAmCitizenMe]

What trip/route are you taking?

[Laminar]

.... and doesn't want the same bike as me.

Because he doesn't like your bike, or because he doesn't want to have the same bike as you?

Any of the '80s Hondas seem pretty solid, the Nighthawks have exceptionally low maintenance requirements and are surprisingly fast in general. I picked mine up for $400 and it needed some work.

[B.O.X.N.I.F.E.]

Yeah, I just don't think he's into the 70's CB thing. He says "I want to ride in the bike, not on top of it". But he hates Harleys, so it's kind of a conundrum.

The route is Arkansas, accross the bottom south west, to LA, up the Coast, then back accross the mid west.

[BeSeeingYou]

Suzuki GS750

[Caminokid]

Ok this is what I am seeing. he doesnt want a Yamaha. He hates Harleys. Dont want a mid 70's Honda (the most reliable bikes out there). Does he like Chevy? Is this guy a communist and drives a FORD? :lol:

All kidding aside...if he wants to sit into the bike...how bout a Kawasaki LTD 750?

[B.O.X.N.I.F.E.]

Suzuki GS750

We drove 3 hours to pick up one I found on Craigslist. Dude opens the garage, and I think "Oh no" and then "creative photography" when I actually see it. Then he starts talking about medical bills while his thousand cats congregate around my feet and I realized we were boned. Guy was sketchy.

My buddy liked the style though. I felt really bad.

I'll check out the LTD, I love Kawis. Z1 is a great looking bike.

[Caminokid]

We drove 3 hours to pick up one I found on Craigslist. Dude opens the garage, and I think "Oh no" and then "creative photography" when I actually see it. Then he starts talking about medical bills while his thousand cats congregate around my feet and I realized we were boned. Guy was sketchy.

My buddy liked the style though. I felt really bad.

I'll check out the LTD, I love Kawis. Z1 is a great looking bike.

I wouldnt feel bad. Its not like you know the guy was full of it and you took him over there anyways.

[kpier883]

GL1000 Honda? 

Check this out:
Vintage '78 Honda Goldwing GL1000 - $1200 (Fountain)
http://muskegon.craigslist.org/mcy/1281163390.html

I am guessing that a bare wing could be had in this range in most parts of the country.  It doesn't look like your 550, and it should be very reliable.  It would also be a nice distance mount...

[BeSeeingYou]

Suzuki GS750

We drove 3 hours to pick up one I found on Craigslist. Dude opens the garage, and I think "Oh no" and then "creative photography" when I actually see it. Then he starts talking about medical bills while his thousand cats congregate around my feet and I realized we were boned. Guy was sketchy.

My buddy liked the style though. I felt really bad.

I'll check out the LTD, I love Kawis. Z1 is a great looking bike.

Also look at the Suzuki GS1000 1978-80 or so.  Similar weight as the GS750 and lighter than a CB750 I believe.

[andy750]

CB900F or the CB1100F would do it.

cheers
Andy

[Caminokid]

If you guys dont mind making a trip...I may have 2 750 LTD's coming in. I will post pics once I have them.

[B.O.X.N.I.F.E.]

All good suggestions guys, I've been learning about lots of new bikes I wasn't familiar with.

I found a real clean CX500 Custom on craigslist, locally. He rode it and really liked it. I'm going with him Monday to help pick it up if it gets the thumbs up.

So what should I look for other than the dreaded water pump leak? He did report some stumbling and that the choke needed to be partially out in a 'sweet spot' to tune out all the sputtering. I'll admit I'm a mediocre tuner. I just told him if there are carb issues I'll tear them completely down instead of going crazy with carb cleaner & similar shots in the dark.

I do understand this is a small bike, but I'm on the 550 and we realized the trip would be kind of a bummer if he was on a bike twice the size of mine.

[Laminar]

I know those bikes had issues with the stator, depending on the year.

I still really want one.

[Gordon]

I do understand this is a small bike, but I'm on the 550 and we realized the trip would be kind of a bummer if he was on a bike twice the size of mine.

He's choosing the bike he's going to buy based on the bike that you'll be riding for one road trip together?  Sounds like a recipe for disappointment to me.  I'm not saying the CX500 may not be a great bike for him, but I don't think that's the best criteria to use for making the decision.

[Alan F.]

If your the mechanic and you only know hondas then mabey he should get a honda..

In this case you'd probably be happy with one of the more maintenance free models with hydraulic valves, hydraulic cam chain tensioner, electronic ignition, shaft drive, and probably one or two other major features I can't remember right now like a 6-speed gearbox.  How about the twin cam hondas from 83-86?  there was a 550, 650, 750 that were very good bikes, but had some charging issues that all have well documented fixes out on the web.  Check Craigslist in your local areas.
Cheers.
-A

[andy750]

I do understand this is a small bike, but I'm on the 550 and we realized the trip would be kind of a bummer if he was on a bike twice the size of mine.

Not sure of the logic here either. On one of our X-country trips we had a 550 ride with 9 other CB750s and there were zero issues. I myself have rode with a Hyabusa, a ZX1100, A BMW 110RT etc etc...its not the bikes, its the riders  . At the end of the day you are limited by your own skills and the speed limit.

cheers
Andy

[my78k]

Go to the chopper charles forums... The CX isn't exactly known for stunning good looks but I have one and dig it!

Chopper Charles: http://choppercharles.com/cs/forums/

Great resource site: http://www.elsham.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk/cx500/

Oh and on the CC forums look for a post from a guy named Blindstitch. Sorta like our FAQ's but enough links to keep you busy all day!

Dennis

[Laminar]

How about the twin cam hondas from 83-86?  there was a 550, 650, 750 that were very good bikes, but had some charging issues that all have well documented fixes out on the web.

It was only a 750 in Canada, it was a 700 in the US. The Nighthawk 750 came out a few years later.

But yeah - main charging "issue" is that it doesn't charge until 2000rpm, so the bike basically discharges at idle, but it's not actually a big deal. Since installing my Oregon Motorcycle Parts rec/reg and a new battery, I"ve had zero issues with charging.

[B.O.X.N.I.F.E.]

Well guys, he did it. Got a pretty clean 81 CX500 Custom. Black & blue with hard bags. I actually like it a lot. This trip is kind of a big deal for us (5K miles!) and I think we just would have felt sort of mismatched on bikes so far apart size wise. May sound lame, but the vibe of the trip is important. And we'll be riding together a lot, we're the only guys we know with bikes.

I dig it, 23K miles on the speedo, runs like crap  , but the owner seemed to think it was a good thing that he 'filled up the tank and parked it in the garage back in 04', so I'm planning a mega carb cleaning & tune up. My buddy is sort of nerdy and the bike really fits him. I'll get some pics soon.

Awesome link my78k, I'll get crackin on this thing soon.

[my78k]

They are fairly easy to work on lots of torque and kinda quirky!

Watch for the 7 volt regulator causing issues with the temp guage. Carbs are easier to get off than the CB's too.

And that CC site is good for known issues but NOTHING like here for responses to questions.

Dennis

[Laminar]

Here's your next task: Make it look like this:

[Gordon]

Well guys, he did it. Got a pretty clean 81 CX500 Custom. Black & blue with hard bags. I actually like it a lot. This trip is kind of a big deal for us (5K miles!) and I think we just would have felt sort of mismatched on bikes so far apart size wise. May sound lame, but the vibe of the trip is important. And we'll be riding together a lot, we're the only guys we know with bikes.

Hopefully it works out well for him. 

In all seriousness, though, bikes don't need to be even close to the same size for the riders to be able to enjoy riding with each other.  I used to have a great time riding my 400F with my friend who rode a Harley Ultra-Classic.  The bike needs to be a good fit for it's own rider, not for what the rider's partner is on.   

[B.O.X.N.I.F.E.]

It would have probably made more sense if I had mentioned pretty much the only other guy he hangs out with has the exact same bike bike as me (which steams me). I don't blame him for avoiding a 70's CB.

My condolences to your friend who owns the Harley. 

[Achmed]

Those CXs apparently have some kind of pushrod deal to operate the valves since the cylinders are all twisted out of alignment from each other and the camshaft is in the bottom of the engine. Maybe it's not so weird but I haven't had any experience with that type of engine.

To sum up: I have nothing to add here. Carry on.

[Green550F]

My uncle had a GL500. Wonderfull light solo touring bike, but top heavy in town. In fact his GL1500 handled better in town! That aside, I wish I had his old GL500!

[bill440cars]

Here's your next task: Make it look like this:

       You know, I'm not much on those bikes, but THIS is a REALLY CHOICE Build! I AM MOST impressed!!!!!!!  That CX500Cafe IS REALLY IMPRESSIVE!