Topic: Low milage 1980 CX500

[Sparked]

I've found a super low mileage Honda CX500 that looks in the pictures like it's in beautiful condition.  It is a 3 hour drive one way to go have a look at it though.  I've always like the looks of the bike, but I've never ridden one.  Just curious if anyone has any experiences with these bikes, what to look for or an idea of value, how are they for maintenance, parts availability and enjoyability of ownership lets say.
  He is asking shy of $3000 for it, but it looks brand new. 

[Laminar]

Low mileage isn't always a good thing, it could mean the bike has been sitting for a long long time.

The CX500's famous problems were with leaky water pump seals and bad stators, neither of which are quick fixes. Not hard, but time consuming.

Check out Chopper Charles for more info.

[Sparked]

the mileage is sitting just over 14,000 km. (about 8800 miles)

[kirkn]

I've owned 3, and own the 3rd one now.  I'm in the process of replacing the water pump seal now, and I did on the 1st one years ago, too.  Not hard, but the engine DOES need to come out, but even that only takes a little while and it's a one-man job.  Knock-on-wood, but I've never had a stator issue, but early ones did, and early ones had a gimpy camchain tensioner, IIRC.  And, they seem geared way too short for a 500cc bike.  4500 rpm at 50 mph.  I keep reaching for another gear...

The water pump is on the rear of the motor, right between the V and it has a tell-tale weep hole that drains to the left.  And, since anti-freeze can damage paint, look for discolored or wrinkled silver paint on the engine down the left side.  That'll let you know if it's seen leaks.  Otherwise, check the oil, listen for taps / knocks, etc. etc.

But, other than that, they're fine enough bikes.  Plenty of power, nice sound, liquid-cooled at a time when not many others were, shaft drive, very smooth motor.  Mine consistently gets 55 mpg.  Not particularly sporty, but more like a light sport-tourer.  Other than the 2 problems (seal & stator), they're very reliable, and according to some, very long-lived.  Maintenance is super easy - oil filter is right out front for easy access.  Air filter pops right out from under the seat.  Battery is right under the plastic side cover.  All consumables are readily available from online parts houses, including ebay - battery, brake pads & shoes, oil filter, air filter, plugs, etc.  Valves are screw-and-locknut adjusters, so that takes only a few minutes, and the cylinders poke right out at you for easy access.  Of course, shaft drive so no chain maintenance at all.

I don't know about where YOU live, but $3000??!  That's DOUBLE what a clean, low-mileage bike around here (Orlando, FL) would go for, and we seem to be pricier than most places in the US.  Must be our year-round riding weather.  

Good luck with it.

Kirk

[Grnrngr]

I see runners for $500 and very nice ones from $1000-$2000 frequently here in Oregon. Went and looked at one, the picture looked much better than the bike and it had a final drive problem so I didn't buy it. It was quite comfortable, and when I could get it to go with out the rear gear slipping, it felt like it had some power.  Got too many projects now to take on a new variety, but I keep looking at them, I liked it alot. I hear they're gonna be another 'cult' bike....

[kirkn]

Yep, and they came in three flavors - 'standard' or Deluxe, 'cruiser' or Custom and tourer or Silver Wing.  That second link shows a Deluxe model.  The first link is a Deluxe, too, but owner-modified with JCWhitney seat and Windjammer fairing.  The Custom had a smaller tank, slimmer seat, more pullback bars and shorter mufflers.  

The SilverWing had a zillion options, too.  A removeable passenger seat section could be swapped for either of two trunks - small or large.  The larger one could be installed in the 'normal' position with the passenger seat installed, too, for two-up riding.  Then, the SilverWing Interstate model had the full fairing and hard side bags with the same trunk options.  The standard Wing came with a single front disk brake, but then the Interstate came with dual front disks.  The SilverWing had a single shock Pro-Link rear end, and was one of the first Honda models for the street to be so equipped!

And of course the Turbo model, too, in the later years.

And, in 1983 the 500 was boosted to 650 which, apparently, was a much more robust model all around.

Pretty amazing variety for just one basic configuration!

[Jordan]

3 is too much, look for silicone in the weep hole a lot of people did that rather than fix the two seals in the water pump area, I had one, I wanted 900 but the wife sold it for 700 when I was out of town about 4 years ago it was essentially brand new had been sitting a long time due to chain tensioner disintegrating. Which is a problem with most of them. Water pipe O rings are a challenge to get them to seal properly. Engine tends to give you the feeling the bike wants to spin as if on a pole thru the centerline especially if both wheels are off the ground so canyon jumping is out unless you like to spiral like a bullet.LOL The bolts on the valve covers snap off real easy so don't over torque, I had trouble keeping the valve clearances correct and the ticking is loud due to the cylinders being right by your knees. It was a great bike and there is quite a following in Europe. 

[Sparked]

Here is the one that I found.  http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=68460.0;topicseen

$3000 is abit outside of my budget for another bike as it is. 

Thanks all for your comments, maybe I can find a cheaper one thats not quite so pretty closer to home

[cb650]

Dad had a 82 silverwing many years ago and it seemed like a nice bike.  Needed a 6th gear though.  Had the torque for one.   Looked at a miserable 80 last month and talked to the owner.  He thought it was a gold mine.

[Sparked]

I did some more looking.  Found one that went up for sale just today, about 10 minutes away and looks decent in the picture.  don't know the mileage and just waiting on the owner to give me a call so I can go take a look at it.  Asking price of $850....

[78whiteorbs]

picked one up last fall for 200$. Spent some time this winter and made a pretty sweet oddball cafe bike out of it .
It was very fun to ride had over 50 HP for a 500 cc isnt bad. Little heavier than most in class but it was liquid cooled so summer traffic was no problem. One thing that kinda detracted from my taste buds was it was magic button only. Also As stated , wants to oscillate off the line , the sideways v-twin had some people scratching there heads.

check this out -

you wouldnt believe the before here:

dare to be different-

[Sparked]

It's been awhile , I had forgotten about this thread.
I ended up finding a good deal on a 82 gl500 last spring and have since put many miles on it.

[Tom in Newcastle......Ontario]

I bought a 83 GL650i last fall and am now riding it full time ,long term stored my 78 cb 550k

I had a cx650e about 7 years ago that was mint ,sold it and regretted it,Picked up this GL650i for $1100 Can.,with 13,000 k on the clock ,At the present time I'm liking the GL more then my cb,probably because of the torquey engine and the fairing.It's more comfortable for distance ,the only complaint I have is the foot peg positioning.