Morning all!
Dave, (Raffy) I could lift the front wheel of my CX500 every time I put it on the centrestand, it was easy! But to be fair, even though it weighed as much as a CB750 and had the same horsepower as a CB450, (uuuggghhh) with Murray's 34mm Mikuni carb conversion and a straight thru exhaust system, it can be a fun bike, but the 650 with another 18 BHP is a much better bike, just butt-ugly.
If I hadn't bought my BMW K100RS SE I would have installed the 650 engine in my Custom, and with Murrays carbs and my pipes, it would have done proper wheelies! Oh, and "Dude" is a pretty common term here too, so I don't know if that's a hint to someone's true identity.........
Actually Terry, the CX500 had 50bhp but more like 37-38 at the rear wheel, very similar to the CB550 in that regard. The cb450 twin was about 47 bhp with only about 35hp at the rear wheel. The cx500 weighed 450 lbs, so, not it was not a light twin.
You are saying the cb650 custom of the 79-82 era/chopperesque bike had 68 bhp? I don't remember those figures, yes it was faster and a better motor. It took the knowledge of the cb550 and cb750 and improved upon it with a better head design, a good tensioner system, etc.
Put that motor in a reinforced 550 frame or a custom frame with standard bike proportions or a road race bike layout and you have a fun bike.
Or are you referring to the cx650. A better motor with better power to weight and better clutch.
The maggot (cx500) is a good reliable bike but it does not hold a candle to the cb500/cb550 or bigger cb bikes. I like it but, I won't shed a tear when she's gone. It is unique and ugly and it can be a fun bike on curvy roads with decent rubber. It is a good commuter bike because of its reliability. Are there better? Easily, yes. Would I trade it for a big black naked Goldwing? No, but I might if it were that pretty yellow the naked wings used.
The cb750 has what hp figure in stock trim?