Topic: 1979 Honda CX 500 ?

[SKTP]

My friend is about to go buy one...what are your thoughts on this bike? Generally, what do you think one is worth (its basically stock)?

Thanks so much for your input

[mlinder]

I think they're ugly. And slow. And a bit more complicated than a simple 500 twin needs to be....
But hey, that's me

Worth is relative. Depends on where you are, the demand for that particular model, how much the seller likes the bike, and how much the buyer likes the bike.

I wouldn't pay more than 800 bucks for one, in good condition. Hell, I wouldn't pay anything, to be honest, but if I had to buy one... yeah.

[my78k]

Ignore that man above for he is truly delusional!  Of course I may be a bit biased with my 1980 CX

Check out the choppercharles forums. Actually there is a thread or 2 in the "other bikes" section of this forum. Bodain I think is working on one if my failing memory serves me. Actually when cafeinated they look pretty cool.

Dennis

P.S. can't comment on their worth since I got mine for fre wen my lazy broin law blew out the final drive and couldn't be bothered fixing it....come to think of it that might jut be a pretty good comment on their worth! 

[750goes]

I've had one for nearly 2 years and it hasn't missed a beat.

Three things to do on a regular basis.

1. Cam chain adjusted properly
2. Oil changed regularly
3. Diff oil replaced every third oil change
4. New plugs
5. Check for Stator Charging
6. Check for coolant/water pump leakage.

sorry that's 6 things..

If you do these the bike will last a long time...

Value - really good condition in Australia will bring you up to $2000, they are starting to become a collector bike here. Not fast but plenty of torque and great riding fun..

[fuzzybutt]

I've had one for nearly 2 years and it hasn't missed a beat.

Three things to do on a regular basis.

1. Cam chain adjusted properly
2. Oil changed regularly
3. Diff oil replaced every third oil change
4. New plugs
5. Check for Stator Charging
6. Check for coolant/water pump leakage.

sorry that's 6 things..

If you do these the bike will last a long time...

Value - really good condition in Australia will bring you up to $2000, they are starting to become a collector bike here. Not fast but plenty of torque and great riding fun..

to replace the stator the motor has to come out.

[Bodain]

I think it's quit possibly the ugliest motorcycle ever made. Would never have been caught dead on one. Then I saw one cafed... Now I own one...



It's not peticularly fast or quick, doesn't have exceptional handling. I've never liked twin cyclinders engines in any configuration. I like this CX...

It's unusual. In stock form it gets lots of laughs. In cafed form it gets a lot of double takes.
Yes I have a 150 HP rocket, but there is nothing quit like a mid-sized bike where you use all the gears all the time. In short I dig it because it is such an oddity.

[750goes]

Exactly right Fuzzy, but it only takes about 20 minutes to get the motor out... a bit quicker than the 750..

and you can do just about all maintenance work with the motor in the frame..

Mine is a Custom model and suits me to ride to/from work, and do the odd trip of a few hundred on it quite comfortably..
also cruises at 60mph or 70mph - it does not mind, and it still has more in it if you want to push it to 90 or so....my fastest on this bike has been 150 km/h and that was enough.....

[Tim.]

Here's an awesome CX500 in Toronto.  Thing has a crazy sound - loudest bike on our ride last night by far I'd say.

http://dotheton.com/index.php?topic=5752.60

[Bodain]

Here's an awesome CX500 in Toronto.  Thing has a crazy sound - loudest bike on our ride last night by far I'd say.

Loud indeed. Straight pipes would reveal nothing but loud. I'm fiddling with my stock pipes. Stock is ridiculously quit, straight pipes with no muffler is very irritating. So a hack here, a drill there. Looking for something in the middle.

[750goes]

I'll get some photos of my exhaust and post them -

When I got the bike they were rusted the last inch or so - took the mufflers off and cut off the last 2", the internals of them were good and solid, so I found some baffles and cut the bell end off and welded them to the mufflers, quick coat of paint and there you go - not a great professional job, but they have been on for two years - and it has a deep sound to it, not overly loud, but people turn their heads when I am getting closer to them - might even try and post a video (have to be from my camera) if I can manage the technicalities....

cheers 

[TwoTired]

My CX500 came with a new mac 2 into 1.  Ouch loud.   Embarrassed to ride around the neighborhood loud.  I bought stockers for it.

I'd sell of the mac system if I could be certain I wouldn't hear them in my town ever again.

The bike was a gimme.  I got it running well, but it needs paint and finishing.  Another project in waiting. 

Pretty torquey compared to the CB.

[Retro Rocket]

They do look cool cafe'd.



Mick

[750goes]

Well I will try the photos - and I got a video just not sure how to load that one - and it seems my phone/camera has a very poor microphone for pickup - it does not sound that great in the video, but it is a nice sound overall..