Topic: cx500 shaft drive that doesnt drive....

[my78k]

Hey guys, first post on a bike that isn't my cb750...

Actually it's my brother in-laws cx500. I think it's a 1980 but could be off by a year.

Anyways, I don't know the whole story but it seems that the drive seal was shot and once all the oil leaked onto his back tire (still not sure how he managed to keep it rubber side down) the shaft drive is basically locked up.

I am only going on his input on this as I can't see the bike as he left it at a shop since the fall when it happened but he tells me that it needs a new shaft drive and a bunch of other parts (associated with the drive).

My questions is this...how hard are these things to work on. Never touched a shaft drive bike so don't even really know how they funtion (well I get the concept but you know what I mean). Secondly, what kind of costs would I be looking at?  The stealer told him a rather large sum...somewhere around a grand to fix it! Seems like that would be pretty high considering I'm not sure if it's even worth that much?!?!

Anyways, from what I gather these shaft drives weren't the most reliable so figured some of you may have been through this kind of thing before...

Let me know what you think...

Thanks,
Dennis

[supersport_CB400F]

This bloke seems to be mustard on the CX, he may help 

http://www.elsham.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk/cx500/

[bryanj]

NEVER had a problem with a cx shaft EVER easiest way to fix is swop the swing arm complete with shaft and hub. CHECK THE WHEEL BEARINGS I did have to work on a wing where the rear wheel brgs went loose and overloaded the crownwheel bearings taking them out along with turning the hub alloy a lovely shade of gold

[mcpuffett]

the old cx's were pretty reliable and capable of high mileage , despatch riders liked em    mick.