1978 CX500 recommissioned

[Honda enthusiast]

I've just finished my 1978 us import CX500, I bought it from D and K. It's only done 2886 miles and was parked up presumably because the left hand head gasket blew which I have repaired along with the other one. I've painted it as the side panels had faded  along with new decals from Image Works, new tyres , front brake rebuild and Protech rear shocks, the rev counter had a broken drive spigot as the cable was wrongly routed on the barn door fairing it had on, and yanked it on full lock. I got a nos one from eBay along with a nos fuel tap as the sealing washer had perished, bummer couldn't buy that on its own...it was a delight to work on 😃 Roll on spring and unsalted roads

Hubert 👍

https://youtu.be/2LL-lijc930?si=GkdDrVlgCt5hVrLq

[Sesman]

The ‘compressors’ are not really my thing, but that looks like a really nice, usable restoration. Enjoy the summer…👏

[Bryanj]

Looks late enough to have had the cam chain mod, only thing i ever remember doing to them!
One hint is if you ever remove the engine put the first pint(500cc) of oil into the engine down a rocker cover to fill the camshaft oil bath or shaft/rocker wear will occur

[McCabe-Thiele (Ted)]

That CX500 looks beautiful, nice restoration.

The son of a mate  of mine bought a brand new one, bought by his Dad when he went to University.
I was Irish green with envy every time I saw it when we visited his parents, this would have been in 1978/9 iirc.
Too long ago to remeber the details but he did have a few issues with it, I do remeber him saying it was very economical.

[Johnny4428]

Looks and sounds great Hubert, next to no miles covered as well. Plus one for unsalted dry roads in the springtime. I had my rough and ready 550 that I ran early last year but it’s currently going through a bit of rebuild but hopefully retaining a bit of patina.

[Sesman]

They used to be the courier bike of choice as they were very reliable and economical…at least that’s what I think I remember🤔

[ST1100]

Nicely done and very clean 

Did a CX500E (Euro Sport) some time ago (parts are even more sparse on those) so I can relate...
The fella wanted to keep the "original patina", which held additional challenges...

Among pretty much every seal, gasket and hose, I also had to replace the cooling fan/propeller over being worn out/loose on the shaft; something to observe on those cause if that detaches it'll certainly boil over, risk of blowing head gaskets...
Petcock gasket from a Kawa fitted quite well; power supply for temp and fuel gauge was dead, Dr.Emel-ed out the resin and hid a modern step down module inside the original metal casing and reused the original wires, you've to get creative... 

Adored that Honda quality, not a single bolt snapped or threads damaged during the process...
Inside of tank was a total mess though... intense cleaning and POR 15 did it...

[Honda enthusiast]

Thanks 👍😊 guys it's good to hear your comments and insights into it....I think it might suit me well, although a big fan of the sohc fours, I like the simplicity of these twins as you say a bit like a compressor , Sesman😁👍....I can't see a stamp on the crankcase to see the cam chain mods done, it's quiet now but I am prepared to do it later along with the mechanical seal for which I got the genuine seal from DSS. I had my eye on the look out for a Revere but this one has all the classic credentials we all love and hopefully reliable , Ted like you mentioned about despatch riders but you never know do you.  I seem to remember some very early ones had the wrong big end clearance? 🤔
Agree with you, ST1100 nicely built and a great to work on. And a good tip on top end oil, Bryan 😄 I'll remember that when the time comes...

Hubert 👍

[Bryanj]

The pump seal is a myth, leaks are usually from the copper washer under the domed nut holding the impeller on which is a single use item.
Cam chain mods were only on early ones, later ones with your type graphics were altered on the line.

[Johnny4428]

I had and ran a GL650 Silverwing which I purchased from eBay, I think it was £350 that’s what I bid and so it was collected from Hull somewhere and delivered to me. It had all the panniers and top box and was a nice runaround for a couple of years. Engine sounded good little oil usage but for some reason suffered complete lower end failure in the form of a quite sudden overheat and a catastrophic seizure. Never discovered what exactly went wrong but resulted in a knackered crankshaft. So broke it up and sold all the parts that was any good. Still got the panniers and one key I think. Dissapointing!
You get what you pay for maybe?

[Orcade-Ian]

That's another lovely looking bike Hubert - hope to see it 'in the flesh' sometime soon.  Perhaps we might get another meet up like last year?  I'll do my best to use a classic if we do and give the Forza a rest!
I bought a new CX500A in January 1981 and rode it home from the dealers on snow covered roads - misguided youth!  It was the first shaft drive bike I'd owned but many more followed - VF750 S plus many 'Wings.  I did 35000 miles on that in 3 years and got the bug for Continental touring after fitting Sigma luggage and a Vetter handlebar fairing.  Apart from servicing and tyres, it only needed 1 rev counter cable and one rear lamp bulb.

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This was the day I sold it - all back to standard

Ian

[taysidedragon]

Nice job Hubert. 👍

I'm all for another Scottish meet up like we had in Crieff last year. Any suggestions for a place and date?

[Rozabikes Tim]

Lovely that. Must be pretty early model as rare to see without the flyscreen. My brother had one in that spec and I always look for lack of screen but few appear.

Love the exhaust note on those.

Nice to see one not converted into a cafe racer which is all the rage now!

[Orcade-Ian]

There is an early CX for sale here in Orkney, I can get more info and pics if anyone is needing one!
From the same (bereavement sale) source as the 750/4 I posted a while back - that has a new custodian in Orkney.

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Gareth,
I'm certainly up for another meet - Crieff was good, perhaps Johnny and I could ride in again?  I'm away mid April for a couple of weeks and we hope to meet up with SteveD and his good Lady in Orkney on June 11th, otherwise should be about.

Ian

[Honda enthusiast]

The pump seal is a myth, leaks are usually from the copper washer under the domed nut holding the impeller on which is a single use item.
Cam chain mods were only on early ones, later ones with your type graphics were altered on the line.

Cheers Bryan 😄 that's great to know, thanks for passing that on, one less thing to have in the back of my mind 👍👍