CX500 owners?

**Bonez** · 8th September 2007, 19:00

Finally got around to having a look at the GL400. Started stripping the front end then thought hmmmmmmmmmmm, I wonder!!

Wipped the tank of the Evil One and fitted it to the the GL. Open up the carbs drain screws before turning the fuel tap on. Drained the gunk that was in them out, then let fresh fuel though for a bit. Tightened up the drain screws. Checked there was still coolent in the ol gal. In 5th gear, a bit of oil in the cylinders, then rotated the back wheel a few times. Tossed a spare battery in it. Ignition connected up, hit the starter button-IT'S ALIVE!!!, IT'S ALIVE!!!.

Once the oil smoke had finally vacated it settled into a fast albeit rough idle. It's obvious the carbs need seeing to. Other than that its all good in the engine department by the looks. No more rattles or clunks than the Evil One has.

It shall be refered to as the Mini Evil Donor Sycal or MEDS.

Met another CX aficionado earlier today over at the next door neighbors. He'd one over 600,000 + kms on CXs of all types, but mainly Euro models. Got some very good tips from him before he headed home.

**Bonez** · 23rd September 2007, 10:36

Some pics of my newest aquisition.

Ran it a bit longer the other day. Long enough for the thermostat to open. Turns out it's got the standard gl/cx waterpump leak which is no biggy. A Yamaha mechanical seal will have that sorted. Cheaper than a Honda item. Lifted a rocker cover for a gander and no creamy oily residue. Very clean inside compared to the Evil One. The brake pads were soaked in fork oil which I'm guessing is the reason for the last off. No brakes no stop. Ouch!!

Greased up the Evil Ones final drive splines today. It's been about 4,000kms since I last checked it and replaced the original well worn one. She went well on yesterdays Naki run. Still has a loss of power between 6,000 and 7,000rpm but a quick down change has that sorted and revs out to redline quite smartly dispite the dent in the RH header still.

**tri boy** · 23rd September 2007, 15:35

"Nurse, please take Mr Bonez back to the day room. He seems to have lost his way .....again"

You're a legend mate.

Can't beleive it still has the original shocks on it. Jeeeesus!

**Bonez** · 23rd September 2007, 16:47

Originally Posted by tri boy

"Nurse, please take Mr Bonez back to the day room. He seems to have lost his way .....again"

You're a legend mate.

Can't beleive it still has the original shocks on it. Jeeeesus!

They're a "tad" rusty. I know of a set of Konis up for grabs too. The bike's only a

, 60,000kms up so plenty of life left in the engine yet.

**Steam** · 3rd January 2008, 20:03

Hey look at this... http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/List...x?id=134676583 does anyone know if the CX650 gearbox is the same as the CX500? Might be real easy to just bolt a new rear end on it.
Sounds too easy to be possible though...

**dangerous** · 3rd January 2008, 20:20

Originally Posted by Steam

Hey look at this... http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/List...x?id=134676583 does anyone know if the CX650 gearbox is the same as the CX500? Might be real easy to just bolt a new rear end on it.
Sounds too easy to be possible though...

at that price Id go for it, christ sort it and sell it at a profit, cant be anything to bad... and I see no reason the box wouldent bolt up to a 5oo.. maye a different ratio, but I doubt it.

**Bonez** · 6th January 2008, 16:05

There's a bit more to changing a CX gearbox than just changing the "rear end". The gearbox is a cassette type of arrangement located in front of the alternater, cam chain/tensioner and below the crankshaft. If you were going to the effort of servicing the gearbox you may as well do the tensioner, camchain, etc as well.

**Steam** · 6th January 2008, 16:17

Yeah, I had a look at my manual and realised that. I thought the gearbox was entirely to the rear of where you split the engine.
In any case the price has gone beyond what I could consider, up to $900 now.

**Mike Dodge** · 15th January 2008, 13:05

My '83 CX500 which I have owned since new and is getting close to 100 000kms is starting to burn oil at a reasonable rate.
Anyone know if there is a quick check to confirm if it is rings, valve guides etc. which is causing the problem?

**Ixion** · 15th January 2008, 13:12

Rings will suually show as smoke on hard acceleration, uphill f'instance.Oil leaking down the valve guides is more likely to show as smoking on first starting up, or as a puff of smoke when opening the throttle after coasting downhill

A compression test can help confirm this.

Take compression readings, noting if the two cylinders are similar. Then tip a couple of teaspoonfulls of engine oil down each spark plug hole. Repeat the compression readings. If the second reading is about the same as the first, problem is probably guides. If the second reading is much better than the first, problem is more likely rings. If second reading is a bit better but not a lot, guides and rings both worn (the most likely scenario) .
It's an idea to use a couple of old spark plugs when starting up after this, there'll be a lot of smoke.

**Steam** · 28th January 2008, 08:29

If I had a spare $4000... nah, I'd never ride it like it was meant to be ridden.
Trademe Honda CX500 Turbo 1982

**phantom** · 28th January 2008, 15:39

A mate of mine has just spent $300 on a "slightly rough" CX500 which he is getting road worthy again. Have encouraged him to become a member of the mottly crew that is KB so keep an eye out for a newbie from Levin with a dodgy CX