CX500 - will this project ever happen?
- Thread starter dean owens
- Start date
Staffy
It's not yours 'til you cut it up.
Re: CX500 - engine work has begun... slowly
They are butt ugly bikes as stock but shit they ride good and the engines are bullet proof, as long as you get into the water pump, cam chain system and stator you'll have no trouble with em. They love to rev too.
Rocan, the fan conversion to electric is extremely difficult, not that it can't be done, it has but the benefits aren't that great and there's bugger all room. You also can't remove anything it attaches to as it's bolted directly to the end of the camshaft.
They are butt ugly bikes as stock but shit they ride good and the engines are bullet proof, as long as you get into the water pump, cam chain system and stator you'll have no trouble with em. They love to rev too.
Rocan, the fan conversion to electric is extremely difficult, not that it can't be done, it has but the benefits aren't that great and there's bugger all room. You also can't remove anything it attaches to as it's bolted directly to the end of the camshaft.
dean owens
Pittsboro, NC
Re: CX500 - engine work has begun... slowly
diesel, i'd say that staffy pretty much got it. these bikes are odd looking. and they are kind of a guzzi knockoff... but the engineering for the time was quite amazing. these bikes have their downfalls, but if serviced and taken care of they have been known to go for 100-200 thousand miles. and after you look at 'em long enough, they start to grow on you. ;D
mine is really an aspect of convenience. i used to own a gl650i. i knew it was going to need work but i didn't trust myself to start working on my first ever motorcycle. so i picked this one up for cheap to start tinkering on. not the same bike, but close and i figured i could learn along the way. and if i messed it up, i'm not out that much money. really not any if i would have just parted it out.
and racon, even with the issues that staffy pointed out about the fan, i'm planning on going to the electrical conversion. no so much to gain hp, but because i don't really trust these fans. i have read way too many stories of them snapping and destroying radiators that i don't want to take my chances. one of the guys in england has found a ducati fan that works pretty well. i'll need to hang the rad about 1/4 inch out further, but that's no biggie. as i said, hp isn't the issue. i'd get better gains by going on a diet than changing out a fan if that were my goal.
diesel, i'd say that staffy pretty much got it. these bikes are odd looking. and they are kind of a guzzi knockoff... but the engineering for the time was quite amazing. these bikes have their downfalls, but if serviced and taken care of they have been known to go for 100-200 thousand miles. and after you look at 'em long enough, they start to grow on you. ;D
mine is really an aspect of convenience. i used to own a gl650i. i knew it was going to need work but i didn't trust myself to start working on my first ever motorcycle. so i picked this one up for cheap to start tinkering on. not the same bike, but close and i figured i could learn along the way. and if i messed it up, i'm not out that much money. really not any if i would have just parted it out.
and racon, even with the issues that staffy pointed out about the fan, i'm planning on going to the electrical conversion. no so much to gain hp, but because i don't really trust these fans. i have read way too many stories of them snapping and destroying radiators that i don't want to take my chances. one of the guys in england has found a ducati fan that works pretty well. i'll need to hang the rad about 1/4 inch out further, but that's no biggie. as i said, hp isn't the issue. i'd get better gains by going on a diet than changing out a fan if that were my goal.
Staffy
It's not yours 'til you cut it up.
Re: CX500 - engine work has begun... slowly
Not dumb, more an efficient use of space.
Dean, if you're going electric fan you might as well look for a whole fan/radiator setup off another bike as the stock cx is way overcooling anyway. And by the way, fans snapping does happen but if you hunt for the horror stories you will find em, get my drift? It's not that common and if you take the best fan you have, in good condition with no cracks you'll be fine. You said yourself that these bikes do 100-200k miles, i bet they've all been done without an exploding fan.
Not dumb, more an efficient use of space.
Dean, if you're going electric fan you might as well look for a whole fan/radiator setup off another bike as the stock cx is way overcooling anyway. And by the way, fans snapping does happen but if you hunt for the horror stories you will find em, get my drift? It's not that common and if you take the best fan you have, in good condition with no cracks you'll be fine. You said yourself that these bikes do 100-200k miles, i bet they've all been done without an exploding fan.
fastcat14
Active Member
Re: CX500 - engine work has begun... slowly
A 1980 CX500 is my daily rider. I agree, at first glance they are ugly and asymmetrical, but there is a beauty in their function. The motors last forever and are easy to work on. The shaft drive is nice (again, in a functional way). They do like to rev and are fun to ride, even though the suspension is poor compared to a modern bike. And yes, they do have a cult following.
I have seen a couple of "cafe" style CX500s and they look pretty good. Not the usual asthetic, but then again like someone already said, they grow on you. Plus they pop up for sale every now and then, and are usually pretty cheap.
diesel450 said:
A 1980 CX500 is my daily rider. I agree, at first glance they are ugly and asymmetrical, but there is a beauty in their function. The motors last forever and are easy to work on. The shaft drive is nice (again, in a functional way). They do like to rev and are fun to ride, even though the suspension is poor compared to a modern bike. And yes, they do have a cult following.
I have seen a couple of "cafe" style CX500s and they look pretty good. Not the usual asthetic, but then again like someone already said, they grow on you. Plus they pop up for sale every now and then, and are usually pretty cheap.
dean owens
Pittsboro, NC
Re: CX500 - engine work has begun... slowly
and this would be why i'm ripping into the engine.
underside of the heads/valves.
i'd say i have some carbon build up. i'm guessing i'll be taking the valves out and cleaning that all up.
the tops of the pistons and inside the cylinders ain't that pretty either.
right side sitting on the bike.
left side sitting on the bike. yummmm, milkshake. *said in the voice of homer simpson*
i'd love to say i've seen worse, but since this is my first engine rebuild, i got nothing to compare it to. i know i was hoping for better. i was also hoping to get the rear cover of so i could see if the cam chain had eaten any of the engine away. but the only 8mm socket i have is junk. i'll have to go out and get one.
any thoughts on what you guys see? any major issues popping up that i need to start watching out for?
i guess it's enough for now.
and this would be why i'm ripping into the engine.
underside of the heads/valves.
i'd say i have some carbon build up. i'm guessing i'll be taking the valves out and cleaning that all up.
the tops of the pistons and inside the cylinders ain't that pretty either.
right side sitting on the bike.
left side sitting on the bike. yummmm, milkshake. *said in the voice of homer simpson*
i'd love to say i've seen worse, but since this is my first engine rebuild, i got nothing to compare it to. i know i was hoping for better. i was also hoping to get the rear cover of so i could see if the cam chain had eaten any of the engine away. but the only 8mm socket i have is junk. i'll have to go out and get one.
any thoughts on what you guys see? any major issues popping up that i need to start watching out for?
i guess it's enough for now.
Staffy
It's not yours 'til you cut it up.
Re: CX500 - engine work has begun... slowly
For those interested in an electic fan conversion on a cx...
http://globalcxglvtwins.hostingdelivered.com/viewtopic.php?f=7&t=209
and here too...
http://globalcxglvtwins.hostingdelivered.com/viewtopic.php?f=7&t=557
For those interested in an electic fan conversion on a cx...
http://globalcxglvtwins.hostingdelivered.com/viewtopic.php?f=7&t=209
and here too...
http://globalcxglvtwins.hostingdelivered.com/viewtopic.php?f=7&t=557
biker_reject
Over 1,000 Posts
Re: CX500 - engine work has begun... slowly
From my library of cafe builds. One of my favorite and unusual bikes. This is what you can do with a butt ugly bike. I think the engine is beautiful!
From my library of cafe builds. One of my favorite and unusual bikes. This is what you can do with a butt ugly bike. I think the engine is beautiful!
Hoosier Daddy
Earache my eye...
Re: CX500 - engine work has begun... slowly
SCHWINNNGGGG!
SCHWINNNGGGG!
dean owens
Pittsboro, NC
Re: CX500 - engine work has begun... slowly
believe it or not, that's one of my least favorite cx cafe's. just doesn't do it for me.
believe it or not, that's one of my least favorite cx cafe's. just doesn't do it for me.
biker_reject
Over 1,000 Posts
Re: CX500 - engine work has begun... slowly
dean owens said:
xulf13
West of Tennessee
Re: CX500 - engine work has begun... slowly
Dean,
How is that tittle coming along? When are we going to ride out again? I'm thinking on doing something early august. I'm going to go to Johann's place this weekend if he opens his shop.
Keep in touch and keep taking photos. ;D
Dean,
How is that tittle coming along? When are we going to ride out again? I'm thinking on doing something early august. I'm going to go to Johann's place this weekend if he opens his shop.
Keep in touch and keep taking photos. ;D
dean owens
Pittsboro, NC
Re: CX500 - engine work has begun... slowly
wow, can't believe it's been so long. i stopped posting because honestly i made no headway on the title. i had a few people on here offer to help me out for about $250.00 but that was way more than i wanted to dish out for something that might not work. but i have a nice update. this week i got a titled frame for $25.00. now i just have to find the time. this'll be a slow build.
wow, can't believe it's been so long. i stopped posting because honestly i made no headway on the title. i had a few people on here offer to help me out for about $250.00 but that was way more than i wanted to dish out for something that might not work. but i have a nice update. this week i got a titled frame for $25.00. now i just have to find the time. this'll be a slow build.
