This was a bragging achievement. It was spewing smoke and starting fluid out the head from the lack of gasket. Honed the cylinder wall with sandpaper. My man's the Merlin of bike maintenance
I know right. I just pulled the battery out of my 2023 Yamaha MT 10 to throw it on the battery tender and I actually thought I was doing something lol Craig could probably rebuild that entire motorcycle and the length of time that it takes me to remove my battery and put it on the tender lol.
Man, your videos make my week! I’ll be stressing out about life, then I get a new video to watch! It’s like when I was a kid and my pops would be watching “New Yankee Workshop”
I feel ya different stuff I watched though with my pops, we use to tune into tnn before it turned into spike and we'd watch the motor block hot rod TV Stacey David gears I think it was a 4x4 show I can't think of the name but every Saturday I'd wake up get my cereal sit down in the living room and watch like 4hrs of stuff with motors. Most episodes wasn't even driving it might be tire swaps and brakes but boy would I be glued to that tv lol.
As a birthday present, I´ve got a 1978 Honda CX500 which was sitting in a garage for the last 24 years. I changed the oil, rebuilt the carbs, cleaned the tank and took it for a four day trip to Italy. It still runs perfectly without any further service done to it. These bikes run forever. Greetings from Germany
SMOOTHEST, that's what I think of when I think of mine. Powerful enough and fast enough. With that high compression engine it was so superior to chain motorcycles, Chain will beat you to death this thing is Smooth.
Back in 2000, I took a chance and bought my first bike, a not-running 1979 GL1000 I was told just needed a starter. Turned out it needed carb work and had rust in the tank. My neighbors watched me fool with it for weeks. Then one day I'll never forget, they were over talking to my wife in the driveway while I'm working on it in my garage. It was time. I pushed that button and it coughed, a truly thrilling moment. My neighbors looked over and said, "whoa!". I hit that button again, gave her some gas, she sputtered then fired to life. I was out there in a cloud of smoke, fist pumping and celebrating like it was a football game. I probably looked like a fool, but the excitement was real. Not a big deal for a seasoned mechanic, but it was for me. I rode that bike for nearly 2 years after before I sold it to get a Harley. Your video brought that day back for me. Thanks.
Long time CX 500 owner here. Don't strip that engine down. Couple of oil changes, it'll be running fine. Already sounds good! Couple of things. Search for "Triple Bypass". Three common things that go wrong with these bikes. Carbs. Don't separate them. They need to be cleaned very well. There are emulation tubes that need to be pulled and cleaned before they run properly. I used a 4-40 bolt and nut. Thread the top part of the tube, screw the bolt in. Use the nut to jack the tube out. A dpiral extractor will work, but I prefer the bolt and nut. All of this stuff can be found on forums. You got a new subscriber
I like most London Motorcycle dispatch riders owned a CX500 in the 90,s. It was great,The cooling fan was held on with self tapping screws and i wore the foot pegs off of it on roundabouts. And in winter when you stopped at traffic lights you could put your hands on each cylinder head to warm them up
I rode one too, never did like it round town much. Did most of my despacthing on a cb250rs, got through three of them, and then a VT500, fantastic bike.
Guys, you two are the best! I love Dan's little comments that he throws in! Nothing like hanging out in the garage with you guys! Thanks for putting these videos up for our entertainment and education!
I've got an 82 CX Custom in my shed. (Owned it since 86) Parked it after It blew the second stator. (Requires engine removal). My buddy is dropping by tonight. You just inspired me to discuss a restore. 😎 Enjoy your channel. Cheers
Hey Lancer, I had an issue with the stator on my CX500 a few years ago and I tried electronic ignition that is wired to the brake light circuit and this fires the bike up everytime real easy too. Just thought it may save the headache of having to drop the engine to remove the stator. Can't remember what the name of the company was but they were based in poland or somewhere like that. Safe riding from the Dave in the uk.
@@TheDavedadd Thanks Dave I will have a look. Much appreciated. Wiring to the brake light circuit sounds a little sketchy. I think I'd wire a direct fused wire to the ignition. I'm thinking the 2nd alternator was a cheap aftermarket one Thanks again. Lance in Canada
I went through a stator replacement on my 1980 CX500. There is a great CX500 forum online with a walkthrough on how to do it. Lots of great resources on that site. Follow the guide and you'll be fine.
So happy to see the CX500 getting some love. I am the proud owner of a near mint condition, bone stock, all original 1980 Custom and a 1981 Deluxe parts bike with over 100k miles. Bought them off a family member who bought the deluxe new. First bike I ever owned. Learned to ride at 40 years old on a 40 year old bike. Put over 10k miles on the custom in my first year and a few months. It's a good reliable bike. What you've got could be a decent parts bike, save everything you can and pass it onto someone like me who is restoring or keeping alive these old cruisers.
I owned a 1978 CX500. I put 68,000 miles on that bike. Some additional fun facts about the bike: 1. It took Honda three tries to get the cam chain tensioner system right (I rebuilt the cam chain system on mine twice, using different part numbers each time - which is how I knew it took 3 tries). 2. You could drop the engine out of the frame in less than 5 minutes (the carbs stayed with the frame; there were no frame rails under the engine, so you just had to remove the frame bolts between the cylinders, loosen the carb spigots, remove the clutch cable, put a transmission jack under the engine and wiggle it front off the final drive splines and carb spigots). 3. The original ComStar wheels had stamped steel spokes, bolted to an aluminum hub and riveted to an extruded aluminum rim. This was (and in my opinion, still is) a superior design to modern cast wheels (extruded aluminum is stronger and less porous than cast aluminum - so it didn't need to be sealed on the inside of the rim to hold air - and the additional strength of the extrusion meant the rim thickness could be less, resulting in lower rotating inertia; and the steel spoke provided more "flex" than the later ComStar aluminum spokes or cast spokes. In fact, with the current Adventure Bike craze, I'm shocked no one has "re-introduced" this original ComStar design - combining the advantages of a modern cast wheel and a traditional wire-spoked wheel.
@@mebeasensei extruding refers to a manufacturing process, where a material is forced at very high pressure through a die (the shape of the cross-section of the finished item). Most alloys of aluminum can be extruded (along with many other malleable materials). The extrusion process results in a smoother finish (and typically higher density) than casting. Cast aluminum is typically very porous (i.e. it leaks air)... this is why cast aluminum rims always have a painted finish (the paint is not only for beauty, it keeps the rim from leaking which results in flat tires)!
@@davefrench3608I didn't sell the CX500 because it was worn-out - I sold it because I wanted a Honda V45 Interceptor (and could only afford one bike at the time). Agreed regarding easy servicing of the CX500!
OMG!!! 😢 I want one so bad. It was my dad's first bike. His last bike before he passed was an 85 CB1000 Custom. I'd LOVE to own either one of those bikes. This is awesome, though! U guys are awesome! AND funny coincidence - my dad was an "electricken"! Lol Did some more looking and realized my dad also had the CB500!
You should look into 3D printing an adapter for the sparkplug hole so you can hook up an air line and "pressurize" the combustion chamber.... That might help your special sauce soak in better. 😉😁👍
I have a 1982 GL 500 that I bought brand new 41 years ago. The GL is the CX but with the Honda Fairing, trunk and saddle bags. I still have it. That thing is bullet proof. Rode it all over North America and all over Europe. It's no longer my primary ride but it still runs and I can't bear to part with it. I'll probably keep it until I'm in the ground.
The first real bike I rode was an 81' GL. Two brothers bought bikes, one the GL and the other a CX. Years later, I bought that very CX. Still have it. Been sitting way too long!
Bro, while working at a campground near the Grand Canyon we had a well-fed couple roll in on a GL 500, towing a trailer. At 7,000 feet elevation. Gawd I felt for that 500!
Wow i remember my dad had a blue one in the late 1970s such good memories. I remember waiting till he came home after work every day so he could take me for my ride around the block . Thanks for the memory
I had a 1980 CX500A, in the UK they called it the Maggot. I had it 4 years, it had the mods but the camchain tensioner failed at about 35k. Mine had twin discs up front but they were awful and useless in the wet With some spacers in the forks and better shocks they handled ok-ish, a lot better than the CB750FA I got after the CX!
Dude ! You were hammering on a piston that was clearly at TDC. The crank shaft on that cyl was at its highest point so there was no way the piston was going to move. You were hammering directly into the crank bearings . GEEEEZE !!!! WTF !
I used to have an '80 CX500. I was young and didn't have a lot of tools, knowledge or resources. It wouldn't idle to save its life. Found I had a bad spark plug boot and fixed it by cutting the finger off of a rubber glove and taping it around the boot with some electrical tape. Best fix ever!
Circa 1989, my landlord in Southampton UK bought one of these Hondas 2nd-hand. He hadn't ridden for some time and needed to muster courage to take it for a first spin. I'm guilty of being one of a small audience that gathered to make him extra nervous. No biggie though; he made it round the block without mishap. Happy days.
I had a 79 cx500custom when I lived in colorado. Best 500 bucks I ever spent. ❤️ rode it all over the front range from Fort Collins down to the springs and everywhere in between. Such rad bikes
If it was me buying an old motorcycle that I would love to have, forget the "will it run" crap. I would restore it all with no question. Why are some people so obsessed with the will it run thing? Oh yeah, TH-cam content.
OMG YES! that was my first motorcycle back in 2018 when i got my license. It was working but needed work. did all the work with my brother and I. loved it. I put over 15k miles on it in less than 6months. Such a great bike. My current 2014 honda fury is also chaft driven. i love it. wish more brand would do it
I just bought a 1983 Silverwing GL650 with 7,000 original miles. It has the engine from the cx models. It's smooth and I can really lean in the turns, I love it.
Can you believe they actually made a turbo charged factory version of that bike. It had the smallest turbo that has ever been produced for a production vehicle,
I had one of these and enjoyed it for a year or two, but my wife didn't like the frame fairing and it seemed to be under powered. A friend thought it may have had a problem with one cylinder, but I sold it and got a Suzuki 700cc Intruder.
So many of these CX 500 have been destroyed bey people trying to make a " BOBBER " . Ya I took the fenders off and cut the back frame. I do not like motorcycles that have been bobbed .
This bike had my favorite method of mounting stuff, shoe string, parachute cord, zip ties and electric wire. I missed superglue and double sided sticky tape... You just cannot do without this stuff. 😎
Most redneck thing I'd ever seen. My Dads had a coworker Who had a motorcycle trophy attached to the crossbar on his bike sliver rattle can paint everywhere.on the bike im riding a ltd 1000 evey hot rod goddie on it. See this bike. Say .You actually ride that.?
The Motorcycle Whisperer right here! You clearly have the knowledge and that in turn makes you patient! You would be a great great shop teacher!!! Fantastic fantastic as always!
I had one. I let it rot in the end but it got me training on the streets. I went onto a ‘84 1100 Magna. This bike shows up in the thumbnail I get flash backs.
Had a 1980 model CX500 Custom. Bought used in 87, fully bagged. Fairing, hard bags and trunk. King, queen seat. Two years later I had it knocked down to a hard-tail, straight pipes with fishtail exhaust on each side, tombstone tail light... man, it was cool!!! Nobody could stand riding behind me for any length of time. Said it sounded like a powered up Cessna that never got cleared for take off!😅 Fun video guys! Thanks.
I had one in high-school in 1980. I rode that thing everywhere. Ortega hwy over the mountain and down into Elsonor. Up and down P.C.H. It was a great little bike. You could lay on the tank and wrap your arm around one of the jugs to keep warm.
Grew up West SFV back then...80 I was 12. Loved the 750s 1000s even smaller bikes with a proper header and even cam in them KNow those roads well, dailied my 69 SS camaro and ran those roads a lot, From sfv to zuma or ventura beach to hit the waves every single day. God I miss being young, cheap musclecars, bikes and no responsibility.
I picked up a 74' BMW airhead that is locked up. My channel doesn't have a crew but I am going to Go Get Tacos and use 30% Vinegar to free it. It did amazing on the tank.
I have 2 GL500 silver wing Interstates. Essentially the same engine with a little bit more output from the charging system, in a slightly different frame. My daily Rider is all original, and my second one has been converted to a Cafe Racer, still gotta get ne front brake calipers for it though.
I needed a project. There was a '79 Honda Twinstar CM185 for sale across town. It sat outside for years. Had 5k on the odo. Bought it for $200. It was missing some small parts, was NOT locked up. A month later my wife and I were traveling through Mew Hampshire and on the side of the road was another Twinstar for sale. Bought it. I spent the winter putting the two together. That was 2015. I registered it that spring and rode it daily until 2023. I then bought a Shadow RS. I sold the Twinstar because I really didn't want to put it into storage. Vintage Hondas have always interested me.
My brother had this bike, sold it to my neighbor... was an excellent smooth running bike. But pretty weak and slow. Awesome seeing it again. Thanks Craig!
I can’t wait to watch this. I bought a brand new 1978 CX500 Deluxe, such as you have there. I outfitted it with a Vetter fairing and added saddle bags. I live in Michigan and drove it to Florida several times, West Virginia, Kentucky several times and loved every minute of it. That bike Never let me down! My brother had one that we used to race. Up at Blackhawk Farms racetrack in Wisconsin it won the endurance race they had. These are awesome bikes!!!! Edit: my brother’s bike had 30,000 miles on it when we took it to the track.
I spent my childhood riding around on the back of my dad’s cx500 (he didn’t plate his car in the summer). It’s the first bike I learnt to ride, first bike I dumped first bike I rode to another city to chase a girl… So many memories. He’s been gone 5 yrs this week and just seeing one brings back so many memories. Thanks for the video.
Youre really a great mechanic and Dan makes a great videographer and partner in crime. As an old one time rider (82 Kawasaki 1000CSR) it makes me feel good being still connected in at least this way seeing hurt bikes find healing and running again with your cheerful and positive attitude and capable hands. Thank you for your very enjoyable videos!
Craig, I really hope you and Dan will be the next TH-cam sensations in the world of motorcycle mechanics. Newbies could learn so much from y'all, and that's no joke. Hell, even I learn a thing or two from y'all every now and then, and I've been a shadetree mechanic for the last 8 years 😂. But for real though y'all rock, and I hope y'all reach more folks in the moto community!
This is the first video of yours that I've watched, after my husband sent me a link, and I want to say thank you! I bought a -76 GL1000 two years ago. It's been sitting in a garage since -87 and while it still looks good, there's work that needs to be done, and I'm not by any means a trained mechanic. This made me reluctant to get started, but I slowly began working on it a while back. One of the problems it had was a stuck throttle and I didn't really have a clue what to do about it, but yesterday (after watching this video) I got it unstuck. It might not sound like a big deal but it is to me. So happy about this! Again, thank you!
@@maikelnait4495 thank you! Since writing my first comment I've replaced the cam belts and tensioners, the light bulb in the headlight, the brake light switch for the rear brake, and the handlebar. I've gotten new fuel lines and filter. I've repaired a broken wire for the pilot bulb and 'persuaded' the starter relay to work again - and I've found out the starter engine works perfectly. What I'm currently working on is reassembling the ignition coils on their mounting brackets and attach the assembly to the frame so I can check the spark plugs for spark, and I'm trying to remove the thoroughly rusted parts from the front brake master cylinder (made som headway about an hour ago when the circlip finally could be rotated in its grove. I've taken out the air filter housing to remove rust from it. I'll need to do something about the fuel tank also, and there's an oil leak from the oil filter case o ring. The rear brake isn't working properly. The seat cover has a torn seam and a crack in another place, and the horn has gone mute. I won't be surprised if I run into more things to deal with, but I'm ok with that because I'm having fun doing all of this. Sorry for this wall of text.
I had one in the mid 80s & I loved it, the pull throttle cable broke once, so at the side of the road I swapped over to the push cable which meant I had to roll the throttle forward, rode it like that for months 😂 however the cam chain broke & was expensive to get fixed but I still loved it, could warm your hands as you rode along 😂
1. The starter motor on these was NOT ultra reliable.... 2. High altitudes can cause the mix to become THIN and cause loss of momentary power... 3. Plus point is easy Retard or Advance... ! 4. Drive shaft on these is generally ultra reliable.. IF MAINTAINED properly !! One of my all time favourite SOLO rider bikes.. (I did professional inter city.. city to city COURIER UK for over 2 years ALL WEATHERS ALL YEAR ROUND!! ) I used Avon roadrunners on mine !!
I've got an 82 CM450... 53,000 miles on it, awesome bike. Fugly, but awesome. Run some 0000 steel wool over that front fender, will take that rust right off. Mostly. Safety wire those side covers off, you'll not push them all the way back in, then lose them on the highway and never find them again. That is a total effin treasure, because... a. The Vtwins come out the side like a boxer, which means you can take the heads off with the engine still in the bike, unlike modern bikes (aka Shadow)... b. Vtwin smoothness. c. shaft drive d. honda swiss watch reliability. e. the thing survived even though completely neglected in the hands of a monkey f. those comstar tires, although fugly, hardly need cleaning... compared to the nightmare of beautiful spokes. I had a front fork stuck down from a CMX250 like those pistons are seized and I worked on it forever in every way possible until I finally gave up and bought a used replacement off ebay. Been there done all that on motorbikes... on my first one actually. The ones you have to work on the most, you keep forever. Polish her up, put a rack on the back, make it a daily driver.
my country any not want buy this bike when has come to new model at shop. all say ugly bike and name has FROG bike, only one girl buy this bike, all other not ewer buy and motorbike shop all shop in Finland leave bike to store and not sell. totally has small marginal peoples only buy FROG honda, anybody buy lot CB750-four and 1 cylinder 500cc yamaha "shaker" has lot chopper style bike yamaha.
Nice you can get heads off so easy, we had some early 80's honda V4 bikes siezed, had to pull motor, cylinder scoring bad, carbs aimed at sky, ingest fluid, CX500 cool.
I had a 1978 CX500 that had a common issue with soft rocker arms resulting in having to adjust the valve clearance often. Like other owners, rode the bike for thousands of miles.
It's amazing what the CX series could survive. My first bike was an '80, second was '79, third was a Rebel (not relevant) and I have an '82 GL500 now. I have no desire to get a modern bike. They were great.
These are probably the weirdest bike Honda ever made. They had several different versions that used this 500/650 cc pushrod V-twin, including the GL (Silverwing), the CX, and the CX Turbo. The turbo 650 actually made close to 100 hp. out of the box and the rest averaged between 48 and 70 something hp. Seems they all had water pump seal issues, head gaskets, and faulty ignition on quite a few, so I'm actually surprised you had good spark right off the bat.😉
Love watching your videos Craig, I just bought a yammie XJ600 1984 been sitting for 10 years, in the garage super clean, I'm so excited to get to it. You inspired me. I can pretty much do what you do except the compression. But I'm mechanically minded. I'll give you an update when I get it. Okay you're still the jedi master. don't get me wrong.
I had a 1979 CX500 that, in 1981, 12:01 I rode from Submarine base New London CT to Pasadena CA in late August to re-enter the civilian world and go to grad school. There is a desert involved. The bike was flawless the entire way and for three more years of the I-10 and the 405 etc and about 50kmiles afterward. It looked and rode like a mint new bike due to a navy-inspired maintenance approach. Unlike yours. They really should consider re-making these bikes. It is a totally utilitarian bike and, imo, a masterpiece. It’s just a 500 but that distance was not a bit of a problem and 65-75 all day was fine. Oh, I now have a Moto Guzzi after a lot of boxer BMWs. Could indicate a particular frame of mind. Great project, pls make It happen!
Honda CB250 Twin (I think you called them the Dream in the US?) definitely came with the Comstar wheels - I had a '77 and a '78, back when Australia limited new riders to 250cc, and I couldn't own a 2-stroke and a license simultaneously. 😁 But my '81 CB250-RS (single cylinder, 3-valve) had spokes, so a step backwards in that regard. PS: I believe the chain on the gas cap was because people would close the flap and forget to replace the cap first - out of sight is out of mind, and all that. And getting your crotch soaked in gasoline when you first crack the throttle coming out of the gas station isn't all that fun.
I had an '82 GL500I, probably the heaviest commuter bike ever, but OTOH was also very slow and handled like a pig. Reading these comments makes me think I got the one lemon of the production run. Buzzy, not good for long rides as it put my hands to sleep in short order. Air suspension front & back rapidly leaked down, gave up putting any air in. Changed the water pump twice (factory manual on water pump repl. sez Step 1: remove engine) and it still leaked, eventually overheated and died. The one in this vid? If the engine had been spinning free, you'd have to pay me $3,000 to take it. Okay, $2,500, final offer.
Oooh, a plastic maggot. These things were reviled here in the UK when they turned out to have cam chain issues, Honda were coming off the 250/360 G5 which was pretty and went okay but would lunch their cam and followers. They then did a stop-gap CJ 250/360 which wasn't even pretty and had the same motor and same problems. So when the CX came out and had issues, Honda took a big hit. But they stuck with it and fixed it but CXes ended up cheap. Despatchers (motorcycle messengers) used them and they ran and ran and ran and a cult following was born. Still got called 'plastic maggot......
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I'm convinced that Craig can bring almost any motorcycle from the dead
This was a bragging achievement. It was spewing smoke and starting fluid out the head from the lack of gasket. Honed the cylinder wall with sandpaper. My man's the Merlin of bike maintenance
This Honda is more dead than alive ie it's a Zomda
He is Craig the Corroded, Motorcycle Necromancer 😂
I know right. I just pulled the battery out of my 2023 Yamaha MT 10 to throw it on the battery tender and I actually thought I was doing something lol Craig could probably rebuild that entire motorcycle and the length of time that it takes me to remove my battery and put it on the tender lol.
I got one that might challenge him
I'm now convinced Craig could get a 47 year old rotten potato to run.
😂
Perfectly good mashed potatoes
😂😂
I think you are going a bit far there pal, maybe a 46 year old rotten spud lol.😊
FOR SALE:
47 year old rotten potato. Needs a little love. You can fix her with a stick and a greasy rag. Price reduced for a quick sale!
Man, your videos make my week! I’ll be stressing out about life, then I get a new video to watch! It’s like when I was a kid and my pops would be watching “New Yankee Workshop”
I feel ya different stuff I watched though with my pops, we use to tune into tnn before it turned into spike and we'd watch the motor block hot rod TV Stacey David gears I think it was a 4x4 show I can't think of the name but every Saturday I'd wake up get my cereal sit down in the living room and watch like 4hrs of stuff with motors. Most episodes wasn't even driving it might be tire swaps and brakes but boy would I be glued to that tv lol.
Awesome content, got me a smile and the adrenaline pumping 💪💪💪
I love this guy. This is what I wish I was doing with my life instead of sitting at a damn desk everyday. This is what men are made for.
Agree!
Exactly man!
As a birthday present, I´ve got a 1978 Honda CX500 which was sitting in a garage for the last 24 years. I changed the oil, rebuilt the carbs, cleaned the tank and took it for a four day trip to Italy. It still runs perfectly without any further service done to it. These bikes run forever. Greetings from Germany
Oh yes, I also changed the brake fluid.
@@MotoButscherglad you added that.
That sounds awesome!
@@davefrench3608😅
SMOOTHEST, that's what I think of when I think of mine. Powerful enough and fast enough. With that high compression engine it was so superior to chain motorcycles, Chain will beat you to death this thing is Smooth.
Back in 2000, I took a chance and bought my first bike, a not-running 1979 GL1000 I was told just needed a starter. Turned out it needed carb work and had rust in the tank. My neighbors watched me fool with it for weeks. Then one day I'll never forget, they were over talking to my wife in the driveway while I'm working on it in my garage. It was time. I pushed that button and it coughed, a truly thrilling moment. My neighbors looked over and said, "whoa!". I hit that button again, gave her some gas, she sputtered then fired to life. I was out there in a cloud of smoke, fist pumping and celebrating like it was a football game. I probably looked like a fool, but the excitement was real. Not a big deal for a seasoned mechanic, but it was for me. I rode that bike for nearly 2 years after before I sold it to get a Harley. Your video brought that day back for me. Thanks.
“It never gets old”.
No, it doesn’t boys.
Keep up the good work.
Ofcourse, because it's a copy of the Moto Guzzi 🙂
😊😊@@bustjanzupan1074
My ears are ringing.... let's do it again 😂
Long time CX 500 owner here.
Don't strip that engine down. Couple of oil changes, it'll be running fine. Already sounds good!
Couple of things. Search for "Triple Bypass". Three common things that go wrong with these bikes.
Carbs. Don't separate them. They need to be cleaned very well. There are emulation tubes that need to be pulled and cleaned before they run properly. I used a 4-40 bolt and nut. Thread the top part of the tube, screw the bolt in. Use the nut to jack the tube out. A dpiral extractor will work, but I prefer the bolt and nut.
All of this stuff can be found on forums.
You got a new subscriber
I like most London Motorcycle dispatch riders owned a CX500 in the 90,s.
It was great,The cooling fan was held on with self tapping screws and i wore the foot pegs off of it on roundabouts.
And in winter when you stopped at traffic lights you could put your hands on each cylinder head to warm them up
... is the most oft' repeated thing folk say to you when they see you're on a plastic maggot 😁 (zero plastic on mine)
One of the first things I did when I started riding (early 90's), was follow you guys around London. Sure learned how to filter!
Rented mine from Chaz Bikes before I bought my own. Best despatch bike ever.
If it had a sheepskin seat cover it was probably my old one!
I rode one too, never did like it round town much. Did most of my despacthing on a cb250rs, got through three of them, and then a VT500, fantastic bike.
Guys, you two are the best! I love Dan's little comments that he throws in! Nothing like hanging out in the garage with you guys! Thanks for putting these videos up for our entertainment and education!
Craig, tell your editors to lay off the damn jump cuts! These videos are unwatchable. Going to need to put a damn seizure warning at the beginning.
I've got an 82 CX Custom in my shed. (Owned it since 86) Parked it after It blew the second stator. (Requires engine removal). My buddy is dropping by tonight. You just inspired me to discuss a restore. 😎 Enjoy your channel. Cheers
Hey Lancer, I had an issue with the stator on my CX500 a few years ago and I tried electronic ignition that is wired to the brake light circuit and this fires the bike up everytime real easy too. Just thought it may save the headache of having to drop the engine to remove the stator. Can't remember what the name of the company was but they were based in poland or somewhere like that. Safe riding from the Dave in the uk.
@@TheDavedadd Thanks Dave I will have a look. Much appreciated. Wiring to the brake light circuit sounds a little sketchy. I think I'd wire a direct fused wire to the ignition. I'm thinking the 2nd alternator was a cheap aftermarket one Thanks again. Lance in Canada
No problem glad I could help @@lancerbiker5263
I went through a stator replacement on my 1980 CX500. There is a great CX500 forum online with a walkthrough on how to do it. Lots of great resources on that site. Follow the guide and you'll be fine.
My Gl 1000 Gold Wing is on its 4th stator.
So happy to see the CX500 getting some love. I am the proud owner of a near mint condition, bone stock, all original 1980 Custom and a 1981 Deluxe parts bike with over 100k miles. Bought them off a family member who bought the deluxe new. First bike I ever owned. Learned to ride at 40 years old on a 40 year old bike. Put over 10k miles on the custom in my first year and a few months. It's a good reliable bike. What you've got could be a decent parts bike, save everything you can and pass it onto someone like me who is restoring or keeping alive these old cruisers.
I owned a 1978 CX500. I put 68,000 miles on that bike. Some additional fun facts about the bike:
1. It took Honda three tries to get the cam chain tensioner system right (I rebuilt the cam chain system on mine twice, using different part numbers each time - which is how I knew it took 3 tries).
2. You could drop the engine out of the frame in less than 5 minutes (the carbs stayed with the frame; there were no frame rails under the engine, so you just had to remove the frame bolts between the cylinders, loosen the carb spigots, remove the clutch cable, put a transmission jack under the engine and wiggle it front off the final drive splines and carb spigots).
3. The original ComStar wheels had stamped steel spokes, bolted to an aluminum hub and riveted to an extruded aluminum rim. This was (and in my opinion, still is) a superior design to modern cast wheels (extruded aluminum is stronger and less porous than cast aluminum - so it didn't need to be sealed on the inside of the rim to hold air - and the additional strength of the extrusion meant the rim thickness could be less, resulting in lower rotating inertia; and the steel spoke provided more "flex" than the later ComStar aluminum spokes or cast spokes. In fact, with the current Adventure Bike craze, I'm shocked no one has "re-introduced" this original ComStar design - combining the advantages of a modern cast wheel and a traditional wire-spoked wheel.
what is extruded aluminum?
@@mebeasensei Sort-of squeezed into a shape, as opposed to cast into shape. Think pasta versus jelly/jell-o.
@@mebeasensei extruding refers to a manufacturing process, where a material is forced at very high pressure through a die (the shape of the cross-section of the finished item). Most alloys of aluminum can be extruded (along with many other malleable materials). The extrusion process results in a smoother finish (and typically higher density) than casting. Cast aluminum is typically very porous (i.e. it leaks air)... this is why cast aluminum rims always have a painted finish (the paint is not only for beauty, it keeps the rim from leaking which results in flat tires)!
Only 68,000?
These things given fresh oil and daily hard use do 200,000.
One of the easiest bikes to service.
@@davefrench3608I didn't sell the CX500 because it was worn-out - I sold it because I wanted a Honda V45 Interceptor (and could only afford one bike at the time). Agreed regarding easy servicing of the CX500!
This brought back memories of restoring my 79 cx500. Man, I loved that bike
OMG!!! 😢 I want one so bad. It was my dad's first bike. His last bike before he passed was an 85 CB1000 Custom. I'd LOVE to own either one of those bikes. This is awesome, though! U guys are awesome! AND funny coincidence - my dad was an "electricken"! Lol Did some more looking and realized my dad also had the CB500!
I've had a CB900 Custom and they are a dream!
You hit the first piston at TDC so it wasn't going to turn. Then you tried #2 at a better rod angle, with success.
A favourite with Motorcycle Couriers in the UK for many years.
I sold them water pump seal kits by the boat load .....ex Fowlers parts counter ....
And widely known as the Maggot!
I thought that was the kwak gt550 - had one once lol@@paintedblue1791
@@cedhome7945 cam chain tensioners were another regular replacement too
You should look into 3D printing an adapter for the sparkplug hole so you can hook up an air line and "pressurize" the combustion chamber.... That might help your special sauce soak in better. 😉😁👍
We used to use the line from a compression test kit to pressurize and keep the valves up for spring/retainer changes.
I have a 1982 GL 500 that I bought brand new 41 years ago. The GL is the CX but with the Honda Fairing, trunk and saddle bags. I still have it. That thing is bullet proof. Rode it all over North America and all over Europe. It's no longer my primary ride but it still runs and I can't bear to part with it. I'll probably keep it until I'm in the ground.
Ive got a honda cb1 from 1989 it still goes fast
Used to be called the baby wing
The first real bike I rode was an 81' GL. Two brothers bought bikes, one the GL and the other a CX. Years later, I bought that very CX. Still have it. Been sitting way too long!
My understanding is the GL is a bit more relaxed frame wise.
Bro, while working at a campground near the Grand Canyon we had a well-fed couple roll in on a GL 500, towing a trailer. At 7,000 feet elevation. Gawd I felt for that 500!
Wow i remember my dad had a blue one in the late 1970s such good memories. I remember waiting till he came home after work every day so he could take me for my ride around the block . Thanks for the memory
I had a 1980 CX500A, in the UK they called it the Maggot. I had it 4 years, it had the mods but the camchain tensioner failed at about 35k.
Mine had twin discs up front but they were awful and useless in the wet
With some spacers in the forks and better shocks they handled ok-ish, a lot better than the CB750FA I got after the CX!
Ah the Honda-Guzzi! I had an 81 Gl 500 with factory fairing and radio. Great bike!
Dude ! You were hammering on a piston that was clearly at TDC. The crank shaft on that cyl was at its highest point so there was no way the piston was going to move. You were hammering directly into the crank bearings . GEEEEZE !!!!
WTF !
I used to have an '80 CX500. I was young and didn't have a lot of tools, knowledge or resources. It wouldn't idle to save its life. Found I had a bad spark plug boot and fixed it by cutting the finger off of a rubber glove and taping it around the boot with some electrical tape. Best fix ever!
That's awesome! Taking notes😅
did similar to my CT70
A CX 500 was my first motorcycle . (1982ish). Good bike, but the rear end has about 4:56 or 4:88 ratio. Cruising speeds are high rpm.
I owned two NEW CX500 bikes, 77 and 81. They were GREAT dependable bikes that were ahead of their time.
"The good atf....not the kind that is gunna come after us for a hammer." Hahahahahahaha perfect comedy
Circa 1989, my landlord in Southampton UK bought one of these Hondas 2nd-hand. He hadn't ridden for some time and needed to muster courage to take it for a first spin. I'm guilty of being one of a small audience that gathered to make him extra nervous. No biggie though; he made it round the block without mishap. Happy days.
The CX500 is a good bike but it was never popular because it was always considered weird looking, like the Gladius.
Classic Dan quote of the day. The good ATF not the one that's gonna come after us for our hammer. Priceless. 😂😂😂😂
Hammer By Glock.
( in Deutschland Güllepumpe genannt)Hondas schönstes motorrad die laufen immer
I bought one in '82. My first bike.
I had a 79 cx500custom when I lived in colorado. Best 500 bucks I ever spent. ❤️ rode it all over the front range from Fort Collins down to the springs and everywhere in between. Such rad bikes
I wish I could post pictures here. I have a CX500 custom as my first road bike when I was 17 or 18.
That's awesome Craig you want to donate that bike to somebody that doesn't have one that can rebuild it
good god , have some pride and self respect. Its embarrassing when people beg for free things in public
And how would it make your life any worse if someone gets that pile of misery for free?
If it was me buying an old motorcycle that I would love to have, forget the "will it run" crap. I would restore it all with no question. Why are some people so obsessed with the will it run thing? Oh yeah, TH-cam content.
OMG YES! that was my first motorcycle back in 2018 when i got my license. It was working but needed work. did all the work with my brother and I. loved it. I put over 15k miles on it in less than 6months. Such a great bike.
My current 2014 honda fury is also chaft driven. i love it. wish more brand would do it
I just bought a 1983 Silverwing GL650 with 7,000 original miles. It has the engine from the cx models. It's smooth and I can really lean in the turns, I love it.
Sweet, those are rare.
It's Alive! Dr. Frankenstein would be proud!
Can you believe they actually made a turbo charged factory version of that bike. It had the smallest turbo that has ever been produced for a production vehicle,
@@allanweseman5433That's cool A.F.!!...
I had one of these and enjoyed it for a year or two, but my wife didn't like the frame fairing and it seemed to be under powered. A friend thought it may have had a problem with one cylinder, but I sold it and got a Suzuki 700cc Intruder.
Had a 1978 CX for 6 years here in the UK used it every day for work...great bike
So many of these CX 500 have been destroyed bey people trying to make a " BOBBER " . Ya I took the fenders off and cut the back frame. I do not like motorcycles that have been bobbed .
This bike had my favorite method of mounting stuff, shoe string, parachute cord, zip ties and electric wire.
I missed superglue and double sided sticky tape...
You just cannot do without this stuff. 😎
Most redneck thing I'd ever seen. My Dads had a coworker Who had a motorcycle trophy attached to the crossbar on his bike sliver rattle can paint everywhere.on the bike im riding a ltd 1000 evey hot rod goddie on it. See this bike. Say .You actually ride that.?
My Yamaha road trail has both side covers held on by cable ties 😂 they’ve been holding up well in this hot Australian summer.
If it works, USE IT, right?@@chevaryan2082
Some Deluxe 500s ran dual front disks from what I remember (i could be wrong)
I’d love to see you rebuild just the engine, so iconic.
Just wait.....
There has to be some financial incentive or you're throwing money to the wind.
In the end it’s just money.
I had a 78 cx500. rode it for 10 years in every weather, even snow. constant electrical issues, but awesome bike. the 3 punch marks are on the motor.
The Motorcycle Whisperer right here! You clearly have the knowledge and that in turn makes you patient! You would be a great great shop teacher!!! Fantastic fantastic as always!
Whisperer? What in the world are you talking about
Yeah.. He can show how hammering on a piston that is at TDC can destroy , not only the piston , but the crank bearings and damage the crank as well.
CX500 trivia : The last of these in 1982 had a non adjustable cam chain tensioner
Love that you got that engine to spin from totally frozen!
I had one. I let it rot in the end but it got me training on the streets. I went onto a ‘84 1100 Magna. This bike shows up in the thumbnail I get flash backs.
I know those bikes are wheely crazy. The front end comes up like, for no reason....
How many people have stripped a CX500?
I lost my chance
Had a 1980 model CX500 Custom. Bought used in 87, fully bagged. Fairing, hard bags and trunk. King, queen seat. Two years later I had it knocked down to a hard-tail, straight pipes with fishtail exhaust on each side, tombstone tail light... man, it was cool!!! Nobody could stand riding behind me for any length of time. Said it sounded like a powered up Cessna that never got cleared for take off!😅 Fun video guys! Thanks.
I had one in high-school in 1980. I rode that thing everywhere. Ortega hwy over the mountain and down into Elsonor. Up and down P.C.H.
It was a great little bike. You could lay on the tank and wrap your arm around one of the jugs to keep warm.
Grew up West SFV back then...80 I was 12. Loved the 750s 1000s even smaller bikes with a proper header and even cam in them
KNow those roads well, dailied my 69 SS camaro and ran those roads a lot, From sfv to zuma or ventura beach to hit the waves every single day. God I miss being young, cheap musclecars, bikes and no responsibility.
You forgot to sand the cylinders in a x pattern to create cross hatching.....😂
I picked up a 74' BMW airhead that is locked up. My channel doesn't have a crew but I am going to Go Get Tacos and use 30% Vinegar to free it. It did amazing on the tank.
I have 2 GL500 silver wing Interstates. Essentially the same engine with a little bit more output from the charging system, in a slightly different frame. My daily Rider is all original, and my second one has been converted to a Cafe Racer, still gotta get ne front brake calipers for it though.
I needed a project. There was a '79 Honda Twinstar CM185 for sale across town. It sat outside for years. Had 5k on the odo. Bought it for $200. It was missing some small parts, was NOT locked up. A month later my wife and I were traveling through Mew Hampshire and on the side of the road was another Twinstar for sale. Bought it. I spent the winter putting the two together. That was 2015. I registered it that spring and rode it daily until 2023. I then bought a Shadow RS. I sold the Twinstar because I really didn't want to put it into storage. Vintage Hondas have always interested me.
Let me explain something to you buddy, the CX 500 was never a classic - not today , not tomorrow and not by anyone!
I was also released into this world in 1977. I'd say the bike has weathered it's life better than I have.
just goes to show even when there dead you cant kill a honda .
at 24.41 --- love how all the knowledge just starts flowing out at times!
My brother had this bike, sold it to my neighbor... was an excellent smooth running bike. But pretty weak and slow. Awesome seeing it again. Thanks Craig!
Subscribed!
Why not fix it ? looks like it could be a runner :)
Only twenty eight thousand miles the thing is still brand new.
Your taking over dude!!! Keep it rollin!!
I can’t wait to watch this. I bought a brand new 1978 CX500 Deluxe, such as you have there. I outfitted it with a Vetter fairing and added saddle bags. I live in Michigan and drove it to Florida several times, West Virginia, Kentucky several times and loved every minute of it. That bike Never let me down! My brother had one that we used to race. Up at Blackhawk Farms racetrack in Wisconsin it won the endurance race they had. These are awesome bikes!!!!
Edit: my brother’s bike had 30,000 miles on it when we took it to the track.
I spent my childhood riding around on the back of my dad’s cx500 (he didn’t plate his car in the summer). It’s the first bike I learnt to ride, first bike I dumped first bike I rode to another city to chase a girl… So many memories. He’s been gone 5 yrs this week and just seeing one brings back so many memories. Thanks for the video.
I’m was convince that Craig was joking when he was doing bench top chemistry! But as always content gold! Keep it up!
Youre really a great mechanic and Dan makes a great videographer and partner in crime. As an old one time rider (82 Kawasaki 1000CSR) it makes me feel good being still connected in at least this way seeing hurt bikes find healing and running again with your cheerful and positive attitude and capable hands. Thank you for your very enjoyable videos!
Craig, do you need a 71 year old apprentice?
Craig, I really hope you and Dan will be the next TH-cam sensations in the world of motorcycle mechanics. Newbies could learn so much from y'all, and that's no joke. Hell, even I learn a thing or two from y'all every now and then, and I've been a shadetree mechanic for the last 8 years 😂. But for real though y'all rock, and I hope y'all reach more folks in the moto community!
This is the first video of yours that I've watched, after my husband sent me a link, and I want to say thank you! I bought a -76 GL1000 two years ago. It's been sitting in a garage since -87 and while it still looks good, there's work that needs to be done, and I'm not by any means a trained mechanic. This made me reluctant to get started, but I slowly began working on it a while back. One of the problems it had was a stuck throttle and I didn't really have a clue what to do about it, but yesterday (after watching this video) I got it unstuck. It might not sound like a big deal but it is to me. So happy about this! Again, thank you!
Well done👍😊What else needs doing?
@@maikelnait4495 thank you! Since writing my first comment I've replaced the cam belts and tensioners, the light bulb in the headlight, the brake light switch for the rear brake, and the handlebar. I've gotten new fuel lines and filter. I've repaired a broken wire for the pilot bulb and 'persuaded' the starter relay to work again - and I've found out the starter engine works perfectly. What I'm currently working on is reassembling the ignition coils on their mounting brackets and attach the assembly to the frame so I can check the spark plugs for spark, and I'm trying to remove the thoroughly rusted parts from the front brake master cylinder (made som headway about an hour ago when the circlip finally could be rotated in its grove. I've taken out the air filter housing to remove rust from it. I'll need to do something about the fuel tank also, and there's an oil leak from the oil filter case o ring. The rear brake isn't working properly. The seat cover has a torn seam and a crack in another place, and the horn has gone mute. I won't be surprised if I run into more things to deal with, but I'm ok with that because I'm having fun doing all of this. Sorry for this wall of text.
Wow! Your dedication is inspiring ! 🙏
Love you, guys! I can relate to your work.
Love the videos and all the education you put out.
I had one in the mid 80s & I loved it, the pull throttle cable broke once, so at the side of the road I swapped over to the push cable which meant I had to roll the throttle forward, rode it like that for months 😂 however the cam chain broke & was expensive to get fixed but I still loved it, could warm your hands as you rode along 😂
I really like to see the reactions when Craig gets a junker running…makes the whole video. Love this channel!
The oilpump chain is by the clutch. there is a 17mm inspection cover below the right carburetor ifyou want to check the camchain.
Well done guys. That was awesome.
I like the way you say filter "filder"
I have two cx's I just love them.
I got a 1983 CX650 Custom, rode the wheels off it, then got a CX500 with trunk, bags and fairing. They were great motorcycles.
1. The starter motor on these was NOT ultra reliable.... 2. High altitudes can cause the mix to become THIN and cause loss of momentary power... 3. Plus point is easy Retard or Advance... ! 4. Drive shaft on these is generally ultra reliable.. IF MAINTAINED properly !! One of my all time favourite SOLO rider bikes.. (I did professional inter city.. city to city COURIER UK for over 2 years ALL WEATHERS ALL YEAR ROUND!! ) I used Avon roadrunners on mine !!
I've got an 82 CM450... 53,000 miles on it, awesome bike. Fugly, but awesome.
Run some 0000 steel wool over that front fender, will take that rust right off. Mostly.
Safety wire those side covers off, you'll not push them all the way back in, then lose them on the highway and never find them again.
That is a total effin treasure, because... a. The Vtwins come out the side like a boxer, which means you can take the heads off with the engine still in the bike, unlike modern bikes (aka Shadow)... b. Vtwin smoothness. c. shaft drive d. honda swiss watch reliability. e. the thing survived even though completely neglected in the hands of a monkey f. those comstar tires, although fugly, hardly need cleaning... compared to the nightmare of beautiful spokes.
I had a front fork stuck down from a CMX250 like those pistons are seized and I worked on it forever in every way possible until I finally gave up and bought a used replacement off ebay.
Been there done all that on motorbikes... on my first one actually. The ones you have to work on the most, you keep forever. Polish her up, put a rack on the back, make it a daily driver.
my country any not want buy this bike when has come to new model at shop. all say ugly bike and name has FROG bike, only one girl buy this bike, all other not ewer buy and motorbike shop all shop in Finland leave bike to store and not sell. totally has small marginal peoples only buy FROG honda, anybody buy lot CB750-four and 1 cylinder 500cc yamaha "shaker" has lot chopper style bike yamaha.
idea. we get some cx500s restored, and go film an epic ride.
Nice you can get heads off so easy, we had some early 80's honda V4 bikes siezed, had to pull motor, cylinder scoring bad, carbs aimed at sky, ingest fluid, CX500 cool.
By far my favourite channel at the moment. Thanks for brightening up cloudy times 👍
Hang in there man. The toughest get the toughest challenges 👍
That bike makes me think of PRINCE'S purple rain bick...... but that one was a straight 2 cylinder.. I think😅😊😊
I had a 1978 CX500 that had a common issue with soft rocker arms resulting in having to adjust the valve clearance often. Like other owners, rode the bike for thousands of miles.
HONDA never ceases to amaze me. How were they so damn smart ????
Homogeneous population and culture.
I had a sweet HONDA 450 CL, That froze up.
I wish I had tried to unstick it with your magic solution!
It's amazing what the CX series could survive. My first bike was an '80, second was '79, third was a Rebel (not relevant) and I have an '82 GL500 now. I have no desire to get a modern bike. They were great.
These are probably the weirdest bike Honda ever made. They had several different versions that used this 500/650 cc pushrod V-twin, including the GL (Silverwing), the CX, and the CX Turbo. The turbo 650 actually made close to 100 hp. out of the box and the rest averaged between 48 and 70 something hp. Seems they all had water pump seal issues, head gaskets, and faulty ignition on quite a few, so I'm actually surprised you had good spark right off the bat.😉
Have a goldwing that was in similar shape. Running now and have put over 3000kms on it. so glad to see this one up and running now too!
Love watching your videos Craig, I just bought a yammie XJ600 1984 been sitting for 10 years, in the garage super clean, I'm so excited to get to it. You inspired me. I can pretty much do what you do except the compression. But I'm mechanically minded. I'll give you an update when I get it. Okay you're still the jedi master. don't get me wrong.
I had a 1979 CX500 that,
in 1981, 12:01 I rode from Submarine base New London CT to Pasadena CA in late August to re-enter the civilian world and go to grad school. There is a desert involved. The bike was flawless the entire way and for three more years of the I-10 and the 405 etc and about 50kmiles afterward. It looked and rode like a mint new bike due to a navy-inspired maintenance approach. Unlike yours. They really should consider re-making these bikes. It is a totally utilitarian bike and, imo, a masterpiece. It’s just a 500 but that distance was not a bit of a problem and 65-75 all day was fine. Oh, I now have a Moto Guzzi after a lot of boxer BMWs. Could indicate a particular frame of mind. Great project, pls make It happen!
Honda CB250 Twin (I think you called them the Dream in the US?) definitely came with the Comstar wheels - I had a '77 and a '78, back when Australia limited new riders to 250cc, and I couldn't own a 2-stroke and a license simultaneously. 😁 But my '81 CB250-RS (single cylinder, 3-valve) had spokes, so a step backwards in that regard.
PS: I believe the chain on the gas cap was because people would close the flap and forget to replace the cap first - out of sight is out of mind, and all that. And getting your crotch soaked in gasoline when you first crack the throttle coming out of the gas station isn't all that fun.
I had an '82 GL500I, probably the heaviest commuter bike ever, but OTOH was also very slow and handled like a pig. Reading these comments makes me think I got the one lemon of the production run. Buzzy, not good for long rides as it put my hands to sleep in short order. Air suspension front & back rapidly leaked down, gave up putting any air in. Changed the water pump twice (factory manual on water pump repl. sez Step 1: remove engine) and it still leaked, eventually overheated and died. The one in this vid? If the engine had been spinning free, you'd have to pay me $3,000 to take it. Okay, $2,500, final offer.
Oooh, a plastic maggot. These things were reviled here in the UK when they turned out to have cam chain issues, Honda were coming off the 250/360 G5 which was pretty and went okay but would lunch their cam and followers. They then did a stop-gap CJ 250/360 which wasn't even pretty and had the same motor and same problems. So when the CX came out and had issues, Honda took a big hit. But they stuck with it and fixed it but CXes ended up cheap. Despatchers (motorcycle messengers) used them and they ran and ran and ran and a cult following was born. Still got called 'plastic maggot......