i was a motorcycle despatch rider...i used cx...i absolutely loved it...they never let me down....really comfy and to this day i still love the look of them
Probably one of the most comfortable bikes ever built this cc needs to be reborn respect to Honda this bike was powerful take off and not bad road handling
I have one setting in the garage....hasn't been started for 15 or 20 years. Now I am inspired to hose it off and try starting it!! Can't kill a Honda. Thanks for the video.
You lucky lucky chap, I'm so jealous, I bought a CX 500 A, new from a local dealer in 1981 for £1299.00 on the road and I still tell everyone it was my all time favorite bike, 118 MPH flat out with my mate sat on the back. Thankyou for sharing you beautiful plastic maggot.
I have a blue 1978 one , they are great bikes. Let's face it these bikes are 45 years old but they certainly don't feel like it , maybe Honda should think of bringing back a retro version of it for it's 50th anniversary.
You are correct, they still feel great. Little top heavy compared to newer bike and dated controls make it feel sloppy sometimes. But I still love them!! Such a cool bike. They are getting harder and harder to find. Hope we'll see values following the CBX's trend... I think Honda tried that with the Rebel 500. I hear it is a good bike, and people love them. I am not a fan of the high pitch tank though. The Kawasaki Vulcan 650 (same style) looks better in my opinion. Thanks for watching my video Paul!
I agree about the fuel tank angle being wrong on the latest bikes. I guess it's due to the frame design. For me, a bike always looks best with a seat and tank flat along the horizontal. It's a classic, more traditional style that modern bikes seem to have lost.
I've had 3 CXs in the past , loved them all .I have recently bought an identical ' 78 ' Z ' model in the same red , one previous owner and last used in 1987 !.It has just 3,200 miles but unfortunately has a seized engine .It has survived in excellent condtion physically and will clean up virtually like new .
Wow!! Always great to hear stories like this. You are very lucky to have found this - they are getting really hard to find in original standard condition. You are going to enjoy her very much... Thanks for watching!
@@villionsgarage Thank you for replying.The continuous family provenance of yours is beyond value and she is a beautiful example !.My original red ' 78 'Z ' model was featured in ' Classic & Motorcycle Mechanics ' in May 1992 where I wrote the article which created a huge response.It was one bike I'd always bitterly regretted selling , a Birmingham bike with a fascinating history in itself but it does still exist .Finding this identical one just before Christmas was an opportunity much later in life I just couldn't resist !.
Probably the best bike I ever rode. 150 km/h at 7,000 rpm all day on the highway. Rode it all the way from Nice, France to Glasgow, Scotland with passenger gf and luggage. Heartfelt thoughts to Blantyre HS, Strathclyde Educational District, good times.
@@tombartram7384 - Great point. It was about the same on the CB500 Four (I had both). In fact, 140 km/h at 7,000 rpm, so probly 7,500 rpm at 150 km/h. Not sure these bikes could reach 120 mph, probably more like 105-110. Definitely great bikes. I still own a 34-years old CB 750 Nighthawk, a worthy heir to those...
@@MichaelGioan 12 mph per thou seems to the universal gearing for everything I've had from cb350s to fz6. Btw on a track the cx custom would blow away any other 50 horse power 450lb bike because you do not slow down on bends.
I had the identical model, same year. In the UK the bars were flat and it had twin front discs. The Cam chain tensioner failed OUTSIDE of warranty but Honda fixed it. Many years later I had another one and a Turbo. Classic, sturdy and flexible bike.
This was a great bike - sensible, practical and cheap to run. The couriers in my home town loved them. However, the biking fraternity looked down on them - shaft drive, liquid cooled (still rare at the time) and just not sexy.
indeed i had the camshaft problem. Just had it over a year when de spanner broke. 20 percent of the bike price repair costs. Wrote Honda, they just said it was outside warranty. But the bike gave me good memories.
Enjoyable vid, loved hearing it. I have a CB400T Dream 1978. Same wheels, steel inner, aluminium outer, later changed to all aluminium. Same brake reservoir as the 400t, a few parts fit and are interchangeable. Old bikes are always heavy, it was just the way. Suspension relates to it, sore backs after riding and seats un-comfy after 20 mins...but I love them, they have character. Cheers from Scotland. Gee.
I had one, bought new .. HNE 676V Red, i had a full front honda White Fairing (lovely and warm with the heat off the engine) with matching honda Panniers. I loved it, and I still had it now.. shame I cannot share a picture on here.
What a unique bike...and somthing out of your childhood..which even makes it better !!!..terrible name for such a noble unique bike...I would have named her Red Rocket !!!..good vidio!!
Your CX sounds lovely, and it brings back fond memories. I briefly had one here in the UK when I was 16. I didn't have a full bike licence at 16, so I would take it out for a sneaky short ride after midnight to keep it running. I rode a moped (Yamaha FS1-E), so the CX500 felt big, smooth, powerful and exciting ...though maybe the excitement was partly due to the fact I shouldn't have been out riding it! Great to see yours has been in the family so long and may you have many more happy miles (or "killa-meters") riding it 👍
That's the thing about bikes - they bring such cool stories and emotions to those who love to ride. Yes...I've "stolen" this very bike a few time when I was 14, and the thrill of riding this "monster" will never be forgotten! :-) Thanks for watching my video!
owned one of the first. 5 recalls in first year. replaced under guarantee waterpump seal x 2 first befoure first service cam chain and tensioner one on recall then again 3 month later. on the second service i was informed it needed a new crank in less than a year cam needs replacment cx 500 seems like more time in work shop than on road i surrender px for a cb750
The ComStar wheels were later changed so the profile of the spokes was facing outward instead of inward, keeping the main plates of the spokes closer together. This first type of wheels often had the problem that the rivets of the spokes become loose because the spokes main body is flexing too much.
The 78 Goldwing originally had aluminum spoke Comstars front and rear. By 79 Honda had switched to steel spokes for the front wheel. I suspect this is where the loose rivets occurred. A fully loaded Wing under hard braking would probably be capable of overloading the original wheels. Honda switched back to aluminum spokes once the spoke plates were reversed.
I remember it was so heavy and the width of the seat, however I did 50,000 + miles on it as a courier at 21 years old it was the ultimate courier hack then due to the shaft drive and mostly trouble free the timing chains needing doing. I sold it and got a Honda Revere which was the better model for courier work.
Lol, I watched one of your videos about the Honda CBX 1000, because I was looking for information Now I'm looking for information on the Plastic Maggot because I own one of these too! ahaha You're probably one of the few people in the world with a CX500 and a CBX1000, thanks for the videos
My 78 CX also has twin discs & low bars. The 2nd alternator failed at 99,800 miles. Thought I would get round to fixing it. It’s still under sheet in a garage.
I'm the owner of the same bike, the same colour CX 500 1979 year with only 7700 km on the clock... A superb bike .... Greetings from Buenos Aires Argentina 🇦🇷
@@villionsgarage Hi again. The first owner was my grandfather... And the low kilómeters is because the bike was storage 27 years.... Where are you from? And sorry about my english... Greetings again from the lands of the tango, the best meat of the world and friendly People!
@@leonardocaceres2540 wow, that's a special bike! So long in the family. Is it running? If not, get it running. Not a lot of them still around. Argentina? I would love to see that part of the world - on the Dakar rally it looked like such an awesome place! Get that CX running. It is an really solid bike. You'll meet the nicest people on a Honda 😉 Almost forgot: I am from South Africa👍
Hi again, the bike is running once or twice a month. She's beautiful, stunning and one of the best bikes in Argentina with 44 years old.. I wish someday you'll visit Buenos Aires the most beautiful town of South America. Bye and good luck!
Hello, I see that you replaced the handlebars with one that is higher and it's great. Can you tell me which bike this horn handlebar comes from and if you had to lengthen the various brake cables etc... Super comfortable I imagine to drive with this position rather than the flat handlebars. Thanks
@@userhh55sgk22q Hi there! You're right, it is very comfortable to ride indeed. However, I did not replace the handlebars - got the bike like this. So I can't say where the bars comes from - sorry I can't help... Thanks for watching!
Moto fantastica. ho imparato con il cx 500 andare in moto un gioiello. peccato che HONDA ABBIA LEVATO LA PRODUZIONE LA MIA ERA DEL 1979 colore azzurro STUPENDA
I think these bikes are lovely too but like yourself, I'm a little biased as I've also got a 1978 bike as well. However, your front brakes look a little different from mine, maybe it's a regional thing so I was wondering what country you're in. The UK version for 1978 had a plain aluminium master cylinder with a clear plastic reservoir and twin front rotors.
Interesting info on the front brake, thanks for that. I am sure the twin rotors will aid in stopping power, as the single disc struggles to slow her down. I actually think it might still be the original pads, so I want to replace those next. Thanks for watching, and greatings from sunny South Africa!
@@danh9442 I agree. They are so..."generic" these days. Where are the firsts and the stand outs? Re-make the CX, but digitally updated. There are rumours of a new CBX...so maybe they are on that path. Thanks for watching!!
You are correct on that. Handeling is poor in today's terms, but I think it was very good 40 years ago. As all Hondas. But yes, it can feel a little heavy. Thanks for your comment, and for watching!!
The US Model "De-Luxe" was far better looking, unfortunately was not available here. Just the Plastic Maggot" as your bike came to be called, and the "Custom" and "Silver Wing" which was a shrunk down version of the "Gold Wing"
Well spotted! Yes indeed - had a nasty tear in it, so I had it recovered. They tried the crisscross stitching, but that came out horrible... Thanks for watching!
i was a motorcycle despatch rider...i used cx...i absolutely loved it...they never let me down....really comfy and to this day i still love the look of them
Probably one of the most comfortable bikes ever built this cc needs to be reborn respect to Honda this bike was powerful take off and not bad road handling
My first classic bike! Love it so far, also have a spare engine as the one in it now needs a bit of a refresh.
I have one setting in the garage....hasn't been started for 15 or 20 years. Now I am inspired to hose it off and try starting it!! Can't kill a Honda. Thanks for the video.
That's great!! Dust it off, see if you can turn it over by hand, clean the carbs, and start it up. It's a Honda....it'll fire right up!😉
You lucky lucky chap, I'm so jealous, I bought a CX 500 A, new from a local dealer in 1981 for £1299.00 on the road and I still tell everyone it was my all time favorite bike, 118 MPH flat out with my mate sat on the back.
Thankyou for sharing you beautiful plastic maggot.
Hi there Colin. Thanks so much for taking the time to leave such a lovely comment - you've made my day! Take care, and thanks for watching.
Aaaw, brings back so many memories. I had a blue one. Hearing that engine with its unique sound.
I had a CX 500 in the 1980;s What a great bike I loved it.
Love it ,as a young boy in early 80s , there was a black one in my street, I remember dreaming of owning one.
Still dreaming
I have a blue 1978 one , they are great bikes. Let's face it these bikes are 45 years old but they certainly don't feel like it , maybe Honda should think of bringing back a retro version of it for it's 50th anniversary.
You are correct, they still feel great. Little top heavy compared to newer bike and dated controls make it feel sloppy sometimes. But I still love them!! Such a cool bike. They are getting harder and harder to find. Hope we'll see values following the CBX's trend...
I think Honda tried that with the Rebel 500. I hear it is a good bike, and people love them. I am not a fan of the high pitch tank though. The Kawasaki Vulcan 650 (same style) looks better in my opinion.
Thanks for watching my video Paul!
I agree about the fuel tank angle being wrong on the latest bikes. I guess it's due to the frame design. For me, a bike always looks best with a seat and tank flat along the horizontal. It's a classic, more traditional style that modern bikes seem to have lost.
I've had 3 CXs in the past , loved them all .I have recently bought an identical ' 78 ' Z ' model in the same red , one previous owner and last used in 1987 !.It has just 3,200 miles but unfortunately has a seized engine .It has survived in excellent condtion physically and will clean up virtually like new .
Wow!! Always great to hear stories like this. You are very lucky to have found this - they are getting really hard to find in original standard condition. You are going to enjoy her very much...
Thanks for watching!
@@villionsgarage Thank you for replying.The continuous family provenance of yours is beyond value and she is a beautiful example !.My original red ' 78 'Z ' model was featured in ' Classic & Motorcycle Mechanics ' in May 1992 where I wrote the article which created a huge response.It was one bike I'd always bitterly regretted selling , a Birmingham bike with a fascinating history in itself but it does still exist .Finding this identical one just before Christmas was an opportunity much later in life I just couldn't resist !.
Great to see a survivor in such original shape. Thanks for the vid!
In 1977 I had a Honda 400-4. Another lovely Honda.
Probably the best bike I ever rode. 150 km/h at 7,000 rpm all day on the highway. Rode it all the way from Nice, France to Glasgow, Scotland with passenger gf and luggage. Heartfelt thoughts to Blantyre HS, Strathclyde Educational District, good times.
Wow, great memories I'm sure! Thanks for watching. Take care.
Your memory slightly betrays you. Top is 12mph/20 kmh per thou rpm. Great bikes.
@@tombartram7384 - Great point. It was about the same on the CB500 Four (I had both). In fact, 140 km/h at 7,000 rpm, so probly 7,500 rpm at 150 km/h. Not sure these bikes could reach 120 mph, probably more like 105-110. Definitely great bikes. I still own a 34-years old CB 750 Nighthawk, a worthy heir to those...
@@MichaelGioan 12 mph per thou seems to the universal gearing for everything I've had from cb350s to fz6. Btw on a track the cx custom would blow away any other 50 horse power 450lb bike because you do not slow down on bends.
I had the identical model, same year.
In the UK the bars were flat and it had twin front discs.
The Cam chain tensioner failed OUTSIDE of warranty but Honda fixed it.
Many years later I had another one and a Turbo.
Classic, sturdy and flexible bike.
I did not know that - thanks for the info Graeme. And thanks for watching!
I don't get it, I love the looks of it! I couriered on one from '79 to '83. Just the sweetest engine and rock solid.
me too....
This was a great bike - sensible, practical and cheap to run. The couriers in my home town loved them. However, the biking fraternity looked down on them - shaft drive, liquid cooled (still rare at the time) and just not sexy.
indeed i had the camshaft problem. Just had it over a year when de spanner broke. 20 percent of the bike price repair costs. Wrote Honda, they just said it was outside warranty. But the bike gave me good memories.
Enjoyable vid, loved hearing it. I have a CB400T Dream 1978. Same wheels, steel inner, aluminium outer, later changed to all aluminium. Same brake reservoir as the 400t, a few parts fit and are interchangeable. Old bikes are always heavy, it was just the way. Suspension relates to it, sore backs after riding and seats un-comfy after 20 mins...but I love them, they have character. Cheers from Scotland. Gee.
Such a cool reply - thanks!! Yeah, lots of issue with old bikes but I love them. Cheers
I had one, bought new .. HNE 676V Red, i had a full front honda White Fairing (lovely and warm with the heat off the engine) with matching honda Panniers. I loved it, and I still had it now.. shame I cannot share a picture on here.
So cool! One rarely hear of someone still having a CX that they got brand new... Thanks for watching!
What a unique bike...and somthing out of your childhood..which even makes it better !!!..terrible name for such a noble unique bike...I would have named her Red Rocket !!!..good vidio!!
Your CX sounds lovely, and it brings back fond memories.
I briefly had one here in the UK when I was 16. I didn't have a full bike licence at 16, so I would take it out for a sneaky short ride after midnight to keep it running. I rode a moped (Yamaha FS1-E), so the CX500 felt big, smooth, powerful and exciting ...though maybe the excitement was partly due to the fact I shouldn't have been out riding it!
Great to see yours has been in the family so long and may you have many more happy miles (or "killa-meters") riding it 👍
That's the thing about bikes - they bring such cool stories and emotions to those who love to ride. Yes...I've "stolen" this very bike a few time when I was 14, and the thrill of riding this "monster" will never be forgotten! :-)
Thanks for watching my video!
I had two of them. Beautiful bikes.
It’s gorgeous.
1979 version had twin front brakes got one of these brand new in blue. 🇬🇧
The second alternator on my 1978 CX failed in 2002 at 99,896 miles. Still have not taken the engine out to replace it.
owned one of the first. 5 recalls in first year. replaced under guarantee waterpump seal x 2 first befoure first service cam chain and tensioner one on recall then again 3 month later. on the second service i was informed it needed a new crank in less than a year cam needs replacment cx 500 seems like more time in work shop than on road i surrender px for a cb750
The ComStar wheels were later changed so the profile of the spokes was facing outward instead of inward, keeping the main plates of the spokes closer together. This first type of wheels often had the problem that the rivets of the spokes become loose because the spokes main body is flexing too much.
I had the 1978 model with the original Comstar, kept it 6 years and 40,000 miles, luckily didn't have that problem. Very interesting though.
@@MichaelGioan if you get one again, keep an eye on it. Maybe it was more often on the CBX, the 759 and the 900 Bol d'Or.
The 78 Goldwing originally had aluminum spoke Comstars front and rear. By 79 Honda had switched to steel spokes for the front wheel. I suspect this is where the loose rivets occurred. A fully loaded Wing under hard braking would probably be capable of overloading the original wheels. Honda switched back to aluminum spokes once the spoke plates were reversed.
Great bike and great video. Thank you.
I remember it was so heavy and the width of the seat, however I did 50,000 + miles on it as a courier at 21 years old it was the ultimate courier hack then due to the shaft drive and mostly trouble free the timing chains needing doing. I sold it and got a Honda Revere which was the better model for courier work.
Sounds brand new!
Lol, I watched one of your videos about the Honda CBX 1000, because I was looking for information
Now I'm looking for information on the Plastic Maggot because I own one of these too! ahaha
You're probably one of the few people in the world with a CX500 and a CBX1000, thanks for the videos
Thanks for your nice comment, and thanks for watching!
@@villionsgarage nice one mate, lovely videos, have watched quite a few, you've got great taste in bikes. Cheers 🥂
The tail light looks good.
I had my 79 deluxe topped out at 165 klm per hour yesterday
Amazing sound😍😍😍
Loved the video…. 11:57 11:59
Nice!
I have a 1980 cx500 deluxe with 3,000 miles on it. 😅
That's so cool!
The one i owned has twin discs on the front not single also had lower handlebars?
My 78 CX also has twin discs & low bars. The 2nd alternator failed at 99,800 miles. Thought I would get round to fixing it. It’s still under sheet in a garage.
I'm the owner of the same bike, the same colour CX 500 1979 year with only 7700 km on the clock...
A superb bike ....
Greetings from Buenos Aires Argentina 🇦🇷
Wow, such low kms!! Would love to see it. Thanks for watching. Take care Leonardo.
@@villionsgarage
Hi again. The first owner was my grandfather...
And the low kilómeters is because the bike was storage 27 years....
Where are you from? And sorry about my english...
Greetings again from the lands of the tango, the best meat of the world and friendly People!
@@leonardocaceres2540 wow, that's a special bike! So long in the family. Is it running? If not, get it running. Not a lot of them still around. Argentina? I would love to see that part of the world - on the Dakar rally it looked like such an awesome place! Get that CX running. It is an really solid bike.
You'll meet the nicest people on a Honda 😉
Almost forgot: I am from South Africa👍
Hi again, the bike is running once or twice a month. She's beautiful, stunning and one of the best bikes in Argentina with 44 years old..
I wish someday you'll visit Buenos Aires the most beautiful town of South America. Bye and good luck!
Lekker classic bike, boet.
Hello,
I see that you replaced the handlebars with one that is higher and it's great. Can you tell me which bike this horn handlebar comes from and if you had to lengthen the various brake cables etc...
Super comfortable I imagine to drive with this position rather than the flat handlebars.
Thanks
@@userhh55sgk22q Hi there!
You're right, it is very comfortable to ride indeed. However, I did not replace the handlebars - got the bike like this. So I can't say where the bars comes from - sorry I can't help...
Thanks for watching!
Moto fantastica. ho imparato con il cx 500 andare in moto un gioiello. peccato che HONDA ABBIA LEVATO LA PRODUZIONE LA MIA ERA DEL 1979 colore azzurro STUPENDA
Grazie per il tuo commento. Ho anche iniziato a guidare una CX500, la prima moto che abbia mai guidato! Grazie per aver guardato.
I think these bikes are lovely too but like yourself, I'm a little biased as I've also got a 1978 bike as well.
However, your front brakes look a little different from mine, maybe it's a regional thing so I was wondering what country you're in.
The UK version for 1978 had a plain aluminium master cylinder with a clear plastic reservoir and twin front rotors.
Interesting info on the front brake, thanks for that. I am sure the twin rotors will aid in stopping power, as the single disc struggles to slow her down. I actually think it might still be the original pads, so I want to replace those next. Thanks for watching, and greatings from sunny South Africa!
Why am I unable to get brand new carbs for such a popular bike?
I own 2 of them!!!!
Sweet Sweet bike
Why don't Honda re-make this ? Loved mine and my old VT500 - both bombproof.
@@danh9442 I agree. They are so..."generic" these days. Where are the firsts and the stand outs? Re-make the CX, but digitally updated. There are rumours of a new CBX...so maybe they are on that path. Thanks for watching!!
How much are they normally? What is an average price for one?
In holland they sell mostly between 1.000 and 2.000 euros
I've got a Honda CB125S. I really wish it was a CB125T. Alas!
came from bart
Tappets need adjustment
Mine had twin front discs and lower bars.[UK model] Nice bike,nice engine, poor handling [too top heavy]
You are correct on that. Handeling is poor in today's terms, but I think it was very good 40 years ago. As all Hondas. But yes, it can feel a little heavy. Thanks for your comment, and for watching!!
Mine sounded like this. ticka ticka
Single front disc 🤔
Yes, single disc up front. CBX had twins. Lucky fish...😉
In Malaysia have 1only
A wheelie special sorry to be a. Ashole..drove em all in the 70s. And 80s. . After that I respected life.
The US Model "De-Luxe" was far better looking, unfortunately was not available here.
Just the Plastic Maggot" as your bike came to be called, and the "Custom" and "Silver
Wing" which was a shrunk down version of the "Gold Wing"
Incidentally, the seat cover is not Original.
Well spotted! Yes indeed - had a nasty tear in it, so I had it recovered. They tried the crisscross stitching, but that came out horrible...
Thanks for watching!
what is it with uncles owning Cx500’s, my Cx500 used to be owned by my uncle, i found a bloke on youtube who’s uncle owned a Cx500 and now you, funny
Haha... so weird. Yes, seems like that's a trend - so then there were three...🤣
Thanks for watching!
Sounds a bit tappety