CX 500 project bike

for those of you that have M.B.S. (multiple bike syndrome) and have the "silver wing" models.
as our sponsors also have supplies for those bikes and they are popular with the "wing" crowd.

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bubblerboy64
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CX 500 project bike

#1

Post by bubblerboy64 »

I grabbed up a 1980 CX 500 deluxe from eBay as a winter project. Haven't seen it in person as yet I'll put my hands on it next week. Low miles (7000) all original. Guy seems like a straight shooter and said it's a 9 out of 10. Paid just under $1300 for it. Don't know exactly what direction I am going to go with it. If it's really, really nice I guess I'll keep it all original. If it's average I might cafe racer it a little. I know some of you guys know about these CX bikes any particular weak points problem area's that I should be especially aware of?

I'll post pictures next week. Just couldn't help myself. Can't ride in the cold and wet of Pa may as well work on something. The wings are too big for me any more so thought this might be a worth while project.
John Heckman
Central Pa
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Re: CX 500 project bike

#2

Post by rcmatt007 »

they are good bikes. some problem with the pulsar system going out on them. Also a real pita to replace the mechnical seal if it starts to leak. and, as always, tough to get OEM parts anymore
-Rodger-
all it takes for evil to prosper is the want of a few good men to do nothing-Edmund Burke
The question is not how much time do you have, it is what you do with the time that you have Gandalf
"One of the greatest dignities of humankind is that each successive generation is invested in the welfare of each new generation." Fred Rodgers
"it takes 10,000 hours to become an expert" ancient saying
78 constantly modified/customized since 1978, BOTM June 2015 de-evolving this very moment viewtopic.php?f=30&t=65511
76 Ltd "cookies bike" ALMOST DONE
79 project, finished, FOR SALE
'86 1200 (Beth's)(FOR SALE) with motorvation sidecar (sidecar sold) , July 2017 BOTM
'17 HD Road king and 08 HD Heritage softail (Beth's) (FOR SALE). I guess you can say we have MBS
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Re: CX 500 project bike

#3

Post by Rat »

Another excellent resource for these great little bikes.

http://choppercharles.com/

Gord
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‘14 KLR650 ... not a rat ... yet
‘84 GL1200i ‘R2B6' (Rat to Be 6, the last, adopted by twowings)
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Re: CX 500 project bike

#4

Post by 1CrazyMoFo »

The water jackets on the cylinders tend to get broken when they get dropped. Case guards are a pretty good idea. If you need to pull the fan, use a screw driver and a hammer, there's threads for a puller~they suck beyond belief!!!
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Re: CX 500 project bike

#5

Post by rcmatt007 »

it I recll you don't use the threads for a puller, but you thread it in and it pushes the fan off.... but I have slept since then
-Rodger-
all it takes for evil to prosper is the want of a few good men to do nothing-Edmund Burke
The question is not how much time do you have, it is what you do with the time that you have Gandalf
"One of the greatest dignities of humankind is that each successive generation is invested in the welfare of each new generation." Fred Rodgers
"it takes 10,000 hours to become an expert" ancient saying
78 constantly modified/customized since 1978, BOTM June 2015 de-evolving this very moment viewtopic.php?f=30&t=65511
76 Ltd "cookies bike" ALMOST DONE
79 project, finished, FOR SALE
'86 1200 (Beth's)(FOR SALE) with motorvation sidecar (sidecar sold) , July 2017 BOTM
'17 HD Road king and 08 HD Heritage softail (Beth's) (FOR SALE). I guess you can say we have MBS
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Re: CX 500 project bike

#6

Post by Toehead »

Yes,


Just thread in a bolt and it pops right off.


Also, if the mechanical seal is bad, you can try the "Shep's method" of replacement, which involves cleaning out the old metal cup and only replacing the seal's guts. I've done that on my two cx500's with excellent results. The upside is it only takes a half hour to do.


If you are interested in making the "ultimate" cx500, I recommend replacing the stock CDI with an ignitech ignition unit, as well as removing the stock stator (which has two high-voltage ac windings to power the CDI) and replacing it with a gl1000 stator. You will need to keep the pulsers for the ignitech. This will greatly increase the capacity of the electrical system, and the ignitech is more reliable.
2012 Golf TDI, fast and frugal oil burner
1980 CX500C, All around road warrior (Sold)
1975 TS125 (Sold), old smoker
1977 naked GL1000, Highway cruiser
'81 GL1100 14,000 (reconditioned and sold)
'81 GL1100 50,000 miles (under construction)
2X 1981 CM400 beginner bike (sold)
1980 CB750C (sold)
1994 Virago 750 (Wifey's bike)
'76 GL1000 Sulphur Yellow (Megasquirted efi build) http://www.ngwclub.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=47&t=59774
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Re: CX 500 project bike

#7

Post by bubblerboy64 »

Going to get her this evening. Let ya know tomorrow what I've got. I haven't decided what direction I want to take with this motorcycle. I just need a project (since I sold my two GL's). It might just be a clean up and resell. I'll of course ride it and see what I think of it before making any decisions. I certainly don't want to do what I did with the wings which was to spend a TON of money on them and then sell them for a big discount to the next guy. Not complaining, just don't want to go down that path. If I really really like it and think it's a keeper then I'll bring it up to as near new as I can take it. Hopefully I'll have some pictures soon.

Thanks for the pointers.
John Heckman
Central Pa
jehdds@hotmail.com
2010 Triumph Bonneville SE
2012 Vespa GTV300ie
2012 Harley Sportster Custom
2014 Honda CTX700 DCT
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Re: CX 500 project bike

#8

Post by bubblerboy64 »

Well she's in the garage. Very pleased at this point. Everything points to it being an honest 7k motorcycle. Paint and chrome excellent. Everything works tires look almost new (they are soft and show no tread wear or cracking). Starts and runs fine but it does lug after the throttle is open at about 25% so the carbs will need some attention. Needs a couple hours of clean up and a little polishing of bits and pieces it should look like a new bike. I am into it $1400 tax tags and everything so I can't complain. I'll go over it more carefully over the next couple of days and I am sure there will be a bit more to do but I can tell already that it's a solid example.
John Heckman
Central Pa
jehdds@hotmail.com
2010 Triumph Bonneville SE
2012 Vespa GTV300ie
2012 Harley Sportster Custom
2014 Honda CTX700 DCT
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Re: CX 500 project bike

#9

Post by Rat »

Show us a picture.

Gord (please) Jones action1
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‘14 KLR650 ... not a rat ... yet
‘84 GL1200i ‘R2B6' (Rat to Be 6, the last, adopted by twowings)
My Original 'RAT' was a hybrid '82 CB900/1100F
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Re: CX 500 project bike

#10

Post by bubblerboy64 »

Here is a picture
Attachments
P1000383.JPG
P1000383.JPG (84.95 KiB) Viewed 891 times
John Heckman
Central Pa
jehdds@hotmail.com
2010 Triumph Bonneville SE
2012 Vespa GTV300ie
2012 Harley Sportster Custom
2014 Honda CTX700 DCT
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bubblerboy64
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Re: CX 500 project bike

#11

Post by bubblerboy64 »

And another
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P1000381.JPG
P1000381.JPG (87.83 KiB) Viewed 889 times
P1000382.JPG
P1000382.JPG (72.42 KiB) Viewed 889 times
P1000380.JPG
P1000380.JPG (96.54 KiB) Viewed 889 times
John Heckman
Central Pa
jehdds@hotmail.com
2010 Triumph Bonneville SE
2012 Vespa GTV300ie
2012 Harley Sportster Custom
2014 Honda CTX700 DCT
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Re: CX 500 project bike

#12

Post by rcmatt007 »

lucky find the customs are really sweet.... makes me wish I hadn't sold ours
-Rodger-
all it takes for evil to prosper is the want of a few good men to do nothing-Edmund Burke
The question is not how much time do you have, it is what you do with the time that you have Gandalf
"One of the greatest dignities of humankind is that each successive generation is invested in the welfare of each new generation." Fred Rodgers
"it takes 10,000 hours to become an expert" ancient saying
78 constantly modified/customized since 1978, BOTM June 2015 de-evolving this very moment viewtopic.php?f=30&t=65511
76 Ltd "cookies bike" ALMOST DONE
79 project, finished, FOR SALE
'86 1200 (Beth's)(FOR SALE) with motorvation sidecar (sidecar sold) , July 2017 BOTM
'17 HD Road king and 08 HD Heritage softail (Beth's) (FOR SALE). I guess you can say we have MBS
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Re: CX 500 project bike

#13

Post by CBX n GL man »

Looks in very good shape, just a few hours of detailing and it def. WILL look like new. Later.
'81 CBX nekid
'80 GL1100 w/windjammer
'80 CX 500D 1/4 nekid
'84 GL1200A 1/2 nekid -- gone
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Re: CX 500 project bike

#14

Post by Greg »

Sweet.
Didn't think they red lined that high.

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Re: CX 500 project bike

#15

Post by Rat »

Looks like a real deal.

Gord action1
"I'd rather Ride than Shine"
‘14 KLR650 ... not a rat ... yet
‘84 GL1200i ‘R2B6' (Rat to Be 6, the last, adopted by twowings)
My Original 'RAT' was a hybrid '82 CB900/1100F
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