A CX500 for Christmas

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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Easter
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A CX500 for Christmas

#1

Post by Easter »

On my way from San Antonio to Dallas this last week I stopped in Austin long enough to pick up a bunch of tubs supposedly filled with CX parts. Also an engine, frame, two sets of forks, two front wheels and one rear. Well you get the picture. The problem is I have never worked on a CX nor even seen one up close since a co-worker of mine bought a new one in the late '70s. At the time I thought it looked kind of goofey. But recently I have seen some stunning customs built on the CX platform. So I am going to give it a try. Most of the parts in the tubs seem to be for something else but most of the important stuff is there anyway. Time for a challenge. :shock:
Attachments
The back of the car is stuffed full also.
The back of the car is stuffed full also.
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Lots of stuff for all brands of bikes!
Lots of stuff for all brands of bikes!
20171224_170604_resized.jpg (104.56 KiB) Viewed 1152 times
I won't be using the paint booth for a while!
I won't be using the paint booth for a while!
20171226_151857_resized.jpg (74.89 KiB) Viewed 1152 times
Bikes at present:

83 XL 600r with a 2004 XR650L engine
And a slightly worse for the wear BMW GS adventure bike awaiting repair
83 GL in process :IDTS:
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Sugs
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Re: A CX500 for Christmas

#2

Post by Sugs »

Really cool, good luck with your project. I was looking for a CX500 before I found my GL1000. Wanted to build this:
500-roadster-cafe-racer-3.jpg
500-roadster-cafe-racer-3.jpg (129.52 KiB) Viewed 1142 times
_______________________

'79 Honda GL1000 Goldwing
J.C.
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Re: A CX500 for Christmas

#3

Post by J.C. »

Nice!

That motor looks like it has been painted fairly recently - any recent mechanical work done to it? If you haven't been reading up on it already (and the motor hasn't already had it done) check out the triple bypass:

https://motofaction.org/motorcycles/hon ... 500-gl650/

What's the story with the bike? Unfinished project?
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salukispeed
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Re: A CX500 for Christmas

#4

Post by salukispeed »

They are a bit goofy looking at first. My 82 is lighter and more nimble than the Goldwing so fun for the short rides. Lots of great info here and also on the "CX500 forum" to be had. 80 and earlier had some stator and ignition issues that can be tough to work thru. But mostly a good solid bike to start with.
Honda 72 CL100 sold
74 CB750 K4 nice driver
1966 CA77/305 Dream nostalgic driver
84 GL1200I work in progress
1970 CT 70
1982 GL500 Interstate
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Easter
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Re: A CX500 for Christmas

#5

Post by Easter »

I decided the best way to proceed was to assemble the bike from the parts available without concern for cleaning or repairing until I knew what I had and didn't. Since I am not familiar with the bike and there are lots of parts in the tubs that apparently do not belong to this bike, it is something of a challenge. But I have made some headway. The drive shaft turned up so that is no longer a worry but the main front motor mount is AWOL so that will have to be sourced. Since I did not have a triple tree (did have two sets of forks and two front wheels!) I am thinking of installing a GL1100 front end. That would give me a stronger set of forks and dual calipers. I also have a set of GL1000 forks which would actually be easier to install because the turn stop on the neck and triple tree are the same or very close, but at the moment I am leaning toward the GL1100 because of the stronger fork legs.

While the frame and engine have been cleaned and painted, they will both need to be repainted and in the case of the engine, stripped and yes, I will pull the rear cover and take a look at the timing chain. Not sure if I can do anything about the pick-up coils for the electronic ignition since I don't know if there is a problem. Probably take a look at the oil pump and water pump as well.

I am not planning anything radical with this build but will need to source a good tank, seat, clip-on handle bars, tires, battery and of course the usual bearings, brake kits, seals, paint etc. Hopefully I can hold the cost to around $1500. That probably means no "moto gadget" , but a new harness will be required.
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Bikes at present:

83 XL 600r with a 2004 XR650L engine
And a slightly worse for the wear BMW GS adventure bike awaiting repair
83 GL in process :IDTS:
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Re: A CX500 for Christmas

#6

Post by J.C. »

You can check the pickups and advance coils like so;

https://motofaction.org/motorcycles/hon ... nda-cx500/

Won’t show up a problem that develops if the engine is running but clearing all of those checks is a good start.
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Re: A CX500 for Christmas

#7

Post by Easter »

Saturday's weather was mild so I was able to roll the bike out on the gravel and soda blast the paint from the engine. It was poorly painted and needed to come off so that I can put a proper prime coat and paint. I also blasted the rear pumpkin with its multi-layers of paint. When the soda blaster was working properly, it would take the paint right off but unfortunately the humidity was about 85% (as is typical even in winter) and the moisture from the compressor was causing the soda to clump in the canister. Lots of fiddling but I got it done eventually.

I also ran the tests on the stator and ignition and that checked out OK. Next I suppose is pulling the back off the engine to check the timing chain and tensioner.
Attachments
Back in the shop after the Soda blast
Back in the shop after the Soda blast
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20171230_173536_resized.jpg
20171230_173536_resized.jpg (88.73 KiB) Viewed 1084 times
Bikes at present:

83 XL 600r with a 2004 XR650L engine
And a slightly worse for the wear BMW GS adventure bike awaiting repair
83 GL in process :IDTS:
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Re: A CX500 for Christmas

#8

Post by J.C. »

You can check it from the outside using a borescope or small mirror;

https://motofaction.org/motorcycles/hon ... ss-needed/

Pulling the back off will give you the best view of the most components, of course, but if you are so inclined you can get a fairly good idea after adjusting the chain tension by using a mirror.
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Re: A CX500 for Christmas

#9

Post by Easter »

Thanks JC, those are very helpful links.
Bikes at present:

83 XL 600r with a 2004 XR650L engine
And a slightly worse for the wear BMW GS adventure bike awaiting repair
83 GL in process :IDTS:
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Re: A CX500 for Christmas

#10

Post by J.C. »

You're welcome :)
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Easter
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Re: A CX500 for Christmas

#11

Post by Easter »

So after putting as much of the bike together as I could, I am now taking it back apart. I tracked down a small inspection mirror to check the timing chain for slack, unfortunately it isn't small enough to fit through the fill hole in the engine case. Might have to make a trip into San Antonio to the nearest Harbor Freight for their inspection camera.

I found a really nice tank and placed it on order along with the front motor mount and steering head bearings. I also modified the GL1100 triple tree to accommodate the CX frame by removing the turn stops on the triple and at the top of the steering head. The stem is a bit long but a spacer underneath the bottom bearing should be enough (I hope).

The biggest project so far was removing the 10+ year old tires in preparation for painting. They have good tread but are as stiff as old truck tires. I pulled a third tire (front) from one of the CX wheels and it is reasonably flexible with very good tread so I am torn whether to use it or not. The decision can be postponed for now. I also spent this afternoon soda blasting the wheels, I am about 3/4 done with that. Even with a high quality water separator in the air line the soda starts gumming up after a while. Hopefully I can finish the last wheel tomorrow.
Bikes at present:

83 XL 600r with a 2004 XR650L engine
And a slightly worse for the wear BMW GS adventure bike awaiting repair
83 GL in process :IDTS:
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Re: A CX500 for Christmas

#12

Post by motormike »

Welcome ! I have a 82' myself. Prior to be'n modified it ran very nice and handled well. As I hauled it home along with a parts bike from Chicago to Minnesota.... I stop'd at a m/c .. Triumph and recently Enfield's.... everyone at the shop was younger then 30... they had never seen a Cx500...
... keep the photos and updates roll'n... its a long winter up here....
In the stable.. 1929 Motobecane (under restoration), 1950 & 1952 Terrot (Paris police) 1952 Peugeot (French M/Police, Algeria veteran), 1952 Alcyon (Airport Fire-rescue), 1965 Triumph 650 Tiger, 1966 "TRITON", featherbed framed, w/73' 750 Triumph engine, 1968 Honda Cb450 Police, 1970 Ducati 450 Jupiter, 1970 Ducati 350 (street racer), 1971 M/Guzzi Ambassador, 1970 Yamaha 650 Xs1, 1982 Yamaha 650, 1982 Cx500P, trike (Ex Chicago PD), 1997 Honda Helix, 2010 Royal Enfield w/sidecar...1962 Cushman Eagle, 65' Mustang, base coupe, 04' Mustang convertible ..one understanding wife. :)
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Easter
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Re: A CX500 for Christmas

#13

Post by Easter »

While cleaning the carbs (which were in unusually good shape) I made the mistake of cleaning the outside grease and gunk with Easy Off oven cleaner (which was not in itself a mistake) by dropping them in the ultrasonic cleaner without washing off the foam. Even this might have been OK but I was busy and let them set for several hours in the hot water. Even though the tank holds seven gallons of water, the chemical was still strong enough to remove the plating from the carbs. crying1

So, I recalled that Eastwood offers a spray coating (paint?) that is especially formulated for carbs. This was the time to give it a try. Normally I wouldn't think of painting carbs but what did I have to loose?

When the material arrived, I very carefully masked all the interior ports and exterior parts that didn't need re-coating and per instructions gave them a light even coat from 12 or so inches. After setting all night in the shop, I brought them in the house and while the master of the kitchen was still asleep (4 AM) I set the timer for two hours at two hundred degrees and went back to sleep. dancr

Today I reassembled them and polished the caps. Look great and should (!) work fine.
Also my tank arrived in the mail today. It cost as much as all the rest of the bike but it is a really nice one with a clean interior so I felt it was worth the money. The photo doesn't do it justice as it is a high gloss black and shows reflections. I don't know if it will stay black, I was visualizing something else but we shall see.
Attachments
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20180106_161207_resized.jpg (70.26 KiB) Viewed 1044 times
Bikes at present:

83 XL 600r with a 2004 XR650L engine
And a slightly worse for the wear BMW GS adventure bike awaiting repair
83 GL in process :IDTS:
User avatar
Easter
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Re: A CX500 for Christmas

#14

Post by Easter »

After soda blasting, priming and painting, the engine is looking pretty good. I plan to have the head covers powder coated a gloss black so they are still crusty but otherwise I am happy with the results. I ordered a seat and a batch of parts, mostly O rings, to finish putting the water pipes and misc items back on the bike. I plan to cut the frame but I don't wan't to do any cutting till I have the seat in place. Same goes for painting the frame. The wheels have been cleaned and are ready for primer and paint but since they get the same paint as the frame, they will have to wait. Not to mention the weather has turned cold again. (well cold by local standards anyway, but too cold to paint.) :IDTS:
Attachments
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Bikes at present:

83 XL 600r with a 2004 XR650L engine
And a slightly worse for the wear BMW GS adventure bike awaiting repair
83 GL in process :IDTS:
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Re: A CX500 for Christmas

#15

Post by Track T 2411 »

Purdy! action1 action1 action1
"I have no special talent. I am only passionately curious." - Albert Einstein

"He that is good with a hammer tends to think everything is a nail" - Abraham Maslow

"If you can't take the time to do it right the first time, how are you ever going to find the time to do it over?" -Unknown

Current Rides:
'Grumpy' - '81 Standard, now fully dressed.
'Layla' - '81 Standard w/dealer installed fairing and Hondaline bags.
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Under Construction:
The 'Jalopy' '78-'79 Mash-up
'Quikie' '81 gl1100I back on the lift, project with the step-son!

In The Shed:
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'82 gl1100I, My first 'Wing, and an expensive lesson!
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