GL 500 mufflers and oil leak

[gwamax]

Hello everyone. I just picked up a 1981 GL500. It's my first experince with this type bike but not with motorcycles in general. I've noticed a few things that will need to be done right off the bat. First, the PO had removed the baffles from the mufflers (he even pulled out all of the mounting clips to where the muffler is just a shell). I've had no luck finding replacements. No new ones available and the used stuff on ebay is 30 years old and in bad shape. My question is this, Can the CX500 mufflers be substituted? These are available from the aftermarket for a resonable price. Second, there is a slight oil leak at the shifter shaft in the left case. Is this just a seal or can there be mechanical wear in the case. I'm assuming the case will have to be removed to replace.

The list of items requiring attention is fairly long but no other major problems observed. It seems to run very well considering the lack of care it has received.

Thanks in advance for any help or suggestions.

Gary

[KDS111]

As far as the mufflers go, I saw a few sets on e-bay over the weekend. Not cheap.

[Bigphillip79]

Looking at pics and it looks like mounting sportster mufflers might work out. They are really cheap and a lot of guys use them on G'wings. With a little work you can have a set that looks and sounds good for cheap.

Wait. I found some info. Cx500/650 forum. Harley mufflers are a common swap there too.

http://choppercharles.com/cs/forums/167 ... wPost.aspx

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Harley-S ... 5196b6de1f

[Rat]

The shifter is an easy fix, buy a new seal, pick the old one out, press the new one in.

Gord

[robin1731]

I saw/heard one with the Sportster mufflers. It sounded pretty good to me. Almost like a V-8.

[ritalz]

This isn't the best picture to see the mufflers but they are off a sportster and I thought they sounded great. Sold the bike a few months ago so I can't just run out and get a better shot. Mounting was easy but it helps to know someone with a pipe bender. I hung the original tabs on the passenger peg bolts.


By ritalz at 2010-06-07

[Sidecar Bob]

I swa/heard one with the Sportster mufflers. It sounded pretty good to me. Almost like a V-8.

Wash your mouth out! A CX/GL500/650 with Harley mufflers sounds the way a V2 should sound. I was one of the first on the forums to put Harley mufflers on one of these bikes (and on a GoldWing too for that matter - Mr.Honda has had them since '97).

They do sound much better on a Honda than on a HD, though - I think it has something to do with the Honda engine actually producing HP with the sound as a byproduct, rather than the other way around

[Missourimike]

Just wondering if you got new mufflers on the bike yet. I just pulled the OEMs off mine and mounted HD sporsters on it. Just as quiet, look good, no pipe bender needed, bolted to the original Honda hangers. Easy swap.

[jinbtown]

The Harley mufflers are a great addition...not on any of my bikes at the moment, but they do sound nice. I sold a CX not too long ago with them on it and it sounded great. A really throaty sound but very subtle at the same time.

The shifter seal is easy and cheap: http://www.lakecityhonda.com/fiche_sect ... REAR+COVER

#7 here, OIL SEAL (14X26X6)
P/N: 91251-ZW5-003

About $5 from your friendly local Honda stealership