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.
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.
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
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.
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.
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.
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!
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!
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.
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
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 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!
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.
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 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 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
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.
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 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.
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.
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!
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!
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
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.?
OMG - I LOVE THIS! I'm just getting into working on bikes and love to see pros not only tear into them but get em running again. Well Done! I hope one day to be able to do what you guys do.
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,
OMG, I am absolutely convinced that Craig is one of the best motorcycle mechanics I have ever seen work on a bike cadaver and actually bring it back to life!!!! Soooo satisfying to see a machine literally on the chopping block to become parts and then it STARTS???? CRAIG SERIOUSLY I AM DOING THE I'M NOT WORTHY HANDS WAVING SALUTE!!!!! UFB MY GUY UFB!!!! GREAT VIDEO GUYS. NOW IT MAKES SENSE WHY SEAN ALWAYS CALLS CRAIG WHENEVER HE GETS INTO TROUBLE!!!!!!
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.
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. 😉😁👍
My uncle had one of these in the 70s also, loved it so much, even the police used it for a while. So happy to see ya'll get this up and running again, I love these kinda vids. :)
Hey Craig and company. I know you probably won’t read this but thanks for all your videos. I don’t know much about motorcycles but your videos are both very entertaining and very informative, I’ve learned a lot watching you. Thank you 😀
Thank u for working on a Honda , i got a old CB 750 from 74 my father own and i wish i could have a great mechanique like u , i did give it to one guys and he left it outside in the rain ... Bike Run but spit a lot of oil from botom end i try to learn mechanic and watching u is a bless .
I have 2 CX's in the garage. Restoration projects now that I am retired. If I have any trouble, I now know what to do. Mine are in MUCH better shape, but now I have the troubleshooting flow chart burned into my brain. Well Done.
Craig, I really hope you and Dan will be the next UA-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!
I'm currently running the absolute BAJEEZUS out of a 650 Ninja, with part of the cylinder liner chunked out on the right side, used head gaskets, and no torque value assigned to the head bolts. I just made 'em tight. We're learning to wheelie on it. This spirit of slapping an engine back together just to make it run, is just beautiful. I love it.
I had a '79 CX500C that I was very fond of. That engine lent a lot of character to the bike. Probably was the influence that led me to getting an '08 Moto Guzzi Norge in '09. Fun video, thanks!
I just realized while watching the video that Dan is an enabler. Ya, go ahead and "start it." You don't need head gadgets. Go ahead and "start it." You don't need a muffler. You guys are awesome. Thanks for taking us along. Go ahead and start it.
I love your use of the T-handle wrench. One of my favorite tools. I used it as much as I could instead of a ratchet. It give you fine control of bolts.
Fun Fact! My dad / I currently have a 78' Honda Cx500c. It still runs well, we replaced the stator a couple years ago, and we got a *new* (hardly used, 25 yr old, stored safely, totally unscratched) fairing/windshield combo. This shaft drive is insanely smooth, and while the gearing is well... 70's, I've gotten it up to 85 mph, without it feeling unsafe, and it's insane at low speed maneuvers. Love this bike, and actually, going to do a whole clean up/painting/etc. on it soon. I just bought a 2024 Ninja 650 for myself, and if my dad can get enough strength back, we'll go for a ride together before I or we fix up the Honda. Never expected to see a video about this bike lol. *Side note, before replacing the stator, I learned how to run and jump start a bike by dropping the clutch. VERY useful to know how to do.*
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.
Great video Craig and Dan. Even a lost cause can bring great excitement if you know where to look. My nephew has a Silverwing sitting in his garage that I may need to liberate! Keep up the great work!
Your videos give me a lot of hope for the project motorcycle my brother and I are working on. I'm all ready to slap everything back together and crank it over to see what it will do!
That ATF and Acetone mix I have used for years over here in Scotland to get bolts loose its the ultimate trick! Great to see it in the clip. Every bike I used this on it worked.
I have a donated CX500 sitting in my garage. Rebuilt the carbs but now think i should check the engine before moving on. Thanks for the inspiration. Oh and mine needs plenty of wire work too...
Brings back memories and left me smiling. I had a maroon CX 500. Put about 10k on it and sold it at 28k miles. Never had any issues, other than a starter and a couple batteries over about 5 years.
Had a 1981 CX500 custom, many years old when I bought, an attic find at a dealer, dirty and dusty. , but I knew what it was, my buddy had one. Got it for good price as he wanted to move it, cleaned up and looked brand new!! Ran perfect, comfortable at 60 mph all day. Put many thousand on it, no problems. Legendary bike and a looker. Honda quality. Brian
My first bike was the yamaha rd80, and the second, a cx500. The only drama I ever had was the chain spitting its dummy into a corner. The beauty, ran without fault for 5 years until I sold it (in a little dark corner of my mind, I kind of regret doing that). In '92, I bought my gixxer brand new and still ride her daily. I hope someone restores this honda, it's a gem once it's running again.😊 Living in germany (was in the british army), I found out that the locals call it 'die gullenpumpe', roughly translates to 'the ditch pump' 😊 Thanks for posting and bringing back some memories mate, and a tear or two (I'm not crying, just got a fly in my eye 😊) 🤟
The CX500 is one of the 3 favorite bikes I've had. It was a '79 I got in '84. It had class, was a workhorse and my girlfriend enjoyed riding with me (finally). But in '87 I found myself unable to care for it and someone actually traded me a '74 Chevelle straight across. (another story from the shores of poverty) Nice to see you bring that one back to life.
I love these videos. I grew up riding these bikes with my friends in the late 70s. To hear one start up again that's been out of action, priceless. My stable of bikes began with a Yamaha RD125a (twin 2 stroke) a Honda CB400 Hawk, a Honda 750 supersport, a Honda CB900F, then a Honda CB750K1. I also owned a Kawasaki 350 Mach ? 2 stroke triple and a Suzuki 750 water bottle :). They don't make em like they used to!!... Thank goodness LOL.
Had three of these. The cam chain tensioner bolt always comes loose then the timing chain starts slapping around. Otherwise it is a tank!! And runs forever with a great cooling sustem and an awesome thumping sound!
Hey i really love these videos. I really appreciate that youre a burly looking dude that doesnt appear to get rageful when you encounter obstacles between you and your desired outcome. Thats important for people to see.
The CX500 was my first motorcycle in 1984 - drove from Sweden twice to Portugal (not using the quickest road), to Greece and back from Italy and several other tours of Europe. The wife bought another one. Not too sporty, but never ever let us down.
I'm 21 got an 82 and an 83 one of these. Didn't even know people loved these bikes so much that's awesome I love the way my 82 looks there's chrome bars everywhere and it's a devil it keeps up with my 82 seca 750 love these bikes!
My dad has an 81 GL500, same engine. Fun little bike, have to keep the RPM's way up there, it's like a heavy two stroke lol. Awesome content as always.
Great laugh, you guys are great. Thanks for the entertainment. I was a 17 yr old apprentice at a Honda dealership in the UK (in 1977) tasked with doing many cam chain tensioner modifications as discussed. I remember lifting these lumps out of the frames with my eyes popping out of my head in order to fit the mod kits. I never recall having to punch the 3 dots on the frame though! First time I’ve heard of that! Great bikes, many fond memories. Someone said that this engine was originally designed by Honda for a generator……??
What memories. From 15 years and all through Highschool, I had a 1978 CB550k (4). I took my now wife of 41 years riding one Sunday afternoon and the rest is history. I still ride to this day - just nicer bikes.
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.
When I saw that bike at the start of the vid, I KNEW. Twice in my life I have gotten a 1978 KZ-650: once in 1987, and again in 2007. Both times, I had to tear the whole bike down and give it the million-mile service. Rode each of them for years and then passed them on to the next guy, in MUCH better shape than they came to me. And yes, the elation of getting the engine to actually run for the first time (after months of after-work labor and way too many parts) is the greatest feeling.
Love watching this show, it keeps me happy considering the time an money i have put into a few projects an ended up broken again for one reason or another (I find it annoying that places wont repair starters as i have an older bike and let a friend borrow the starter for his an now i have 2 cooked ones and replacement is probably 1/4 of the cost of a replacement engine) Keep doing your thing
I 've owned 3 CX 500s in the distant past and enjoyed them all , adequate performance although a heavy machine but superb comfort for riding all day.Many fond memories and just before Christmas, discovered a one owner CX500Z , 1978 with just 3, 200 miles, unused since 1987 .Like this one , the motor is seized solid but otherwise in pristine condition .Youv'e given me plenty of ideas guys but will definitely get her back on the road with a little less brute force !.
I had a 1982 Honda cx500, and by the time I sold it, you had to pull the plug wire off and hold them against the cylinders to get it to run right. I am reasonably certain the accelerator pump was shot too. I relined the tank at one point. It was a super fun ride when it was working right. By 1982, the tank had changed, and there was no more chain on the fuel cap :)
Great episode Craig! It's nice to see this side of things. That CX500 is pretty rough overall, but there's a lot of good pieces and parts on that bike to keep a few other old girls on the road. I'm about to start on a project bike, a Yamaha XVZ1300 Venture Royale. We've got to all do our part....
I bought a CX500 and it was the first street bike I owned after several motocross bikes. It was a fun ride. Me and my-now-wife took it on a 2000 mile road trip and had a blast. It had some cam chain vulberablities, but manageable. I wish I never sold it. I love your videos.
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.
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!
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
“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 😂
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'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
This brought back memories of restoring my 79 cx500. Man, I loved that bike
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.
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!
I absolutely enjoy the enthusiasm you bring. Even when it looks the worst, you keep on trucking. Best one yet!
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!
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!
at 24.41 --- love how all the knowledge just starts flowing out at times!
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.
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!
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
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.
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
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.
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!
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 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
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 ! 🙏
I owned two NEW CX500 bikes, 77 and 81. They were GREAT dependable bikes that were ahead of their time.
By far my favourite channel at the moment. Thanks for brightening up cloudy times 👍
Hang in there man. The toughest get the toughest challenges 👍
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
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.
Had a 1978 CX for 6 years here in the UK used it every day for work...great bike
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.
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.
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!
Ah the Honda-Guzzi! I had an 81 Gl 500 with factory fairing and radio. Great bike!
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!
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
The master at work. Thanks for bringing us along.
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
OMG - I LOVE THIS! I'm just getting into working on bikes and love to see pros not only tear into them but get em running again. Well Done! I hope one day to be able to do what you guys do.
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.!!...
OMG, I am absolutely convinced that Craig is one of the best motorcycle mechanics I have ever seen work on a bike cadaver and actually bring it back to life!!!! Soooo satisfying to see a machine literally on the chopping block to become parts and then it STARTS???? CRAIG SERIOUSLY I AM DOING THE I'M NOT WORTHY HANDS WAVING SALUTE!!!!! UFB MY GUY UFB!!!! GREAT VIDEO GUYS. NOW IT MAKES SENSE WHY SEAN ALWAYS CALLS CRAIG WHENEVER HE GETS INTO TROUBLE!!!!!!
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 really like to see the reactions when Craig gets a junker running…makes the whole video. Love this channel!
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?
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.
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 two of these old gals and they just keep running. Honda knocked it out of the park with the cx engines. Well done bringing her back to life.
( in Deutschland Güllepumpe genannt)Hondas schönstes motorrad die laufen immer
Craig, I enjoy your process of diagnosing mechanical or electrical issues with these older bikes. Right up my alley. Nice work.
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.
Thanks so much for doing the CX500! I happen to be working on one right now. You offer a lot of VERY helpful info. I have never missed an episode
My uncle had one of these in the 70s also, loved it so much, even the police used it for a while. So happy to see ya'll get this up and running again, I love these kinda vids. :)
Hey Craig and company. I know you probably won’t read this but thanks for all your videos. I don’t know much about motorcycles but your videos are both very entertaining and very informative, I’ve learned a lot watching you. Thank you 😀
Thank u for working on a Honda , i got a old CB 750 from 74 my father own and i wish i could have a great mechanique like u , i did give it to one guys and he left it outside in the rain ... Bike Run but spit a lot of oil from botom end i try to learn mechanic and watching u is a bless .
I have 2 CX's in the garage. Restoration projects now that I am retired. If I have any trouble, I now know what to do. Mine are in MUCH better shape, but now I have the troubleshooting flow chart burned into my brain. Well Done.
Craig, I really hope you and Dan will be the next UA-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!
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!
I'm currently running the absolute BAJEEZUS out of a 650 Ninja, with part of the cylinder liner chunked out on the right side, used head gaskets, and no torque value assigned to the head bolts. I just made 'em tight. We're learning to wheelie on it.
This spirit of slapping an engine back together just to make it run, is just beautiful. I love it.
I had a '79 CX500C that I was very fond of. That engine lent a lot of character to the bike. Probably was the influence that led me to getting an '08 Moto Guzzi Norge in '09. Fun video, thanks!
I just realized while watching the video that Dan is an enabler. Ya, go ahead and "start it." You don't need head gadgets. Go ahead and "start it." You don't need a muffler. You guys are awesome. Thanks for taking us along. Go ahead and start it.
I love your use of the T-handle wrench. One of my favorite tools. I used it as much as I could instead of a ratchet. It give you fine control of bolts.
Fun Fact! My dad / I currently have a 78' Honda Cx500c. It still runs well, we replaced the stator a couple years ago, and we got a *new* (hardly used, 25 yr old, stored safely, totally unscratched) fairing/windshield combo. This shaft drive is insanely smooth, and while the gearing is well... 70's, I've gotten it up to 85 mph, without it feeling unsafe, and it's insane at low speed maneuvers. Love this bike, and actually, going to do a whole clean up/painting/etc. on it soon. I just bought a 2024 Ninja 650 for myself, and if my dad can get enough strength back, we'll go for a ride together before I or we fix up the Honda. Never expected to see a video about this bike lol.
*Side note, before replacing the stator, I learned how to run and jump start a bike by dropping the clutch. VERY useful to know how to do.*
I am really enjoying the videos bringing old bikes back to life! Hopefully this one makes another appearance on the channel!
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.
Great video Craig and Dan. Even a lost cause can bring great excitement if you know where to look. My nephew has a Silverwing sitting in his garage that I may need to liberate! Keep up the great work!
Well done Craig - It’s always FUN watching you guys 🫡👍🏼🍻
The subtle zoom in on the crud falling off during the "Cool Stuff" segment are the little touches I've come to love about the editing.
Your videos give me a lot of hope for the project motorcycle my brother and I are working on. I'm all ready to slap everything back together and crank it over to see what it will do!
That ATF and Acetone mix I have used for years over here in Scotland to get bolts loose its the ultimate trick! Great to see it in the clip. Every bike I used this on it worked.
Just found your channel, love the positive and non-obnoxious narration!
I have a donated CX500 sitting in my garage. Rebuilt the carbs but now think i should check the engine before moving on. Thanks for the inspiration. Oh and mine needs plenty of wire work too...
Awesome Craig! So looking forward to firing up my GT750 which turns over but hasn't run in decades. So many useful tips. And plain fun.
Brings back memories and left me smiling. I had a maroon CX 500. Put about 10k on it and sold it at 28k miles. Never had any issues, other than a starter and a couple batteries over about 5 years.
There’s nothing more satisfying than bringing one back to life! Great video.
Had a 1981 CX500 custom, many years old when I bought, an attic find at a dealer, dirty and dusty. , but I knew what it was, my buddy had one. Got it for good price as he wanted to move it, cleaned up and looked brand new!! Ran perfect, comfortable at 60 mph all day. Put many thousand on it, no problems. Legendary bike and a looker. Honda quality. Brian
My first bike was the yamaha rd80, and the second, a cx500. The only drama I ever had was the chain spitting its dummy into a corner. The beauty, ran without fault for 5 years until I sold it (in a little dark corner of my mind, I kind of regret doing that). In '92, I bought my gixxer brand new and still ride her daily.
I hope someone restores this honda, it's a gem once it's running again.😊
Living in germany (was in the british army), I found out that the locals call it 'die gullenpumpe', roughly translates to 'the ditch pump' 😊
Thanks for posting and bringing back some memories mate, and a tear or two (I'm not crying, just got a fly in my eye 😊) 🤟
The CX500 is one of the 3 favorite bikes I've had. It was a '79 I got in '84. It had class, was a workhorse and my girlfriend enjoyed riding with me (finally). But in '87 I found myself unable to care for it and someone actually traded me a '74 Chevelle straight across. (another story from the shores of poverty) Nice to see you bring that one back to life.
I love these videos. I grew up riding these bikes with my friends in the late 70s. To hear one start up again that's been out of action, priceless. My stable of bikes began with a Yamaha RD125a (twin 2 stroke) a Honda CB400 Hawk, a Honda 750 supersport, a Honda CB900F, then a Honda CB750K1. I also owned a Kawasaki 350 Mach ? 2 stroke triple and a Suzuki 750 water bottle :). They don't make em like they used to!!... Thank goodness LOL.
Had three of these. The cam chain tensioner bolt always comes loose then the timing chain starts slapping around. Otherwise it is a tank!! And runs forever with a great cooling sustem and an awesome thumping sound!
Hey i really love these videos. I really appreciate that youre a burly looking dude that doesnt appear to get rageful when you encounter obstacles between you and your desired outcome. Thats important for people to see.
You bring so much joy to the whole process no matter the outcome. But as you said when this one fired, "it never gets old!"
The CX500 was my first motorcycle in 1984 - drove from Sweden twice to Portugal (not using the quickest road), to Greece and back from Italy and several other tours of Europe. The wife bought another one. Not too sporty, but never ever let us down.
Learning something and being entertained makes for an outstanding channel. Well done, boys.
I have seen many mechanics work.
But rare seen one that is actually, really, sincerely happy working.
I’m was convince that Craig was joking when he was doing bench top chemistry! But as always content gold! Keep it up!
I bought a 79 CX 500 as a project bike. Looking forward to the warmer weather so I can get started on it.
I'm 21 got an 82 and an 83 one of these. Didn't even know people loved these bikes so much that's awesome I love the way my 82 looks there's chrome bars everywhere and it's a devil it keeps up with my 82 seca 750 love these bikes!
My dad has an 81 GL500, same engine. Fun little bike, have to keep the RPM's way up there, it's like a heavy two stroke lol. Awesome content as always.
A fantastic rewarding watch you guys. Thanks!
Excellent work. I had a CX 20 years ago. Blew the head gaskets. Up until then it was a great bike.
Great laugh, you guys are great. Thanks for the entertainment.
I was a 17 yr old apprentice at a Honda dealership in the UK (in 1977) tasked with doing many cam chain tensioner modifications as discussed. I remember lifting these lumps out of the frames with my eyes popping out of my head in order to fit the mod kits. I never recall having to punch the 3 dots on the frame though! First time I’ve heard of that! Great bikes, many fond memories.
Someone said that this engine was originally designed by Honda for a generator……??
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.
What memories. From 15 years and all through Highschool, I had a 1978 CB550k (4). I took my now wife of 41 years riding one Sunday afternoon and the rest is history. I still ride to this day - just nicer bikes.
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.
When I saw that bike at the start of the vid, I KNEW. Twice in my life I have gotten a 1978 KZ-650: once in 1987, and again in 2007. Both times, I had to tear the whole bike down and give it the million-mile service. Rode each of them for years and then passed them on to the next guy, in MUCH better shape than they came to me.
And yes, the elation of getting the engine to actually run for the first time (after months of after-work labor and way too many parts) is the greatest feeling.
Love watching this show, it keeps me happy considering the time an money i have put into a few projects an ended up broken again for one reason or another (I find it annoying that places wont repair starters as i have an older bike and let a friend borrow the starter for his an now i have 2 cooked ones and replacement is probably 1/4 of the cost of a replacement engine)
Keep doing your thing
I love the little kid joy when Craig get whatever pile to fire and run just make you giggle😊
I 've owned 3 CX 500s in the distant past and enjoyed them all , adequate performance although a heavy machine but superb comfort for riding all day.Many fond memories and just before Christmas, discovered a one owner CX500Z , 1978 with just 3, 200 miles, unused since 1987 .Like this one , the motor is seized solid but otherwise in pristine condition .Youv'e given me plenty of ideas guys but will definitely get her back on the road with a little less brute force !.
I had a 1982 Honda cx500, and by the time I sold it, you had to pull the plug wire off and hold them against the cylinders to get it to run right. I am reasonably certain the accelerator pump was shot too. I relined the tank at one point. It was a super fun ride when it was working right. By 1982, the tank had changed, and there was no more chain on the fuel cap :)
Great episode Craig! It's nice to see this side of things. That CX500 is pretty rough overall, but there's a lot of good pieces and parts on that bike to keep a few other old girls on the road. I'm about to start on a project bike, a Yamaha XVZ1300 Venture Royale. We've got to all do our part....
I bought a CX500 and it was the first street bike I owned after several motocross bikes. It was a fun ride. Me and my-now-wife took it on a 2000 mile road trip and had a blast. It had some cam chain vulberablities, but manageable. I wish I never sold it.
I love your videos.