I had 3 CX500's between 1986 until 2015, when I sold the last one I had, an '81D. Fun to watch someone video some of the work I went through with them. Parts are getting scarce for those bikes. I ride a CTX700 now which is a much better bike in nearly every aspect, but I'll always respect the CX500.
I did 100,000 miles on mine in 6 years and saw it still going 10 years later. I had a lot of fun with it. Still riding 40 years later and the Plastic Maggot is still one of my favourite bikes.
19:04 I must have been about 6, maybe 7(around 1965, '66) when my Dad taught me to always get all the bolts started by finger before taking any tools to them (He was a mechanic back then, before he became a pilot. Good old days in Rhodesia, now the ruin called Zimbabwe). Lesson stood me in good stead all the years later when I started messing with engines, I only caught myself out once.
Top tip re making sure those holes are dry with nothing in. I cracked a CB 900 head a long time ago due to this. Had to remove it again! And get the rear of the blind holes for the cam cover welded. Live and learn!
16:30 I've read that you shouldn't scrape off old gaskets with a razor blade because it can scratch the mating surfaces, leading to an imperfect seal. What are your thoughts on this? Has it ever resulted in any issues for you?
Sometimes a blade is just necessary. If you are careful you can avoid any damage. You see me use a carbide scraper in this as well. I believe I was mostly using a blade to help separate the covers and then clean around transfer pipes
Ah, I didn't realize that it was a different tool, I thought it was just a razor blade with a long handle. What makes a scraper better to use than an ordinary razor blade? Is it less sharp? Thanks for replying, love your channel
So the carbide scraper is machined to be 100% perfectly flat. Once even pressure is applied it reduces any chance of case gouging. Its an awesome tool from Goodson supply
Agradezco mucho estos tutoriales sobre los motores CX y GL. Yo tengo una GL 650 SILVERWING, y me encargo de hacer todos sus trabajos. Aquí en Costa Rica no se logra encontrar repuestos de ningún tipo para esta clase de motocicleta. Así que todo lo compro en EEUU y Canadá. Un abrazo y muchas gracias.
Nice work buddy. I like that engine I had a 1982 Honda custom CX 650 it had multiple problems and couldn’t find parts for it and I got rid of it however I’d like to find another one
Thanks for the video, why you remote the tach drive? Does this only run the gauge? What you going to replace it with, some electronic version? video doesn't say And looking at this, I'm thinking of using one of these motors for a 3-wheel "morgan", and think to remove/elminate the water pump and use an electric one. Any idea how to seal that off, not sure looking at it, just need to route the water from one hole to the next, maybe weld up the impeller hole?
Could you still run the tach drive, had you not welded the hole shut? Ya know, after cutting the end of the cam off. I could still see the drive splines.
Oh I should have linked that one. Its a carbide scraper from Goodson tools. Buy one, very worth it for exactly this. I believe it has a lifetime warranty for them resharpening/squaring it.
Great video BJ, nice to watch someone else doing it for a change. Im lucky to have seal insertion tool made for me by a member of the UK CX club. Derek, no longer with us was a gent. Did you bother with torqueing the dome nut on the end of the cam to hold in the impeller. I don't as I find the torque in the manual way too low. I also recommend a dab of thread glue just to be sure.
Thank ya! The seal for the 81 down is not available and these seals are a mm larger so you would have to either enlarge the case or shep method this thing
@@campbellian73 In case you don't have one, its imperative to have a service manual. I also have a bunch of videos I did as I rebuilt the engine for the white cx500 build
BJ, I know your a busy guy, but isn't the cx 500 an awkward choice for that build. It seems like the owner cold have made a better. It's a heavy bike, bulky doesn't that outweigh advantages. I always enjoy your videos, well made and thought through.
A few points here. 1 - The main thing is that any of us could go buy a stock dirtbike or adventure bike that will outperform this. The point is to build.. the point is to have fun. 2 - This is lighter than my KlR, has more ground clearance, lower seat height, more powerful. It won't have optimum geometry but so far its damn good offroad! 3 - Why not?
I guess I need to think out of the box a little more. Off road riding doesn't necessarily excessive abuse to the bike. It would depend on who's riding and where. Thanks
I had 3 CX500's between 1986 until 2015, when I sold the last one I had, an '81D. Fun to watch someone video some of the work I went through with them. Parts are getting scarce for those bikes. I ride a CTX700 now which is a much better bike in nearly every aspect, but I'll always respect the CX500.
I dont even rebuild engines or own a cx but enjoy watching you work, great vid!
Well thank ya Bob!
I did 100,000 miles on mine in 6 years and saw it still going 10 years later. I had a lot of fun with it. Still riding 40 years later and the Plastic Maggot is still one of my favourite bikes.
They are fun and strong bikes for sure!
19:04 I must have been about 6, maybe 7(around 1965, '66) when my Dad taught me to always get all the bolts started by finger before taking any tools to them (He was a mechanic back then, before he became a pilot. Good old days in Rhodesia, now the ruin called Zimbabwe). Lesson stood me in good stead all the years later when I started messing with engines, I only caught myself out once.
I really appreciate your detailed and careful work.
Well thank you very much Ken!
Great vid as always makes me want to just buy a CX engine strip it and rebuild such beautiful engineering
They are really cool engines in layout. Everything is a bit unique on them and they have a charm
Top tip re making sure those holes are dry with nothing in. I cracked a CB 900 head a long time ago due to this. Had to remove it again! And get the rear of the blind holes for the cam cover welded. Live and learn!
Its the small things like that which can cause the biggest headaches for sure!
Coming along on the build!
Definitely!
16:30 I've read that you shouldn't scrape off old gaskets with a razor blade because it can scratch the mating surfaces, leading to an imperfect seal. What are your thoughts on this? Has it ever resulted in any issues for you?
Sometimes a blade is just necessary. If you are careful you can avoid any damage. You see me use a carbide scraper in this as well. I believe I was mostly using a blade to help separate the covers and then clean around transfer pipes
Ah, I didn't realize that it was a different tool, I thought it was just a razor blade with a long handle. What makes a scraper better to use than an ordinary razor blade? Is it less sharp? Thanks for replying, love your channel
So the carbide scraper is machined to be 100% perfectly flat. Once even pressure is applied it reduces any chance of case gouging. Its an awesome tool from Goodson supply
@@BrickHouseBuilds oh cool, didn't know that! Thanks for the info, keep up the good work!
Agradezco mucho estos tutoriales sobre los motores CX y GL.
Yo tengo una GL 650 SILVERWING, y me encargo de hacer todos sus trabajos.
Aquí en Costa Rica no se logra encontrar repuestos de ningún tipo para esta clase de motocicleta. Así que todo lo compro en EEUU y Canadá. Un abrazo y muchas gracias.
Glad you find the videos helpful!
Nice work buddy.
I like that engine I had a 1982 Honda custom CX 650 it had multiple problems and couldn’t find parts for it and I got rid of it however I’d like to find another one
Thank you. Parts can be slightly difficult to find for the 83 year bikes but with some legwork you can usually track down what you need
Great video, very methodical indeed......well done.
Thanks Martin!
What an engine thus was, no wonder the courier riders chose the “plastic Maggot” as the weapon of choice.
They are pretty cool for what they are.
Thanks for the video, why you remote the tach drive? Does this only run the gauge? What you going to replace it with, some electronic version? video doesn't say
And looking at this, I'm thinking of using one of these motors for a 3-wheel "morgan", and think to remove/elminate the water pump and use an electric one.
Any idea how to seal that off, not sure looking at it, just need to route the water from one hole to the next, maybe weld up the impeller hole?
Yes I have a digital tach for this. I've seen people use these on the Morgan and its really cool! Electric pump can definitely be used
Could you still run the tach drive, had you not welded the hole shut? Ya know, after cutting the end of the cam off. I could still see the drive splines.
Yes its possible
What tool did you use to scrape the gasket material? Looked like it worked well.
Oh I should have linked that one. Its a carbide scraper from Goodson tools. Buy one, very worth it for exactly this. I believe it has a lifetime warranty for them resharpening/squaring it.
Nicely done!
Thank you again!
Great video!!
Thank ya Monty!
Great video BJ, nice to watch someone else doing it for a change. Im lucky to have seal insertion tool made for me by a member of the UK CX club. Derek, no longer with us was a gent. Did you bother with torqueing the dome nut on the end of the cam to hold in the impeller. I don't as I find the torque in the manual way too low. I also recommend a dab of thread glue just to be sure.
Thanks Mike. I used the calibrated elbow on the dome nut if I'm being honest.
@@BrickHouseBuilds Is that a US elbow or a an EU metric one ....hmmmmm😆
@@mikeohonda486 weeeelllll, the left elbow is in lb/ft and then right in Newton Meters
Great video !! thanks
Thanks for watching it!
Love it
Thank ya
Nice work bro!
Well done!! I must soon do my mech seal... some job I fear to do. I believe the part is not available from Honda any more??
Thank ya! The seal for the 81 down is not available and these seals are a mm larger so you would have to either enlarge the case or shep method this thing
What lubricant is in your pump bottle/can? Just a standard motor oil?
Correct just regular oil
Nice! I like style of your videos. What camera are you using for recording?
I appreciate it! Most is filmed with a gopro hero 5 black. The more detailed shots are my phone
What would you charge to rebuild a CX500 engine, or is that something you would even consider?
I appreciate the request but I am no longer taking on any customer work. Only personal builds.
@@BrickHouseBuilds No worries, I have a CX500 that I torn down, I may have bit of more than I can chew. But Im still gonna go for it :)
@@campbellian73 In case you don't have one, its imperative to have a service manual. I also have a bunch of videos I did as I rebuilt the engine for the white cx500 build
BJ, I know your a busy guy, but isn't the cx 500 an awkward choice for that build. It seems like the owner cold have made a better. It's a heavy bike, bulky doesn't that outweigh advantages. I always enjoy your videos, well made and thought through.
A few points here.
1 - The main thing is that any of us could go buy a stock dirtbike or adventure bike that will outperform this. The point is to build.. the point is to have fun.
2 - This is lighter than my KlR, has more ground clearance, lower seat height, more powerful. It won't have optimum geometry but so far its damn good offroad!
3 - Why not?
I guess I need to think out of the box a little more. Off road riding doesn't necessarily excessive abuse to the bike. It would depend on who's riding and where. Thanks
How did you get the tac drive out
Its held in with a seal
Good one! The next episode sounds interesting too, can't wait. How's the arm doing?
Doing good! As of today no evidence of the event
How big is your garage?
Less than 300sq ft. It's a pain in the butt right now
Cómo pones la marcha ?
Your text translated to "how to put it in gear" but I don't think that is your question.
That cam looks brand new
Thank you and yes a bit of polish goes a long way!
But jap bikes neve go wrong. This is what ever bloke riding a brit bike has been told. How wrong they are
not sure I understand here