The CB1100 Community Forum

Had breakfast this morning with a nice couple with whom we've ridden a few times. Scott made passing reference to an old CX500 he has taking up space in a friend's garage that he's thinking of giving away or selling really cheap. "Free or cheap" are words that perk up my ears.

I've been thinking that it might be a fun to tinker around with an old bike and possibly have it for my son to ride when he's home from school, but I don't know much about this particular model. Scott is going to send me a pic and more details, but I was interested in knowledgable opinions about the bike from this esteemed body of motorcycle enthusiasts.

Thanks in advance for your input.

MTC

I started to write a response then re-read your post and saw that you were asking for "knowledgeable" opinions. Haha! I'll say this, I've shared your thoughts and have considered finding an old CB that I can restore with my boys. I need more room in the garage! Then again, I guess I could do like Hondahoarder and just park my bikes in the house! If it truly is "free or cheap," it seems that no matter what, you'll come out ahead and you'll gain a lot more than just a working motorcycle in the end.

CX 500 was designed by the same guy that designed the CBX ( little known fact) tranverse V twin ala Moto Guzzi with cylinders twisted to move carbs in toward center giving room for riders knees. Originally 500cc grew to 650 cc and was eventually turbo.d. Liquid cooled shaft drive. First relaesed in 1978 lasted into the early 80s. like all Hondas generally reliable. Made 50 ish horsepower if I remember correctly.

Makes a great looking cafe racer.

Coincidentally, I'm catching up with my ride report this morning and have posted these pictures:

Wow someone has a nice collection Cormanus

Here ya go ES

[url=https://www.google.com/search?safe=off&hl=en&site=imghp&tbm=isch&source=hp&biw=981&bih=466&q=cx500+cafe+racer&oq=cx500+&gs_l=img.1.0.0l10.4056.8655.0.10521.6.5.0.1.1.0.498.1009.3j0j1j0j1.5.0.msedr​...0...1c.1.58.img..0.6.1024.tq80OzTZats]https://www.google.com/search?safe=off&h...q80OzTZats

Check out green one 2nd from left and the ones with the knee pads. Too cool

Early ones had a water pump seal problem. You needed to pull the motor to fix it right. The Honda replacement part was much better so once
fixed it was good to go.

I don't know much about this bike, but that fairing and huge headlamp are hideous.... Would have looked better naked.

(12-06-2014, 08:04 AM)HondaJon_imp Wrote: [ -> ]I don't know much about this bike, but that fairing and huge headlamp are hideous.... Would have looked better naked.

That was the style of racing fairings back in the day. (Late 70's to I think, '83)

Thanks for the input, guys. I don't have a picture of the bike yet and I'm not sure of the year, but it has a black tank with an orange or red stripe on it. It's not a turbo and doesn't have that big fairing on it. I bought it, sight unseen, for $300 plus dinner for him and his girlfriend and he's going to deliver it to my mom's garage next week.

I figure that it was a risk worth taking for that amount of money, but we will see.

Something like this, only not nearly as clean, I imagine

I've been trying to resist getting one of those to play with.