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Hey guys:
I came across this bike for sale in my local CL:
[url=http://austin.craigslist.org/mcy/5726154531.html]Austin CL
![[Image: 220485b95264ba2b5750aba1f7da1d22.jpg]](https://cb1100forum.net/forum/uploads/imp/201608/220485b95264ba2b5750aba1f7da1d22.jpg)
![[Image: e28edde1986f8761b52183d7484a238b.jpg]](https://cb1100forum.net/forum/uploads/imp/201608/e28edde1986f8761b52183d7484a238b.jpg)
I never even knew Honda sold one of these cool looking bikes.
It's f/s for $8950...don't know if that's the going price on one of these.
What do you guys know about them?
Anyone here who onwed one, ....what's the word on this?
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jedd it's a 4 valve 500 single cyl Honda made in 89-90 for the US (other sizes available in Europe). Never sold well. Americans just weren't into 500 singles for the street. At that time frame they were also not into retros resembling Manx Nortons. Talk about left overs lol.
Gosh you are pushing my memory but I think they sold new for $3500-$4500. Have no idea what one might be worth now.
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Old pic, but Just so happen to have one in my collection. 500 original miles, likely one of the nicest ones left. I do a few 50 mile jaunts each summer on it. It is a 'momentum' bike, not much of a performer, but a lovely machine. Meant to evoke the memory of Brit cafe bikes, but 10 years ahead of the retro curve.
Not unlike the CB. Beautiful, finished to a high level, good but not great performance, overpriced when new, left to flounder by Honda 'marketing' and cheap as chips used. But, hopefully alike for the CB, now regarded as a minor classic and inching up in price.
If I didn't have a bunch of bikes I'd mod and ride it, but it's just too low mileage to do that. I bought it from a guy who had it in his living room, so at least I've given it company in the garage. I've seen one still in the crate go for $12k.
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Single cylinder and dual pipes out of head, very cool
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I noticed that, after Ferret mentioned that it's a thumper, i said what the???. two pipes! Thats Freakin' cool as can be.
Capo,that's a gorgeous toy you have there, you lucky guy. such a
luxury to own a classic beauty w/ only 500 miles.
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(08-14-2016, 08:15 AM)jedd_imp Wrote: I noticed that, after Ferret mentioned that it's a thumper, i said what the???. two pipes! Thats Freakin' cool as can be.
Capo,that's a gorgeous toy you have there, you lucky guy. such a
luxury to own a classic beauty w/ only 500 miles.
That wasn't the first time they did that. The '82 FT500 Ascot was a four valve 500cc thumper with the same configuration.
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(08-14-2016, 02:30 AM)jedd_imp Wrote: Hey guys:
I came across this bike for sale in my local CL:
[url=http://austin.craigslist.org/mcy/5726154531.html]Austin CL
I never even knew Honda sold one of these cool looking bikes.
It's f/s for $8950...don't know if that's the going price on one of these.
What do you guys know about them?
Anyone here who onwed one, ....what's the word on this?
I did have one of these in Spain, the European Honda XBR500, that I bought in 1996 -already a classic model from the late 80's- and sold before moving to the US in 2003. The original black color was quite faded, so my mechanic of the time talked me into the yellow custom paint. I never thought that the comstar wheels were appropriate for that bike but there was no spike wheels option at the time.
Like Capo mentioned, it did not have a stellar performance, but it was so low, light, easy to ride and reliable (even kick starter available), that I would have kept it if I could. The sound of that engine was like a little farm tractor, and I never had any mechanical issue with it. Oil, filters and checking the valves from time to time, that was it.
Perfect for the city traffic, the best possible alternative for a scooter that I can think about. With the late comeback of the cafe-racer-mania, I suppose that is a very sought after model. I don't believe that is a valid reference anymore, but I sold/gave away mine with 25 thousand Km. to a guy from Barcelona for 1800 Euros. I will buy it back if I could  .
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The GB500 is a cult classic and prices are high.
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I occasionally see them on eBay for $6000-$7000. Really cool bike, ahead of its time for a retro IMO. White Bros made a big bore kit for these, which helped performance. I periodically toy with buying one, but haven't. Carburetors are a bit of a non-starter for me anymore.
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(08-14-2016, 12:48 PM)LongRanger_imp Wrote: I occasionally see them on eBay for $6000-$7000. Really cool bike, ahead of its time for a retro IMO. White Bros made a big bore kit for these, which helped performance. I periodically toy with buying one, but haven't. Carburetors are a bit of a non-starter for me anymore.
8 years of ownership. Each spring, I air up the tires, open the petcock, hit the choke, press the button, and it starts up and runs perfectly. Same as my Bonneville. The fear of carbs is vastly overstated. Ask any KLR650 rider.
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