78 Honda CX500 Project

[EF Ian]

So, here is my next bike project, I took a risk on this, bought it unseen from an auction, didn't know if the engine was good.

Its a 1978 (I like this because its the same year as my 260Z) Honda CX500.


Condition is very rough and the engine does not even turn so It will require a full rebuild. Wish me luck. I think I shall be going a modern cafe racer style with this. For now I'll just be stripping it, I won't be spending any money on it until my Datsun is back on the road.

 

[Captain Starlet]

Love it Ian, if it's anything your 260z I will just subscribe now.

Not a big fan of most Cafe racers, but if they are done right they can be nice. Love this era of bike, my dad has a 1979 Honda CB900f which he restored when I was a kid.

Look forward to seeing how it turns out.

 

[EF Ian]

Not a big fan of most Cafe racers, but if they are done right they can be nice

Guess that goes for most things.

I am happy with how my BMW turned out, but the Honda should be better as its a full rebuild from the base up. The BM will likely get a full refresh once this is done, or I'll buy another K100 and do that.

my dad has a 1979 Honda CB900f

That would be a good base to work from. All the older CBs are pretty cool bikes.

Look forward to seeing how it turns out.

Will be a slow one.



I haven't yet decided I will go classic style or modern. I am leaning towards modern this time as its more work and therefore more challenging.

 

[EF Ian]

The teardown has begun

 

[EF Ian]

She's now a push bike.

I will clean, sort and store all the parts tomorrow. I might leave the frame like that until I assess the engine. I am hoping that all it will need is new bearings, seals and rings.

I need that bay clear so I can do work on the Civic so unless there is room to store it elsewhere I may have to just fully break it down as I don't want to loose all the room in my workshop bay, my K100 is currently undergoing some maintenance there.

 

[fabiostar]

jesus you dont waste time lol..78 makes it an early CX. great donky in them but just check the timing chain, if i remember they had problems the first year or so.. i think they ran some sorta strange setup kinda half pushrod half camchain engines.?

 

[EF Ian]

Started out fast, but then many other projects got in the way.

Did get the stripping fully finished a few weeks later though.




Took some tool not normally required in my garage:

Centre stand needed cut off:

Won't be using it anyway:

All parts were cleaned and degreased and then stored.

Subject to alterations, will need to purchase the shock first, will make alterations, get it blasted and perhaps powder coated, although since the idea was to do everything in house I may just paint it.

Engine has its issues though:

That doesn't look right

I will be needing a new crank:

Considering two options, get a good used crank and rebuild, or buy a running engine, fit that and build the bike and alongside re build the engine with a new crank and swap it out once the bike is finished. So I know I have a newly rebuilt engine in which shouldn't give any problems.

This will be slow from now on as I will only a have a small budget, and despite me doing all the work, I still need to buy many expensive parts.

 

[Apis]

Ouch,
Hope you get it sorted.

 

[EF Ian]

I'll get it sorted one way or the other, that was the chance I took buying a non runner.

Ideally I want a GL650 motor to replace it, but there are never any available.