1980 Honda CX500D
Guess what? This beauty has only clocked in just under 7000 original miles!
It’s practically mint, with only a couple of tiny scratches in the paint. Even the rubber grommets, tires, etc., are as good as new. After sitting around for a while, there were a few minor touch-ups needed to bring it back to its former glory. But hey, working on bikes is half the fun.
After a week of evening tinkering, my trusty two-wheeler is ready for a short road trip up the mountain. It’s a bit of a gray day, and the light is so-so for photography, but hey, it’ll have to do for now.
First Impressions
-Casper Mountain.
This bike is a bit more top-heavy than the Virago, probably thanks to its taller engine and larger gas tank. But guess what? It handles like a dream. Super stable in sharp turns and straight-line cruising. It’s hard to compare it to that BMW I owned ages ago, but it feels smooth and quiet, probably even more so than the BMW.
Plus, it’s about 50 pounds lighter than the Virago. I didn’t think it would make a big difference, but this Honda is a breeze to maneuver, even without the power. Who knew?
Back when this bike was introduced, it got some negative reviews on its appearance. Personally, I find its looks unique and appealing. Maybe it’s my western culture, where the buffalo is a cultural icon. It even features prominently on our state flag. The angular lines and the character of the CX somehow remind me of a buffalo.
The long, curving pipes also give me vibes of a Triumph Bonneville, another one of my dream machines.
-A few of our local buffalo.
Working on this bike is an absolute pleasure. The seat and tank are a breeze to remove, and with the flying V twin design, almost everything is easily accessible. Plus, the electrical system is simple, which is a real plus. Looking at the CX’s simple and robust design, it’s clear why, with routine maintenance, these machines can hit 300,000 miles with few problems. Let’s see, with 7000 miles in 27 years, this machine should last another 1126 years! 😉
Well, maybe not that long. I’ll probably ride it a little more than that.
Honda made variants of this bike for about half a dozen years, and most of the important parts can be obtained new. Used parts are easily found in salvage yards.
With these bikes lasting so long and spare parts readily available, we should see a good supply of CX’s hitting the road for years to come. And who knows, there might be a few in mint condition, like mine, just waiting to be discovered in someone’s garage.
-CLean, clean machine.
With its 500cc engine, this bike is about half the size of what I’m used to riding. It tends to lose its wind at around 80mph, which is about 15 to 20mph lower than the larger machines. But hey, it’s more than adequate for my solo rides, usually cruising closer to 60mph than 80. It’s got noticeably less low-end torque than my bigger bikes, and its power kicks in at about twice the rpms. Redline is at 10k. It’ll take some time to get used to watching the tach spin about half again as fast as on the larger machines and not instinctively search for a higher gear.
It’s also my first water-cooled bike, complete with a mechanical fan and a temperature gauge. That’s a real plus in my desert environment.
Parting Thoughts
I’m having so much fun discovering and working on these pristine, older machines that I probably won’t ever go for a new one. For the same money, I could own half a dozen gems. So, I’m still on the lookout for other opportunities, and that thumper is still on my mind.
✨
Cheers, D 🌴🌊
