1981 Honda CX500

Description

• Freshly repainted Bodywork 
• New Exhaust System 
• Starts on the Button 
• Wonderful Condition 
• Recent restoration 
• Part of a private collection

The Honda CX series motorcycles, including the GL500 and GL650 Silver Wing variants, were developed and released by Honda in the late 1970s, with production ending in most markets by the mid 1980s.  

The design included innovative features and technologies that were uncommon or unused at the time such as liquid cooling, electric-only starting, low-maintenance shaft drive, modular wheels, and dual CV-type carburettors that were tuned for reduced emissions. The electronic ignition system was separate from the rest of the electrical system, but the motorcycle could only be started via the start button. 

The Honda CX500 we have here was originally purchased from a dealer “up north” and added to our vendor’s collection; now coming to market as our vendor is shrinking said collection. 

Unfortunately, it will come with very little history, but it will include the V5, some invoices collated during our vendor’s ownership and the recent restoration.  It is now Tax and MOT exempt and as such does not come with a current one.  Check the history and you will see that it has passed every MOT from 2007 to 2017 first time and with no advisories, you will also see that it has travelled less than 3000 miles since 2007. 

Bodywork & running gear 

As you can see from the images this Honda CX500 has received a lot of attention and presents fantastically well, forget that it is 43 years old, you would be forgiven for thinking it is 5 years old such is the condition of the bike. 

The professionally applied Candy Bourgogne (Burgundy) Red paintwork is spotless and is arguably the favoured colour for these lovely machines. 

The shiny stuff has either been re-chromed or is new, with the exhausts being replaced from the headers to the tailpipes.  Even the engine bars are immaculate showing no evidence of the bike ever being dropped. Even the front fender and top box rack have been replaced. 

The Comstar wheels have been refurbished with the spokes being repainted silver and the alloy rims just needing a clean-up, and while we are at it the tyres have plenty of tread so won’t need replacing anytime soon. 

The front forks and rear shocks all work as they should and look in great condition. 

It truly is a stunning example; it will almost be a shame to take it out and use it on the road but that said, you know our preferred views, classics are for using and this is ready to go. 

Engine and mechanicals  

The CX series feature a crankshaft configuration aligned longitudinally with the axis of bike, similar to the Moto Guzzi layout. Unlike a “boxer” flat twin, the cylinders protrude at an angle above the horizontal. The included angle of the CX is 80° and the heads are twisted 22° so that the inlet tracts do not interfere with the rider’s legs. A camshaft nestles at the base of the V between the cylinders. 

As you can see from the images, the engine is very clean visually and at 83,000 miles it is barely run in. Add to that the shaft drive, which is operating as it should, and you find it to be virtually unbreakable. 

Back in the 80s and 90s you would often see dispatch riders tearing about in London delivering packages here and there.  That fact alone was testament to how reliable these bikes are. It was also very common to see these parked up with hundreds of thousands of miles registered on the clock, another hint to just how reliable the Honda CX500 really is. 

Our vendor has shared that the lovely example has very recently been given a full service including the usual oils, filters and so on. He has also shared that the carburettors have been stripped and cleaned so it starts on the button plus everything else has been given the once over. All that has led to a bike that runs as sweet as it did when it left the factory. 

Summary  

The Honda CX500 was indisputably the first choice for high mileage, hard riding dispatchers in London. For good reason too, famous for being exceptionally reliable it just goes and goes without a care in the world. 

This particular example has clearly not experienced such a hard life and has almost certainly been well cared for throughout its previous ownership. Add to that, how pampered it has been in its current ownership the winning bidder is going to inherit a very, very good example of these increasingly rare bikes. 

A wonderful example with loads of recent spend and a pretty bulletproof bike that can be used immediately or tucked up in a collection – such is the quality of this great Honda CX500. 

Good luck! Please remember, our site uses anti-sniping software which ensures fairness to all bidders. So, if a bid for a lot is received in the last minute, the auction will go into a 2-minute overtime period for each subsequent bid.

Vehicle Location : Doncaster, South Yorkshire DN8  – it’s the responsibility of the winning bidder to make collection / transportation arrangements directly with the vendor.

Would like to arrange a viewing or have a question about this Honda CX500? Please contact us at team@evoke-classics.com and we will speak to the vendor on your behalf.

Guide Prices?

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Well, everyone knows the broad value of classic, let’s all be honest. So we don’t need to tell you what you already know, do we.

The ‘market’ decides and the old cliché that ‘it’s worth what someone wants to pay’ is no less true. So why kid everyone!

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Tedious but it’s vital you read this, please.

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