1978-1982 Honda CX500

(Page 3 of 3)

March/April 2008
By Richard Backus 
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Why? For starters, it developed a reputation as being wildly unreliable, with reports of a balancer and cam chain arrangement that needed constant attention, and heat dissipation issues that caused valves to burn up and cylinder heads to crack.

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The vertical twin’s performance didn’t make many hearts flutter when it was introduced, either, as the bike posted below-average quarter-mile speeds in its class and reviewers noted problems with drive-train backlash and dodgy throttle response on early models.

On the plus side, the bike boasts many of the features that made classics of the XS650 and the three-cylinder XS750. Its combination of a 180-degree crank with a vibration damper, electric start and twin carbs makes for a smooth and easy ride, and its styling lines are clean and were quite fashionable in the day. It's still a handsome bike today.

Yamaha logged the complaints about the 500, made refinements and continued to produce it until 1979. A surprisingly high survival rate suggests they weren’t nearly as unreliable as many believed, as nice examples surface regularly.

1980 Moto Guzzi V50 Monza
- 48hp, 109mph
- 490cc
- Air-cooled
- 5-speed
- Dual disc front, single disc rear
- 353lb (dry)
- 45-55mpg
- $2,000-$4,000

Based on the V50 that Moto Guzzi introduced in 1977 as a down-sized option to its successful 850cc V-twins, the sporty Monza was an attempt to inject some excitement into a bike the U.S. market simply didn’t find attractive.
Where the standard V50 was somewhat austere and devoid of any gee-whiz factor, the Monza had the go-fast styling of its celebrated big brother, the LeMans. Its 490cc V-twin pumped out a respectable 48hp (the same as Honda’s CX), and like most Italian sport bikes it was endowed with excellent handling, something you couldn’t say about all its Japanese competitors.
An aggressive seating position and excellent high-speed manners inspired frequent runs up to the bike’s claimed top speed of 109mph, while Guzzi’s controversial linked brake system (the left front and rear calipers are linked to the foot pedal; the hand lever operates the right front caliper) with triple discs was more than adequate to bring the bike’s modest bulk to a quick stop.
Unfortunately, the Monza’s reputation for quirkiness — coupled with a sticker price north of $3,000 — helped guarantee success for bikes like the CX500, which offered the added promise of Japanese reliability for almost a grand less. Low production and slow sales mean survivors are few and far between, but they are out there, and most are still in good shape thanks to enthusiastic owners.

 

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  • Zeugitai 10/12/2009 1:59:26 PM

    I also had a '79 Honda CX500 back in the day. It had the backrest and hard saddlebags. I sold it off in 1985 and for years forgot about it, but now I'm picking up an '81 that looks like the same bike I had. I remembered its flawless, smooth performance. I used it to make the round trip between Cleveland and Columbus Ohio almost effortless. I used it as a motorcycle courier around Washington D.C. between 1980 and 1982. I rode it to tour the east coast, and the southern tier of states. I rode it non-stop from Albuquerque to D.C. It never caused a problem or let me down. It was smooth and fast. It was too easy to take it for granted. I look forward to getting my '82 and getting it back on the road.

  • Larry Clark 6/11/2009 6:53:57 PM

    I really enjoyed the article. I have a 1980 custom that I bought new. I loved the look of the bike. Rode it to Chicago and then back to Seattle. Did 850 miles in one day (from Bozeman). It was below freezing when I left Bozeman then over 100 in Spokane and finally raining in Seattle. Great ride. I am now starting to restore the bike for my son who tells when 'when I grow up be a man I ride the Honda'. So ... I have an 850 BMW standard which I also love. Same kind of bike. Great to ride and tough. Best wishes.

  • Steven R Cummings 6/9/2009 6:12:40 PM

    I have owned a few mid-weight road bikes, ranging from 350cc to 750cc. My favorite was, is, and I am sure will be my 79 CX500. I put many a mile under that bike and she never let me down. Also it had the power to keep up with most 750s. Like a fool I traded it off for some fool thing and have regretted it ever since through many bikes. The best vacation I ever took was on that bike, from Illinois to the Blue Ridge Parkway, and across Cherokee N.C. into the Smokey Mtns. of TN. and then home. What trip, riding, camping and just lovin nature.

  • Steven R Cummings 6/9/2009 6:11:35 PM

    I have owned a few mid-weight road bikes, ranging from 350cc to 750cc. My favorite was, is, and I am sure will be my 79 CX500. I put many a mile under that bike and she never let me down. Also it had the power to keep up with most 750s. Like a fool I traded it off for some fool thing and have regretted it ever since through many bikes. The best vacation I ever took was on that bike, from Illinois to the Blue Ridge Parkway, and across Cherokee N.C. into the Smokey Mtns. of TN. and then home. What trip, riding, camping and just lovin nature.

  • Randy Smuts 3/5/2009 1:32:20 PM

    GREAT article about a really great bike!

    My son and I just finished a rebuild on a '79 CX500 we got for a song!
    It had sat for 2+ years (in a shed) and was the ugliest shade of brush painted green one had EVER seen,(with only 28K miles on her) but after a little Seafoam in the tank, new plugs, change the oil and filter anda little carb cleanupand some coaxing and appropriate words, she fired right up.

    The more he rode her the better she ran until she now runs great on both cylinders and is an extremely easy to ride and dependable machine he uses for commutes and some weekend road trips.After a lot of elbow grease and patience a new mettallic Blue paint job graces her and she now looks as good as she runs!

    It was a great father/son project that we both thouroughly enjoyed. Ohh, BTW the price?
    Well, after we sold some of many spare parts that came with her we ended up with slightly under $200 in her!!

    NOT TOO Shabby for a great little bike that will last for years yet!
    They ARE out there folks ya just gotta look.

  • Randy Smuts 3/5/2009 1:31:06 PM

    GREAT article about a really great bike!

    My son and I just finished a rebuild on a '79 CX500 we got for a song!
    It had sat for 2+ years (in a shed) and was the ugliest shade of brush painted green one had EVER seen,(with only 28K miles on her) but after a little Seafoam in the tank, new plugs, change the oil and filter anda little carb cleanupand some coaxing and appropriate words, she fired right up.

    The more he rode her the better she ran until she now runs great on both cylinders and is an extremely easy to ride and dependable machine he uses for commutes and some weekend road trips.After a lot of elbow grease and patience a new mettallic Blue paint job graces her and she now looks as good as she runs!

    It was a great father/son project that we both thouroughly enjoyed. Ohh, BTW the price?
    Well, after we sold some of many spare parts that came with her we ended up with slightly under $200 in her!!

    NOT TOO Shabby for a great little bike that will last for years yet!
    They ARE out there folks ya just gotta look.

  • Larry Burich 9/18/2008 10:49:50 PM

    Anyone one interested in old Honda, especially the CX500 would get a kick out of the video my son and I made. 5000 miles in Mexico on 2 CX500s.
    You can see the trailer here: http://www.filmbaby.com/films/3188

  • Larry Burich 9/18/2008 10:49:18 PM

    Anyone one interested in old Honda, especially the CX500 would get a kick out of the video my son and I made. 5000 miles in Mexico on 2 CX500s.
    You can see the trailer here: http://www.filmbaby.com/films/3188

  • Ray Challenger 9/13/2008 7:06:54 PM

    I just bought 78 cx500 used , just to play with and get back into wrenchin and ridin. So far its been a steep learning curve with more wrech then ride.Didnt know a thing about them till two weeks ago. Think its cool.

  • sbrogden 8/17/2008 8:14:59 PM

    I ride a 1980 Yamaha XS850SG 3 cylinder, shaft drive. Just arranged to buy a 1980 Honda CX500 in need of some work. I'm looking forward to getting this old Honda back on the road.

  • semper39 6/24/2008 4:25:59 AM

    I have a 1980 CX500C. I have modified it to my tastes (shorter, narrower bars and a MAC 2 into 1 exhaust). It's a fun and reliable bike (which cost me very little to buy and modify and very little to run).

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