1980 CX500 custom ???

1596 Views 20 Replies 5 Participants Last post by Motopsycho1305, Nov 10, 2021

Motopsycho1305

Discussion Starter · Nov 3, 2021

I was hoping to get some advise on what I should look out for on this model and any good place for parts. I was warned about the water pump/cam problem, but I would like to hear from you guys about that or anything else you think I should know. Thanks for any help. Jason

1 - 20 of 21 Posts

reclinedrelic

· #2 · Nov 3, 2021

Hi Jason. Welcome to the forum. If you haven't done so already, visit the Wiki ( link in my signature) and download a copy of the factory service manual for your bike. Since it is new to you it is a good idea to go through all the service items (high mileage service).
The best place for parts is your local Honda Powerspors dealer. What they don't have you may find at David Silver Spares and finally eBay.

mtreis86

· #3 · Nov 3, 2021

There is also cmsnl.com
I tend to start there when looking for parts for two reason, they have good images with parts breakdowns, and have a nice compatibility listing that will tell you other models that use the part. Very handy for finding things on ebay since most used parts get listed by the model of the bike and not by the part number itself.

Motopsycho1305

Discussion Starter · #4 · Nov 4, 2021

reclinedrelic said:
Hi Jason. Welcome to the forum. If you haven't done so already, visit the Wiki ( link in my signature) and download a copy of the factory service manual for your bike. Since it is new to you it is a good idea to go through all the service items (high mileage service).
The best place for parts is your local Honda Powerspors dealer. What they don't have you may find at David Silver Spares and finally eBay.

Thank you very much!

Motopsycho1305

Discussion Starter · #5 · Nov 4, 2021

mtreis86 said:
There is also cmsnl.com
I tend to start there when looking for parts for two reason, they have good images with parts breakdowns, and have a nice compatibility listing that will tell you other models that use the part. Very handy for finding things on ebay since most used parts get listed by the model of the bike and not by the part number itself.

Thank you very much!

Sidecar Bob

· #6 · Nov 5, 2021

Honda is very good at using the same part on as many models as possible for as many years as reasonable so your local Honda motorcycle dealer can still get a surprising amount of the parts you are likely to need. Some things that were specific to these bikes are No Longer Available through Honda but aftermarket manufacturers have sprung up to provide a lot of those and forums like this are the best place to find out about them.

Reactions: 1

Motopsycho1305

Discussion Starter · #7 · Nov 5, 2021

Sidecar Bob said:
Honda is very good at using the same part on as many models as possible for as many years as reasonable so your local Honda motorcycle dealer can still get a surprising amount of the parts you are likely to need. Some things that were specific to these bikes are No Longer Available through Honda but aftermarket manufacturers have sprung up to provide a lot of those and forums like this are the best place to find out about them.

Thank you for your tip! The good thing is that I work at Honda dealer. I looked up a couple of parts and they discontinued. I will search that some more. Jason

Sidecar Bob

· #8 · Nov 5, 2021

What did you look up?

Motopsycho1305

Discussion Starter · #9 · Nov 9, 2021

Sidecar Bob said:
What did you look up?

Trying to remember but I know one thing was the cam.

Sidecar Bob

· #10 · Nov 9, 2021

Yeah, parts that are aren't commonly replaced and only used in a small range of models (like the camshaft) would have started with a small quantity in stock after production ended and if those sold they may not have made more.
Things like the rubber parts in the brakes that were used on a lot of models they would have stocked more to begin with and since they need to be replaced periodically they would sell enough of them that it would be worth the effort of producing more when the original stock ran out.

I was just thinking: Imagine how big a warehouse Honda would need to hold just one of every part for every model they have made over the last 73 years.

D-Fresh

· #11 · Nov 9, 2021

Sidecar Bob said:
I was just thinking: Imagine how big a warehouse Honda would need to hold just one of every part for every model they have made over the last 73 years.

think "Raiders of the lost ark" LOL

Sidecar Bob

· #12 · Nov 9, 2021

Bigger. Much bigger.

Motopsycho1305

Discussion Starter · #13 · Nov 10, 2021

Sidecar Bob said:
Yeah, parts that are aren't commonly replaced and only used in a small range of models (like the camshaft) would have started with a small quantity in stock after production ended and if those sold they may not have made more.
Things like the rubber parts in the brakes that were used on a lot of models they would have stocked more to begin with and since they need to be replaced periodically they would sell enough of them that it would be worth the effort of producing more when the original stock ran out.

I was just thinking: Imagine how big a warehouse Honda would need to hold just one of every part for every model they have made over the last 73 years.

Ya, I did not expect it to be available to still be but haven worked in the parts department I have got some surprises in the past. There was a part still available I got for a 1970 that I was shocked I could still get(motor part as well). I just picked the cam because I was told that there were some problems with the water pump end of the cam. That would be a big warehouse! lol

Sidecar Bob

· #14 · Nov 10, 2021

BTW: The water pump end of the camshaft can be damaged by overtightening the impeller nut (no surprise there) and the part that the oil seal runs on can be corroded if a leaking mechanical seal is left too long (shouldn't be surprising either and can be sleeved). Other than that they don't need to be replaced any more often than any other camshaft.

Motopsycho1305

Discussion Starter · #15 · Nov 10, 2021

Sidecar Bob said:
BTW: The water pump end of the camshaft can be damaged by overtightening the impeller nut (no surprise there) and the part that the oil seal runs on can be corroded if a leaking mechanical seal is left too long (shouldn't be surprising either and can be sleeved). Other than that they don't need to be replaced any more often than any other camshaft.

Good to know. It was just something I was told(about the corroded seal leak). Thanks again for you advise. Going to start looking for all the rubber parts to replace and it made me think about another ?. Is there any kind ok up grade as far as the radiator is concerned(like bigger/or better)? Just was wondering as I just did a fan up grade on my ZRX. Thank guys!

D-Fresh

· #16 · Nov 10, 2021

Motopsycho1305 said:
Just was wondering as I just did a fan up grade on my ZRX.

Nice bike, what color? Pic even better.

Motopsycho1305

Discussion Starter · #17 · Nov 10, 2021

D-Fresh said:
Nice bike, what color? Pic even better.

Dark plum purple. I went down on her last November and she was due for another paint job so I had it dune over the winter. I am working on learning how to post pics and fill out my profile. Good with Motorbikes, but bad with computers! Lol

Sidecar Bob

· #18 · Nov 10, 2021

Adding pics to forum posts is really easy. Just drag & drop the pic you want to add into the text box (where you type the message) in the location where you want it to appear.

Most people use the stock rads on these bikes. A few have converted from the original mechanical fan (which BTW is still available new because Honda uses it on one of their generators) to electric fans.
I think I'm one of a very few who have actually changed to a different rad and that's only because I relocated it, which was entirely because of the way the air moves around the sidecar and the temperature of the air blowing on my legs

www.cx500forum.com

Rad Relocation CX650 + raising the fairing

Here is what My winter machine (AKA The Famous Eccles) looked like last fall. It is a CX650E with a bunch of CX & GL500 parts and the fairing from my '83 GoldWing. It seems like every year it becomes less like a CX650E and more like a GL650I. One of the few negatives about driving a sidecar...

www.cx500forum.com

www.cx500forum.com

D-Fresh

· #19 · Nov 10, 2021

Yeah, I didn't think purple was a stock color...

Motopsycho1305

Discussion Starter · #20 · Nov 10, 2021

Sidecar Bob said:
Adding pics to forum posts is really easy. Just drag & drop the pic you want to add into the text box (where you type the message) in the location where you want it to appear.

Most people use the stock rads on these bikes. A few have converted from the original mechanical fan (which BTW is still available new because Honda uses it on one of their generators) to electric fans.
I think I'm one of a very few who have actually changed to a different rad and that's only because I relocated it, which was entirely because of the way the air moves around the sidecar and the temperature of the air blowing on my legs

Rad Relocation CX650 + raising the fairing

Here is what My winter machine (AKA The Famous Eccles) looked like last fall. It is a CX650E with a bunch of CX & GL500 parts and the fairing from my '83 GoldWing. It seems like every year it becomes less like a CX650E and more like a GL650I. One of the few negatives about driving a sidecar...

www.cx500forum.com

Wow, that sounds cool. Nice thinking/work. Thanks again

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