[Gerard]

So after 20,000 kilometers of my right leg rubbing on the right valvecover of the 650 engine. Swapped them out to a spare set of 500 covers and yeee haw no more leg touching,

my spares were already painted ,so don't look to close.

 

[bahn88]

Kevlar jeans on a rocker cover are more forgiving than leathers....
But you changed the source...which is the preferred way...
You used the 500s bolts...??

 

[Gerard]

Yes used 500 bolts , its that big ridge south of the plug that was digging into my leg.

 

[bahn88]

Yeah...thought u had it nailed....just a mention😬

 

[Gerard]

When it gets warmer will repaint the black , i think it looks better than the aluminum 650 ones

 

[Jah Rider]

I much prefer the classic valve covers, the 650 type are a bit too `1980`s` in styling.....

The good news is that the cafe racer crowd will buy your 650 covers for $$$$$$$$$$$....

 

[Gerard]

So long as they buy the 500 engine with the 650 valvecovers , motor supposed to have about 50,000 kilometers /30,000 miles. Needs a stator of course

 

[bahn88]

I much prefer the classic valve covers, the 650 type are a bit too `1980`s` in styling.....

The good news is that the cafe racer crowd will buy your 650 covers for $$$$$$$$$$$....

Yeah...the 500 covers with just the right amount of oxidation/patina....me likes...😃
But maybe im justifying being too lazy to mirror polish... 😄

 

[Gerard]

Paint is alot cheaper when allready done by someone else and aggree polishing is way more work then I have time for.

 

[bahn88]

My comments arent criticism....
Your bikes shiny/well presented..enjoy .,

 

[Sidecar Bob]

I've always preferred the more organic shape of the earlier covers too. In fact, when I replaced the GL1000 engine in my GoldWing with one from a GL1100 (long story involving gearing and the sidecar) I decided to keep the covers from the 1000 for exactly the same reason.

 

[missing linkage]

Aesthetically, I'm not a big fan of either the 500 or 650 valve covers. Do they actually help with cooling or is it just cosmetic embellishment? Moot point, as both types of covers are bolted to magnificent machines.

 

[bahn88]

Aesthetically, I'm not a big fan of either the 500 or 650 valve covers. Do they actually help with cooling or is it just cosmetic embellishment? Moot point, as both types of covers are bolted to magnificent machines.

A case to return to exposed valves?😀
If she was aircooled a case for finning...but many a liquid cooled bike just had alloy smooth covers...
Me i still like the 500 look...but always thought a carbon fibre rocker "crashplate" or alloy rocker bar would be cool.. but nowhere to attach the alloy option..the fibre could b glued on...

 

[Jah Rider]

Would anyone like to have the option of see-through valve covers in acylic or glass for example..............................?

 

[Sidecar Bob]

I think that's been mentioned before but I don't expect they would look good for long with oil splashed around inside them.

As for the ribs, I expect they are mostly cosmetic but they might add enough stiffness to allow the rest of the cover to be thinner. Maybe.

 

[Gerard]

Your probably right on both points there Bob, main reason I changed to the 500's I have supper long legs for my height ,35 inch inseam at 6 ft tall . 500 valvecovers are about 3/4 of an inch lower where my leg is positioned, so enough lower that my right leg doesn't rub.
Looks wise ,I think the black valvecovers look right on a black engine and the Aluminum 650 ones look good on the 500 I want to sell .

 

[D-Fresh]

Maybe i came in late to this conversation or am confused. Why were there 650 valve covers on a 500 engine to start with?

 

[danroy323]

Maybe i came in late to this conversation or am confused. Why were there 650 valve covers on a 500 engine to start with?

Look at the horizontal fins on the lower crankcase, this is a 650 engine disguised to pass as a 500. It's a sleeper!

 

[D-Fresh]

Totally missed that, just looked at the 500 badging. It is a "sleeper" as you say.

 

[Gerard]

Yeah it is a Cx650e engine in the bike , so I used the Gl500 emblem to show the model to the nonriding folk. It is alot quicker than when I first got the bike.