'78 CX project finished

3960 Views 35 Replies 18 Participants Last post by Randall-in-Mpls, Sep 14, 2010

JiMi

Discussion Starter · Sep 4, 2010

It took me 2 years, but finally my '78 CX500Z restoration project has finished! In my opinion the bike looks great. From some angles and distance it looks like new

With all the money the parts cost me, I could easily have bought 2 or 3 bikes from eBay or so. But I don't regret at all what I did. I've learned a lot about this bike and about restoring in general.

The bike isn't ready for 100% yet, it still needs some work at some details, but I consider that to be part of the regular maintenance.

I'd like to say thanks to you guys, for helping me out when I posted questions in the old forum.

Check out the latest pictures I took HERE or HERE.

21 - 36 of 36 Posts

JiMi

Discussion Starter · #21 · Sep 7, 2010

I could change the radiator cover for the aluminium one, it would look much better indeed. But the 78 had the plastic one originally, so I think I'll keep it that way.

The color is candy sapphire blue which is the original color. I really don't know if it was only sold in Europe.

The next challenge will be restoring the Rickman Polaris shield (don't know what you call it) I bought for $75. I'm still thinking about the color I will give it. It must be an easy-to-spray color, so no metallic with an extra candy layer, but simple like white or so. I know the black/red CX looks great with a black Rickman shield, but the blue one...???

Thanks again.

gohonda

· #22 · Sep 7, 2010

JiMi said:
It took me 2 years, but finally my '78 CX500Z restoration project has finished! In my opinion the bike looks great. From some angles and distance it looks like new

With all the money the parts cost me, I could easily have bought 2 or 3 bikes from eBay or so. But I don't regret at all what I did. I've learned a lot about this bike and about restoring in general.

The bike isn't ready for 100% yet, it still needs some work at some details, but I consider that to be part of the regular maintenance.

I'd like to say thanks to you guys, for helping me out when I posted questions in the old forum.

Check out the latest pictures I took HERE or HERE.

gohonda

· #23 · Sep 7, 2010

JiMi said:
It took me 2 years, but finally my '78 CX500Z restoration project has finished! In my opinion the bike looks great. From some angles and distance it looks like new

With all the money the parts cost me, I could easily have bought 2 or 3 bikes from eBay or so. But I don't regret at all what I did. I've learned a lot about this bike and about restoring in general.

The bike isn't ready for 100% yet, it still needs some work at some details, but I consider that to be part of the regular maintenance.

I'd like to say thanks to you guys, for helping me out when I posted questions in the old forum.

Check out the latest pictures I took HERE or HERE.

gohonda

· #24 · Sep 7, 2010

JiMi said:
It took me 2 years, but finally my '78 CX500Z restoration project has finished! In my opinion the bike looks great. From some angles and distance it looks like new

With all the money the parts cost me, I could easily have bought 2 or 3 bikes from eBay or so. But I don't regret at all what I did. I've learned a lot about this bike and about restoring in general.

The bike isn't ready for 100% yet, it still needs some work at some details, but I consider that to be part of the regular maintenance.

I'd like to say thanks to you guys, for helping me out when I posted questions in the old forum.

Check out the latest pictures I took HERE or HERE.

very nice job hope it will turn some heads

1979 honda cx 500

jasonh

· #25 · Sep 7, 2010

I like the looks of the '78's, especially the Euros (because of the dual disc). Something about the standard tank and silver Comstars w/ 18" rear.

Looks great.

JiMi

Discussion Starter · #26 · Sep 8, 2010

Blindstitch said:
That's the joy of the internet. Sometimes you say something and it is interpreted as something else. Maybe if I had a blue one I wouldn't have sold mine. But I wasn't going to paint it because that wouldn't have been right.

Even this duel disc yellow shitpump looks better than a black and red in my opinion.

[media]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pmA5ibZgayI[/media]

And yes gullepumpe means shit pump or some rough variation of interpretation.

Speaking of "gulle": yesterday a truck with pigshit exploded in Germany. Check this out: PHOTOS. Very happy I wasn't standing there at that very moment. Look at the white Ford Focus, it's become mostly brown/black, whatever color gulle has...

See less See more

DavidfromWisconsin

· #27 · Sep 8, 2010

Jimi,

I like the red and black ...

Blindstitch

· #28 · Sep 9, 2010

David from Wisconsin said:
Jimi,

I like the red and black ...

Dave,

His was blue. Mine was red and black.

This is his.

See less See more

RAGBrian

· #29 · Sep 9, 2010

JiMi said:
I could change the radiator cover for the aluminium one, it would look much better indeed. But the 78 had the plastic one originally, so I think I'll keep it that way.

The color is candy sapphire blue which is the original color. I really don't know if it was only sold in Europe.

The next challenge will be restoring the Rickman Polaris shield (don't know what you call it) I bought for $75. I'm still thinking about the color I will give it. It must be an easy-to-spray color, so no metallic with an extra candy layer, but simple like white or so. I know the black/red CX looks great with a black Rickman shield, but the blue one...???

Thanks again.

Candy Sapphire Blue was used on some US bikes. My CB360 from 1975 is that same color. I have seen a color chart for all Honda motorcycles that was used over the years. Good info if one is trying to match a color to a specific model year. I am actually partial to the black and red. I had a 1978 CB750K in black with gold and red pinstripes (last year for the single cam). Miss that bike...

See less See more

SteveinPA

· #30 · Sep 9, 2010

I am so impressed! Nice job. That bike looks brand new. My hat is off to you.

Randall-in-Mpls

· #31 · Sep 9, 2010

Blindstitch said:
Dave,

His was blue. Mine was red and black.

This is his.

I love that blue! But I bought red replacement stripes, so no blue for me. Probably red or yellow.

R

DavidfromWisconsin

· #32 · Sep 10, 2010

Randall-in-Mpls said:
I love that blue! But I bought red replacement stripes, so no blue for me. Probably red or yellow.

R

Okay, they both look great ... but then you know I'm a purist and think factory colors for the most part are great.

Slimandduater

· #33 · Sep 13, 2010

Wow great resurrection there.. I only hope my daughters turns out so well.

FOWG

· #34 · Sep 13, 2010

Appropos of very little.

I loved my black '78 except for it's looks. (Too tall and many disruptive details.) To lower it visually, I removed the tank stripe above the name plate and left only a check mark. (I did my helmet in red with a black check outlined in reflective silver tape and added a honda decal; a honda salesman thought it was factory.) I painted the valve covers matte black to make them "disappear" and added a chrome edging to the lower lip of the tank to pick up the moulding on the seat. That drew the eye along a continuous bright line.

Minor stuff, but I liked the results.

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder ;-)

See less See more

saltwatersurf

· #35 · Sep 14, 2010

Very nice restoration! The blue looks great. I too like the 78's even when they're as ratty as mine. They seem to have a more European look. It's not a very common look anyway.

Randall-in-Mpls

· #36 · Sep 14, 2010

saltwatersurf said:
I too like the 78's even when they're as ratty as mine. They seem to have a more European look.

I think you're right. The Custom is much more common here, and I've never been a fan of the "American cruiser" style. The market needs to follow the trends, though.

R

21 - 36 of 36 Posts

This is an older thread, you may not receive a response, and could be reviving an old thread. Please consider creating a new thread.