[Kerzo73]

Hi folks, new to the forum having recently purchased a 1983 cx500 trike! Also have a honda cbr1000f 1992 model and triumph tigersport 1050. Thought I'd try something different and something the wife might try so bought a trike 🤯 a bit tlc and I'm sure itll be a bit of fun in the better weather here in Scotland

 

[jlbutler81]

That's nice, any idea what the rear end is?

 

[Kerzo73]

I dont, I'm collecting it today so will do a bit of investigation over the next few days and see if I can identify it

 

[Sidecar Bob]

Welcome to the forum. Please add your location and your bike's model and model year (NOT year first registered as UK paperwork shows) to your profile so that you don't have to remember to tell us every time and we don't have to keep asking when you forget (see Forum Settings link in my signature).

And welcome to the world of antique vehicle ownership (they own us, not the other way around). Your bike is about 4 decades old and may or may not have had all of the maintenance necessary to keep it safe & reliable so it is highly recommended to download the Factory Shop Manual for your model (available through the CX Wiki - link in my signature) and go through all of the service procedures, regardless of whether your bike has reached the specified mileage.
I also recommend looking on all rubber parts with suspicion because rubber does not age gracefully. I usually tell people to check the date codes on the tires and replace them if they are over 5 years old no matter how good they look & feel (old rubber simply cannot flow around the irregularities in the asphalt well enough to grip, especially if it is cool or wet; That's most critical on 2 wheels where you fall down if the tire slips sideways while you are leaned over and you can usually go a couple of years beyond that on 3 wheels but those ones look pretty rough. It also looks like yours still has the original rubber brake line(s), which should have been replaced every 2 or 3 fluid changes (= 5 or 6 years) so I recommend shopping for modern stainless braided ones (they last practically forever and double the life of the fluid). And don't forget things like the rad hoses and the boot between the engine and swingarm (they can crack on the bottom where you don't see it).

 

[Kerzo73]

I plan to go through it with a fine tooth comb and replace any worn out parts, the tyres have been painted to give it the white wall look and its flaking off so they will be getting changed pronto. Fluids and brakes are probably the first job though

 

[Kerzo73]

So I've had a bit of a look at the rear end today and come to the conclusion it's a reliant axle, needs new brake cylinders and shoes as they are leaking and damaged. New ones ordered 👍

 

[Sidecar Bob]

I think you will find that 1982 was the last year for the CX500. The year listed in UK paperwork is when the vehicle was first registered, not the year it was made for and it is not uncommon to find bikes registered 3 or more years after their actual model year. This can result in using incorrect maintenance information and in purchasing parts that don't fit so it is important to figure out what you actually have. (The same goes for advice found on this forum - we can only tell you how to work on what you tell us you have)

The information on this page is useful for figuring out what you have

Honda CX400 and CX500 Engine and Frame Serial Numbers

Trying to figure out the year of your Honda CX500's frame and engine? Find out here!

motofaction.org

 

[Kerzo73]

Evenings all, so my engine number is PC02E-4012144 I've had a lllk at the above site but cant see what year the engine is from? Any ideas, also cant seem to fi d the frame number, where is it located, I've checked the headstock but cant see it

 

[Sidecar Bob]

It looks like engines with numbers that start with PC02E-40 were used in the CX500E Sports model (AKA Eurosport) in the 1982 model year.
The carbs look like the closer spaced ones used on the CX500E and GL500 but what I can see of your frame looks like it is from one of the other CX500 models. The tank looks like it may be from a CX500C (Custom) so I suspect the frame may be too. 40 years is a long time and engine swaps aren't uncommon...

I think the VIN plate on UK bikes might be behind the right side cover.

 

[danroy323]

The tank and frame look more like a CX650C, but that engine is a 500 by the ribbing at the bottom of the block.

 

[Kerzo73]

Evenings all, so my engine number is PC02E-4012144 I've had a lllk at the above site but cant see what year the engine is from? Any ideas, also cant seem to fi d the frame number, where is it located, I've checked the headstock but cant see

The tank and frame look more like a CX650C, but that engine is a 500 by the ribbing at the bottom of the block.

The engine is definitely a 500, its stamped 498cc. As for the tank and frame I'll have a better look for the frame number and see if I can find it

 

[Kerzo73]

It looks like engines with numbers that start with PC02E-40 were used in the CX500E Sports model (AKA Eurosport) in the 1982 model year.
The carbs look like the closer spaced ones used on the CX500E and GL500 but what I can see of your frame looks like it is from one of the other CX500 models. The tank looks like it may be from a CX500C (Custom) so I suspect the frame may be too. 40 years is a long time and engine swaps aren't uncommon...

I think the VIN plate on UK bikes might be behind the right side cover.

The bike was imported, I just dont know where from and was first registered here in 1983

 

[Sidecar Bob]

I believe most of them have the serial number/VIN stamped into the right side of the steering head.
Bikes made for North America have the VIN plate on the left side of the head and I've seen pics of them in pother locations depending on the market they were made for. I seem to recall something about a plate being added in the correct location when imported somewhere but I have no idea where. Maybe one of our UK members can help with information about whether they do that there.

I think what Danroy meant is that it could have some CX650C parts and some 500 parts. This sort of thing is not unheard of; Mine is an '84 CX650E with a GL500 engine.

 

[Kerzo73]

Yeh I got you, the back bone of the frame is pretty thick round bar, about 3-4 inch. The tank fits perfectly to all 3 mounting holes so I think it matches the frame as does the seat, lines up with all holes and hook positions. I'm not worried about it being a mishmash of parts, that's part of what I like about it 👍

 

[danroy323]

Yes, what I meant is that this trike is built from a CX650C frame, tank, seat etc but the engine is from a CX or GL500. The frame is definitely not from a CX500, the engine front mounts and rear part of the frame are completely different on the CX500 vs CX650 custom. I also see a CX650C front wheel and fork with the factory fork brace in the picture.

 

[richnct]

Tank and sidecover definitely CX650C.

 

[Sidecar Bob]

So it seems that you may have an '83 CX650C with an '82 CX500 engine.

Here's the odd thing: The engine number says CX500E but the 500E came with the more squared off valve covers like the 650 engines have and yet you have the X500 models and the GL500.
But that could be something as simple as a Previous Owner thinking they look better (as I do).

I think the important thing to know will be whether the engine is set up for Transistor amplifier Ignition (TI) or Capacitor Discharge Ignition (CDI). I expect it will be TI since both the bike and engine came with TI but you never know so it is worth verifying.

How to tell whether you have CDI or TI? Honda CX500, GL500, CX650, GL650: A closer look at the ignition components

Want to know whether your Honda CX or GL has a CDI or TI system, or looking for more information about each setup? Find out here!

motofaction.org

I'd bet this trike has an interesting history....

BTW: We love to see pics of everything so please post more

 

[Wolf67]

To me it looks like: CX650: Frame , Body Parts and Front- End. Petcock allready changed
Carbs are old. Straight parallel and short Intake- Manifold. Engine CX500. Footrests are CX500 Std.

 

[Bigal1968]

I am now the owner of this trike now unfortunately hat some issues with the engine ,question is how can I tell if it's a ci or ti if I replace engine with the wrong 1 I believe I could have issues

 

[Sidecar Bob]

Read through this thread. The answer to your question is there.