[ERA_Evil]

I'm lookikg to buy an 80 CX500.
Owner had it restored, stated after shifting into 2nd, heard a bang and bike would not start again. He doesnt want to fix itand is selling for around 550ish dollars (seller is in Mexico, 550ish USD with current exchange rate).
When I went to see it, put it into gear and will not turn over engine. Stated starter works when out, but will not turn over the engine.

My question is what would be worst case scenario?
Snapped timing chain/guides? Or what else can go wrong?

I am mechanically inclined and have worked on my own cars and bikes for over 15years so will be doing repairs on my own and not afraid to open the engine if need be. Am looking at triple/quad bypass, and would like to see if I can rotate engine through front (17mm under rad if I'm not mistaken)

But mostly want to know what I'm looking for in terms of labor and parts, assuming worst case scenario, and if this would be a good deal or not. Hey, maybe a day of wrenching and not much wrong with it, it's a gamble

 

[bahn88]

Snapped timing chain->?bent valves?->?holed piston....(a very short list...but you get the idea)

Even if not a timing chain...you have a seized engine that wont turn over..

 

[ERA_Evil]

Snapped timing chain->?bent valves?->?holed piston....(a very short list...but you get the idea)

Even if not a timing chain...you have a siezed engine that wont turn over..

Thought crossed my mind, if what the seller says is true, being in 2nd gear, I hope and would like to assume not as bad as say, snapping the chain at high rpm/speed.
How readily available would parts be to rebuild engine? David Silver Spares doesn't have pistons but does have the chain and guides. What other alternatives are there to DSS or are the pistons cross-compatible with anything else?
I was also wondering, would there be any chance a con-rod would bend?

 

[bahn88]

NOS (new) pistons show up from time to time...used are abundant...
HONDA CX500 CUSTOM & DELUXE 1978-1982 GENUINE RIGHT STD PISTON 13101-415-000 | eBay

Bent conrod a possibility Imho...did the "restoration" include a engine tear down?

 

[ERA_Evil]

NOS (new) pistons show up from time to time...used are abundant...
HONDA CX500 CUSTOM & DELUXE 1978-1982 GENUINE RIGHT STD PISTON 13101-415-000 | eBay

Bent conrod a possibility Imho...did the "restoration" include a engine tear down?

Judging by the apparent bang and not wanting to turn over, I strongly assume it wasn't, either thar or not done correctly.

Edit: I recall seller stating new gaskets were used so somewhat of a rebuild, although I dont know exactly what was done

 

[bahn88]

Suppose its how much you wanna spend.....
If somethings gone "bang" and its been rebuilt poorly...you may find a whole lot of issues...eg bearings etc....
As per my vote...look for a running one with good compression...theres enough like suspension/cosmetics and maybe clutch and starter rollers (deep inside the engine) to keep you busy....

 

[Crewie-CX81]

As the eternal optimist, I say beat him down on the price and take the chance it is something fixable
It's worth the money in bits.

Crewie

 

[D-Fresh]

I guess it depends on how bad you want it. Unlike Crewie, i'm a glass half empty kind of guy. I do agree if you want to buy it to offer less for sure. I'd consider any bike that is not running a parts bike, the work done is most likely not top notch or it wouldn't be not running/locked up now. How hard is it to source parts (possibly another engine) in your region since that is the worst case scenario?

 

[ERA_Evil]

I guess it depends on how bad you want it. Unlike Crewie, i'm a glass half empty kind of guy. I do agree if you want to buy it to offer less for sure. I'd consider any bike that is not running a parts bike, the work done is most likely not top notch or it wouldn't be not running/locked up now. How hard is it to source parts (possibly another engine) in your region since that is the worst case scenario?

Was definitely thinking of offering less. Guy hasn't sold it in a long time, that he lowered the price several times and still nothing, would definitely low-ball him. I am in Mexico, however I am able to source parts from eBay and others locally. I have never seen this bike for sale over here before, so perhaps anything like a running engine, outside of eBay, might be impossible. I can locate and order individual parts.
As you said, parts alone would get me my money back with a profit should I decide not to continue messing with it and sell it.

 

[Randall-in-Mpls]

If you rarely see them for sale in your area, it might be worth grabbing for the titled frame, even if it's just a base for rebuilding. (For less than he's asking, of course.) It depends on how much you enjoy a project.

 

[Sidecar Bob]

I've said this many times: Personally, any bike that has been altered should be considered a parts bike unless you absolutely know that everything was done right, and from what I can see in those pics I don't think this one was. I'd offer him $100 US and if he doesn't take it walk away.
If he does take it the next step should be looking for a better bike to use whatever parts you can salvage from this on without having to worry about what some so-called "bike builder" did wrong.

 

[ERA_Evil]

If you rarely see them for sale in your area, it might be worth grabbing for the titled frame, even if it's just a base for rebuilding. (For less than he's asking, of course.) It depends on how much you enjoy a project.

Well I do love a project. Been working on cars since I was 15yo, love tinkering, so I like having a project. Rarity is a plus, could sell as parts and would definitely upsell if I get it fixed. Bike is supposedly texas title, allthough don't know what status. I live bordering Brownsville, Texas. Might be able to sell parts back to the states should the project take a poop

 

[Sidecar Bob]

It's a CX500c that someone has attempted to customize with several of the stereotypical copied-without-understanding modifications. Those aren't exactly rare.

It's ultimately up to you whether you chose to make the attempt but if you do decide to try to get it running I would start by looking for a good engine and I would go over everything on it looking for signs of poor workmanship and ill advised mods (I'd find a rear tire that fits the rim better too).

 

[Crewie-CX81]

I would have to buy it ( if you can get it real cheap) just to see what's wrong with it.
Otherwise, non of us will ever know......

Crewie

 

[jagvager]

I'm lookikg to buy an 80 CX500.
Owner had it restored, stated after shifting into 2nd, heard a bang and bike would not start again. He doesnt want to fix itand is selling for around 550ish dollars (seller is in Mexico, 550ish USD with current exchange rate).
When I went to see it, put it into gear and will not turn over engine. Stated starter works when out, but will not turn over the engine.

My question is what would be worst case scenario?
Snapped timing chain/guides? Or what else can go wrong?

I am mechanically inclined and have worked on my own cars and bikes for over 15years so will be doing repairs on my own and not afraid to open the engine if need be. Am looking at triple/quad bypass, and would like to see if I can rotate engine through front (17mm under rad if I'm not mistaken)

But mostly want to know what I'm looking for in terms of labor and parts, assuming worst case scenario, and if this would be a good deal or not. Hey, maybe a day of wrenching and not much wrong with it, it's a gamble View attachment 218541
View attachment 218539
View attachment 218538
View attachment 218540

I'm lookikg to buy an 80 CX500.
Owner had it restored, stated after shifting into 2nd, heard a bang and bike would not start again. He doesnt want to fix itand is selling for around 550ish dollars (seller is in Mexico, 550ish USD with current exchange rate).
When I went to see it, put it into gear and will not turn over engine. Stated starter works when out, but will not turn over the engine.

My question is what would be worst case scenario?
Snapped timing chain/guides? Or what else can go wrong?

I am mechanically inclined and have worked on my own cars and bikes for over 15years so will be doing repairs on my own and not afraid to open the engine if need be. Am looking at triple/quad bypass, and would like to see if I can rotate engine through front (17mm under rad if I'm not mistaken)

But mostly want to know what I'm looking for in terms of labor and parts, assuming worst case scenario, and if this would be a good deal or not. Hey, maybe a day of wrenching and not much wrong with it, it's a gamble View attachment 218541
View attachment 218539
View attachment 218538
View attachment 218540

Take the plugs out ,spray oil down the cylinders and see if it turns over. If not ,use that as a bargaining chip to get the bike cheaper. JG

 

[jagvager]

Snapped timing chain->?bent valves?->?holed piston....(a very short list...but you get the idea)

Even if not a timing chain...you have a seized engine that wont turn over..

That bike does not look restored it looks pieced together, No mufflers....must be loud.

 

[reclinedrelic]

There are no instruments on the bike. I wonder if the owner overheated the bike. These engines do not take well to overheating. If it were me I would avoid that bike like the plague.

 

[Webguydave]

Gotta agree with one or more of the above posts…this looks pretty much like a hack job! Even running, I’d pass at the 550 price…and if it stopped with a bang, AND is seized (!), it’s a $200 parts bike. From experience, I always assume the worst!😄

 

[bahn88]

Other option if you get this one cheap....is dissect it to look at the workings of the CX... then use the parts for a later aquired "runner"

 

[Peeb]

I'm with Side Car Bob, bahn88, Webguydave. It's a parts bike that might surprise you for good or likely bad.

Last one I bought was 1/2$ for non running complete GL500 put away running and sat a few years. It still took fork seals, battery, tires, carbs& front calipers rebuild. It is ridable but still needs new brake lines, the seat is ripped and the tank has some rust. The point is your non running and broken and modified prospect bike might need all the above and from the sounds of it, needs engine surgery also. If you enjoy the challenge, have a work space, and the owner can give it to you or sell it it might be ok. Somebody suggested you could take it apart to learn and sell a few parts. That sounds good also. The wrenching, if you enjoy it will be the best part.

It's in Mexico with a Texas title? Can you get a registration? Last time I was in Mexico the police were impounding unregistered or mis registered bikes.
I wish you well, PB