[goodsteel53]

Seller has it as an '82, but VIN is PC010XCM 301XXX. One owner with what really looks to be 6800 original miles. Blue tank and sides, all in impeccable condition. Comes with a set of tires, new but not on. Small clear bugshield. Was a little hard starting the other evening, and I know $1600 is over most bikes like this, but... ? Been sitting but covered. Never been down. I had a '79 new, and wish I'd never sold it. Lived on it for 50k miles. Now, I want another and think I may have found one. Ya'lls thoughts? I'm mechanical, but don't want a project at this time. Thanks!

 

[Blindstitch]

Where are you located? And what kind of bike is it. I don't know from seeing the vin off hand. The upside is 82 is a good year but we need to know more.

 

[Blindstitch]

Ok so this is what i'm seeing.



The CX500C'82 CUSTOM was sold in 1982

The serial number began JH2PC010*CM300001



So it's a cx500 custom. Does it really look good? Any accessories? Does it even run? Have you ridden it? Do you think the owner is full of crap?

 

[goodsteel53]

Oops twice! Hello all! aannndd.. it's a CX500 Custom. DOH! upstate Texas is home, but I'm from deep South Texas. Sorry 'bout dat! Got all excited with my first post, and lookit what happened. The bike really does seem original, clean and well cared for. When it was finally idling.. I pulled the left plug cap and it stayed running. I could see spark flying around. When I pulled the right plug cap.. it died immediately. Tried it several times with the same results.. plug issue or plug wire issue? So much to learn... sigh. The paint looks good and original, but specs say the two-tone blue was only '79. Hmmm...?

 

[goodsteel53]

Thank you Stitch! I've seen you all over this forum, so I know you are passionate about these bikes, as am I! It looks really good, with not much rust underneath, and it rides great! Front forks need oil... and the owner is somewhat reluctant to sell it. Older gentleman... even older than ME! and I've been around and been skunked before, and I don't get that from him. Crash bars-make unknown at this time, and a very nice backrest and better than original seat.. both in great condition. Owner's son mentioned the front forks needing air??

 

[Cobram]

If the mileage is correct, that bike's worth maybe half of that. Keep in mind the limited fuel capacity too, it might not be the best choice for a state where the town "next door" can be several hours away. This is the time of year when buyers hold all the cards. I didn't even know there was a factory blue offered in the US.

 

[Blindstitch]

Here's a picture of a blue one. I'm not a fan. But my bike was also blue when I got it.

An 82 would also have a 3.2 gallon tank unlike the earlier customs that were 2.9. Sure it isn't much but it's a lot more when the option is run out of gas or not. I prefer my 6.33.

 

[Shep]

If the mileage is correct, that bike's worth maybe half of that. Keep in mind the limited fuel capacity too, it might not be the best choice for a state where the town "next door" can be several hours away. This is the time of year when buyers hold all the cards. I didn't even know there was a factory blue offered in the US.

Ditto.The Customs are really a,"Town" bike IMHO.This is not to say they are inferior it's just their fuel capacity limits them for longer runs and having had custom bars on one of my CX the stock bars are much better for longer rides as are the angles and styles of the GLs/Wings.



Somewhere like Texas I'd be looking for a Standard CX or better still a Silverwing if possible.Wings can go 200 miles before having to re-fill the tank.I can sometimes get around 170/180 miles to a tank on my CX500s

Price wise I'd say a max of $1,000 for such a low mileage example but then they do go for more over here when really low mileage and in good condition.

 

[gopher]

I'll be the dissenting voice here.

If the bike is excellent condition and is what you want, just buy it. Sounds like it will be used as a toy, for pleasure rides and a connect with happy times in the past. After a year or two and a few thousand miles of fun, the few hundred dollars difference between the sellers price and the 'average' selling price will mean nothing.

Geez, people spend thousands for a few days of sun and relaxation in Aruba and come back happy with their money well spent and nothing to show for it.

Show him some cash.

 

[DakotaMK]

gopher makes a good point. When I saw the guy on CL with mine for $900, I went to google and typed in something like KBB for motorcycles, so I could get an idea. We got it for $675, but after having it for 5 months- it was well worth the $900.



something about these machines.....

 

[goodsteel53]

Guys... this is really helping me pin down what I need to do. I'm no stranger to worrying about where the next gas station's going to be... I spent a whole year.. all weather.. 120 miles one way, then home.. twice a week. Across the King Ranch can get dicey gas-wise. I'm not looking for a long distance cruiser at this time, so the Custom is for me. I'm light and short, so it's a good fit in that regard. The year discrepancy is a nuisance, but I'll try to post pics that might help identify it. Gopher... you feel my pain! Thanks to all..!

 

[ramprat06]

In my case, 8 some years ago I spotted my 82 custom on a work classifieds, and at $1500 I had the itch immediately. The photos showed pristine, and 7K on the odo. I did not hesitate, sight unseen. And I did not even know much about the twisted twin family yet, nor this web forum. Maybe I got lucky or maybe it was Kismet, but I haven't got one bit of remorse for handing that co-worker from 400 miles away the cashiers check after I rode it.



The fuel tank has its' drawbacks (I'm still curious about my actual capacity, after seeing what Stitch said....I always hit reserve near the 100 mile mark, and never get more than 2.3 gallons to go back in shortly after the switch to reserve. I've never run it completely dry and measured.)



Your plug issue on the right bank might be a bargaining point to bring that price down, but having a fresh set of new tires (you may want to check the date codes on the sidewalls of them to make sure they are not too old) may offset the expenses of tracing that problem. Electrical issues are the beast to track down it seems.



First glance without some photos to look at, if you feel it is right, I'm with Gopher and DMK, hit it.

**edit to add, I have not had to do any real major work at all in those 8+ years, except to replace the front engine cover gasket for a leak.**

Joel in the Couve

 

[Stan]

I agree with Gopher. It sounds as though you have found a gem. You may want to work the price down a bit, but if the bike suits you, go for it. You'll spend lots more on lesser toys.



Good luck to it.



STAN

 

[Interstater]

When it was finally idling.. I pulled the left plug cap and it stayed running. I could see spark flying around. When I pulled the right plug cap.. it died immediately. Tried it several times with the same results.. plug issue or plug wire issue? So much to learn... sigh.

If you have a rough idle and you pulled the left cap and it stayed running but you saw a spark, and if you then pulled the right cap and it immediately died, then you probably have a fuel problem on the left side.



The left side was not contributing, but you saw that it appears to have spark at the cap so the next most likely culprit is fuel. You can confirm a left side problem by checking the temp of the exhaust headers while it starts and idles, if the left stays cooler than the right then you know the left side has the issue. It might be a problem with a spark plug on the left side, but fuel is more likley.



If the bike has sat awhile the carbs are probably fouled up and the low speed passages on the left side may be blocked. If you are lucky a few tankfuls of clean gas with Seafoam might clear things up, otherwise the carbs might need to be pulled and cleaned. Its not diffucult to do and many here can help you get it done right. One of the members (Larry) even sells an excellent carb book if you determine you want to crack the carbs open.

 

[americanclassic]

It may also be the vacuum petcock malfunctioning. I spent a long time dealing with just that problem, and it turned out to be an easy fix.

 

[Randall-in-Mpls]

The paint looks good and original, but specs say the two-tone blue was only '79. Hmmm...?

An 82 would also have a 3.2 gallon tank unlike the earlier customs that were 2.9.

Unless someone swapped in a '79 tank and side covers to make it blue.



R

 

[goodsteel53]

You guys are Great! I'm on several forums of interest, and never have I gotten better answers/suggestions to my crappy questions! Interstater/Americanclassic... last night I DID feel both heads for warmth, and the left side was never warm. If I do wind up getting it this weekend (at any price) I'll look at the petcock/plugs first, and the carbs right after. I've been following Larry's work on the Argentinian-bound CX with tremendous interest, and will get his book if I get the bike. Thanks guys! PS... with the left side not contributing, what are my concerns with any unburned gas (again assuming any's getting in at all!) in the cylinder diluting the oil?

 

[Shep]

You guys are Great! I'm on several forums of interest, and never have I gotten better answers/suggestions to my crappy questions! Interstater/Americanclassic... last night I DID feel both heads for warmth, and the left side was never warm. If I do wind up getting it this weekend (at any price) I'll look at the petcock/plugs first, and the carbs right after. I've been following Larry's work on the Argentinian-bound CX with tremendous interest, and will get his book if I get the bike. Thanks guys! PS... with the left side not contributing, what are my concerns with any unburned gas (again assuming any's getting in at all!) in the cylinder diluting the oil?

It's not good for the engine on many levels not just the possibility of oil corruption.Many of the problems with older bikes have to do with aged components like Plug caps,coils etc and dirty electrical contacts and unused gummed up carbs.

If you do decide to get the bike treat it as coming in for a Decent service.Many of these things don't cost much and are just labour like cleaning things.



Here's a basic check list as well,



http://globalcxglvtwins.hostingdelivered.com/viewtopic.php?f=9&t=72

 

[richnct]

Multiple Posts "while you wait"

 

[richnct]

The blue color is nice looking IMO. But it was a 1979 (USA) color, only. I'd want to know more about WHY? The mfg date is on the steering head, (rider's) left side. Verify that, VERIFY the VIN # too, because when SOMETHING is wrong, many things may be wrong. If it is an '82 with '79 bodywork, was there a wreck? Are the odometer/instruments original, or also from the '79, and not true mileage? I don't remember, someone help us here, were the '79s and the '82s speedos different top speeds? Look for the vacuum fuel petcock (3 hoses, or at least 2 if the "drain hose" is missing (not a problem if it is). The fuel tap is likely not a vacuum type, as they will not easily bolt on to a '79 gas tank, if not vac type, then look for the vacuum nipple inboard on the (rider's) right side carb, angled up/in at about 45° (clever how I make that ° symbol, eh?). If the nipple is not there (whether used or plugged), the carbs are also NOT '82. The '82 will be a TI bike, if earlier, there will be a metal CDI box on top under the seat. A CDI bike would be valued less than a TI system to most folks because the TI system is much less prone to failure. The blue color is nice, as I said, but it begs many important questions on a "full retail price" bike. None of the above (except for the VIN # question) is a deal breaker, but should be reflected in the final selling price. Asking may also lead to an invitation to "GTF out of my yard!", which you should gladly do at that point. Investigate, inquire, ask, look, and poke because after you pay you may have little recourse.