[PSH 1]

Hi Everyone,

I’ve been a member for a little while but only just got around to introducing myself.
I’m Peter from the UK and I’m in the process of fully restoring a 1982 Honda GL500 Silverwing.

I used to own a CX500 back in 1981/2 and of all the bikes I’ve owned over the years the CX500 was one of my favourite. I bought the 2-owner bike from a chap in 2020 who hadn’t used it since 2005 and all things considering it was in a reasonable condition since it hadn’t moved in 15-years, however I purchased it as a full restoration project.

The motorbike is coming along, I will send some photos later, but basically;

- the frame, forks brakes and wheels are all done

- the engine is fully rebuilt and back in the bike

- the carburettors have been fully rebuilt and fitted back in the bike

- new exhaust down pipes, collector box and exhaust’s have been fitted

- a new modern YSS rear mono-shock has been fitted

- the seat has been fully restored with Gel Inserts (for comfort) and ready to be fitted later

- all the body work has been professionally sprayed the original Sterling Silver Metallic NH118MU colour, when I bought this bike it was the burgundy colour which I didn’t like

- the cylinder heads have been polished, fitted and look awesome

- I’ve purchased a new modern electronic electrical system X21 and have started to replace the entire electrical system

- I’ve then got to rebuild and fit things like the panniers, top box and fairing etc all of which have been painted

I’ve thought long and hard whether to keep the bike 100% original or to make some modern upgrades and decided in the end to make some modern upgrades, hence the YSS Rear Shock and the X21 electrical system. I will also be replacing the headlight with a modern LED unit with built in daylight running lights etc and replacing the Speedo and Rev counter with a modern alternative including sat-nav once I’ve made a decision which one I want.

I’ve welcomed the help I’ve received from the CX500 forum and hope to contribute my experience and knowledge of restoring motorbikes where I can.

I’ve been quite surprised on what parts you can still find and buy for the CX/GL and equally surprised at what parts you cannot obtain. Being in the UK, I’ve spent quite a lot on the bike thus far, much more than I thought it would be, but it will be worth it in the end.

Thanks for reading.

 

[Crewie-CX81]

Hi Peter, I am looking forward to some pics.
As you say, I was also surprised by the parts availabilty, but we do seem to pay a premium. Not a problem if you intend to keep the bike.
Crewie.

 

[Sidecar Bob]

Silly question: When you replaced the shock did you take the Pro-Link suspension's linkages apart and clean/refurb/re-lube them?
If not properly maintained every few years they can develop problems and by the time they start making noise the bushings are often rusted onto the bolts and the bolts have become work hardened in the middle so that the head snaps off when you try to undo it and the part left inside is too hard to drill (when it happened to me I had to cut one of the links out and replace it).

 

[PSH 1]

Silly question: When you replaced the shock did you take the Pro-Link suspension's linkages apart and clean/refurb/re-lube them?
If not properly maintained every few years they can develop problems and by the time they start making noise the bushings are often rusted onto the bolts and the bolts have become work hardened in the middle so that the head snaps off when you try to undo it and the part left inside is too hard to drill (when it happened to me I had to cut one of the links out and replace it).

 

[PSH 1]

The whole bike has been dismantled to the nut and bolt level. The frame was dismantled and powdered coated so all the Pro-link suspension linkages were stripped apart and overhauled.

 

[PSH 1]

Hi Peter, I am looking forward to some pics.
As you say, I was also surprised by the parts availabilty, but we do seem to pay a premium. Not a problem if you intend to keep the bike.
Crewie.

It’s been an expensive project, but I intend to keep the bike so not really an issue.
Does “Crewie” indicate you are from Crewe? I’m about an hour away from Crewe.

 

[Crewie-CX81]

No, it's my nickname, Surname is Crew tho, I'm in Stourbridge, West Mids.. If you hover over peoples Avatar, you can see their location...if they have added it. Side car Bob likes you to put the info in.
The days of a cheap project have gone matey, everyone selling parts jumped on the bandwagon during the pandemic I think. No real cheap project bikes, unless you take on a real basket case. I remember the local bike shop always had the cheap corner, now they advertise the price of the bikes in monthly payments. LOL

Crewie.

 

[Sidecar Bob]

Knowing your location can help people help you and knowing exactly which model, model year and market it was made for (UK, US, Canada &c) can help us to avoid giving you advice that is wrong for the bike you have.

Re the price of used bikes, they are still a lot cheaper than new ones. Yes, it is possible to spend almost as much buying something a bit older and making the effort to put it right properly but in the end you will know it a lot better than if you just wrote a cheque and expected a new bike to be right. AND when something does go wrong when you are miles from nowhere you will have a better chance of getting it going again.

 

[Randall-in-Mpls]

Re the price of used bikes, they are still a lot cheaper than new ones. Yes, it is possible to spend almost as much buying something a bit older and making the effort to put it right properly but in the end you will know it a lot better than if you just wrote a cheque and expected a new bike to be right. AND when something does go wrong when you are miles from nowhere you will have a better chance of getting it going again.

Granted. But someone who buys an old motorcycle thinking it will be cheap transportation may be in for a rude awakening. Unless one has the skills to put it in proper order and maintain it, an old bike can be very expensive. For the person wanting to develop those skills, a cheap, old motorcycle is of inestimable value.

 

[Sidecar Bob]

Agreed. Many of us here started with buying an old bike for cheap transportation

 

[bahn88]

Hi Peter, I am looking forward to some pics.
As you say, I was also surprised by the parts availabilty, but we do seem to pay a premium. Not a problem if you intend to keep the bike.
Crewie.

I think people always think about the price of spares/parts vs initial outlay. .
I know when Ive pointed members to CMSNL or Nos parts now for "UNOBTAINIUM/NLA"...they have balked at the price as it was close to that on the Honda parts list....(when bike was new)

I think some time ago the redbook price for a cx was about $1000... (cost of 2tyres, braided lines, pads....)...

With these older bikes we loose touch that a modern efi bike will cost you $1000 to service at the dealer..

We (are) always in front if its a keeper as you say...and do the majority of work ourselves...

 

[Cats]

It’s been an expensive project, but I intend to keep the bike so not really an issue.
Does “Crewie” indicate you are from Crewe? I’m about an hour away from Crewe.

I'm in Crewe, well Haslington actually, CW1 postcode.
I bought my CX custom for £700 with an MOT and spent another £1300 getting it up to scratch. I've also bought a 1960 BSA A10 last September for £4850 and spent close to £2500 getting it back to something like. Money in the bank? Who knows. A bike is only worth what someone is willing to pay for it.

 

[Sidecar Bob]

Prices have gone up everywhere, especially in the last couple of years. I would plan on spending at least $600 - 700 CAD for parts and 20-30 hours before I started using any used bike that was more than a couple of years old (add another $200 and 2 hours if it isn't shaft drive).
And that is only for the basic stuff to make it safe & reliable. By the time you add in a few things like a windshield and rack it could easily top $1000 without any major restoration or customization or discovering any hidden surprises like "improvements" a PO made that need to be reversed.
And assuming I already had the tools and a good manual &c.

But as Bahn said, that's only about what you would pay that much to take a new bike to a dealer for basic service.

 

[Crewie-CX81]

Having done the conversion to GBP, judging things by your basic spend, you still have the advantage of cheaper prices compared to the UK, but the principal of what you're saying still applies.
And anyway.......it keeps us all off the streets and out of trouble.

Hey Pete, you worked out how to post those pics yet. ??

Crewie.

 

[PSH 1]

I bought my 1982 GL500 for £720 and Ive already spent another £7500 on the bike and I’m not finished yet.
I didn't buy the bike for cheap transport, I bought it for a full restoration project and to rescue another CX/GL

I’ve done much of the work myself including the full engine strip down and rebuild other than things like the professional paint work which cost £2000, the Seat refurbishment, overhaul of the Carburettors and the Radiator recore Service.
It’s definitely been more than I anticipated but it will be worth it in the end (that’s what I tell myself and the wife) lol

Ive still got some way to go before posting photos (I lost all the original photos from stripping down the bike when I upgraded my phone, so I don’t have photos of what it originally looked like, compared to what it looks like now.

A chunk of the cost (apart from the paint work) has come from upgrading the bike from a basic GL500 to a GL500 Interstate, so panniers and a top box had to be sourced from the USA, new exhaust down pipes, collector box and exhausts, Upgrades such as a modern mono-shock, new electronic wiring system and switch gear.

Every bearing, seal and cable has been renewed, the brake callipers, frame and wheels have been powder coated, the forks, cylinder heads and some other parts have been polished so they look like chrome.

Once complete I will be taking it down to Rome in Q3 this year (if I get it finished in time) with my daughter on the back. We did the same journey on my BMW R1200 Cruiser back when she was 12 (she is 29 this year).

Of course it all depends if the bike starts up once I’ve completed the restoration project and it fires up and runs lol

 

[Crewie-CX81]

I am sure she will go first try, it would be rude not to after all the love that's been lavished on her.
It's obviously a labour of love Matey, well done so far.

Crewie.

 

[Sidecar Bob]

FWIW, both of mine were bought as not ready "for prime time" "bargains and both required more than the buying price before I took them on the road.
But that's half the fun, isn't it?

 

[Blurredman]

Welcome! Pictures please!



Maybe it's just my brother and I who get the bargains... The last two motorcycles I have bought were £100 in 2016 and the other 100 Guineas (I gave him a £105 because I didn't have Guineas) in 2021.

And my brother gets bikes and cars given to him all the time, lucky ducky.
.