SOB buying dilemma

Morning all.

Well, I`ll keep it short. I`m seriously tempted to buy a CX500. There. I`ve
said it.

There is something about the "thinking mans Guzzi" that really appeals at
the moment. Not just with it beng a V twin, but just something about the
whole lardyness of it.

I`ve never been into balls-out sports bikes, preferring the more laid back
touring style of bike, the type that`ll chug happily up and down the land
for as long as I can stay perched upon it.

So, anyone prepared to save me from myself by giving me reasons why I
shouldn`t buy one?

I`ve read into the usual caveats about camchain hassles, and indeed one CX
that I have in mind is advertised as "careful elderly owner, with new
camchain/tensioner/mechanical seal". I assume he means the bike, not
himself...

Cheers.

 

Oh well, I supppose it was about time that I "came out". I have one and I
love it. I think they have "character" (in the same way that Quasimodo had
character maybe, but character nevertheless). Its performance is fine for
round town and touring. It isn't quick but its quick enough for basic
purposes. The engine is bullet-proof. It is easy to ride, easy to work on
and spares are plentiful and cheap. There is a very supportive uk owners
club. The CX500 that you refer to has had the two things done that are most
likely to cause problems - camchains are prone to wear and the "mechanical
seal" (water pump seal) is an engine out job to replace. One other thing to
check if buying is that the bike pulls well over 55mph - if not then the
stator windings may be shot - quite expensive and engine out to replace.

You have probably found these links already but just in case....

http://www.elsham.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk/cx500/

http://groups.msn.com/cxglmcc/_homepage.msnw?pgmarket=en-gb

http://home.wanadoo.nl/motors/cx/

Tony

 

You sick bastard

Look, you ride the crumiest piece of shit you like for all I care, but
don't go comparing a Guzzi with Honda's abortion, ok?

 

No arguments there.

<fx: removes tongue from cheek>

Heh. I just *knew* that would elicit some kind of reaction.

 

As Bear says, the Eurosport versions are better to ride, and the 650s
best of all, but they're incredibly rare. Most CXs you see are the
original fatgut model.

What's driving lots of them off the road now is corroded swinging arms
- the shaft tunnel corrodes from the inside out, and all looks fine
until the swinging arm sudenly breaks =:-0

Any still running will have had the camchain sorted decades ago.

Best model is the B (reversed black Comstar wheels, small flyscreen)
though the A (ordinary Comstars, flyscreen) is fine too.

Charging system *must* be checked, and look for leaky water pump seals.

That apart, I (small voice) think they're an amazing design. Honda was
10 years ahead of the rest of the pack. They go well, are mostly
reliable, comfy, economical, and a piece of piss to maintain. And they
have character. However, the high CofG is a real drawback, especially
in the wet.

I ran one for a while, about 10 years ago. As a budget tourer/commuter,
it was great.

 

<folds arms, looks other way>

 

Still the most ugly bike Honda ever produced, including the god-awful
Dream of around the same time.


--
_______
..'_/_|_\_'. Ace (brucedotrogers a.t rochedotcom)
\`\ | /`/ GSX-R1000K3
`\\ | //' BOTAFOT#3, SbS#2, UKRMMA#13, DFV#8, SKA#2
`\|/`
`

 

TOG@toil
says...

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=4542141693

But you'll have to be quick.

 

<tosses head>

 

I'm not sure you wanted to open that particular can of worms again....

 

Car oils in bikes.

 

It's just been a bit of a debating point in these parts for a number of
years - I've almost exclusively used car oils in bikes for many years -
especially when I was changing the oil in my first Divvy 6 almost
monthly.

Having never owned a highly stressed sportsbike I can't really comment,
but I'm comfortable with the idea of using a quality car oil in the VFR.

 

The standard car oil in those days didn't contain the friction
modifiers that more modern car oils contain.

I had started watching you by then and, I'll need to check my notebook,
I'm sure you used Total Gold 10W40 on the service you gave it on the
14th November 1987...