Difference between revisions of "Category:Honda CX series"

{{Infobox Motorcycle

| image = [[Image:honda cx500 1981 blue rhs.jpg|300px|1981 Honda CX500]]

| manufacturer = [[Honda]]

Power is transferred via an enclosed splined [[driveshaft]] with one universal joint.  The shaft drives a bevel gear to which the wheel is joined via a cush-drive, which absorbs and dampens driveline shocks and vibrations.  The bevel drive spins in an oil bath, and a zerk fitting is provided for greasing the shaft bearing.  This reduces the motorcycle's maintenance costs.

While [[V-twin]]s were nothing new, [[Moto Guzzi]] had been mounting them "in line" with the frame with [[Driveshaft|shaft drive]] for many years, this Honda was decidedly different. Not only was the 500&nbsp;cc [[motorcycle engine|engine]] water cooled, but it had four [[Poppet valve|valves]] per [[cylinder (engine)|cylinder]] that were operated by [[Pushrod engine|pushrods]] rather than more conventional [[overhead cam]]s. <ref>{{citation|url=http://www.motorcycleclassics.com/Restoration-Technical/2008-03-01/Honda-CX500.aspx|title=1978-1982 Honda CX500|publisher=Motorcycle Classics|date=March/April 2008|accessdate=2009-02-25}}</ref>

The styling was radical, upright forks and a short engine contributed to a stubby [[wheelbase]] on a bike that was rather tall. The CX500 was one of the first recipients of Honda's new Comstar wheels (and later, on B models, reverse comstar and a square brake fluid reservoir), which measured {{convert|19|in|mm}} in front and {{convert|18|in|mm}} at the back.

Introduced in 1982 the EC variant is a much improved motorcycle compared to the original 500. Sharing many parts with the CX500 Turbo introduced the same model year, the Eurosport features air assisted front forks with anti-dive mechanism and air assisted prolink single shock rear suspension. The wheels are also modified, with an 18 inch diameter restyled round hole comstar front with a 100–90H18 tyre, whilst on the rear is a 120–80H18 tyre. The brakes are vastly improved with much more effective twin pot calipers on the front and a new disc brake with twin pot caliper on the rear replacing the original drum. The Eurosport is also significantly restyled with a larger fuel tank, a nose fairing, side panels, seat, and tail unit that share much more modern lines. In the UK only two colour options were made: white metallic with blue and red striping, or black with orange and silver stripes. The instrumentation is improved with the introduction of a fuel gauge and like the rest of the bike a much updated appearance. Plastic mudguards replace the chromed steel versions on the earlier machines curing the associated rust problems. The round headlight of the early bikes is also replaced with a rectangular lens which gives improved night lighting.  

The "Custom" variant, introduced in 1979, had a smaller, narrower tank and buckhorn handlebars that made the bike more [[Harley-Davidson|Harley-esque]]. The headlight and gauges were similar to the CX500 Deluxe. [[Turn signal]]s were now mounted along the fork tubes, below the level of the headlight.  This model set its sights on  more of a cruiser style and image-conscious rider.1982 was the last model year for the CX500. In 1983 it was bumped up to 673&nbsp;cc and became the CX650. The CX650's styling was radically different, and the engine was painted black instead of silver. The CX650 could not compete against the comparably-priced, but much more powerful [[Honda Magna|VF750 Magna]], and was dropped the following year.

In 1983, the engine of the [[Honda CX500T|CX500 Turbo]] was bumped up to 673&nbsp;cc which meant an increase from 77 to 97&nbsp;horsepower, making it one of the more powerful motorcycles available that year. In addition to the increase in displacement, the compression ratio was increased while the maximum boost pressure was lowered, making for a less abrupt transition from off-boost to on-boost than was present in the earlier CX500 Turbo. The fuel-injection control system was substantially revised for the CX650 Turbo, and the rear shock received an update as well by adding a manually operated damping control mechanism.  Cosmetically, the CX650 Turbo differs from its predecessor primarily in color and badging. However, in a cost cutting exercise, Honda manufactured the 650 Turbo fairing from [[Acrylonitrile butadiene styrene|ABS]] plastic as opposed to the 500 turbo's [[Glass-reinforced plastic|GRP]]. It is one of the rarest production Hondas ever, with only 1,777 built and fewer than 1,200 imported to the U.S. and Canada.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.motorcycleclassics.com/motorcycle-reviews/1983-honda-cx650t.aspx|title=1983 Honda CX650T|publisher=Motorcycle Classics|accessdate=2009-08-04|date=May/June 2009|author=Margie Siegal}}</ref> The rest were distributed around the world but not sold in the Australian market.