Honda CX500: history, specs, pictures

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1978 honda Cx500.jpg
Honda CX500
Manufacturer
Also called CX500 Custom (reduced effect), CX 500 Custom (reduced effect), CX500 Deluxe, CX 500 Deluxe, CX500 (reduced effect), CX 500 (reduced effect), CX500SC (reduced effect), CX 500 SC (reduced effect), CX500C (reduced effect), CX 500 C (reduced effect), CX500SC, CX 500 SC, CX500E (reduced effect), CX 500 E (reduced effect), CX500 Turbo, CX500C, CX500E, CX500 Custom, CX 500 Turbo, CX 500 E, CX 500 Custom, CX 500 C, CX 500
Production 1978 - 1979
Class Standard
Successor Honda GL500
Engine
v2, four-stroke
Bore / Stroke 78.0mm x 52.0mm
Compression ratio 10.0:1
Top Speed 107 mph (172 km/h)
Horsepower 48.95 HP (36.5 KW) @ 9000RPM
Torque 30.98 ft/lbs (42.0 Nm) @ 7000RPM
Fuel System turbo
Air Filter K&N HA-0700 `78-82[1]
Ignition cdi
Spark Plug NGK D8EA '78-79
Battery YUASA YB14L-A2 '78-79
Transmission Gear box: 5-speed

Final Drive: shaft drive (cardan)

Clutch: wet, multi plate
Final Drive Shaft
Suspension Front: telescopic forks
Rear: swingarm
Brakes Front: dual disc
Rear: single disc
Front Tire 100/90-18
Rear Tire 120/80-18
Wheelbase 57.28 inches (1455 mm)
Length 86.02 inches (2185 mm)
Width 34.06 inches (865 mm)
Height 45.87 inches (1165 mm)
Seat Height 31.5 inches (800 mm)
Weight 451.95 pounds (205.0 Kg) (dry), 228.0 kg (wet)
Oil Capacity 0.79 Gallon (3.00 Liters)
Oil Filter K&N KN-111[1]
Recommended Oil Honda GN4 10W-40
Fuel Capacity 5.02 Gallon (19.00 Liters)
Fuel Consumption 4.52 liters/100 km (22.1 km/l or 52.04 mpg)
Related Honda CX500C
Honda GL500
Competition BMW R65
Honda CB650
Honda CX500
Kawasaki KZ650B
Suzuki GS550
Yamaha XS650
Yamaha SR500
Manuals Service Manual

Brochures ·


The Honda CX500 was a v2, four-stroke Naked motorcycle produced by Honda between 1978 and 1979. It could reach a top speed of 107 mph (172 km/h). Max torque was 30.98 ft/lbs (42.0 Nm) @ 7000 RPM. Claimed horsepower was 48.95 HP (36.5 KW) @ 9000 RPM.

History[edit | edit source]

First introduced in 1978, the Honda CX500 broke all the norms the company was known to follow.

While V-twins were nothing new, Moto Guzzi had been making transversely mounted shaft driven engines(which in theory should save power since it has to change directions less) for many years, but this Honda was quite different. Not only was the 500 cc OHV engine water cooled, but it had four valves per cylinder that were driven by pushrods rather than more conventional overhead cam/cam chain combinations.

Honda derived many other bikes from the CX500 including the following: Custom, Deluxe, Turbo, and Silver Wing.


Engine[edit | edit source]

The engine was a liquid cooled v2, four-stroke. A 78.0mm bore x 52.0mm stroke result in a displacement of just 497.0 cubic centimeters. Fuel was supplied via a overhead valves (ohv).

Drive[edit | edit source]

The bike has a 5-speed transmission. Power was moderated via the wet, multi plate.

Chassis[edit | edit source]

It came with a 100/90-18 front tire and a 120/80-18 rear tire. Stopping was achieved via either single disc or dual disc in the front, depending on what year and country, and drum in the rear. The front suspension was a telescopic forks while the rear was equipped with a swingarm. The CX500E was fitted with a 5.02 Gallon (19.00 Liters) fuel tank. The bike weighed just 451.95 pounds (205.0 Kg). The wheelbase was 57.28 inches (1455 mm) long.




1978[edit | edit source]

1978 Honda CX500


The Honda CX500'78 was sold in 1978. Two colors were available: Black and Candy Presto Red. The Fuel tank stripe was red with white pinstripes. The "CX500" side cover emblem was chrome with red accent. The bike had silver comstar wheels. The control levers were silver. The master cylinder was round. The engine was a 496cc OHV liquid-cooled V-Twin with a 5-speed transmission and shaft drive. The serial number began CX500-2000001.


1979[edit | edit source]

1979 Honda CX500


The CX500'79 was sold in 1979 in one of two colors: Candy Presto Red and Black. The gas tank is maroon with gold pinstripes. The "CX500" side cover emblem was gold with red accent. The wheels are comstar. The black spoke rim covers were deleted. The control levers were black anodized. The master cylinder was rectangular. The engine was a 496cc OHV liquid-cooled V-Twin with a 5-speed transmission and shaft drive. The serial number began CX500-2100001





In Media[edit | edit source]

External links[edit | edit source]

References[edit | edit source]

  1. 1.0 1.1 2019 K&L Supply Co Catalog. K&L Supply Co. 2019. 
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