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| {{Motorcycle
| | By 1989 the British twin cylinder motorcycles were replaced by British triples and primarily by the Japanese bikes. Each year the Tourist Trophy race was held on the [[Isle of Man]] and Honda was determined to bring back the flavor of those British twins with a bike that had look of the Norton and Triumph racing bikes. |
| |name = Honda GB500
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| |photo = 1989-Honda-GB500-Other-0.jpg
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| |aka = Honda GB500TT Clubman Tourist Trophy
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| |manufacturer = Honda
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| |parent_company =
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| |production = 89-90
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| |model_year =
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| |predecessor =
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| |successor =
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| |class = Classic
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| |engine = 499cc 4-stroke OHC [[RFVC]] dry sump single cylinder
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| |bore_stroke =
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| |compression = 8.9:1
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| |top_speed =108 mph
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| |power =
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| |torque =
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| |ignition = CDI
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| |spark_plug = {{sparkplug|NGK DPR8EA-9}} '89-90
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| |battery = {{battery|YUASA YB12A-B}} '89-90
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| |transmission = 5-speed transmission
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| |final_drive= {{chain|525x108}}
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| |front_sprocket= 15T
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| |rear_sprocket= 37T
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| |frame =
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| |suspension =Front: 35 mm telescopic forks <br>
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| Rear: Dual shocks with adjustable pre-load
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| |brakes =Front: Single 256mm disc <br>Rear: 138mm Drum
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| |front_tire = {{tire|90/90-18}} '89-90
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| |rear_tire = {{tire|110/90-18}} '89-90
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| |rake_trail =
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| |wheelbase =
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| |length =
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| |width =
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| |height =
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| |seat_height = 880 mm / 34.6 in
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| |dry_weight = 157 kg / 346 lbs
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| |wet_weight =
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| |fuel_capacity = 20 Liters / 5.3 US gal
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| |oil_capacity =
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| |oil_filter = {{oilfilter|K&N KN-112}}<ref name="kl_2019">{{cite book|title=2019 K&L Supply Co Catalog|publisher=[https://www.klsupply.com/ K&L Supply Co]|date=2019}}</ref>
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| |recommended_oil= Honda GN4 10W-40
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| |fuel_consumption =
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| |turning_radius =
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| |related = [[Honda GB400TT Clubman Tourist Trophy Special]]
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| |competition =
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| }}
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| The '''Honda GB500''' is a [[motorcycle]] produced by [[Honda]] from 1989 to 1990. | | The GB500 had no [[fairing]] or 16-inch wheels seen on Japanese sportbikes. Instead the wheels were wire-spoked. The forks had gaiters. The handlebars were clip-on. The fuel tank was blocky. A tail [[fairing]] was placed behind the one person saddle. The engine was a 500 cc vertical single with a two-into-one header. However the single front disc brake belied the retro look. |
|
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|
| By 1989 the British twin cylinder motorcycles were replaced by British triples and primarily by the Japanese bikes. Each year the Tourist Trophy race was held on the [[Isle of Man]] and Honda was determined to bring back the flavor of those British twins with a bike that had look of the [[Norton]] and [[Triumph]] racing bikes. [[Honda]] responded by launching its GB500 (commonly known as the tourist trophy) as a retro-bike with styling and components that recalled fond memories for many motorcyclists of the classic British cycles. The GB500 was a clever package, designed to appeal to a new market that no current motorcycle maker had tapped: the classic, collectible cycles and the older enthusiast. And while numerous British-cycle riders may have never given a second look at a Honda, the GB500 won many a heart.
| | The GB500 was too early for the retro look of the 21st century. |
| ==GB for Great Britain==
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| The GB500's nomenclature spelled out exactly what the cycle was designed to be: the GB stood for Great Britain, belying the bike's styling heritage; the 500 denoted the 500cc displacement, in itself a telltale, classic engine size. To top it of!', the black and gold paint scheme of the GB500's gas tank, side panels and rear seat cover immediately called to mind the [[Velocette]] and [[Vincent|HRD-Vincent]] colors.
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| ==Revival of the "Thumper"==
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| The most important aspect of a motorcycle is of course the engine, and Honda got that right as well. The GB500 was powered by a simple engine with a single, near-vertical cylinder, which reminded riders of many a classic British "[[thumper]]," from [[Norton]] to [[BSA]], [[AJS]] to [[Matchless]]. And even with current noise and exhaust emissions regulations, the GB500's engine emitted a deep-throated howl that echoed back to the past.
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| The GB500 had no [[fairing]] or 16-inch wheels seen on Japanese sportbikes. Instead the wheels were wire-spoked. The forks had gaiters. The handlebars were clip-ons. The fuel tank was blocky. A tail [[fairing]] was placed behind the one person saddle. The engine was a 500 cc vertical single with a two-into-one header. However the single front disc brake belied the retro look.
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| The GB500 was likely too early for the retro craze of the 21st century.
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|
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| ==1989== | | ==1989== |
| <gallery mode='packed-hover'>
| | [[Image:1989_honda_Gb500.jpg|left|thumb|1989 Honda GB500]][[Image:1989_honda_Gb500_1.jpg|left|thumb|1989 Honda GB500]][[Image:1989-Honda-GB500-123.jpg|left|thumb|1989 Honda GB500]][[Image:1989-Honda-GB500-Other-0.jpg|left|thumb|1989 Honda Tourist Trophy (GB500) in Other]][[Image:1989-Honda-GB500-Other-1.jpg|left|thumb|1989 Honda Tourist Trophy (GB500) in Other]][[Image:1989-Honda-GB500-Other-2.jpg|left|thumb|1989 Honda Tourist Trophy (GB500) in Other]][[Image:1989-Honda-GB500-Other-3.jpg|left|thumb|1989 Honda Tourist Trophy (GB500) in Other]][[Image:1989-Honda-GB500-Other-4.jpg|left|thumb|1989 Honda Tourist Trophy (GB500) in Other]][[Image:1989-Honda-GB500-Other-5.jpg|left|thumb|1989 Honda Tourist Trophy (GB500) in Other]][[Image:1989-Honda-GB500-Other-6.jpg|left|thumb|1989 Honda Tourist Trophy (GB500) in Other]] |
| File:1989_honda_Gb500.jpg|left|thumb|1989 Honda GB500
| | <br style="clear: left"/> |
| File:1989_honda_Gb500_1.jpg|left|thumb|1989 Honda GB500
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| File:1989-Honda-GB500-123.jpg|left|thumb|1989 Honda GB500
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| File:1989-Honda-GB500-Other-0.jpg|left|thumb|1989 Honda Tourist Trophy (GB500) in Other
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| File:1989-Honda-GB500-Other-1.jpg|left|thumb|1989 Honda Tourist Trophy (GB500) in Other
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| File:1989-Honda-GB500-Other-2.jpg|left|thumb|1989 Honda Tourist Trophy (GB500) in Other
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| File:1989-Honda-GB500-Other-3.jpg|left|thumb|1989 Honda Tourist Trophy (GB500) in Other
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| File:1989-Honda-GB500-Other-4.jpg|left|thumb|1989 Honda Tourist Trophy (GB500) in Other
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| File:1989-Honda-GB500-Other-5.jpg|left|thumb|1989 Honda Tourist Trophy (GB500) in Other
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| File:1989-Honda-GB500-Other-6.jpg|left|thumb|1989 Honda Tourist Trophy (GB500) in Other
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| </gallery> | |
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| The Honda Tourist Trophy, designated GB500'89 (GB500L'89 in California), was sold in 1989. One color was available: Black Green Mettalic with gold pinstriping and emblems. It had both electric start and a kick starter. The engine was a 499cc 4-stroke OHC [[RFVC]] dry sump single cylinder with a 5-speed transmission. The California serial number began JH2PC161*KK000003 while the rest of the United States models began JH2PC160*KK000001 (where the * indicates a checksum number). | | The Honda Tourist Trophy, designated GB500'89 (GB500L'89 in California), was sold in 1989. One color was available: Black Green Mettalic with gold pinstriping and emblems. It had both electric start and a kick starter. The engine was a 499cc 4-stroke OHC RFVC dry sump single cylinder with a 5-speed transmission. The California serial number began JH2PC161*KK000003 while the rest of the United States models began JH2PC160*KK000001 (where the * indicates a checksum number). |
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| ==1990== | | ==1990== |
| <gallery mode="packed-hover"> | | <gallery> |
| Image:1990_honda_Gb500.jpg|1990 Honda GB500 | | Image:1990_honda_Gb500.jpg|1990 Honda GB500 |
| Image:1990-Honda-GB500-Black-0.jpg|1990 Honda Tourist Trophy (GB500) in Black Green Mettalic | | Image:1990-Honda-GB500-Black-0.jpg|1990 Honda Tourist Trophy (GB500) in Black Green Mettalic |
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| Image:1990-Honda-GB500-Green-4.jpg|1990 Honda Tourist Trophy(GB500) in Green | | Image:1990-Honda-GB500-Green-4.jpg|1990 Honda Tourist Trophy(GB500) in Green |
| </gallery> | | </gallery> |
| | <br style="clear: left"/> |
|
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|
| | The Honda Tourist Trophy, designated GB500'90 (GB500L'90 in California), was sold in 1990. There was no visual change from the 1989 model. One color was available: Black Green Mettalic with gold pinstriping and emblems. It had both electric start and a kick starter. The engine was a 499cc 4-stroke OHC RFVC dry sump single cylinder with a 5-speed transmission. The California serial number began JH2PC161*LK100003 while the rest of the United States models began JH2PC160*LK100001 (where the * indicates a checksum number). |
|
| |
|
| The Honda Tourist Trophy, designated GB500'90 (GB500L'90 in California), was sold in 1990. There was no visual change from the 1989 model. One color was available: Black Green Mettalic with gold pinstriping and emblems. It had both electric start and a kick starter. The engine was a 499cc 4-stroke OHC [[RFVC]] dry sump single cylinder with a 5-speed transmission. The California serial number began JH2PC161*LK100003 while the rest of the United States models began JH2PC160*LK100001 (where the * indicates a checksum number).
| | ==External links== |
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| == Photos == | |
| [[File:Honda-GB-500.jpg|600px|Honda GB500TT Clubman Tourist Trophy]]
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| [[File:Honda-GB-500--1.jpg|600px|Honda GB500TT Clubman Tourist Trophy]]
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| [[File:Honda-GB-500--2.jpg|600px|Honda GB500TT Clubman Tourist Trophy]]
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| | |
| == Overview ==
| |
| By 1989 the British twin cylinder motorcycles
| |
| were replaced by British triples and primarily by the Japanese bikes. Each year
| |
| the Tourist Trophy race was held on the Isle of Man and Honda was determined to
| |
| bring back the flavor of those British twins with a bike that had look of the
| |
| Norton and Triumph racing bikes. Honda responded by launching its GB500
| |
| (commonly known as the tourist trophy) as a retro-bike with styling and
| |
| components that recalled fond memories for many motorcyclists of the classic
| |
| British cycles. The GB500 was a clever package, designed to appeal to a new
| |
| market that no current motorcycle maker had tapped: the classic, collectible
| |
| cycles and the older enthusiast.
| |
| The GB is a sleeved down [[Honda XL600R|XL600]] engine displacing
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| 498cc.. This means that it has the same stroke as the XL600 i.e 75mm. Its also
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| running 8.9:1 compression so kickstarts are easy. The engine has a gear driven
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| balance shaft that is positioned at the front of the engine. This certainly
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| helps keep it tame all the way to its 7800 red line. The single overhead cam is
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| driven by chain that is on the right hand side of the engine. The Honda RFVC
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| (Radial Four Valve Cam?) valve gear is accessed through the four separate
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| covers.
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| ==Specifications==
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| {| class="wikitable"
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| |-
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| !Make Model
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| |Honda GB 500TT Clubman Tourist Trophy
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| |-
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| !Year
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| |1989-91
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| |-
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| !Engine Type
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| |Four stroke, single cylinder, SOHC, 4 valve
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| |-
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| !Displacement
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| |498 cc / 30.3 cu-in
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| |-
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| !Bore X Stroke
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| |92 x 75mm
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| |-
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| !Cooling System
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| |Air cooled
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| |-
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| !Compression
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| |8.9:1
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| |-
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| !Induction
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| |Keihin PH 69
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| |-
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| !Ignition
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| |CDI
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| |-
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| !Starting
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| |Electric
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| |-
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| !Max Power
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| |38 hp / 27.7 kW @ 7000 rpm
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| |-
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| !Max Power Rear Wheel
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| |33.3 hp / 24.8 KW @ 7000 rpm
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| |-
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| !Max Torque
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| |35.6 Nm / 26.3 ft-lb @ 6000
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| |-
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| !Clutch
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| |Wet multi-plate coil spring
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| |-
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| !Transmission
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| |5 Speed
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| |-
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| !Final Drive
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| |Chain
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| |-
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| !Gear Ratio
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| |1st 2.384 (31/13) / 2nd 1.555 (28/18) / 3rd 1.200 (24/20) / 4th 1.000 (23/23) / 5th 875 (21/24)
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| |-
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| !Front Suspension
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| |35 mm telescopic forks
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| |-
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| !Rear Suspension
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| |Dual shocks with adjustable pre-load
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| |-
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| !Front Brakes
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| |Single 256mm disc
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| |-
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| !Rear Brakes
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| |138mm Drum
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| |-
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| !Front Tire
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| |90/90 -18
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| |-
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| !Rear Tire
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| |2.50 -18
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| |-
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| !Rake
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| |64°
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| |-
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| !Trail
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| |105 mm / 4.1 in
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| |-
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| !Seat Height
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| |880 mm / 34.6 in
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| |-
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| !Dry Weight
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| |157 kg / 346 lbs
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| |-
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| !Fuel Capacity
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| |20 Liters / 5.3 US gal
| |
| | |
| |}
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| ==References==
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| {{reflist}}
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| {{Honda}}
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| [[Category:Honda motorcycles|GB500]] | | [[Category:Honda motorcycles|GB500]] |