Honda CX500TC Turbo

Honda CX500TC Turbo
Manufacturer	Honda
Production	1982
Class	Standard
Engine	Four stroke, Turbo charged, longitudinal 800 V-twin cylinder, camshaft nestles at the base of the V between the cylinders. ,OHV, 4 valves per cylinder operated by pushrods
Compression ratio	7.2:1
Top Speed	128 mph
Ignition	CDI
Transmission	5 Speed
Suspension	Front: 37mm Showa, adjustments for TRAC anti-dive and air pressure Rear: Honda Pro-Link, one Showa damper, adjustment for air pressure and rebound damping
Brakes	Front: 2x 280mm discs Rear: Single 300mm disc
Front Tire	100/90 V18
Rear Tire	120/90 V17
Weight	220 kg / 485 lbs (dry),
Oil Filter	K&N KN-111
Recommended Oil	Honda GN4 10W-40
Fuel Capacity	20 Liters / 5.2 US gal
Manuals	Service Manual

It could reach a top speed of 128 mph.

Engine

The engine featured a 7.2:1 compression ratio.

Drive

Power was moderated via the Wet, multi-plate, 5-speed.

Chassis

It came with a 100/90 V18 front tire and a 120/90 V17 rear tire. Stopping was achieved via 2x 280mm discs in the front and a Single 300mm disc in the rear. The front suspension was a 37mm Showa, adjustments for TRAC anti-dive and air pressure while the rear was equipped with a Honda Pro-Link, one Showa damper, adjustment for air pressure and rebound damping. The CX500TC Turbo was fitted with a 20 Liters / 5.2 US gal fuel tank. The bike weighed just 220 kg / 485 lbs.

Photos

Overview

Honda CX 500TC Turbo

The CX500 Turbo with which Honda stunned the motorcycle world in 1982 was one of the least likely bikes ever to be put into production. The turbocharged V-twin was large, heavy, complex and expensive. From the moment it was unveiled, many observers regarded the Turbo as more of a corporate statement than a serious superbike.

Honda's ostentatious V-twin was the first of the string of turbocharged machines that would see all of the big four Japanese manufacturers try their luck with forced induction. The Honda was the most curious in its choice of powcrplant. Turbochargers. which use exhaust gas to compress the intake charge, arc best suited to large engines that operate at a steady load: the opposite of a motorcycle's situation. In addition, multi-cylinder motors help by smoothing the exhaust flow.

Despite this. Honda selected their middleweight CX500. an 80-degree transverse V-twin with pushrod valve operation. The CX's small cylinders required the world's tiniest turbocharger, which was built by IHI to Honda's specification. Its rotors measured less than two inches (51mm) in diameter and were designed to spin at 200,0001pm.

Strengthened engine

The CX's crankcases were strong enough to be retained, but much of liquid-cooled engine was uprated. A stronger crankshaft, clutch and conrods, plus Honda's first production-specification forged pistons, all helped to keep it together when the turbo increased peak power from the standard CX500's 50bhp to the Turbo's 82bhp at 8000rpm. Honda's work by no means ended with the power plant. The CX was a rolling showcase for other technical achievements, including its digital ignition and fuel-injection system. Pro-Link rear suspension. TRAC anti-dive, twin-piston brake calipers and redesigned Comstar wheels. In addition the fairing, with its lipped screen, enormous headlamp and integral indicators, was undeniably stylish. It held a sophisticated instrument console that contained a clock and fuel gauge, as well as the turbo boost gauge.

The fairing worked well. too. allowing highspeed cruising in comfort. The CX also handled very well considering its fuelled-up weight of over 5501b (250kg). But for such a big. expensive bike the Turbo was only moderately fast. It was good for 125mph (201km/h) but its acceleration was marred by all that weight. And the engine also suffered from turbo-lag. the intrusive delay between throttle opening and engine response which made precise throttle control difficult. For long-distance riding at speed the Turbo was impressive even so. but it was not so outstanding that its weight, complexity and expense were overcome. A year later, in 1983. Honda followed it with the CX650 Turbo, which had less lag plus a substantial power increase that gave thrilling acceleration and a top speed of 135mph (217km/h). The bigger model was an even better grand tourer. But it was still not a sales success against simpler, cheaper rivals, and remained in production for only a year.

Blown Four: the ZX750 Turbo The last, fastest and best of the Japanese turbo-bikes was Kawasaki's ZX750 Turbo of 1984. Like Yamaha's XJ650 Turbo and Suzuki's XN85 (which also had a capacity of 650cc) the ZX was an in-line four. In style and chassis layout it resembled Kawasaki's GPz1100. Peak power was 112bhp, and the Kawasaki had very little turbo lag because its turbine was in front of the engine, so exhaust gas travelled a short distance before reaching it. With fine handling and a top speed of almost 140mph (225km/h), the ZX750 Turbo had comparable performance to the GPz1100. It sold in reasonable numbers before Kawasaki, too, finally abandoned turbo-bike production.

Make Model	Honda CX 500TC Turbo
Year	1982
Engine Type	Four stroke, Turbo charged, longitudinal 800 V-twin cylinder, camshaft nestles at the base of the V between the cylinders. ,OHV, 4 valves per cylinder operated by pushrods
Displacement	498 cc / 30.3 cu-in
Bore X Stroke	78 x 53 mm
Compression	7.2:1
Induction	Electronic fuel injection
Ignition	CDI
Starting	Electric
Max Power	82 hp / 59.9 kW @ 8000 rpm ( rear tire 76 hp @ 8000 rpm )
Max Torque	79 Nm / 58.2 lb-ft @ 5000 rpm
Clutch	Wet, multi-plate, 5-speed
Transmission	5 Speed
Final Drive	Shaft
Front Suspension	37mm Showa, adjustments for TRAC anti-dive and air pressure
Front Wheel Travel	130 mm / 5.1 in
Rear Suspension	Honda Pro-Link, one Showa damper, adjustment for air pressure and rebound damping
Rear Wheel Travel	104 mm / 4.1 in
Front Brakes	2x 280mm discs
Rear Brakes	Single 300mm disc
Front Tire	100/90 V18
Rear Tire	120/90 V17
Dry Weight	220 kg / 485 lbs
Wet-weight	263 kg / 579.8 lbs
Fuel Capacity	20 Liters / 5.2 US gal
Consumption Average	47 mpg
Braking 60 - 0 / 100 - 0
Standing ¼ Mile	12.3 sec / 106 mph
Top Speed	128 mph