1983 Honda CX650. Supposed to run, didn't see the key when I went to get it. Was given in it's current state to a kid I've mentored since he was a pre-teen. I'm sure he has the key somewhere. He had it for a year or so before he decided he was never going to get a round tuit and could use the cash, so I grabbed it. Wouldn't have given anyone else as much as I gave him, but...

Not a fan of the "Special" cruiser/low rider style that was so popular then, I'll be working towards a cafe'/flat tracker look as I go through it.

I'll post links to a build thread as things progress if anyone is interested.

Cool ride. It’s a Honda should be able to get running well. When I was 17 I made payments to a friend for his 81 Honda twin star 200. Baby version of that bike. Took it to DMV and registered it in my name. That really blew my dads mind when I showed him the pink slip in my name. Never had insurance nor an even a motorcycle learners permit. Damn I was stupid. Rode it to school my senior in high school then crashed the day after graduation. Walked away but still have the scar.

That should keep you occupied over winter, especially working to turn it into a cafe racer or flat tracker with it's tall tank, raked front forks, high bars, low shocks, etc.

Have you considered just restoring it to original? Or perhaps mod it to a middle weight tourer?

Yes I'm interested so I'll try to follow your progress.

Excellent project!! I look forward to seeing the end result as well as the occasional update post along the way.

When I first saw your picture I thought it was a Magna. I had a 83 V45 Magna (750), then a 84 V65 (1100). Great bikes. They had problems with the spark control modules.

I don't ever remember seeing the CX 650 back in the day. Looks like a good project!

Very cool project. I remember my father had one of those years ago and tried to teach me to ride. It took a lot of abuse and kept on going.

I had a burgundy 1983 Magna 500. It was my first bike and it was my only vehicle.

I lost a battle with a pickup truck in an intersection when he turned left in front of me…

Enjoy the project and be safe.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: PR64,

quote:

Originally posted by ridewv:
That should keep you occupied over winter, especially working to turn it into a cafe racer or flat tracker with it's tall tank, raked front forks, high bars, low shocks, etc.

Have you considered just restoring it to original? Or perhaps mod it to a middle weight tourer?

Yes I'm interested so I'll try to follow your progress.

No firm decisions on anything until I get a full survey of it's current condition. So far, nothing looks like a deal breaker, but pretty much everything you'd expect of a neglected 40 year old motorcycle is present.

First step is to get a key made, do the standard basic checks and see if it will start and run.

I'm so glad you're back!

First hurdle passed: Dug into the instrument panel enough to read the key code off the ignition switch and ordered a set of keys from FeeBay.

Also took out the measuring tape and confirmed that I can move a few things around and make room to put the bike in my "new" shop and work on it there. HUGE, since all my tools are there and it's heated...

This is a unique engine. If memory serves it is Honda's only engine that is not overhead cam; the four valves per cylinder (also unusual at the time) are pushrod-operated. They have to be because of the inward at the rear rotation of the cylinders, the better to keep the carbs out of your knees. An overhead cam would not be possible. That bike was also made in a number of configurations. Besides the cruiser, it could also be a "standard" or "naked" bike, a full-dress tourer like a miniature Gold Wing, and even a turbocharged, faired sport-tourer.

I had the earlier version CX500 standard. Huge humpback gas tank, fill it up and ride forever. The standard was a tall bike, totally different feel compared to the low rider versions. I really enjoyed it.

I bought a CX650, new, about 1978. I think I’ve got a motorcycle magazine review (favorable) of it. Somewhere… Guzzi-like power train.

ETA: I just remembered something from that magazine review. It said that delivery guys in London used motorcycles to make their way through cars stalled in traffic jams. And their favored bikes were the Honda CX500 & CX650 because of their reliability. A longitudinal crankshaft makes for mechanical simplicity in a shaft drive bike.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Pipe Smoker,

That looks like a helluva lotta fun right there. Enjoy that...

When is the last time it ran? I'd be wondering what the inside of the tank looks like...That will likely set the tone for your project and how much work the carbs will be to get back in running order as well. Without the keys though I assume you haven't been able to assess anything in that department yet. Regardless, eager for updates on your project here...Enjoy!

if you're looking for inspiration, something along these lines would be acceptable...

quote:

Originally posted by egregore:
<snip>
It could also be a <snip> full-dress tourer like a miniature Gold Wing
<snip>

Named a “Silver Wing” as I recall.

ETA: Yes, here it is:
https://grassrootsmotorsports....saddle/162128/page1/

That exact year and model was my first motorcycle!

It was a nice ‘starter’ scoot for me.

Low saddle height, decent power, e-z maintenance shaft drive, decent handling and comfortable!

The drawbacks for me were hot knees being too close to the cylinder heads (and I’m only 5’9”) and not much forward wiggle room with knees on occasion bumping into the cylinder heads, especially under hard breaking.

Other than that I really enjoyed that motorcycle!

I bought it with just under 2K miles on it and sold it with a little under 25K.

My next bike was a Honda 1985 CB700 Nighthawk in blue, followed by Honda 1995 CBR1000F in silver.

Have fun with the project! Looking forward to progress pictures!!

Rob

THAT'S what I'm talking about! Gorgeous!

Don't have the pockets to get there, but I'll come as close as I can afford.

And yes, I'm very curious/apprehensive about the condition of the tank and fuel system. I usually take the carbs off and go through them as a matter of routine when reviving an old bike.

I have discovered that air filters are an issue. Stock NLA, no aftermarket support at all. Usual work around is to use the frame of an original and wrap it in filter foam, or delete the airbox and go with pods.

Since I don't even have the remnants of an original filter, I'm probably stuck going with pods. Not a fan of airbox deletes, I figure the engineers that designed it in the first place probably knew what they were doing. Dicking around rejetting to compensate for pods is a PITA.

This is what I imagine when people say cafe racer

Looks like a fun winter project. I'm always on the hunt, but have yet to find that screaming deal to put in the shed & tinker.

Had a line on a project, but timing & distance made it difficult to execute. May look back into it next year.

Had also found a disassembled 76 BMW R [R75/6 IIRC] bike for pretty cheap, and Houston-local. Claimed all was there except the seat & one of the mufflers. Looked those 2 parts up & they together would've been almost double what the guy was asking for the rest of it.