Announcement

Collapse
No announcement yet.

Is this worth it?

Collapse
X
Collapse
 
  • Page of 1
  • Filter
  • Time
  • Show
Clear All
new posts
Previous template Next
    #1

    Is this worth it?

    A woman from my workplace offered me the following deal....one owner 1981 Honda CX 500 custom shaftie. About the only extras it has is a smaller windscreen, case guards and bolt on highway foot pegs. Seat has one split in it, plates are expired and it has just over 16000 miles on it. Stored inside an unheated garage all these years, she put the charger on it for about 45 minutes while I rode up there, we visited for a few then I started it right away. Took it out on the highway for about a 10 mile trip and could hear/see/smell no wrong. This bike is not ready for the street as it needs a good going over including new tires but she's getting rid of it due to failing health. Hasn't been on the road since fall of 2004 but I have no idea what would this unit be worth. The chrome looks pretty much okay, the paint is faded and some of the decals are worn out. I'm thinking this would be a great excuse to take Earl's advice and take up the hobby of wrenching so I don't have to learn on my GS. I'm suspecting four to five hundred dollars and this would/could be mine. I posted here because doing a google search for Honda Forums was pretty disappointing and I'm not going to join a half a$$ed forum with all the knowledge that you folks have here. Your thoughts, opinions welcome. Thanks-Pete "80 GS 1100 L

    P.S. No, I don't have 4 to 5 hundred bucks to throw around and if I did purchase it my wife would NOT be very happy. That shouldn't stop me though.....
    Tags: None
    #2
    The general consenuse is $1 per cc for a running bike in need of work

    Comment

      #3
      Thanks Lynn, knew I could count on you.

      Comment

        #4
        buy it for yer wife!

        Comment

          #5
          buy it for your wife!
          I think I'm gonna hafta use that...!

          personally I would think on the low end of $400, but I also waited twenty years for the right price to come along for me! :roll: just point out all the possible worries you'll face as you squint at it and wrinkle your nose alot... :P

          Comment

            #6
            If I remember correctly, a Honda CX500 is a water cooled, transverse V twin, shaft drive. I doubt it would have enough in common with the air cooled GS Suzuki's to be a good choice for wrenching experience if one is leaning towards GS's or that type of design. I would pass on it if the only reason for buying it was for wrenching experience. Otherwise, they are not a bad bike.
            Somewhat underpowered in comparison to the GS you already have though.
            If it seems to run OK and you can get it on the road for a couple hundred dollars of misc. bits and pieces, and if you like the bike, style, etc. Then buying is fine. I probably wouldnt go over $500 for it though.

            Earl
            Komorebi-The light filtering through the trees.

            I would rather sit on a pumpkin and have it all to myself than be crowded on a velvet cushion. H.D.T.

            Comment

              #7
              That is exactly the answer I was looking for Earl, thank you. You are correct in your recollections and a short story about last nights test ride...I found it a bit under powered as well. Jumping on the GS afterward I ran up through the gears on the highway, settled in and got comfortable and started heading towards home. Then I looked down at the speedometer and realized I was going quite a bit over the speed limit. D*mn, I LOVE the power of my GS! Yes, the intentions were to buy the smaller Honda for my wife but she informed me she has no desire to learn how to ride...her loss! P.S....the seller sold it out from under me this afternoon but hasn't "officially" set a pick up date yet. If the deal falls through I'll low ball her and see if she wants to make the deal. Thanks for the replies...happy riding-Pete

              Comment

                #8
                Just keep a positive thought & something better will come along

                Comment

                  #9
                  Flush the cooling system and check for head leaks, sometimes a problem. These are fun bikes but not too fast. I almost bought a CX-650 but the GS650G I have now ran circles around it, especially on the highway.
                  1981 GS650G , all the bike you need
                  1980 GS1000G Power corrupts, and absolute power corrupts absolutely

                  Comment

                    #10
                    From what I can remember, they were plagued with cam chain tensioner problems....... :?

                    Comment

                      #11
                      With 16 K you should be OK on the cam chain issue, but the age will be a factor for corrosion in the cooling system, as well as other places. Water cooled bikes are great and last a long time if driven in hot climates but it is one more thing to maintain that we take for granted with air cooled bikes.
                      1981 GS650G , all the bike you need
                      1980 GS1000G Power corrupts, and absolute power corrupts absolutely

                      Comment

                      Previous template Next
                      Working...
                      X