Auto123: Unveiling the Honda 1981 CX500: A Motorcycling Masterpiece

The Honda CX500 is a motorcycle that was manufactured by Honda from 1978 to 1982. It was the first motorcycle in the world to feature a V-twin engine with a transverse crankshaft and liquid cooling. The CX500 was also notable for its shaft drive, which was a departure from the chain drive that was more common on motorcycles at the time.

The CX500 was a popular motorcycle, and it was praised for its smooth engine, good handling, and comfortable ride. It was also relatively fuel-efficient, which made it a good choice for commuters. However, the CX500 was also criticized for its heavy weight and complex design, which made it difficult to work on.

Despite its drawbacks, the CX500 was a significant motorcycle, and it played an important role in the development of modern motorcycles. It was one of the first motorcycles to feature a V-twin engine, and it helped to popularize shaft drive. The CX500 also demonstrated that liquid cooling could be used to improve the performance and efficiency of motorcycle engines.

Honda CX500 (1981)

The Honda CX500, introduced in 1981, was a revolutionary motorcycle that introduced several innovative features to the market.

Transverse V-twin engine: This unique engine design allowed for a lower center of gravity and better handling.
Liquid cooling: This system kept the engine running cooler, even under extreme conditions.
Shaft drive: This low-maintenance system replaced the traditional chain drive.
Electronic ignition: This system provided more reliable and efficient spark delivery.
ComStar wheels: These lightweight and durable wheels were designed to reduce unsprung weight.
Dual front disc brakes: These provided excellent stopping power.
Comfortable ergonomics: The CX500 was designed for comfort, with an upright riding position and well-padded seat.
Fuel-efficient: The CX500 was known for its excellent fuel economy.
Affordable: Despite its advanced features, the CX500 was priced competitively.
Versatile: The CX500 was suitable for a wide range of riding styles, from commuting to touring.

The Honda CX500 was a significant motorcycle that set new standards for performance, innovation, and value. It remains a popular choice among riders today, thanks to its unique combination of features and timeless design.

Transverse V-twin engine

The transverse V-twin engine was a key innovation in the design of the Honda CX500. This engine layout allowed for a lower center of gravity, which improved the motorcycle's handling and stability. The V-twin engine also produced less vibration than a traditional inline engine, making for a smoother and more comfortable ride.

The lower center of gravity also contributed to the CX500's excellent cornering ability. Riders could push the motorcycle hard into corners without worrying about it losing traction or becoming unstable. This made the CX500 a popular choice for both sport riding and touring.

The transverse V-twin engine was a major factor in the success of the Honda CX500. It gave the motorcycle a number of advantages over its competitors, including better handling, stability, and comfort. The CX500 is still considered to be one of the best-handling motorcycles ever made.

Liquid cooling

Liquid cooling is a system that circulates a liquid, typically water or coolant, around the engine to absorb heat. This helps to keep the engine running cooler, even under extreme conditions. The Honda CX500 was one of the first motorcycles to feature liquid cooling, and it was a major factor in the bike's success.

Air-cooled engines are more prone to overheating than liquid-cooled engines, especially in hot weather or when riding at high speeds. This can lead to a loss of power, increased wear and tear on the engine, and even engine damage. Liquid cooling helps to prevent these problems by keeping the engine running at a more consistent temperature.

The Honda CX500's liquid cooling system was very effective at keeping the engine cool, even under extreme conditions. This made the CX500 a reliable and durable motorcycle, even in hot climates or when riding at high speeds.

Liquid cooling is now a common feature on motorcycles, but it was a major innovation when the Honda CX500 was first introduced. The CX500's liquid cooling system helped to make the bike more reliable, durable, and powerful, and it played a major role in the bike's success.

Shaft drive

The Honda CX500 was one of the first motorcycles to use a shaft drive instead of a chain drive. This was a significant change, as shaft drives are generally more durable and require less maintenance than chain drives.

Durability: Shaft drives are enclosed in a metal housing, which protects them from the elements and from damage. Chain drives, on the other hand, are exposed to the elements and can be easily damaged by dirt, rocks, and other road debris.
Maintenance: Shaft drives do not require any lubrication or adjustment, while chain drives need to be lubricated and adjusted regularly. This makes shaft drives much more convenient and less expensive to maintain.
Efficiency: Shaft drives are more efficient than chain drives, as they lose less power due to friction. This can result in improved fuel economy and performance.
Cleanliness: Shaft drives do not throw oil or grease, which can keep the motorcycle and the rider clean.

The shaft drive system on the Honda CX500 was very reliable and durable. It was also very low-maintenance, which made it a popular choice for riders who wanted a motorcycle that was easy to care for.

Electronic ignition

The electronic ignition system on the Honda CX500 was a major improvement over the traditional points-based ignition systems used on motorcycles at the time. Electronic ignition systems are more reliable and efficient than points-based systems, and they provide a hotter spark, which can improve engine performance.

The electronic ignition system on the CX500 used a crankshaft-mounted sensor to trigger the ignition coil. This sensor generated a signal that was sent to the ignition control unit, which then sent a signal to the ignition coil to fire the spark plugs. This system was much more reliable than points-based systems, which could be affected by wear and tear and could require frequent adjustment.

The electronic ignition system on the CX500 also provided a hotter spark than points-based systems. This hotter spark could help to improve engine performance, especially in cold weather or when the engine was under load. The hotter spark could also help to reduce emissions and improve fuel economy.

The electronic ignition system on the Honda CX500 was a significant improvement over the traditional points-based ignition systems used on motorcycles at the time. This system was more reliable, efficient, and provided a hotter spark, which could improve engine performance.

ComStar wheels

The Honda CX500 was one of the first motorcycles to use ComStar wheels. These wheels were made of a lightweight alloy and featured a unique spoke design that reduced unsprung weight. Unsprung weight is the weight of the suspension components that are not supported by the springs. Reducing unsprung weight can improve handling and stability, especially on rough roads.

The ComStar wheels on the CX500 were very effective at reducing unsprung weight. This made the motorcycle more agile and easier to handle, especially in corners. The ComStar wheels also helped to improve the CX500's stability, making it a more comfortable and enjoyable motorcycle to ride.

The ComStar wheels were a significant improvement over the traditional spoke wheels that were used on most motorcycles at the time. The ComStar wheels were lighter, stronger, and more durable. They also reduced unsprung weight, which improved handling and stability. The ComStar wheels were a major factor in the success of the Honda CX500.

Dual front disc brakes

The Honda CX500 was one of the first motorcycles to feature dual front disc brakes. This was a significant safety improvement over the single disc brakes that were common on motorcycles at the time. Disc brakes provide more stopping power and are less likely to fade than drum brakes, especially in wet or muddy conditions.

Increased stopping power: Disc brakes provide more stopping power than drum brakes because they use a caliper to squeeze brake pads against a rotating disc. This creates more friction and therefore more stopping power.
Reduced fading: Disc brakes are less likely to fade than drum brakes because they dissipate heat more effectively. This means that the brakes will continue to work well even after repeated use, such as when riding down a long hill.
Improved wet-weather performance: Disc brakes work better in wet weather than drum brakes because they are less likely to get wet and muddy. This is because the caliper and disc are enclosed, which protects them from the elements.

The dual front disc brakes on the Honda CX500 were a major safety improvement. They provided more stopping power, reduced fading, and improved wet-weather performance. This made the CX500 a safer motorcycle to ride, especially in challenging conditions.

Comfortable ergonomics

The Honda CX500 was designed with a focus on rider comfort. This is evident in several aspects of the motorcycle's design, including the upright riding position and the well-padded seat.

Upright riding position: The upright riding position on the CX500 helps to reduce fatigue and discomfort, especially on long rides. This position also provides the rider with a good view of the road ahead and allows for easy control of the motorcycle.
Well-padded seat: The well-padded seat on the CX500 provides excellent support and comfort for the rider. This is especially important on long rides, as it helps to prevent fatigue and soreness.

The combination of an upright riding position and a well-padded seat makes the Honda CX500 a very comfortable motorcycle to ride. This is an important consideration for any rider, but especially for those who plan on spending long hours in the saddle.

Fuel-efficient

The Honda CX500 was known for its excellent fuel economy, which was a major selling point for the motorcycle. This was due to a number of factors, including the efficient design of the engine, the use of a shaft drive instead of a chain drive, and the relatively low weight of the motorcycle.

The engine in the CX500 was a liquid-cooled, transverse V-twin engine. This design was very efficient, as it reduced friction and heat loss. The shaft drive was also more efficient than a chain drive, as it lost less power due to friction. Finally, the CX500 was a relatively lightweight motorcycle, which also contributed to its fuel efficiency.

The excellent fuel economy of the Honda CX500 was a major advantage for riders. It meant that they could travel longer distances on a single tank of gas, and it also saved them money on fuel costs. This was especially important in the early 1980s, when gas prices were high.

The fuel efficiency of the Honda CX500 is still impressive today. Even by modern standards, the CX500 is a very fuel-efficient motorcycle. This is one of the reasons why it remains a popular choice for riders who are looking for a motorcycle that is both economical and fun to ride.

Affordable

The Honda CX500 was a motorcycle that was both advanced and affordable. This was a major selling point for the motorcycle, as it made it accessible to a wider range of riders.

There were a number of reasons why the CX500 was so affordable. First, Honda was able to use its economies of scale to produce the motorcycle at a relatively low cost. Second, the CX500 was designed to be easy to manufacture, which also helped to keep costs down. Finally, Honda was willing to sacrifice some profit margin in order to make the CX500 more affordable for riders.

The affordability of the CX500 was a major factor in its success. The motorcycle was a popular choice for riders who were looking for a motorcycle that was both affordable and fun to ride. The CX500 also helped to change the perception of Honda motorcycles. Prior to the CX500, Honda motorcycles were seen as being expensive and unreliable. The CX500 proved that Honda could produce a motorcycle that was both affordable and reliable.

The affordability of the Honda CX500 is still relevant today. Even by modern standards, the CX500 is a very affordable motorcycle. This makes it a great choice for riders who are looking for a motorcycle that is both affordable and fun to ride.

Versatile

The Honda CX500 was a truly versatile motorcycle that could be used for a wide range of riding styles, from commuting to touring. This was due to a number of factors, including its comfortable riding position, fuel efficiency, and shaft drive.

Commuting: The CX500 was an excellent choice for commuting. It was fuel-efficient, easy to ride, and comfortable to ride for extended periods of time. The shaft drive was also a major advantage for commuters, as it required less maintenance than a chain drive.
Touring: The CX500 was also a good choice for touring. It was comfortable to ride for long distances, and the shaft drive was well-suited for the high speeds and long distances associated with touring. The CX500 also had a large fuel tank, which gave it a long range between fill-ups.
Sport riding: The CX500 was not a sport bike, but it was still capable of handling spirited riding. The transverse V-twin engine provided good power and torque, and the handling was surprisingly good for a motorcycle of its size and weight.

The versatility of the Honda CX500 was one of its major strengths. It was a motorcycle that could be used for a variety of purposes, from commuting to touring to sport riding. This made it a popular choice for riders who wanted a motorcycle that could do it all.

Frequently Asked Questions about the Honda 1981 CX500

The Honda 1981 CX500 is a classic motorcycle that is still popular today. Here are some of the most frequently asked questions about this iconic bike:

Question 1: What is the Honda CX500?

Question 2: What are the key features of the Honda CX500?

The Honda CX500 is known for its transverse V-twin engine, liquid cooling, shaft drive, electronic ignition, ComStar wheels, dual front disc brakes, comfortable ergonomics, fuel efficiency, and affordability.

Question 3: What are the advantages of the Honda CX500?

The Honda CX500 offers several advantages over other motorcycles of its time, including better handling, stability, comfort, and fuel economy. It is also a very reliable and durable motorcycle.

Question 4: What are the disadvantages of the Honda CX500?

The Honda CX500 is a heavy motorcycle, and its complex design can make it difficult to work on. It is also not as powerful as some other motorcycles of its era.

Question 5: Is the Honda CX500 a good choice for beginners?

The Honda CX500 is not the best choice for beginners due to its weight and complexity. However, it can be a good choice for experienced riders who are looking for a reliable and comfortable motorcycle.

Question 6: What is the value of a Honda CX500 today?

The value of a Honda CX500 today depends on its condition, mileage, and originality. A well-maintained CX500 with low mileage can be worth several thousand dollars.

Overall, the Honda CX500 is a significant motorcycle that set new standards for performance, innovation, and value. It remains a popular choice among riders today, thanks to its unique combination of features and timeless design.

Tips for Riding and Maintaining a Honda 1981 CX500

The Honda CX500 is a classic motorcycle that is still popular today. Here are some tips for riding and maintaining your CX500:

Tip 1: Warm up your engine before riding. This will help to prolong the life of your engine and reduce the risk of damage.

Tip 2: Shift smoothly and avoid over-revving the engine. This will help to protect your transmission and engine.

Tip 3: Use the correct oil and filter for your motorcycle. This will help to keep your engine running smoothly and efficiently.

Tip 4: Check your tire pressure regularly. This will help to improve handling and safety.

Tip 5: Clean and lubricate your chain regularly. This will help to prevent wear and tear and extend the life of your chain.

Tip 6: Store your motorcycle in a dry, well-ventilated place. This will help to protect it from the elements and prevent corrosion.

Tip 7: Have your motorcycle serviced regularly by a qualified mechanic. This will help to keep your motorcycle in good condition and prevent costly repairs.

By following these tips, you can help to extend the life of your Honda CX500 and keep it running smoothly for many years to come.

Conclusion

The Honda CX500 is a significant motorcycle that set new standards for performance, innovation, and value. It was the first motorcycle to feature a transverse V-twin engine with liquid cooling and shaft drive, and it offered a number of advantages over other motorcycles of its time, including better handling, stability, comfort, and fuel economy.

The CX500 was also a very reliable and durable motorcycle, and it remains popular among riders today. It is a versatile motorcycle that can be used for a wide range of riding styles, from commuting to touring to sport riding. If you are looking for a classic motorcycle that is both fun to ride and easy to maintain, the Honda CX500 is a great choice.