1978 CX500

[codycoyote223]

First, I'm no expert on anything-just curious and I've had a little experience.
That said, I had a '78 CX500 that I had to tear down and perform a modification to the cam drive. Prior to the tear down it had metal in the oil and the chain would rattle against the case. After that it work very well for about 2 years, riding frequently. Then I had to have a Honda shop split the case to replace part of the charging system. That lasted well for just a few months, then it starting leaking oil like the 100 day gulf spill. It would literally empty itself every night in the garage! To be sure it had a hard life before I got it, but I was surprised at the trouble I had with it.
I wound up getting rid of it because of the problems, although I really enjoyed the way it ran and handled. Is there a model (naked) that has beaten these issues?

[sunnbobb]

For it to give you that kind of trouble, it had to of been abused in it's previous life. First the previous Owner likely did not do the recommended timing chain tensioning. It is so easy to do a caveman could do it. I would do it every 5K just for fun on the one I had (78 cx500c) I sold that bike with around 70K on it and never ever had a lick of trouble...

[codycoyote223]

I thought so. Most Hondas are pretty reliable. How are the naked 650's as far as handling - thinking about another Honda MotoGuzzi, but I'm at 5000 feet so a little more power would be nice.

[the chef]

Check here for bikes and info , http://choppercharles.com/cs/ ,,,, I like my 81 model gl 500 very much. Just got to adjust the timing chain ,really about every 3 grand , and replace at 50,000. Sorry you had a bad experience , your mechs didn't do a good job sounds like to me.
The gl's have a better elec system , very much like the gl 1100's.

[codycoyote223]

Check here for bikes and info , http://choppercharles.com/cs/ ,,,, I like my 81 model gl 500 very much. Just got to adjust the timing chain ,really about every 3 grand , and replace at 50,000. Sorry you had a bad experience , your mechs didn't do a good job sounds like to me.
The gl's have a better elec system , very much like the gl 1100's.

aren't the GL's full fairing and all that sort of thing? If so, after I strip it, how do I make it look "normal", like a regular naked bike? I've read that they are pretty different underneath, and I've never seen one "re-done".