Has your confidence taken blow? Bored of recalls, knocking issues, stalls....

[PMD6]

Finally picked up a CX500 - well 2 in parts with the intention of making a cafe racer.

Having sorted out all the parts, I plan to chop  out the ackward section at the rear of the frame and replace with  tube section - fit a flat seat - relocate the battery and wiring - and fit clipons. If a can find a USD front end that goes on without too much trouble ill go for that as well

One of the engines will get an overhaul and a fresh coat of paint while its out - but both were running well a few weeks back so no major work is needed.

I doubt ill have any issues with ABS, TC, engine maps, TPMS, ECUs or rusty spokes.

All others issues ill only have myself to blame


Heres how you fit 2 bikes into a VW Touareg

[the burpster]

Play about with it as much as you like but it will still be a dung beetle.

Hateful bikes back in the day, unnecessary now. Much like the Yamaha zx550 I endured for 3 years.
Utter heap of garbage compared to modern bikes.

[PMD6]

Burpster - I think you miss the point of building a cafe racer...... its not ment to be a substitute for a modern bike

[the burpster]

Not at all, there are some fantastic bikes built around modern engines that are called 'cafe racers'. There is an American TV series devoted to the subject and quite a few builders in the states make a good living out of doing just that. They Will take on the project for ANY bike.

There were so many really good (reliable, well engineered) bikes of the era that could just do with a hand up from some bits of modern tech design and material tech. I'm afraid I wouldn't put the CX500 in that group. It was woefully underpowered, had cam and cam chain issues from day one, a dubious at best water cooling system and it's only saving grace at that time (as with the aforementioned ZX550) was a shaft drive.

I guess there are loads of cheap ones around now and I wish you luck with your build, but the very finite shelf life and availability of parts was the very reason I stopped buying Jap bikes.
From my understanding they are no better now than they were then.

[Griff]

I have owned many bikes over the years, in all shapes and sizes, right down to a Honda Camino moped. Some of them have been good and some not as good. I have enjoyed them all to some degree or other. However, one thing I have never done is refer to another persons choice of motorcycle as "an utter heap of garbage" . Burpster, as a moderator you should be setting example in the comments you make on the forum and IMHO as such on this occasion, you are well out of order with such a comment.

[the burpster]

Originally Posted by Grump

I have owned many bikes over the years, in all shapes and sizes, right down to a Honda Camino moped. Some of them have been good and some not as good. I have enjoyed them all to some degree or other. However, one thing I have never done is refer to another persons choice of motorcycle as "an utter heap of garbage" . Burpster, as a moderator you should be setting example in the comments you make on the forum and IMHO as such on this occasion, you are well out of order with such a comment.

"Utter heap of garbage COMPARED TO MODERN BIKES!"

Quoted out if context .......

[Griff]

My view still stands, regardless of context.

 I owned an early Hinckley Sprint. It was a good bike. Based on my experience with that, I purchased the Tex. By comparison the Tex is a disaster. I have only kept it because of the riding experience, which is good. If I was basing my ownership on reliability I would have parted with it well before now.

In comparison, I purchased a Honda NC around the same time as my first Tex. The NC has lived beside two Tex's and all the drama that has gone with them.  What has gone wrong with the Honda ?  In short nothing. No recalls, no fuss, just change the oil. It now has 15,000kms on the clock. I could go on and on.   

[PMD6]

As I said Burpster I think you miss the point of building a cafe racer these days - its no longer about getting to 100mph...

The cx500 is a very popular donor bike due to its frame shape, shaft drive,  radiator and boxer style engine. It may not be yours  choice but have you built a cafe racer?

For many builders these days the point is the build rather than the finished product - the joy of tinkering

As I previously said it's not intended as a substitute to the Tex or any other modern bike.

As for jap bikes im not so norrow minded as to make such wild assurtions - there are many great japanese bikes

Maybe I should get some triumph tinted glasses and become a moderator to.....

[lord vader]

Grump its called freedom of speech

[Griff]

Originally Posted by lord vader

Grump its called freedom of speech

Freedom of speech is good. Calling another persons choice an utter heap of garbage is not, especially when the position of Moderator of the forum is held by the former.