1981 Honda CX 500 D

1981 HONDA CX 500 D

Last Update: 27 Apr 2000

March 1999 Bought a 1981 CX 500 D from original owner. Bike had been wrecked, but a Vetter fairing, a pair of saddle bags, and a trunk gave their lives to save the bike. Previous owner had never maintained the bike and it had been running without water for a long time. He drove it every day. Bike needs paint, maintenance, headlight and front turn signals. $400.00

March 1999 Deployed. Bike sat untouched for over 3 months.

June 1999 Ordered 2 Kenda Challenger Tires. Front - 100/90 -19 ($43.99) Rear - 130/90 - 16 ($53.00). Previous tires were extremely bald. Mounted new tires myself, they still need balanced. $97.98

July 1999 Stripped tank, side covers, and rear fender with spray-on paint remover. DO NOT use paint remover on side covers! I had to do some extentensive sanding to smooth out the damage. Rear fender does fine. Sprayed all items with quality spray on primer. Then painted all items with ten light coats of Mariner Blue, allowing 30 minutes between each coat. Painted lower side covers with spare Flat Black. Painted radiator shrowd gun metal grey. Then followed with 6 light coats of Clear. ( I didn't do this, but would recommend lightly sanding the blue with some very fine sand paper before applying clear) The result is a cheap, but very good looking paint job that I get alot of comments on. I do plan on doing a real paint job in the future. This one is NOT resistant to gasoline! So be careful approx.
$20.00

Aug 1999 Acquired working 5 1/4" headlight bulb and trim ring from a 1973 Honda CB 350. Took headlight to a local cycle salvage and matched trim ring to a VT 500 headlight bucket ($10.00). COOL! Also bought a Nolan full face helmet, on clearance for $70.00 $80.00

Nov 1999 Registered bike, transferred title ($42.00and insured bike($50.00 per year). Tags good for 3 years! $92.00

Dec 1999 - Feb 2000 Did nothing but ride and wash bike during this time. Starts every time. Handlebars are still bent. Bike has been GREAT!.. Rode to Lynard Skynard / ZZ Top concert with some friends who ride Harleys, with wife on back. Parked with all the Harleys in front. Bike ran great. Bike gets just over 150 mile per tank.

Mar 2000 Ordered lower handlebars (2 1/2 inch rise), new grips, an oil filter and a desperately needed air filter $40.00

April 2000 Total so far. Bike is running excellent. Spray can paint job still looking good. Bike starts every day, and have no problems at all. $729.98

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March 1999	Bought a 1981 CX 500 D from original owner. Bike had been wrecked, but a Vetter fairing, a pair of saddle bags, and a trunk gave their lives to save the bike. Previous owner had never maintained the bike and it had been running without water for a long time. He drove it every day. Bike needs paint, maintenance, headlight and front turn signals.	$400.00
March 1999	Deployed. Bike sat untouched for over 3 months.
June 1999	Ordered 2 Kenda Challenger Tires. Front - 100/90 -19 ($43.99) Rear - 130/90 - 16 ($53.00). Previous tires were extremely bald. Mounted new tires myself, they still need balanced.	$97.98
July 1999	Stripped tank, side covers, and rear fender with spray-on paint remover. DO NOT use paint remover on side covers! I had to do some extentensive sanding to smooth out the damage. Rear fender does fine. Sprayed all items with quality spray on primer. Then painted all items with ten light coats of Mariner Blue, allowing 30 minutes between each coat. Painted lower side covers with spare Flat Black. Painted radiator shrowd gun metal grey. Then followed with 6 light coats of Clear. ( I didn't do this, but would recommend lightly sanding the blue with some very fine sand paper before applying clear) The result is a cheap, but very good looking paint job that I get alot of comments on. I do plan on doing a real paint job in the future. This one is NOT resistant to gasoline! So be careful	approx. $20.00
Aug 1999	Acquired working 5 1/4" headlight bulb and trim ring from a 1973 Honda CB 350. Took headlight to a local cycle salvage and matched trim ring to a VT 500 headlight bucket ($10.00). COOL! Also bought a Nolan full face helmet, on clearance for $70.00	$80.00
Nov 1999	Registered bike, transferred title ($42.00and insured bike($50.00 per year). Tags good for 3 years!	$92.00
Dec 1999 - Feb 2000	Did nothing but ride and wash bike during this time. Starts every time. Handlebars are still bent. Bike has been GREAT!.. Rode to Lynard Skynard / ZZ Top concert with some friends who ride Harleys, with wife on back. Parked with all the Harleys in front. Bike ran great. Bike gets just over 150 mile per tank.
Mar 2000	Ordered lower handlebars (2 1/2 inch rise), new grips, an oil filter and a desperately needed air filter	$40.00
April 2000	Total so far. Bike is running excellent. Spray can paint job still looking good. Bike starts every day, and have no problems at all.	$729.98