Honda CX500 & GL500 Forum

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07-01-2008, 8:09 PM bearmani Joined on 07-02-2008 a few mile east of the crossroads of mid-america Posts 71 generally new to motorcycling i just became the owner of a 1982 gl500. bought it for a decent price. she'd been sitting outside fer quite a spell and the last sticker on the plate was '97. she got 27k miles on her.is that a lot? 1 of the things that caught my eye was a windjammer fairing and a sissy bar. he also had a "trunk" for putting on behind the driver making it a single seater. it really seems like "just the right size" for this 280 pound frame. i didn't want something TOO big, nor something too small. i have been kinda reading a little in this forum, and still very much not knowing the good points n bad points of these 500 style hondas. i gotter home to my buddy's garage and took off the custom front seat (from looking at different pictures of different bikes in here, mine is different) i haven't taken any pictures of her yet.but shall in the future. do these cx's n gl's 500 have parts that can intechange? the gas tank on this one looked kinda rusty (so after i told my duddies at work they are now calling her my honda "rustic".lol).n upon further inverstigatings, picking at the scale on the lower left back corner found my screwdriver probing right through the sucker into the rusty void of the main chamber. so?...am kinda looking for a replacement for her so i can expieriment with cutting the tank open n possibly sand-blasting the inside rust and patching the outside sections and welding her back together again and see if she''ll not leaky on me. pulled the side covers offer n took out the air cleaner n hooked a charger to the defunct battery on her n she turned over.....thazz GOOD sign......so i sprayed a lil ether in the air box and she fired rigtht up and thazza nutter good sign....more than werthy of continuing. only ran her bout 10-15 seconds so as to not scrape the cyclinder walls TOO badly. so?......excited at this point in time by it all......we disconnected the gas line n put some gass down the tube.....n she kinda coughed n sputtered n only fired on 1 cyclinder. but not disheartened, i pulled the carbs off being careful not to seperate the 2 of em to perform some more exploratory surgery. THA'TS when i dropped 1 of the jets onto his gravel floor....now, is MIA..oh well.....honda dealer near me kin get new jet fer 8 buks.which is why i kinda askin' if parts can interchange, or what kinda jet from another carb may fill the gap? also noticed some oil leaking from the 2 front forks but my buddy (who owns a gold wing) said is no biggy. any advise, help, er comments would sure be appreciated, as this is unchartered territory for this ol bear.....hope to come back with somke more reports of progress in the near future here........Bear 1981 gl500 Little Wing    Report

07-01-2008, 9:16 PM RustyTec Joined on 08-26-2007 Dallas Posts 294 Re: generally new to motorcycling 27k miles means that it 1/9 th used up. I would recommend not cutting through the neck of the filler cap, because it is the most difficult to weld back together. Very novel approach, I must say. Posting pictures is easy if you have FireFox. Oh yea, since you are new to two-wheelers. Watch out for cagers. It ain’t so much that they don’t see us, in as much as it is; the fact that the four-wheelers don’t like us having so much fun. The cager’s vehicle sees us just fine and is out to get us. You may want to put some JB Weld/Lock-tight on the bolts to the trunk latch. They like to fall off. RustyTec on a ’81 GL500. She’s not my bike. I’m just her current boyfriend. - She gets everything that she needs, and most of what she wants. - Works for us.    Report

07-02-2008, 4:33 AM RichNCT Joined on 03-02-2006 Posts 2,139 Re: generally new to motorcycling Many parts are interchangeable, many more are not. Careful with assumptions, especially when payment and shipping is involved. FleaBay sellers are notorious for describing what parts fit what bikes incorrectly. Want to buy a GL gas tank? What color? I've got some in sound but "needing paint to look nice" condition. Any GL500 or GL650 tank will fit exactly, only color, decals and emblems vary. Petcocks are usually sold separately. Lock is possible to rekey at home (cap lock is simpler than the ignition lock). Born to be relatively wild    Report

07-02-2008, 4:55 PM bearmani Joined on 07-02-2008 a few mile east of the crossroads of mid-america Posts 71 Re: generally new to motorcycling upon FURTHER investigatings, and a lil help from my handsome young buddy with the goldwing; i have been made aware that my gl500 is NOT an '82 after all, but rather, an '81. as far as those frigging "cagers" go?....i been out there fer 20 years er so trying VERY hard to NOT add any additional hood ornamentation on account of those expletive deleteds. shit man, those fruggers don't see ME with 72,000 pounds and 18 wheels. lol.i told my next door neighbor about buying my motorcycle n he said "you got a death wish, eh?" and he's got a 7 second alcohol nostalgic funny car(540ci after market chevy motor with a '71 mustang mach1 body). n i told him: "ya, you don't either, eh?"...we both got a pretty good laugh out of it. as far as the how i am going to disect the gas tank to give me the best accessibility to both sides?......thaz still in the pondering stage.....maybe even rodding it out like a radiator..would that work?.still ponderin' but?....getting another tank to replace it so i can play with this 1 is next on my agenda, as having gone to honda and procurring 2 "90" jets (the originals are 78)....now weather thaz .078 er .78mm.....dunno.....but i can tell merely from the difference in the numbers that they are a mite larger......and seeings how they'll be getting re-stocked in the future?.methinks the 90's SHOULD work well enough to see if she's even gonna RUN on gas..lol...later man.thanks for replying.......Bear 1981 gl500 Little Wing    Report

07-02-2008, 5:19 PM bearmani Joined on 07-02-2008 a few mile east of the crossroads of mid-america Posts 71 Re: generally new to motorcycling ya, man.i be interested in a gl500 tank......black?.....er some reasonable facsimile of black....... heck, even a 650 whichever is the larger capacity. i've still got the vacuum petcock n looks in good shape. 1981 gl500 Little Wing    Report

07-02-2008, 7:10 PM RichNCT Joined on 03-02-2006 Posts 2,139 Re: generally new to motorcycling I sent you an email, let me know if you get it. I have a black '81 GL500 tank, solid but with paint issues. Born to be relatively wild    Report

07-03-2008, 2:10 PM Anonymous Re: generally new to motorcycling only issues i CAN'T deal with is a rusted through gas tank.already have 1 of those.lol i looked at yer profile n found no email addy. so?.i be thinking not as many people would contact you to buy a gas tank as might contact me with 1 to sell....lol....Bear

07-03-2008, 2:11 PM bearmani Joined on 07-02-2008 a few mile east of the crossroads of mid-america Posts 71 Re: generally new to motorcycling so much fer dat automatic sign in feature.lol....ya..that last post was mine......Bear 1981 gl500 Little Wing    Report

07-03-2008, 6:23 PM bearmani Joined on 07-02-2008 a few mile east of the crossroads of mid-america Posts 71 Re: generally new to motorcycling seemthis forum seems pretty honest here's me email rich: bearandkatie1@ameritech.net 1981 gl500 Little Wing    Report

07-03-2008, 7:06 PM RustyTec Joined on 08-26-2007 Dallas Posts 294 Re: generally new to motorcycling I’m recommend that you edit your post or you may get a lot of SPAM. Break up your email address like this Bearandkatie1 at ameritech dot net I assume that having your address listed in your profile is safe, well maybe not. I’m changing mine. Thanks RustyTec on a ’81 GL500. She’s not my bike. I’m just her current boyfriend. - She gets everything that she needs, and most of what she wants. - Works for us.    Report

07-08-2008, 4:41 PM bearmani Joined on 07-02-2008 a few mile east of the crossroads of mid-america Posts 71 Re: generally new to motorcycling well?.....got the carbs cleaned up n installed the "90" main jets while waiting for the "78's" to come to the local honda store in joiliet....."snatched" a gas tank offa one of my handome little buddies kids mini dirt-bike n with some tie-wraps fer the front n duck tape fer the back, a very creative endeavor in d'sizing the fuel line to the carb, a new battery?...turned on the key, pulled the choke, n hit the starter button?.....fired up in just a pair of seconds she did. sounded purty good ta me..went to take her on the street n noticed that fuel was leaking (purty badly) out the overflow tubes, but it quit the next day. ran really WELL on the street, although she did backfire on decelleration, am gonna check that emission control tube that feeds back into the air filter next time there, probably this coming week-end. and she rode like riding on a cloud. so she "shook down" purty well.clutched strarted slipping second time out but, a readjustiment n locking it down tighter seemed to solve that problem....i noticed the right cylinder was kinda cool while idling, but heated right up whilst riding....could be some crap in the right idiling holes somewheres.mebbe some "sea-foam" may take care of it. anyone know how much air to put in the mono-shock as well as the front fork? up-shifted good, d'shifted good.....idiled rather rough.but could be the larger jets. second n third time out the idle smoothed out a mite better, didn't hafta keep the choke 3/8ths pulled out to keep her runnjing @ idle around 1500 er so. stator seems to be statoring alright.oh ya, 2nd time i went out to the garage n fired her up.seemed like i just barely touched the button n she fired right up, this baby WANTS ta run...put bout 40 miles on her mostly getting the hand co-ordination down. my "comfort zone" crusing speed right now is around 45-50 mph, but will get better as i git more familiar with her and the vibration/s of 2 cylinders @ 6 er 7,000 rpms..lol but now, i am in earnest need of a gas tank, n i am unsure as to the why's er why not's as far as recieveing anyones email/s concerning this. maybe some of you guys who are more familiar with the ins n outs n wheelings n dealings with others in here can give this poor ol bear a helpin' hand? 'spose i gonna hafta d'load firefox so's i kin post pictures in the future pending problems, but as far as i've seen so far, you guys are pretty cool. you can email me @ bear and katie 1 at ameritech dot net or candymanbear2020 at yahoo dot com.....thanks again.......Bear 1981 gl500 Little Wing    Report

07-08-2008, 7:35 PM RichNCT Joined on 03-02-2006 Posts 2,139 Re: generally new to motorcycling Sounds like the joy of motorcycling is getting into your system! I just emailed you again about the black GL500 gas tank I have. Solid, but needs paint to look pretty. Born to be relatively wild    Report

07-08-2008, 9:10 PM bearmani Joined on 07-02-2008 a few mile east of the crossroads of mid-america Posts 71 Re: generally new to motorcycling email recieved and a return sent 1981 gl500 Little Wing    Report

07-09-2008, 7:46 PM bearmani Joined on 07-02-2008 a few mile east of the crossroads of mid-america Posts 71 Re: generally new to motorcycling thank you rich, for that more than generous offer. you have just sold a gas tank. 1981 gl500 Little Wing    Report

07-09-2008, 7:57 PM RichNCT Joined on 03-02-2006 Posts 2,139 Re: generally new to motorcycling I'm a little busy for a few days, but I'll email you soon. Born to be relatively wild    Report

07-14-2008, 9:24 PM bearmani Joined on 07-02-2008 a few mile east of the crossroads of mid-america Posts 71 Re: generally new to motorcycling well?.i have near 75 miles on her (still haven't gotton the "78" jet i ordered from honda..perhaps tommorrow), and i followed the advice on a post in here pertaining to 11-17 lbs. of air in the front shock, and the ride really smoothed out, and it appears the shocks (both front and back) are holding and keeping the air i put in them. and checking them with my handy dandy little personal original hinda equipment included air guage, whih i just HAPPENED to find lurking in the very back of the rear fender underneath the passenger seat.....tucked nice n neatly away in its cushioned little pouch..am curious though as to how much air pressure should be in the mono shock in the back?.the same 11-17 lbs.? also am finding some longer stretches of country roads where i can open her up n cruise fer a few minutes @ 55-70 mph..getting more usedta the higher rpm's of the motor, and as i have read, i am not the only 1. my handsome lil buddy with the goldwing tells me that cruising @ 30 in 5th gear is not good for a bike, but it doesn't seem to be lugging, even carrying my big arse on it..lol. the acceleration in the first 4 gears is jez friggin awesome winding betweenst the 6-8,000 range.just frigging AWESOME!!!!!! am having some troubles with the right cyclinder at idle, she doesn't seem to be firing to well n i will probably take care of those frigging retaining ears when i pull the carbies when i install the factory jets, as well as spray me some "hogwash" through the idle ports ta clean out some of the gunk that muz be blocking it. also SOMETIMES it seems to leak gas out of the drain tube (the left 1), maybe cuz it not burning it all in the right 1?..but?...it ALL goes away onced she's throttled up a mite n fires well (and this is with the old plugs..got new ones but haven't put em in as yet). i am also noticing the front end drops down quite a bit on a hard de-celeration from like, well at any speed....is this normal for these bikes?.i know there's a weight transfer and all, and i know i am not the lightest rider to ever ride 1 of these bikes, but still?.is gotta drop a good 4 er 5 inches er better.mebbe not enough oil in the forks?......will check this as we gitter ta idle more smoothly.n seems to have a slight hesitation from idle to bout 2,000 er slightly higher n am figuring that may well be that plugged idle jet........well?.we'll see. i CAN say i am liking this motorcycle more n more though. 1981 gl500 Little Wing    Report

07-14-2008, 9:55 PM Blindstitch2002 Joined on 05-16-2007 Greenfield Wisconsin Posts 1,590 Re: generally new to motorcycling Your little buddy is right. 30 in 5th gear is bad. These bikes are ment to turn the higher rpm's. Keep the speed up and try to use 5th gear at least above 45. Tap the bottom of the carb on the side that is leaking with the back of a screwdriver. It should stop. If it doesn't stop take the bottom bowl of that carb off and inspect the over flow tube on the inside of the carb bottom. They tend to develop a crack in them that can be soldered togeather. You can test for cracks by filling the bowl over the sink and if it drains out the bottom find the crack and solder it. if not it's just the needle valve not seating propperly and the tap with the screwdriver should have fixed it. 1979 Honda Cx500 Custom    Report

07-15-2008, 9:40 AM Shep Joined on 01-30-2007 Hull.East Yorkshire.England Posts 1,899 Re: generally new to motorcycling  bearmani wrote: end drops down quite a bit on a hard de-celeration from like, well at any speed....is this normal for these bikes?.i know there's a weight transfer and all, and i know i am not the lightest rider to ever ride 1 of these bikes, but still?.is gotta drop a good 4 er 5 inches er better.mebbe not enough oil in the forks?....... Change the fork ATF fluid for some 20w fork oil.This will make an amazing difference to the handling and damping of the front suspesnsion.It's a cheap and pretty easy Mod. These bikes can handle 30 in 5th no problem.In the 79/80s etc when they came out in the UK they were the bike of choice of many Dispatch riders in London and other large cities because of their great low-end torque,less gear changes,economy,handling and ease of maintenance. A well tuned CX/GL will rarley if ever drop below 50 mpg(UK gallon) even two-up or no matter what weight you put on them.One up at my weight 13 stone I get between 55/62 depending on conditions and throttle use/style and mood<grin> and will cruise at 70 all day with enough left for,"Combat speed" overtaking manouvers New Global CX/GL Forum, http://globalcxglvtwins.hostingdelivered.com/    Report

07-15-2008, 10:15 AM RichNCT Joined on 03-02-2006 Posts 2,139 Re: generally new to motorcycling I think you can go up to about 70 psi air in the rear monoshock, there should be a sticker saying so near the hose whip under the right side cover.  Don't try that psi in the front though.   Born to be relatively wild    Report

07-15-2008, 4:45 PM bearmani Joined on 07-02-2008 a few mile east of the crossroads of mid-america Posts 71 Re: generally new to motorcycling kudos to you guys. this site is just the cat's ass for information. i have not looked or googled regarding other bikes n models, but, then again?, why?....rofl everything i need is ratch hear, and just for the asking n some reading. me and my handsome little buddy with the goldwing BOTH missed checking the overflow tubes when we had the carbies out the first time...i be claiming ignorance.....rofl.but i DID check to see they were clear.which they weren't..i reckon my questioning him as to the "why" is there overflow tubes in the first place may have had a detramental effect on pursuing the investigative properties of his fine mind.....ROFL!! and it merely got "overlooked" as he was striving to explain this that n the other reason/s as to why they were there and i couldn't (n still cannot) get a grip around the "theory" of thier being there as opposed to the needle valve n seat) i CAN see "gravity" feed?..but?.i countered with a bigger opening for the seat.lol..n he ended the interrogation with something like "different strokes fer different folks" (a euphemised translation....lol) as far as seeing that there pressure settyings on that air "whip". i did see that which is when i put 32 lbs in the front shock n around 50 er so in the back. after which it rode something akin to a lumber wagon. n i could no longer touch the ground flat-footed. so after doing some inquiring n reading found a post that said 11-17 lbs. in the front shock, but nothing concerning the rear. so?....my solution will be putting a skosh more air in the front and raising the back until i be on tippy-toes n then lowering it till my big flat feet hit the ground.....lol 1981 gl500 Little Wing    Report

07-16-2008, 12:00 PM Abes_CW Joined on 04-17-2007 saskatoon Posts 438 Re: generally new to motorcycling