81 Honda CX500 vs 85 VT500

Akilldema · 04-25-2010, 02:26 PM

I'm looking for a cheap cruiser to ride around on and fix up a bit. There are a couple of local bikes that I'm looking at (see title) but I know basically nothing about. The VT500 has less miles, but the CX seems to have had more thorough maintenance. It's recently had a bunch of seals replaced, fluids flushed, carbs rebuilt, etc. Does anyone have any experience with either of these that could help me decide?

pauldun170 · 04-25-2010, 03:02 PM

I think the cx500 has a pita center camchain but otherwise solid.

Dave · 04-25-2010, 03:55 PM

get the VT. cx is a guzzi clone ie: sideways engine and shaft drive. any old honda is a solid bet. fresh oil, filters and spark plugs is all they need

was92v · 04-25-2010, 04:06 PM

The CXs had problems... I would roll with the VT.

Akilldema · 04-25-2010, 09:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dave

get the VT. cx is a guzzi clone ie: sideways engine and shaft drive. any old honda is a solid bet. fresh oil, filters and spark plugs is all they need

They are both shaft driven.

What problems did the CXs have?

was92v · 04-26-2010, 07:23 AM

^2

OTB · 04-26-2010, 08:05 AM

The VT500 is a bulletproof and FUN bike (I've had TWO).. the CX is slow, heavy boring, busy sounding and was prone to waterpump failure, crank seal failure, valve issues and general crankiness. As they get older the issues get worse. I know some folks have put many miles on em,(in CX650 guise) and i know folks who spent more time working on them than riding them.

Akilldema · 04-27-2010, 09:13 PM

I got the CX, it feels as fast as the VT did and looks a lot better. The 2 guys with the VTs were jerking me around and they both weren't in the best shape compared to the CX. It seems like the valve maintenance is a bit more than a normal bike, but fairly simple. We'll see how it goes.

Dave · 04-28-2010, 12:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Akilldema

I got the CX, it feels as fast as the VT did and looks a lot better. The 2 guys with the VTs were jerking me around and they both weren't in the best shape compared to the CX. It seems like the valve maintenance is a bit more than a normal bike, but fairly simple. We'll see how it goes.

post pics

04-25-2010, 02:26 PM	#1
Akilldema Canyon Carver Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Northern VA Moto: FJR1300 Posts: 462	81 Honda CX500 vs 85 VT500 I'm looking for a cheap cruiser to ride around on and fix up a bit. There are a couple of local bikes that I'm looking at (see title) but I know basically nothing about. The VT500 has less miles, but the CX seems to have had more thorough maintenance. It's recently had a bunch of seals replaced, fluids flushed, carbs rebuilt, etc. Does anyone have any experience with either of these that could help me decide?

04-25-2010, 03:55 PM	#3
Dave Chaotic Neutral Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Cherry Hill NJ Moto: GV1200 Madura, Hawk gt Posts: 13,992	get the VT. cx is a guzzi clone ie: sideways engine and shaft drive. any old honda is a solid bet. fresh oil, filters and spark plugs is all they need __________________ TWF Post whore #6

04-26-2010, 07:23 AM	#6
was92v Nowhere Man Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: 558	^2 Last edited by was92v; 05-14-2010 at 08:02 PM..

04-26-2010, 08:05 AM	#7
OTB The Man Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: CrabTown USA Moto: 00 Bimota DB4 Posts: 823	The VT500 is a bulletproof and FUN bike (I've had TWO).. the CX is slow, heavy boring, busy sounding and was prone to waterpump failure, crank seal failure, valve issues and general crankiness. As they get older the issues get worse. I know some folks have put many miles on em,(in CX650 guise) and i know folks who spent more time working on them than riding them. __________________ http://www.decreasingradius.net/

04-25-2010, 04:06 PM	#4
was92v Nowhere Man Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: 558	The CXs had problems... I would roll with the VT.

04-27-2010, 09:13 PM	#8
Akilldema Canyon Carver Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Northern VA Moto: FJR1300 Posts: 462	I got the CX, it feels as fast as the VT did and looks a lot better. The 2 guys with the VTs were jerking me around and they both weren't in the best shape compared to the CX. It seems like the valve maintenance is a bit more than a normal bike, but fairly simple. We'll see how it goes.