Honda CX500 Tackles the Trails: 2019 Buffaloe Dual Sport

[@ironcast]

Awesome video. I like the CX500 dual sport builds that I see but this is the first time i have ever seen one in action. I am age 69 and have a GL500. I love the CX/GL engine. But, yeah, I think I will just stay with dirt road riding on my stocker.

[@motorcycleboy3paw]

Best video... I'm going to do a GL500 (silverwing) How bad are the Original shocks? I probably won't trail as hard as you do. also, kind of a crazy idea is trying to build a fuel tank that might fit like the bmw ... move electrics and airbox to where the tank is, maybe lower the center of gravity?

[@gearheadE30]

The GL is a linkage suspension I believe - I don't have specific experience with those but in general, everything original is going to be old and worn out by now. I'm not sure if those shocks are rebuildable, but I'd consider a fresh rebuild to be fine if you're doing dirt roads and pavement. I'd expect it to bottom really easily if you try to jump stuff or ride faster or rougher off road - they are just really soft bikes. A more modern adjustable shock would be a big step up in performance. Sure, the beauty of a custom build is you can do whatever you want with it.

[@wrightcycleworks]

I see your a gluten for punishment like me. I'm picking up a CX this week and can't wait to Dualsport mine!

[@AjackLee4]

Man I need more videos on this thing! I wanna do something similar with a bike of mine, but more as a supermoto over an enduro. Although I could probably try for both 🤔

[@chrisdempsey3290]

Looking to do something similar on my CX's front end (I have a 78 Deluxe). Question: what was the easiest way to get your tube diameter to accept the RM 250 forks (49mm)? Did the RM Triples match up? really surprised if they did without considerable mods. Was going to try to find 43mm triples that would match so I could go with XR forks but want to do what's easiest/most practical.

[@gearheadE30]

Well, I can't say it was easy. I did use the RM250's triple clamps, but the stock CX forks are tiny and have a ton of offset. The RM forks are huge and have very little offset, so I had to move the gas tank backwards about 1.5" to get my steering back. Of course, really any kind of conversion loses the steering lock. I ended up with the key under the gas tank to clean things up a bit. You will need to make new steering stops, too. The bearings are, of course, the hard part. Like so many Hondas of the era, one of the bearings (I think it was the upper) is a really goofy OD. Like 28.5mm or something. All Balls Racing has a great bearing interchange of different sizes to try to match up with your stem diameter, and they had bearings that more or less worked. However...the stem on the RM is also pretty short compared to the CX. I ended up having to do some "precision" grinding of the inner bearing races to make them thinner so I had enough space to put it all together and get proper, safe thread engagement. It's doable, just a lot of hand fitting. I'm sure there was other stuff I changed too, but it has been too long for me to remember.

[@will7its]

Bad ass......

[@zip1233]

Any clips of on the last trail spot when you passed the yellow drz400?

[@gearheadE30]

I had the camera going there, but once I edit the videos I delete all the raw footage because it takes up so much hard drive space. I don't have it anymore.

[@blindlemonpiesky]

Hey gearheade30, you must embarrass KTM 300 riders the way you rip that CX! I just picked up a 1980 CX500 yesterday for $100. with a title. My plan is to do the same kind of thing. (Some call it a "Under Dog" complex).

[@gearheadE30]

Awesome, hope the build goes well! I dunno about embarrassing a 300 - my woods race bike is a 300XC - but the old CX does hold its own pretty well! I mostly use it as a commuter these days though.