Lets Make It Run! Honda CX500 Revival!

[@michaelb.42112]

What a piece of history. How can any sane rider hate these ? They are pure Honda V-Twin Italian style. You'll NEVER see that again.

[@Jodyrides]

I had a 1981 Honda CX 500 deluxe. I changed the seat to the Canadian Turtleback shape seat like the seeds that came on the late 1980s BMW R 100 RS.. I put on Honda, CB 400 F bars, KONI, shocks. Stock, mufflers, stock, airbox, and air cleaner. I loved that bike. It was my favorite Honda engine ever. I have owned 108 motorcycles over the decades, the CX 500 is my favorite engine. A pushrod engine with a central, located, spark, plug, multi valve. They twisted the cylinders so that the exhaust ports would miss the radiator and down tubes of the frame. That also brought the intake manifolds close together, so the carburetors would be away from the riders knees under the gas tank. The CX 500 was actually designed right from the drawing board to be the turbocharged motorcycle engine. That’s why it does not have removable cylinders. To offset the torque reaction of twisting the throttle, the crankshaft spins in the opposite direction of the clutch. This is a pushrod engine that turns very high rpms.. these motorcycles were one of the favorites for the more than 10,000 motorcycle couriers in London England back in the day. They ran for decades. They only had one weak spot, that was water pump seal housing gasket, and it was a beast to change because it is at the back of the engine practically up against the rear frame tubes.. The early versions had CDI ignition.. The problem with them was, as you were pushing the starter button, the starter dropped to the voltage significantly, and the CDI box did not get enough power. But if you let off the starter button, then the bike would start. In later versions when the engine went to 650 cc, they went to transistor ignition, and the problem disappeared. This is the only bike ever and that I was sorry I sold. I actually did not have it up for sale. I was sold motorcycles, part time in a friends, Yamaha/suzuki shop. A guy came into the shop, asking what we had used. I took him to the space where we had all of the used bikes for sale, which there were not many. And he saw my bike sitting there. He asked about that one. I told him it’s mine and it’s not for sale. he asked if he could sit on. well, he was sitting on it, and he pull the trigger and offered me three times what I had in it.. When someone offers you more than you think the bike is worth, if you don’t sell it, it’s the same as you paying that high high price for it. So I had to let it go at that offer. that guy would stop in once in a while to buy oil, or ask a question. He moved his daughter from here and western Pennsylvania to Oregon. He was a retired truck driver. He loaded that CX 500 into the moving van that they rented, and took it with him to Oregon when he moved his daughter there… once they arrived in Portland, and unloaded the truck, he rode that motorcycle down to Mexico, came across the lower United States to Florida, then he rode the bike up into New England on back roads like route 17 following the coast through the Carolinas.. he finally came back home, and he stopped in the shop and showed me all the pictures of his travels on that CX 500 I sold him.. motorcyclist magazine I guess about 20 years ago had the story of a guy and his girlfriend that traveled around the world for two years on a CX 500. Then, a couple years after that, they went out and did it again on that same machine..

[@kalaharimine]

Never was a fan of these so-called "customs" during the 80's, but any survivor bike deserves respect and just grows on you. Good luck BJ and looking forward to your progress.

[@BrickHouseBuilds]

Same the entire Japanese cruiser segment didn't do it for me in this era. I always prefer the performance oriented models but yes any old bike that can be revived is worthy of doing so

[@donniebaker5984]

i dont have any repect for any of them after a honda service rep. told me to keep my mouth shut after i found a major screw up that the factory did to all of them..and that is honda did not provide an engine oil supple to the cam lobes nor the lifters

[@marnienrichaaron5813]

That was the first new bike I bought, picked up a new 1981 in the spring of 1983 for $1800. Put over 50k on it the next 10 years. Great bikes, one of Honda's most underrated at the time.

[@BrickHouseBuilds]

Still underrated imo

[@Bevoin1970]

Having had one of the originals, a 1978 CX500 myself. I loved that bike. Must admit when Honda brought the Custom model out, I wasn't a fan at all. It just didn't 'float my boat' as they say. Having said that, all these years later and Im only too happy to see you resurrect this bike and many others like it so that they live on in an ever changing world. Please keep saving them. 🙂

[@grahamhill6616]

All '80's customs of base models were abominations!

[@ccampbell1117]

I so wanted a CX500 back in the ‘70’s but UK provisional licence only allowed bikes up to 250cc . The other option was the Honda Dream but it had just come out and I was suspicious of new models coming from a country that used to test the reliability of their new car models on the customer . Ended up with a Suzuki GT250 , rather small for my 6’4” frame . Have stayed with Suzuki ever since having owned a DL650 for the last 19 years , a great bike too.

[@maciejkowalczyk3206]

I'm just doing cooling system cleaning and this is video is gold! Thank you so much and greetings from Poland!

[@BrickHouseBuilds]

Awesome! Glad its helpful!

[@AndyH-13]

Great video. The Japanese build quality bikes. Paint, wiring, chrome, electrical, mechanicals 40+ years old and still looking good and functioning.

[@donniebaker5984]

sadly thats what you all believe .you would think different if you where a honda yamaha suzuki tech , but i cant say much bad if hardly any about the kaws . there very easy to take apart and put back together to upgrade the displacement , change out for bigger cams and huge sets of carbs and they seemed to respond the best on a 4 into i tuned Kerker header

[@jwhite3389]

I love videos like this. It's like being in the garage with a master mechanic. All you have to do is watch and learn.

[@BrickHouseBuilds]

Well immglad you have enjoyed and learned from them!

[@Nebulax123]

Love the customs but I am glad you are leaving this one stock every year there are less and less of them. The 500 was always a favorite of mine and I can't wait to watch you bring it back.

[@pauldgardner1]

I had two CX500’s probably early eighties and were very reliable. They were the bike of choice for couriers around London because of low price an bullet proof reliability.

[@Roger_Ramjet]

The good old plastic maggot

[@passinthru4328]

If I was 20 years younger, I'd be looking for a CX500 to work on because you inspire confidence to wrench on it.

[@BrickHouseBuilds]

🙏🙏

[@MrBryanwithay]

When I turned 16 (1986) and got my drivers license, the first vehicle I had was a CX500. I drove everywhere with that thing and loved it.

[@BrickHouseBuilds]

Great bike at that time!

[@donbuchanan8412]

Thank you so very much, in keeping this great bike as standard. I bought this same bike in 1981, sold it three years later, and still miss it.

[@BrickHouseBuilds]

I have enough custom builds underway currently I definitely don't need another project

[@Silent-Lucidity]

A master at his craft, and I know you made your father proud! I'm looking forward to the next episode!

[@BrickHouseBuilds]

Much appreciated Rick!

[@tcmits3699]

Man, my brother had one of them back in the 80's. I bought a used 1978 BMW R100/7, still have, and later added 750 "Toaster", so glad I didn't buy his CX 500. Such a very interesting bike at the time, though. I admire your patience . Good luck

[@BrickHouseBuilds]

Very familiar with these bikes at this point. Just solid motor scooters

[@raspybob9905]

Very nice! Just spent 800$ getting new gaskets and electric fan for mine. I have the 1979 blue twin. Smooth bike!

[@raspybob9905]

If you zoom in on my pic you can see its really clean. Just wish i had the original exhaust.

[@charliereitz8623]

Everytime I watch one of your videos I go “well dang, now I gotta get one of those!” Thanks for more awesome videos, I love the all the work you do

[@BrickHouseBuilds]

Haha glad they have that effect! Definitely check out the recent video on this bike getting it road worthy!

[@Jim-nm1en]

A friend of mine had a CX500 soon after they came out in the UK. It was a lovely bike to ride, very smooth and allday comfortable

[@BrickHouseBuilds]

Yeah they are just good bikes. Nothing spectacular just good all around

[@Roger_Ramjet]

The 650 turbo is the one 😊

[@geraldfrieberg7921]

Awesome, bro ! I owned a brand new 1978 CX 500 and loved the bike. These were always underrated motorcycles, IMHO, and had technology and engine design ahead of their time, as is often the case with Honda. Great video, and you are a very talented mechanic and technician. Bravo ! Gary in Ohio

[@BrickHouseBuilds]

Thank you Gary!

[@donniebaker5984]

how long did you own your 1978 cx 500 and how many miles did put on it ? i hired on to hughes honda brazil indiana in 1975 .. we sold more gold wings than any honda dealer in the united states .. i went to all the service schools for every new model that came out in 1975 and after till 1983 when i took a job managing the lawn and garden division of our local john deere dealer ...every one of those cx500 failed after 15,000 to 35,000 miles ..with one hell of a noisy valve train that sounded like the rocker arms were way loose out of adjustment ..we would adjust the valve and the noise would not go away ..in 1983 we had one in for service to replace the stater and find out what the clattering sound inside the engine was all about ..after i split the cases there was the problem alright ..honda did not allow any supply of engine oil to lubricate the cam lobes and the cam lobe followers that operate the push rods ..and the one i opened up the cam lobes and followers were all eat up bad with powered metal burnt and melted into the surrounding cases .and dry as a bone of all oil .. so im looking for an oil supple of some kind thinking they all plug up or something after i got the cases all cleaned up i could not find an oil spray nozzle not even a drip tube ..so i looked in the book at the oil system diagram and it dont show any oil going to the cam lobes ..the honda service representative who was Harold Brown happened to be visiting that day and when i showed him the problem... he became very angry with me and said "we know all about it and keep your month shut and forget about it. that's why we already discontinued the model" i said back to him " but Brownie there are tons of these sold and people are spending 1000's of bucks on them and the engines can lockup like the first two we sold did remember? he got in my face this time and said "that's their tough luck and i dont want to hear another word out of you about it understand "? so i packed up my tool box right at that moment and walk out

[@murraykriner9425]

Was amped when you pushed a carbon copy of my bike into your garage. Unlike many of Euro riders out there, I always appreciated the Custom for giving some voice to the US cruiser styling that was often ignored by many companies this early in the game. More first on this bike than many realize, but let those unaccustomed to water cooling and tubeless tires just revel in their retro features of the past. Can't wait to see what will come next. Thanks!

[@BrickHouseBuilds]

Glad you enjoyed!

[@murraykriner9425]

@@BrickHouseBuilds I enjoy all your content with the channel. Makes me wanna buy the Farmer CB-750 SOHC every time I give him a call.

[@henryhawk978]

Great job BJ. It's good that you show how you take it off and put it on. Instead of saying I'm gonna put this on off video and I'll be back. Enjoyed the video and RIDE SAFE OUT THERE!

[@BrickHouseBuilds]

Glad you enjoyed Henry!

[@dbuell]

as I build my second cx500 your content is invaluable! Always awesome, thank you.

[@BrickHouseBuilds]

Glad you find it helpful!

[@จํานงตะเพาพง]

คุณทั้งหล่อเท่ห์เก่งนี่มันยิ่งกว่าพระเอกหนังhollywoodอีกพ่อและแม่คงภูมิใจในตัวคุณมากแต่อยากเห็นคุนในแบบผมสั้นแมนๆบ้างน่ะแบบ..พอล วอล์คเกอร์😅

[@joebichsel1948]

Great job! This makes me feel young again, and enjoy riding these styles of bikes.

[@BrickHouseBuilds]

Happy the video had the effect! Thank you

[@MasonMan001]

This has been so helpful in trying to learn about my new bike. 1981 cx500. Not sure I’m comfortable wrenching on it myself but your video helps boost my confidence.

[@BrickHouseBuilds]

@MasonMan001 Well I'm glad. These videos are in a series so there is much more information about the cx platform I show in depth. I even have engine rebuild videos in other build playlists.

[@Slane583]

I've had my fathers 1980 CX500 sitting at my friends house for about a year or two. Money and more important things needing to be paid for kind of had it sitting off to the side. When we first went to retrieve it from my fathers house my friend took the carbs off of it entirely and squirted some 2-stroke mix into the intakes. It fired right up once the booster pack was hooked to it and the starter button was pressed. It's been sitting since 2004 which is when my step-sister was born. So it hasn't been on the road for a while. The stock carbs themselves are total junk and are seized up from corrosion but when we checked the gas tank it was super clean inside with no rust. When I get around to it I'm going to buy some decent cheap carbs, a universal Y-throttle cable for doing custom builds and a couple of clamp-on pod filters. It's also going to need some new tires as it's been sitting too long with the ones that are on it. They're in decent shape but they're just old.

[@BrickHouseBuilds]

I vote use the stock carbs for now. They can be saved with a bit of work and run well. Time saved in the long run

[@Slane583]

@@BrickHouseBuilds That was my first choice in all honesty because I already have them. I will give a second attempt at freeing the slides. But if they're worse than they already look and require a full rebuild I'm not putting any money into them. IMO these stock diaphragm actuated carbs are just awful.

[@BrickHouseBuilds]

@@Slane583 worst case they need a couple gaskets but if you don't want to do them yourself id say have a shop rebuild them. It will save money and time in the long run with trying to make other stuff work. These keihin cv carbs have never let me down

[@Slane583]

@@BrickHouseBuilds Funny enough. I was just talking to my friend about attempting to work on them again not long after my last comment, about an hour or two ago. I forgot the last time we worked on them was just before winter and that we tried using a light acid solution to break them free. Which sadly didn't work. They weren't in the solution long enough to break down the metals. But if it didn't touch the corrosion then they're pretty much toast. I'm not wasting money to pay a shop to work on them, they aren't worth it. Sadly I should have remembered we tried working on them again. But when it's not import I tend to forget we even bothered with it.

[@kennethgore]

Great video Sir, with concise explanation put in an easy to understand fashion, I had a CX500 in the UK back in the 80's, thought it was an excellent bike, and very underrated.

[@BrickHouseBuilds]

Thank you!

[@larrybone4565]

How fast are they ? I had a 81 KZ 440 , are the CX500 ' s about the same Performance?

[@TroyJohnston-p5g]

I started on a Honda CR 125 knobby, then a Honda 250 to a Suzuki GS 450L, then a Honda CX500 Custom 1980 to multiple Katanas and finally a 2004 GSXR 600. The CX500 CDI unit had issues, that was the second one to go bad, a used CDI was around 500-600 so I began to extract the unit by carefully digging the resin to get to the wires and diagnose the issue using a wiring diagram. Sadly I eventually gave up, it was a bit over my head to repair. Other than that the bike was great. Love your Porsche vids as well, I had a 1981 RX7 rotary engine and tried to restore it. Sounded like a small plane on rev and swayed a bit. I enjoy ur vids!

[@BrickHouseBuilds]

@@TroyJohnston-p5g I need to experience an RX7 at some point!

[@alphredblock3413]

Absolutely love to watch your videos. Hours and hours… hope some day to be as good as you.

[@BrickHouseBuilds]

@alphredblock3413 Well I'm glad you have enjoyed them!

[@bailephib]

I have a CX500 project coming my way this weekend. I shall be going through this video frame by frame. Thank you so much for the detailed information. I love your can-do attitude and the lack of annoying music! Nothing but the sound of the tools and your voice. Excellent stuff.

[@BrickHouseBuilds]

Is there a music that you wouldn't find annoying? I made it multiple years without a single complaint and then all the sudden many started complaining. Many channels have music so its very frustrating when I get complaints as often music is necessary and also added creatively

[@greenbow7888]

@@BrickHouseBuilds Can I chime in? Maybe the music is not so bad. However the volume of the music is not good. It means constant turning up the volume when you speak, and turning down the volume when the music is on. I honestly do not know what any music comment from someone else may mean. However that's my take. Have had no beefs with any music you played, whatever genre. Just the louder banging stuff is too much, when the mixing between voice and music is not balanced.

[@BrickHouseBuilds]

@@greenbow7888 I appreciate the actual input there. I edit with consistent volume and per what I hear its very balanced so you don't have to adjust the volume. I then rewatch on my TV after uploading but there must be something changing somewhere. I do sometimes have the music a bit louder when I want to put emphasis to it with montages and fun cuts

[@greenbow7888]

@@BrickHouseBuilds Ah sorry. I realise I might have sounded harsh, but did not mean to. I have watched a few of your vids recently, and only noticed a music issue on maybe two. I meant no harm. I like your videos. Your skill level is so high high, it's relaxing watching, and borderline meditative. As well as being mind boggling how someone got so handy with bikes. Please don't ask me whcih vids I found music loud on. I would not remember. It may be partly my end since I have a pair of Dynaudio Special Forty hooked up. They have quite a deep bass response. However I did notice as I say maybe two vids where I was rocking volume up and down; music vs speech.

[@BrickHouseBuilds]

@@greenbow7888 Didn't sound harsh at all I do appreciate it. Like I said it was actual input not a generic comment like "music sux" as I get that every so often but that gives me nothing to go off of.

[@funkeytoad08]

My first bike was an old cx 500 that I bought with a bad stator in it and yes, a cracked over flow tube. Learned much tearing into that old bike.

[@BrickHouseBuilds]

Thats a good way to learn though

[@christophertaylor1944]

Love your channel and cool level headed approach and methodical method of fixing up these classics

[@BrickHouseBuilds]

Thank ya! I try to be as methodical as possible

[@MrBeltaine]

Back in my yoot, i was not a fan of honda & moto gooey v twins. Just thought they were odd looking. 70 yrs old now & i think they're effing cool. Totally dig your your concept of breaking down into small tasks

[@keithpaquet9181]

The CX500 was my daily driver for 4 years. sold it to a co-worker and he had it for 5. Great bike, I would get another if I could find a decent one.

[@BrickHouseBuilds]

They are all over the place in the midwest. A guy on the cx500 Facebook pages just posted a black custom for sale thats clean.

[@ronaldgarnes8809]

Well Done, Motivated the heck out of me to get hot on my CX's. Excited to see the final review and road test of the scrambler. Definitely the COOLIST of the many Cool bikes you have done.

[@BrickHouseBuilds]

Thanks Ronald! The scrambler is wicked fun for sure!

[@mikedkc]

So glad I found your channel. I’m having fun watching you work.

[@BrickHouseBuilds]

Thank ya Mike! I have over 300 videos on here so thats plenty to keep you busy!

[@kencreten7308]

Some of my favorite videos are watching... others getting things running. :) Thanks for the great video. No apologies needed here.

[@BrickHouseBuilds]

Well I'm glad you liked this one!

[@tracythorleifson]

I had that exact same bike. So nice to see one getting a new lease on life! 😃

[@BrickHouseBuilds]

👍👍

[@90sRadDad]

I have a cx 500 and a gl 500 both sitting in my garage! I get excited watching your videos and then discouraged when nothing goes to plan trying to work on them!! Maybe one day

[@BrickHouseBuilds]

Lots of thigs go wrong for me as well. Most of what I did in this video is because those things commonly go wrong so I just address them before they do. Do it right or do it twice!

[@adrianw3985]

I had a friend with a CX500 Turbo, and I rode the hell out of it. Was a fun bike.

[@montyzumazoom1337]

A CX500 was the bike I did my first bike rally on. As a member of a large motorbike club and having only just started riding, I was a pillion on a mates bike. We rode 300 miles to a bike rally at the Lizard in Cornwall, there was about 6 of us on 5 bikes. As a passenger, I thought the CX500 was very comfy with a smooth ride and a very nice wide seat. The bike felt very torquey with plenty of low down pull. It was a new bike and although sometime afterwards I rode another mates CX500 and sidecar combination, I never rode a solo or owned one.

[@BrickHouseBuilds]

Id wonder what your impressions would be if you got to pilot one. That would be interesting

[@ShahrzadRizvi]

Excellent timing! I just picked up a '81 CX (my 2nd twisted twin) for $300. missing tank and seat. Will dig into it soon using your techniques! Thanks again!

[@BrickHouseBuilds]

Sweet! I'll be making a few videos on this one in similar format too

[@coastalrider1155]

Love the 80s bikes my dad first bike back on the road after giving them up when I was born was a Yamaha xs850 he paid £600 for it lol and cleaned and fixed it to mint anyway he had to sell it after owning it 7 years to purchase his next bike something more modern to keep up with me as soon as we sold it we regretted it then it took us 10 years to track the bike back down and we got it back last summer the bike is sitting like brand new now sitting pride of place in my man cave

[@chollythecrazycorgihesinsa6505]

The CX500 is a good looking bike. I’m glad you’re keeping it stock!

[@BrickHouseBuilds]

It's a fun bike! Definitely check out the next videos

[@chollythecrazycorgihesinsa6505]

@@BrickHouseBuilds will do! Really enjoy your videos 🚎

[@xscoops1]

Another great and educational video by BJ! Nice work!

[@BrickHouseBuilds]

Thanks Shane!

[@Einherjar_17]

Beautiful video B.J., I thank you infinitely for sharing it with us, the editing of the video is also perfect, no music, only the sound of the tools, or your great explanations, thank you very much for that. The bike is beautiful, you can't imagine how many memories, and your work on it is spectacular, all your knowledge on these bikes seems incredible to me, I send you a big hug from the south of Argentina.

[@BrickHouseBuilds]

Glas you enjoyed

[@maxtichh2959]

The Honda CX500 is a beautiful bike in 80's.

[@RGL_Motorsports]

Have you ever used an Airlift system for testing for coolant system leaks and fillimg the cooling system? I have one from my automotive tech days. It pulls a vacuum on the system, and you let it sit. If there's a leak, you will see the inches of vacuum drop back to zero. If it holds vacuum for 10-15 minutes, good to go, then stick the hose into the coolant, and the vacuum pulls coolant into the system, and typically there will be no air bubbles to bleed.

[@BrickHouseBuilds]

I have not used one

[@Sausage1958]

Love watching this guy on cx500s. I'm not a fan of the custom version. Much prefer the stock cx500. Had them in all the colour range. Love em.

[@BrickHouseBuilds]

Here in the US it seems the Deluxe version is most sought after for the tank shape.

[@michaelskinner896]

I sure enjoyed watching you go through this. It looks to be a nice bike and something that is easy to ride. Looking forward to the next episode!

[@BrickHouseBuilds]

Glad you enjoyed! It should make for a great rider

[@w.rustylane5650]

If ever I should buy a bike, I'd want you to go through it. Good to see you use antiseize on the threads because not very many people know about galling. Don't think I'd want a liquid cooled bike though. Cheers from eastern TN

[@glovester]

So much value in this video. Next video 2 hours please. - Seriously though this is awesome.

[@BrickHouseBuilds]

Dang! I never expected this video to do well due to the length. Everything you hear is that short videos do better. Crazy

[@jamessouthworth1699]

I Had a Honda full-dress touring bike with that same engine. GL-500 Silverwing Interstate. I eventually put ona MAC 2 into 1 pipe but I didn't like the sound of the MAC muffler. So I replaced the muffler with a stock Harley Bullet muffler and it sounded great.

[@BrickHouseBuilds]

A 2 into 1 is normally what I do. A cone engineering muffler was amazing. Check out my gl650 build to hear that

[@budyn1412]

This is great. Definitely bookmarking this video for reference.

[@BrickHouseBuilds]

Glad you found it helpful!

[@1085aaron]

i learned the hard way when i rebuilt a cx500, doesnt matter how decent the rubber coolant lines look, replace them. i had the lower one blow out on me and burned the crap out of my leg. other than that wrenching on it was easy.

[@BrickHouseBuilds]

Yeah that wouldn't be a bad idea. Never worth burns

[@thorick590]

The best color... I bought the Black and Blue color scheme and wished that I had chosen this color instead afterwards... I wish I still had the bike now !

[@BrickHouseBuilds]

This is definitely a nice red!

[@paulbuckberry7683]

Great video, I particularly liked the fact that you use hand tools rather than zip fasteners on and off with battery tools, makes for far better watching in my opinion. Cheers!!

[@BrickHouseBuilds]

Glad you enjoyed!

[@andrewdavis6917]

Thanks for including all of the details especially with the carbs

[@BrickHouseBuilds]

Glad you found it helpful!

[@MotoMango]

Yewwww! Love me a will it run video 👏💪 Learned a lot about CX500s just from this one video. One of these days I'll find another one to build or just ride.

[@ewansim8069]

Man, i had one that looked exactly like that in 1995, well it did after i was finished with it hahaha. Only thing I found with it, was vibration started after reaching 65mph.

[@bokelund9176]

the sound when bolts loosens with a tick is so good

[@BrickHouseBuilds]

For real 🤓

[@jonandrews4493]

Worked in a Honda Dealership when the CX500 was launched, to this day I can remember how the crankshaft shells used to fail en masse.

[@BrickHouseBuilds]

👍

[@JeffinTD]

Nice video. I bought one of those used (red/maroon like this one), with like 1,200 miles on it back around 1987. Under rated bike for sure. Put fork seals on it, later the oil seal and mechanical seal on the water pump, and put a lot of miles on it.

[@BrickHouseBuilds]

Definitely fun bikes with a character all their own

[@JeffinTD]

@@BrickHouseBuilds Yeah. Electric motor smooth at high rpm, yet they had more torque just off idle than you’d think considering the small displacement and short stroke. You could tune and service one on your lunch break and still have time for a sandwich. Even then rockers were considered obsolete but they kept the heads compact and the cam chain short (remember the dohc V4’s). With a little care they’d roll the odometer.

[@kawasakiglenn]

I hope you bring out more longer in depth videos and they do well for you

[@BrickHouseBuilds]

Thank you. I'm very surprised how well this video is doing

[@OleMartinLyng]

The bike I had to ride to get my license. (1982?) Smooth ride, I remember, even with the guy from MOT on the back

[@rodwatson8732]

Great video. One note, it's deionized water that strips electrons. Distilled is just pure H2O.

[@BrickHouseBuilds]

Just repeating what I've read

[@S2NAZ]

So excited to see your new video post 👍🏻 hope you celebrated your Mothers day with some family. Looking forward to the next episode 😊

[@BrickHouseBuilds]

Thank ya! Had to spend it traveling unfortunately

[@S2NAZ]

@@BrickHouseBuilds I know you had a lot to do 👍🏻 Hope everything went alright.

[@S2NAZ]

@@BrickHouseBuilds I have To ask you. Where do you find these bikes needing saving?? I would love to find one of those classic Hondas like that needing work and bring it back to life. Any recommendations where to start? Maybe do a video on how you find them or ???

[@BrickHouseBuilds]

@@S2NAZ Well I just keep an eye on Facebook marketplace. Always deals around me. I do have an advantage in that once you start to become known as "the motorcycle guy" deals find you. People reach out all the time wanting to sell or gift me bikes.

[@S2NAZ]

@@BrickHouseBuilds that’s a great problem to have 👍🏻

[@mikepeck9260]

Great Video BJ, def gonna come in handy once I tackle my stator replacement, Will need to replace these coolant seals etc.

[@BrickHouseBuilds]

Definitely check out my starter clutch rebuild video as that goes over rear cover removal and some seals also.

[@edwardmulder3777]

Wow, sounded great with open pipes, heheh, good job gettin her running.

[@Mikelp73]

Wow! what a delicious sound!

[@BrickHouseBuilds]

They do sound pretty beastly open header!

[@stefanmedlicott4948]

Great video. Love working on older bikes. They have there challenges but that’s the fun. Cheers!

[@BrickHouseBuilds]

Glad you enjoyed!

[@Mikelp73]

I love this engine configuration. Primarily because of moto guzzi's offerings. Although a bmw r1150gs is easliy my favorite, with cylinders facing out I guess. I didn't know this existed, nice looking bike. I would ride it lovingly. Also I love the suzuki single in the background. Another bike I have wanted for a long time. peace

[@BrickHouseBuilds]

These could be comparable to a very light guzzi with a move rev happy nature. They have a cool character riding them

[@philipjosephvanpeel5950]

Similar configuration but actually quite different. Cylinders are part of the engine block, clutch in front, alternator at the back and wet type, very bad idea if you have alternator problems like I had.

[@fredtedstedman]

I have owned 2 CX-500s but always coveted a custom . ( Very rare in UK bought a modified Nighthawk 650 in the end ! ) I think this is a great looking custom , prefer your version with the flatter bars ! Best wishes from Wales .

[@BrickHouseBuilds]

Its always funny how we covet what we can't have. Here we seem to chase the deluxe models. I wish we got the euro sport though as those looked perfect 👌

[@johnnytruck2009]

Thank you for sharing your knowledge. I greatly appreciate it.

[@BrickHouseBuilds]

🤘🤘

[@ricksmith4736]

Those old style round fuses can have a loose end that can hit or mss on power like the bullet connections.... Check them by pulling on each metal end.... I spent years chasing a run/no run on an outboard motor due to one of these bad fuses......

[@BrickHouseBuilds]

They are such a pain sometimes. I try not to twist low amp ones in hopes of avoiding breaking them

[@ricksmith4736]

@@BrickHouseBuilds The only reason I finally figured out the ONE fuse on the engine was the problem is the fuse actually fell apart when i tipped it out of the inline fuse holder... Lol... This was after many times of tracing the " no power" to it.. Everytime I looked at the fuse it " looked " fine..... LIve and learn. I should say this was WAY before the internet.... We had to figure it out for ourselves back then.......

[@Z24BL2]

So good and so beautiful motorcycle!

[@BrickHouseBuilds]

🤘🤘

[@mikerainey4144]

Ah, that torquey tilt when you crack the throttle! I remember that from my old GL500. You just don't get that with a transversally mounted engine.

[@BrickHouseBuilds]

It's such a cool characteristic of the bike!

[@TheBuckspygmy]

I have an unrestored 1981 CX500 Custom I added to Velorex 700 sidecar to it. (I used to tow a trailer as well.) Still runs OK, engine never been touched except for service. The only major problem was the swing arm rotted, but I was able to cut all the rust out, sleeve it, jig it, (home made.) and get it welded. (The outfit is in for a full service and MOT tomorrow. (The last MOT it will legally need.)

[@BrickHouseBuilds]

Very nice!

[@TheBuckspygmy]

@@BrickHouseBuilds Picture (if it works) i.ibb.co/SsP50pH/tea2.jpg

[@MrMeik1970]

This is very helpful 👍 thanks 😊 best Bike Videos on KZbin 🎉

[@BrickHouseBuilds]

Glad they are helpful!

[@ACECafeBikes]

5 seconds into this video - mind blown!! 🤙💪

[@BrickHouseBuilds]

🤘🤘

[@JuniorBjucu]

Essas motos do começo dos anos 80 sao bem bacanas, bonitas. Lembram as Yamaha Virago 750 👍🏽

[@BrickHouseBuilds]

I definitely love the era. One of my first builds was a Virago

[@JuniorBjucu]

@@BrickHouseBuilds I have a dream, one Kawazaki Z1 900 4x1 by AC Sanctuary Red Eagle Japan. Here in Brazil is very dificult. 🇧🇷 👍🏽👍🏽

[@paulfellows2094]

great work so far awesome job see you in next video

[@BrickHouseBuilds]

Thanks Paul!

[@richardbalmaine8048]

Hey dude i have the same bike and they had a cover that went over the bottom of the triple tree that hid a lot of the wires

[@BrickHouseBuilds]

I've seen various covers on some models but didn't see one in the parts stash for this bike. I got it all to fit though! Its tight in there lol

[@darrinrentruc6614]

I love your temp tank setup, Looks like the old girl is in the hospital with an iv

[@BrickHouseBuilds]

Its a must have tool in my shop!

[@andreasd.8511]

My first bike since 1981🤗

[@BrickHouseBuilds]

🤘🤘

[@terryfraser7259]

Sensational video. Very informative and entertaining thanks.

[@BrickHouseBuilds]

Glad you enjoyed! The follow up video on making it road worthy was even better so I hope you get a chance to check it out

[@thachakitriyaphan5209]

Watching from Bangkok, Thailand

[@BrickHouseBuilds]

🙏🙏

[@AdamMcNutt]

Seeing the GN400 up on the lift makes me laugh as it seems that a lot of us have worked on and built the same bikes in our journey through old bikes. 😀

[@BrickHouseBuilds]

Absolutely lol. I've done so many so its bound to be the case

[@Scrambler695]

Timeless beast

[@BrickHouseBuilds]

🤘🤘

[@dinoprather1254]

JB your videos have inspired me to get back to working on my 1981 cx 500 deluxe, I have just lost interest for a while. The main reason I stopped was because I lost spark on one of the cylinders ,I found a wire crushed with the insulation not cut through. Now that I have both cylinders fireing the next thing on the list is making it like look like new taking off the silver paint off the engine that my stepfather painted on the bike ( he was a painter by trade). What would you do to to return the moter to onginal look,I have tried to pressure wash to no avail. Thank you for your time.

[@BrickHouseBuilds]

Glad they have inspired! For the paint I would say a mix of stripper, scotch pads, picks, and lots of elbow grease are going to be required if doing it manually. Another option you may like would be dry ice blasting. I don't know if that takes paint off the best but it may be an option. I'd personally stay away from vapor honing the engine while assembled. Bj

[@SuperBonko123]

Great video. What is the best way to repair a cracked overflow tube. Would you try and solder it.

[@BrickHouseBuilds]

I guess some form of solder/braze could work but im not very experienced there

[@jw11432]

My first "real" motorcycle was an 81 CX500 Custom. Loved it.

[@BrickHouseBuilds]

Solid bikes for sure

[@wernerlampe8089]

Nice work on this bike! 👍 … In Germany we call the CX500 „the Manure pump“ ! … 😂

[@Lisanne1956]

The bike today Has the most beautiful motor. I never noticed them around

[@BrickHouseBuilds]

They are neat looking engins indeed

[@paulym5814]

Great bike. My favorite is the Honda 500 Ascott. Some day I’ll find one.

[@BrickHouseBuilds]

The FT single or the vt500?

[@paulym5814]

@@BrickHouseBuilds the twin.

[@paulym5814]

I love Honda bikes.

[@jfbft5007]

My first big motorcycle gets the license.... not the custom model, regular, but 🥰😄😁

[@paulgervasesmith152]

Super cool! Love Cobra's.

[@BrickHouseBuilds]

Thanks Paul!

[@Gigaguenther]

with those glass fuses standing at attention like that it would've been really easy and even more conclusive to put a voltmeter to each side of the fuse. an intact fuse would show close to 0V with the corresponding switches closed whereas a broken one would show battery voltage

[@BrickHouseBuilds]

Yes but for the moment the bike did what I wanted which was just run. I'll go back and do a proper diag of the lights when I have a moment

[@leneanderthalien]

Had one CX500C model 1981 during 10 years...On the CX500C shown here, the handlebars and fork tubes are not stock. From the point of view of wear, the carburettors tend to seize (need frequent cleaning with WD40) at the level of the vacuum bells, but the main fault of the engine is the distribution, whose tensioner is manual, and which moreover presented a serious manufacturing defect on the first CX500: the chain tensioner could loosen, the timing could break and the engine could suddenly lock up, it happened to a friend but this issue was solved on the 80+ models...The valve clearances needed frequent adjustment otherwise it would sound like a sewing machine. But overall the engine was quite reliable. When driving, the CX500 Custom had an unusual behavior: its center of gravity was high= very heavy to handle on foot, and literally required a jerk to straighten it quickly after a tight turn, the fork was very soft, the rear shock absorbers rather hard and with short travel, but above all, the braking was very weak, but that was usual on Hondas of that era...

[@BrickHouseBuilds]

I've had a ton of CX500s in the last 5 years and am getting pretty well versed in them at this point. Can't say i've ever experienced or even seen a set of Keihin CV carbs seize up though. I know the bars are not original but I have no reason to think the forks have been changed.

[@leneanderthalien]

@@BrickHouseBuilds tubes seal area design is different to stock , looks like tubes from CB750C . And on motorcycles with lot of kilometers , i did see many used such carbs with the same fails, mine start with such problems after ~60 000km, seems this comes from the carb internal wear. When this happens did the engine rise RPM but with low power...

[@MrNiklas1967]

I like to haw on of those. Sadly they are relly hard to find in sweden

[@BrickHouseBuilds]

Its amazing how different the availability is in different parts of the world