Will The Seized CX500 Adventure Bike Finally Run And Ride?

[@rolandwolf1327]

I stopped driving motorcycles in 1991 when I went for a two -year stunt in university. I had been driving nothing but motorcycles before and considered myself a motorcycle guy. I was a volunteer medic then and during the next two years saw a couple of hideous accidents, so I stopped riding. My last motorcycle was a CX500, not too different from this one. The CX was known to be unbreakable in a time when many cycles had to have cylinder rebuilds after 25,000 km. Ugly dumpling, but always worked, reliable as death and taxes. That video gave me lots of old-time vibes. Started riding again in 2020 and asked myself how I could ever be so stupid to stop....

[@joelacindaterry1582]

Craig, here's a tip from a shade tree motorcycle mechanic: To prevent brake fluid from spraying out when you are bleeding the brakes: Take a washer that will fit in the master cylinder reservoir and put a few wraps of fine wire around it. Set it in the reservoir over the hole using the wire as a handle to set it in and take it out. The washer acts as a diffuser and prevents the fluid from spraying. Give it a try!

[@89HondaCR500R]

Don't get burned out guys you can feel the burned out vibe your guys videos are needed more than you know

[@destickert1307]

they just drank a bit to much break flued the night before

[@skylertooley]

This thing's engine was RUSTED STUCK and now you can start it, and ride it, and stop it. Absolutely amazing. Can't wait to see what you do with the VROD. Keep it up Craig, we need a thousand more like you.

[@LennyPaine]

How the second grip flew off with a PLOP made me laugh out loud! 😂 ❤

[@stuartcarter7053]

Me too!

[@Lucianrider]

Man I saw that too and cracked up!!

[@SqueezeMonger]

That was the greatest cinematography piece of our generation

[@kaneraphael]

I watch your videos religiously and have learned absolutely nothing about motorcycle repair, to the extent that I can’t even install my own frame sliders and have to get the shop to do them. But I do love watching someone who’s really good at their job do that job. Your videos are a joy to watch.

[@MotoBailey]

I’ve learned a bunch from watching this dude

[@kaneraphael]

@@MotoBaileyI’m sure you have. He’s very informative and if I were actually studying mechanics these videos would be excellent teaching tools to help me. I watch them for a different reason - observing a master at work has its own intrinsic joy.

[@carloscuadras6242]

My first bike was a 1981 CX500C. I miss it every single day. Sold it for pennies 2 years ago because I couldn't get the engine to turn anymore. That bike gave me the confidence to ride and work on my own bikes. I will get one again.

[@John_Ridley]

I got a 1980 earlier this year, it's my first pre-2000s bike since my first bike in college 35 years ago. I love the thing. It's slow but it's somehow very lovable. Around here there are a ton of them on Marketplace for $1000 to $2000 in running condition.

[@alexanderfroner9839]

Dan, check where the engine serial number is located for 3 punch marks. Honda had a recall for the 1978 cam chain tensioner. The rubber covered the area where the bolt mounted and would cause the bolt to back out. No punch marks mean no recall work done. I was a Honda mechanic at that time and did lots of them.

[@artfiend75]

Craig it genuinely warms my heart when I hear you correct yourself when saying you ride a bike rather than you drive a bike. Thank you 🎉

[@bradbeall392]

The best thing for re-shaping tires is a belt sander with 40-grit paper on it. It takes literally just seconds to shave down the side of any tire.

[@paul5683]

Good idea. I was thinking of an angle grinder with one of those very course flap wheels. Black dust everywhere whatever you do.

[@redd8456]

I just let mine self clearance on the exhaust, you know it’s good when the smell goes away😅.

[@plokmko0]

I use a belt sander on mtb tires for tire trimming on an angle to spin the tire and sand it to clear and stay balance. The trick is the angle of the belt sander to spin the tire and sand it under control.

[@cedhome7945]

These where called plastic maggots in the UK and they where very popular with documents deliver despatch rider's ( some of them if they lived long enough made huge cash,) I used to be on a parts counter and I sold lots of water pump seals for this model. Great work fellas 👍🇬🇧🇺🇸

[@mikekovacs8981]

Brickhouse Builds is one of my favourite channels for classic Honda content. Love the collaboration!

[@BrickHouseBuilds]

Hey it was a fun trip! The MR2 forklift shenanigans were the highlight 👌

[@boltswiresnpieces4011]

Let’s be honest Craig. The test ride was to boost the moral about the project, not to check if everything works 🤪 always more motivated to fix a bike that drives 👌👌

[@dvsdev2403]

Just FYI the clutch adjuster nuts lock against each other and spring tension holds it in position, if you put one nut either side and lock it in place down by the cover like you have it’s very common to break the mount, it’s a fairly common mistake, and it’s fairly common for that clutch cable guide to be broken because of it

[@Simulera]

I had a 1979, I think that was the year, CX500 Custom. I put on a national cycle windshield a tail pack, back pack, and tank bag and went from SUBASE New London CT to Pasadena CA for grad school in 1981. Rode it all over Pasadena area and metro LA on the freeways and so-on for 4 1/2 years. Rode it back and forth to Phoenix for personal reasons for a year. Dont recall the mileage, but plenty of miles in all kinds of weather and road conditions. Really hot, really cold, heavy city traffic, commuter freeway LA traffic, cross country interstate and US routes, cross desert straight line highway with pegged throttle, and even a certain amount of gravel access road stuff. Multiple sets of tires anyway. Sold it when I finished grad school. Still looked and ran like new. It was a wonderful motorcycle. It needed a certain amount of DIY care but easy valve adjust. The cam chain adjuster thing got fixed at some point. I kept all lubes fresh and the shaft, rear end, was always fine. Never a problem. Trans fine. Original clutch and it was fine. Rear brake is not so great, front brake just ok, Spanish competition style pads fixed it. No idea what kind of a scrambler it can be, but as a lower rpm crawl tractor-style adventure bike it might be ok. I’d maybe focus a little in that direction. They are good like older BMWs and Moto Guzzis. Very much of that kind of vibe.

[@chasejohnson6353]

Got my fist bike earlier this year 1980 cx500c I love it so far.

[@cosmicreddevil]

I think we need to see if Dan the man can get a bike running with all the knowledge he has picked up. Love what you guys are doing. I know people are complaining about the projects not being finished but please don't stress. I think I speak for most of your fans when I say that we just enjoy watching your tinker with bikes and the great banter with Dan. Can't wait to see you bike build, I am sure it will be amazing ❤❤❤

[@VOSPIDZ]

i bought a 1979 cx 500 at an estate sale that didn't run paid 300 for it it was a complete bike so i tried to start it wouldn't start it would turn over i left it over night and was going to sell it tried it the next day and it fired up for 5 seconds decided make it run good and then i saw your video that got me going on it going the adventure bike route

[@deandennis2838]

I bought a 1979 CX500 Deluxe dressed out like that brand new at the end of the Michigan ‘79’ riding season. I added some JC Whitney hard bags to the back. My fairing was the same Vetter model. I added a cheap radio and speakers in the fairing. I drove that up and down the east coast. I’ve many great memories. It’s awesome to see you rebuild one to use as something totally different. That engine and frame are an awesome starting place for other things. Thanks for the memories!!!

[@Yoda19611]

It’s so much fun watching someone with some level of ADD work on a motorcycle (or two, or three). An awesome mechanic that constantly switches gears without a clutch, and it has nothing to do with the operation of the motorcycle.

[@DavidWatson-xb2vh]

Craig, Dan, I cannot tell you guys how much I love your videos! I enjoy "motor-ma-cycles" and thoroughly enjoy seeing you being the classics back to life. It would be so fun to work on a project with y'all, and I would jump at the chance if ever given one. Keep these videos coming. I mean it, keep'em coming!

[@WHOTEEWHO]

I love these bikes. Had one for a while. Made it a hardtail, cut the back of the frame off, and ran it with straight pipes. A lot of fun to ride around.

[@marting.4505]

what's a hardball?

[@keithw1966]

Enlighten us about a hardball please.

[@WHOTEEWHO]

@marting.4505 fixed the comment. Apparently autocorrect didn't like "hardtail"

[@keithw1966]

😊 thanks

[@mikeashcraft4354]

Oh yeah! A CX on straight pipes with a handful of throttle gets attention

[@stuartcarter7053]

That bike is looking so cool...with maybe the exception of the seat. Would love to see a video of Dan and Craig out on a multiday adventure on it.

[@JW-fq1pp]

I'm more interested in this bike than any of your other current projects. It'll be neat to see what you come up with for the exhaust system.

[@cjhickspe1399]

I love this project because I just acquired a GL500 that was a janky cafe racer. The wiring harness was hacked up and I went through the same process to make sure it would run. I followed Craig's test procedure and a little ether and it ran. WWCD

[@Achambrell]

Congrats on your growth! I hope you can hit atleast 1mil subscribers. You both deserve it!

[@roryhennessey1983]

They were born in a middle class home but they will be unburdened by what has been

[@xliquidflames]

6:17 I don't know the first thing about working on bikes but I saw him doing this in another recent video. I wondered why he doesn't put the sandpaper on a couple of 2x4s and then put the plate between them. Then move the 2x4 instead of moving the plate. It would give him more to grip and grab onto make it easier to sand.

[@tonynitz1559]

I loved my CX500. I am watching the tping up the wiring and remembering the clean up process to move most of the wires from the headlamp to a custom layout under the seat. I made it into a bullpup street fighter, chopper. I loved the tough stance that it had.

[@TheIceMan9304]

That bike sounds BEASTLY with the pipes!

[@JoeTheBlacksmith13]

It’s funny how people who truly have a lot of experience and knowledge are often aware of how little they know, and people who barely know what they’re doing often act like they’re authorities on the subject. The Bearded Mechanic is the 1st one. 😊

[@winksongs]

Been waiting for this third part and will look forward to episode 4. One small thing. When you do multi part vids could they have the same title and be numbered? Adventure bike 1, 2 and 3..? Makes them easier to follow. Ta.

[@Troubleshooter-2.0]

That's going to be a cool adventure bike and it's like 85% done Craig!! When I put 2.1" downhill tires on my MTB in the 90s one of the guys in the shop cut the knobs off to fit through the seat stay of my GT STS. Bike projects always take so much time. It's a labor of love.

[@Thanatos2996]

There’s nothing quite like the sound of a v-twin. I’m sure the neighbors especially appreciated it with the straight pipes.

[@Bill_Hartnett]

Craig, humble advice here. If you have a manual petcock tear it apart & clean it. Had a used '89 Ninja 600 with a 1/4 tank or so left, so thought I was fine, "thought" being the operative word. Switched to reserve & nothing. After 5 miles of pushing a wonderful human with a gas can came & topped me up & I made it to the gas station. Once I got home & ripped about the petcock, the reserve passage ways were completely blocked. Once cleaned it worked perfectly. 5 minutes of preventative maintenance would have saved me 5 miles of pushing a Ninja in the middle of nowhere at night. Obviously you had way bigger things than that to deal with on this project. This is just my $0.02.Keep up the good work.

[@perrycalabrese3475]

Get busy! My 81 GL500 ADV build will be turning 74k miles, and I still love it! The Pro-Link suspension and front air makes for a great platform.

[@xliquidflames]

23:33 😂 I'm dead lol 😂 pop. Weeeee! Lol 😂😂

[@adampatterson707]

I have a CX500 that was bought as a project. I'm working on my parts list and yes I started mine on carburetor cleaner. The engine sounded good so I'm keeping my fingers crossed

[@rogerwharton1143]

I have a tip and a tool that will help when bleeding hyd. brakes. The Mityvac tool from Harbor Freight. around $50.

[@Michael_Schm]

It's as old as me, so I think it's fair that it was seized up. I feel like that sometimes.

[@julioburgos4979]

This motorcycle has a very interesting engine configuration. I love the look of the cylinders sticking out of the sides. I absolutely love it!!! Great job, "Bearded One"

[@Desertfox92308]

Moto Guzzi has entered the conversation! Lol

[@julioburgos4979]

@Desertfox92308 Yes, I love that style, too.

[@spikemcnock8310]

I had a CX 500 custom back in 1993 and a standard one 3 years later, I loved both bikes, the rode great.

[@phillcc8524]

the CX was an engineering marvel , which also made it the EASIEST engine to work on ! 2 major problems beset the CX , the cam chain and tensioner and the center boss on the fan , you have to drop the motor to remove the rear cover to expose the cam chain and tensioner , maybe an hours work , but if you don't know what state it's in (camchain)it can flop around destroying the tensioner and begin to machine a casting boss putting metal all through the motor , if there is a rattle at idle that's what is causing it

[@colinmarshall4778]

I had an Australian 1981 CX500 B series Shadow... Absolutely loved it... Didn't own a car for 3 years... Happy moments...🤔

[@tstorm9796]

I absolutely love my cx500 i rebuilt, glad to see another one back on the road

[@Bushkangaroo59.]

Back in the day, had a CX500, traded it in “after the cam chain tensioner spring broke” for a CB 900 with dual range transmission, I think about that bike “it would be nice to have again”! 👍

[@rickburnout666]

I remember doing the tyres on my air-cooled 86 KTM 125 in 1999, but my knobby knife was bought from a second-hand shop and was an old bread knife that did the job well and it was a proper tool with a bone heandle 😀

[@andrewstamps2806]

That bike is very cool!! Can't wait to see the finished bike, we'll done guys and cheers!! Andrew UK 🇬🇧

[@craiggrim2577]

Try rejetting the carbs with a 90 pilot and 120 main with airscrew out 2.75 turns. Im sure BJ would agree. Cx 500s are near and dear to my heart. Love the channel!

[@BatuuBounder]

Good luck tuning and syncing on those pod filters...

[@DukeSky]

The grip shooting off the other end of the handle bar was priceless!

[@joe-lw6tk]

Good Luck in the build off, it`s going to be fun to watch you guys.

[@ZacheryCornelius]

Such a great mechanic can learn so much just from watching this video

[@bookworm67-hv7nm]

quick tip either tape the sandpaper down or use double sided tape to hold it in place

[@ricktoole9991]

One of the best channels on KZbin

[@FrankSkywalker]

The cx500 is my dream bike, more than any other modern bike, I don't know why, but I just love the way they sound and feel

[@ChrisArmstrong-qn1ob]

Never got into these went for the xs650 but this bike show is brill , can’t wait for his next episode of custom build off 🛠👍👏

[@brennz64]

OMG...Imagine being Craigs apprentice...youd come close to having a total breakdown ....OR..... you'd end up being a genius 😂😂 We all love ya Craig 😁😁

[@m-uly1372]

That thing is pretty cool, seen all the vids leading up to it. Looks like a fun little scoot to bust around on! Sounds good too ❤

[@jlore6344]

Love that thing. The sound!!!!! So good. Can't wait to see how it comes out.

[@martinsozols1708]

Looking forward for this build... It needs some hardcase boxes and adventure in contryside.

[@warp65]

Reminds me of Tonti Guzzis , seems every second one I owned had a dent in the swing arm so a 130/80-18 would squeeze in, loving the CX episodes.

[@cliess]

From one Craig to another.. great video! As usual, I can't wait to see the next one..

[@tomcleghorn4005]

I like where this is headed. Cool,project

[@cward2965]

Very awesome to see Brickhouse on here! Hes a phenomenal builder!

[@RichardJohnson-d8j]

Dan, you deserve to be president so you can be unburdened by being raised in a middle-class home. Perfect comment that has me still laughing 😂

[@possiblepilotdeviation5791]

Do you think he just fell out of a coconut tree?

[@thomasphillips885]

I don't get it

[@vincedibona4687]

@thomasphillips885 We can’t fix stupid. 🤷🏻‍♂️

[@gingercat777]

As funny as letting a convicted felon run for president.

[@thomasphillips885]

@@vincedibona4687 is it a quote from something?

[@DaleC.]

That looks like every motorcycle i ever drew as a kid. Pure awesomeness 👍

[@robertmyers2886]

I have been an auto mechanics a very long time this next tip has taken me about 30 years to help people with their automatic and manual transmissions putting forth my OEM certification and diagnostic repair class the best thing you can do is keep transmission polish if you agree and if you don't know any fluid to use inside a manual or automatic transmission that makes it work like new would be seafoam that is the only $1,000 tip it expands the clutch plates to perfect I mean you have to use all of the adjustment in a motorcycle how to set 24 hours assure transmission perfectly rebuilt instead of having to rebuild a transmission every time

[@geoffreychaney7287]

Love Dan's comments.

[@Chopper650]

making adventure great again

[@tomdombrovski432]

Craig, I really enjoy your content, but this particular build is super interesting, keep up the great videos can’t wait to see this one finished

[@weaselduke]

Trick for installing grips i learned from modifying bicycles with my dad as a kid, use some liquid soap to get them on. When it dries it actually acts as a glue. Use no water.

[@VisorView]

A workshop mechanic friend told me years ago to use hairspray, it dries back to a glue and job done.

[@weaselduke]

@@VisorView nice, I'll try that one. Prolly dries faster.

[@secondhandbikers2]

You guys are a great team.. I have loved the CX500 since forever.. I wish it was mine.. You go guys.. keep twisting those wrists..

[@crebbsjd]

Hondaventurer bike!!!! Another banger boys!!! Love the build for this one. Favorite quotes " I am not even putting exhaust gaskets in that's how much fun I'm gonna have" - Craig " Oh Saint Pete " - Craig " The wires are already burnt, that means they're not going to burn again " - Dan Craig's flashbacks of that bike made me die laughing 😂. That was the bike that caught fire a bit, right? sounded like a gas powered bubble machine.

[@rweckert]

I love that bike. Best of best for the build off!

[@Stephbolt-j1n]

Great vid im enjoying your build off,my old man had one of these as stock I knew it would look good as a brat scrambler

[@chrishouse5753]

I've always wanted to make a custom tank (some day soon) - I really was inspired by some tank building ideas while you worked on turning that honda into an adventure bike.

[@JustanOlGuy]

This is it! I'm not coming back.

[@GPgundude]

That’s a Cool Bike!!! It’s sounding good too!!

[@marting.4505]

I don't know if it's worth a try, but adding a little bit of diesel to your engine oik and running it for some time at idle cleans up the engine pretty good. I don't know about the wet clutch though, only ever used it on engines with separate transmissions. ATF would work too, there's a ton of cleaning degergents added to it.

[@hyalltime247]

hey guys when putting on grips use some hair spray on the bars

[@bigjoe4020]

Mental note ! Get Dan to hang on to the first grip as you blast the 2nd one on so the first one doesn't just fly off 😆

[@chicagovasko]

Craig I hope you feel better soon brother.

[@DexterDagger-wy9vp]

Next TBM video: Working on the Samurai to forget about giant build obligations I made with a KZbin comment 😁 the CX500 LIVES! Sweet work Craig and BJ!

[@ianbray3580]

I hope you are going to cut that seat and make a solo seat, would make room for a huge rack on the rear. Will look great! Love your videos!

[@duanescribner9647]

Craig for president 2028!! Everyone would get motorcycles! And those who have never ridden one before, would experience what true freedom and happiness feels like!!

[@fangoriously1]

I love this bike so much. I think I'm more excited for it, than Craig and Dan.

[@RockNDrums650]

I would recommend Progrip 714 for that. ;) Other grips, I would get carpal tunnel in my right hand/ right wrist area with other grips from the vibration through the handlebar (I ride a KLR 250 and a KLR 650). Progrip, they dampen the vibrates pretty well plus they feel really good and durible. Plus I never really cared for those waffled style gripping.

[@45johngalt]

there was a cx500 on Craigslist for $800 a few months ago, all it needed was a stator according to the owner... If i had a trailer i would have jumped on it. It was completely stock.

[@Survivinglife871]

With a custom seat that thing is gonna look super cool

[@bertsmith5569]

hell yea, keeping the old lady alive and given her a new identity.

[@PeterWie63]

It finally Runs. This Bike ist soo freakin cool. Thanks for the content. Greets from a real follower from Germany 😉👍

[@PeterWie63]

Das hast Du sehr gut gemacht 👍

[@tasosan]

I don't know if its mentioned before but if your shock absorbers are longer than 31 cm (hole to hole) you risk to damage the drive shaft,it has a specific and limited operating angle 😉

[@cascadesouthernmodeltrains7547]

As you were bleeding the brakes I could smell the DOT3 and feel it on my hands.

[@Multimayhem45]

When you guys did the Kalama "What can be, unburdened by what has been" quote I spit my coffee out a little. lol

[@joshbridges9234]

The left grip popping off when you were putting the right one on was hilarious 😂

[@sullivanc.s.8047]

😳you have an clean table to work!!!!!!!!!

[@walakin123]

Thank you very much for the video, it was very interesting to watch.

[@cowmath77]

Now I know why it takes so long to get my bike fixed at motorcycle shops. It’s because the mechanics switch what bike they are working on every 6 hours 😂

[@brentbauer8258]

Craig’s high octane lemon aid juice scene, lol now we really know how to get a seized engine going. Ziiiiip!