| MODEL | HONDA CX 500 1978 |
| Year | 1978 |
| Engine Type | Four stroke, longitudinal 80 deg V-twin, OHV pushrod, 4 valves per cylinder |
| Displacement / Capacity | 497 cc / 30.3 cu in |
| Bore X Stroke | 78 x 52 mm |
| Compression Ratio | 10.0:1 |
| Cooling System | Liquid cooled |
| Max Power | 37.2 kW / 50 hp @ 9000 rpm |
| Max Torque | 46 Nm / 33.9 lb-ft @ 7000 rpm |
| Ignition | CDI |
| Induction | 2 x 34 mm Keihin carburettors |
| Start System | Electric |
| TRANSMISSION SPECS | |
| Lubrication | — |
| Gear Box | 5 speed |
| Clutch | Wet multi-plate |
| Final Drive | Shaft |
| CHASSIS SPECS | |
| Frame | — |
| Front Suspension | 33 mm Showa telescopic fork, 132 mm / 5.2 in travel |
| Rear Suspension | Swingarm with twin adjustable shock absorbers, 84 mm / 3.3 in travel |
| Front Brakes | 2 x 275 mm discs |
| Rear Brakes | 160 mm drum |
| DIMENSION SPECS | |
| Overall Length | — |
| Overall Width | — |
| Overall Height | — |
| Seat Height | — |
| Wheelbase | — |
| Ground Clearance | — |
| Dry Weight | 205 kg / 452 lbs |
| Wet Weight | — |
| WHEEL SPECS | |
| Front Tyre | 3.25-19 |
| Rear Tyre | 3.75-18 |
| FUEL SYSTEM | |
| Fuel Capacity | 17 Litres / 4.5 US gal |
| Fuel Consumption | 43 mpg |
| Top Speed | 180 km/h / 112 mph |
Photo: Cjp24, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Photo: Cjp24, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
The CX500 was launched for 1978 as a radical departure for Honda: a liquid-cooled, transverse-crank 80-degree V-twin with pushrod-operated four-valve heads, shaft drive and Comstar wheels. Heavy for a 500 but smooth, reliable and economical, it became a favourite commuter and despatch-rider bike. Its soft suspension suited touring more than sporting use, and early engines suffered from cam-chain tensioner problems.
