| MODEL | HONDA FT 500 ASCOT 1982 - 1983 |
| Year | 1982 - 1983 |
| Engine Type | Four-stroke, single cylinder, SOHC, 4 valves |
| Displacement / Capacity | 497 cc / 30.3 cu in |
| Bore X Stroke | 89 x 80 mm |
| Compression Ratio | 8.6:1 |
| Cooling System | Air cooled |
| Max Power | 24.8 kW / 34 hp @ 6200 rpm |
| Max Torque | 40 Nm / 29.5 lb-ft @ 5000 rpm |
| Ignition | Battery-powered inductive |
| Induction | 35 mm Keihin carburettor |
| Start System | Electric |
| TRANSMISSION SPECS | |
| Lubrication | Wet sump, pressure and splash |
| Gear Box | 5 Speed |
| Clutch | Wet multi-plate |
| Final Drive | Chain |
| CHASSIS SPECS | |
| Frame | Steel tube diamond |
| Front Suspension | 37 mm air-assisted forks, 152 mm / 5.9 in travel |
| Rear Suspension | Dual gas shocks, adjustable preload, 84 mm / 3.3 in travel |
| Front Brakes | Single 296 mm disc, 1 piston caliper |
| Rear Brakes | Single 276 mm disc, 1 piston caliper |
| DIMENSION SPECS | |
| Overall Length | 2225 mm / 87.6 in |
| Overall Width | 775 mm / 30.5 in |
| Overall Height | 1115 mm / 43.9 in |
| Seat Height | 790 mm / 31.1 in |
| Wheelbase | 1435 mm / 56.5 in |
| Ground Clearance | 160 mm / 6.3 in |
| Dry Weight | 159 kg / 351 lbs |
| Wet Weight | 175 kg / 385.8 lbs |
| WHEEL SPECS | |
| Front Tyre | 3.50-19 |
| Rear Tyre | 4.25-18 |
| FUEL SYSTEM | |
| Fuel Capacity | 13 Litres / 3.4 US gal |
| Fuel Consumption | 47.9 mpg |
| Top Speed | 150 km/h / 93 mph |
The FT500 Ascot was Honda's early-1980s street single styled after American dirt-track racers, powered by a road-tuned version of the XL500 four-valve engine with electric start only. It had an air-assisted fork, twin gas shocks and disc brakes at both ends. Sales in the USA were slow and leftover stock was heavily discounted, though the bike is now liked for its simple, torquey character. The 1983 model differed mainly in colours, a 120 mph speedometer and a relocated oil drain plug.
