The Official GL500 Silverwing (CX too) Lovefest.

UncleDirt · 04-10-2012, 07:59 PM

Having found no official thread, like the one for the XL600, I am just crazy enough about this bike to start an Official GL500 Silverwing thread of my own.

While there are other CX threads and a couple on the GL, there is not one unified thread for the opposed V-twin's of the 70's and 80's that Honda built. The engines are legendary, the bikes a sweet compromise, and the parts easy and cheap to get, yet there is no in house guru, no common knowledge card file for these vintage beauties.

I know there is a forum for these, a great one, but it tends toward the CX's and bobber modders.

So post yours up, all five of you, and let's see some classics and learn to give love to some great old rice.

Mine:

Which looks like this right now while a new mechanical seal for the waterpump is on order.

In the wild.

I did have to PineSol soak the carbs and blow them out when I first got it.

The bike had sat for 2 or more years with occasional rides around the block from the storage center, and both of the problems I'm experiencing are typical with a bike that has sat for a long time.

11K miles on it when I bought her, and I've put a grand on her since purchased. What a ball to ride. With that high rapping engine, it proves the adage that it's more fun to ride a slow bike fast.

What you got?
CX's welcome.

Dave

henrymartin · 04-10-2012, 08:15 PM

Do I really want to put mine in here after I already have a thread with 10k views ? Mine is the CX (if I'm one of the 5 you mentioned). With any luck, we will have a new thread from a member in MA soon.

I won't pollute your thread with my completed project, unless asked to do so.

Other than that...I love the engine sound, love the response when I hit the throttle, loved taking it apart and pulling it out of the frame. i wish they were all this easy to drop out.

While you are in there (behind the rear cover), you may want to check your stator for wiring issues (they had weak insulation that was easy to damage, AND your cam chain guide/tensioner combo.

I've learned quite a bit about this bike when resurrecting the one I bought last year, and if I can help in any way...

UncleDirt · 04-10-2012, 08:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by henrymartin

Do I really want to put mine in here after I already have a thread with 10k views ? Mine is the CX (if I'm one of the 5 you mentioned). With any luck, we will have a new thread from a member in MA soon.

I won't pollute your thread with my completed project, unless asked to do so.

Other than that...I love the engine sound, love the response when I hit the throttle, loved taking it apart and pulling it out of the frame. i wish they were all this easy to drop out.

While you are in there (behind the rear cover), you may want to check your stator for wiring issues (they had weak insulation that was easy to damage, AND your cam chain guide/tensioner combo.

I've learned quite a bit about this bike when resurrecting the one I bought last year, and if I can help in any way...

Pollute away. Pics are pics and bikes are bikes. I personally can't get enough of pics of bikes.

Appreciate the tips, reading some good threads elsewhere on the three way freshen up once you take the motor out. Might start looking for post -82's since they supposedly dealt with the stator issue and some other things in those years.

Kind of a tight little group since they only made the Silverwing what, '81 - '84??

So, yeah, I figured with my luck, there are about all of 5 ADV'ers that love this iteration of the GL.

RustyStuff · 04-11-2012, 05:52 PM

Man, I'd like to have one of those GL500's someday. All the nicetys of a OldWing, and a lighter bike combined.

Not too ugly eather.

UncleDirt · 04-11-2012, 06:08 PM

That's my love affair with them. All the Wing goodies, half the tonnage.

They are actually responsive and fun to ride down low in the corners.

markk53 · 04-14-2012, 08:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RustyStuff

Man, I'd like to have one of those GL500's someday. All the nicetys of a OldWing, and a lighter bike combined.

Not too ugly eather.

The bad part was they felt way heavier in general due to the engine being high in the frame. We sold numerous Gold Wings to CX/GL500 riders who felt the Wings were too heavy to handle. We just got them on the Wing and they found out... low center of gravity and easy to handle.

No way does this fault what the CXs were like. They were robust bikes. We got more high mileage CXs and GLs in the 500-650 group than any other bike short of the Gold Wing.

simestd · 04-11-2012, 10:41 PM

Here are a few pictures of my 1982 GL500 taken last spring on an IBA SaddleSore up here in Alaska. I got the bike off Craigslist in February 2011 w/ 4,300 miles, all original. It had been sitting for a LONG time (like a decade), but fortunately was put away correctly so all it needed was fresh gas, oil, plugs, tires and front fork seals. She's just about to turn over 10,000 and my girls have named her Rootbeer :)

From 2011 Iditabutt

Just outside a famous landmark near Fairbanks

From 2011 Iditabutt

Yea, the suit is a little loud - but at least it keeps me warm, dry and visible! That's the pipeline in the background.

From 2011 Iditabutt

Another famous (bizarre) landmark many will recognize.

It's really surprising how much attention the bike draws. It seems to attract folks all the time who used to have one back in the day and have LOTS of great stories and fond memories of adventures past on the CX/GL500s

Here's some information about the designer and the history as well.

Unstable Rider · 04-12-2012, 03:58 AM

Great thread here.

I had a full dress Silverwing model 1982, when it was just a couple years old. Wonderful machine, never needed anything, it was easy on tires, pleasant running.

I miss the "altimeter"

bmwloco · 04-12-2012, 09:15 AM

Honda's answer to Moto Guzzi, the CX. Lots and lots of them are used for delivery bikes in 3rd world countries... they just keep running and running.

UncleDirt · 04-12-2012, 10:05 AM

"Altimeter"????

Oh, please explain that.

TonyKZ1 · 04-12-2012, 11:36 AM

There's a 1980 CX500 model in the local area for sale, link, hmmm.. 22,xxx miles, windjammer fairing & hard bags for $1500.. I might have to go take a look at it.
Tony

UncleDirt · 04-12-2012, 02:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TonyKZ1

There's a 1980 CX500 model in the local area for sale, hmmm.. 22,xxx miles, windjammer fairing & hard bags for $1500.. I might have to go take a look at it.
Tony

Seems a tad rich, but if it's really clean and not been in storage?

Barnone · 04-13-2012, 01:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TonyKZ1

There's a 1980 CX500 model in the local area for sale, hmmm.. 22,xxx miles, windjammer fairing & hard bags for $1500.. I might have to go take a look at it.
Tony

I would only buy a 1982 or later CX/GL/500/650 because of stator issues

markk53 · 04-14-2012, 08:23 AM

Never had a love for the 500s, but the 650 was a whole different story... I only wish they'd have imported the CX650 sport model that Canada had. Sweet looking and that stout engine.

L.B.S. · 04-12-2012, 10:55 PM

Gone but never forgotten. Best motorcycle I have ever owned, bar none.

04-10-2012, 07:59 PM	#1
UncleDirt ^OP Uncivil to idiots. Joined: Jun 2009 Location: High Plains of Colorado Oddometer: 8,142	The Official GL500 Silverwing (CX too) Lovefest. Having found no official thread, like the one for the XL600, I am just crazy enough about this bike to start an Official GL500 Silverwing thread of my own. While there are other CX threads and a couple on the GL, there is not one unified thread for the opposed V-twin's of the 70's and 80's that Honda built. The engines are legendary, the bikes a sweet compromise, and the parts easy and cheap to get, yet there is no in house guru, no common knowledge card file for these vintage beauties. I know there is a forum for these, a great one, but it tends toward the CX's and bobber modders. So post yours up, all five of you, and let's see some classics and learn to give love to some great old rice. Mine: Which looks like this right now while a new mechanical seal for the waterpump is on order. In the wild. I did have to PineSol soak the carbs and blow them out when I first got it. The bike had sat for 2 or more years with occasional rides around the block from the storage center, and both of the problems I'm experiencing are typical with a bike that has sat for a long time. 11K miles on it when I bought her, and I've put a grand on her since purchased. What a ball to ride. With that high rapping engine, it proves the adage that it's more fun to ride a slow bike fast. What you got? CX's welcome. Dave __________________ _______________________________________________ "I'll say it again: I'll consider corporations individuals when Texas executes a board of directors." ~RandyB

04-10-2012, 08:15 PM	#2
henrymartin Mr. Tourguide Joined: Sep 2010 Location: South of the Great North Woods Oddometer: 2,550	Do I really want to put mine in here after I already have a thread with 10k views ? Mine is the CX (if I'm one of the 5 you mentioned). With any luck, we will have a new thread from a member in MA soon. I won't pollute your thread with my completed project, unless asked to do so. Other than that...I love the engine sound, love the response when I hit the throttle, loved taking it apart and pulling it out of the frame. i wish they were all this easy to drop out. While you are in there (behind the rear cover), you may want to check your stator for wiring issues (they had weak insulation that was easy to damage, AND your cam chain guide/tensioner combo. I've learned quite a bit about this bike when resurrecting the one I bought last year, and if I can help in any way... __________________ My motorcycle projects blog My Goodreads Profile This is what I do when I'm not here!

04-11-2012, 05:52 PM	#4
RustyStuff Gnarly Adventurer Joined: Jan 2012 Location: Crakima,Wa Oddometer: 110	Man, I'd like to have one of those GL500's someday. All the nicetys of a OldWing, and a lighter bike combined. Not too ugly eather. __________________ Kyle. 1980 Suzuki GS450 Confused bitsabike.

04-11-2012, 06:08 PM	#5
UncleDirt ^OP Uncivil to idiots. Joined: Jun 2009 Location: High Plains of Colorado Oddometer: 8,142	That's my love affair with them. All the Wing goodies, half the tonnage. They are actually responsive and fun to ride down low in the corners. __________________ _______________________________________________ "I'll say it again: I'll consider corporations individuals when Texas executes a board of directors." ~RandyB

04-12-2012, 03:58 AM	#8
Unstable Rider World Wide Inmate Joined: Jul 2010 Location: 10,000 Lakes Oddometer: 2,114	Great thread here. I had a full dress Silverwing model 1982, when it was just a couple years old. Wonderful machine, never needed anything, it was easy on tires, pleasant running. I miss the "altimeter" Unstable Rider screwed with this post 04-12-2012 at 07:07 AM

04-12-2012, 09:15 AM	#9
bmwloco Studly Adventurer Joined: May 2008 Location: AsheVegas NC Oddometer: 972	Honda's answer to Moto Guzzi, the CX. Lots and lots of them are used for delivery bikes in 3rd world countries... they just keep running and running. __________________ Pastor, Church of the Horizontally Opposed Air Cooled Twin '66 BMW R60/2, '83 BMW R100RS, '81 BMW R100RS "Das Beast", '77 Honda XL125 Airhead #371

04-12-2012, 10:05 AM	#10
UncleDirt ^OP Uncivil to idiots. Joined: Jun 2009 Location: High Plains of Colorado Oddometer: 8,142	"Altimeter"???? Oh, please explain that. __________________ _______________________________________________ "I'll say it again: I'll consider corporations individuals when Texas executes a board of directors." ~RandyB

04-12-2012, 11:36 AM	#11
TonyKZ1 Studly Adventurer Joined: Dec 2005 Location: Marble Hill, MO Oddometer: 572	There's a 1980 CX500 model in the local area for sale, link, hmmm.. 22,xxx miles, windjammer fairing & hard bags for $1500.. I might have to go take a look at it. Tony __________________ 1989 Kawasaki Ninja 250 - mostly stock with a scottoiler system, Oxford Heaterz heated grips, Works Performance rear shock, Traxxion Dynamics front forks, and a pair of Oxford Muffs for when its really cold. My Mileage Tracker Page. Ninja 250 Riders Club TonyKZ1 screwed with this post 04-16-2012 at 07:30 AM Reason: added link to ad.

04-14-2012, 08:23 AM	#14
markk53 jack of all trades... Joined: Dec 2007 Location: Delaware Ohio Oddometer: 6,587	Never had a love for the 500s, but the 650 was a whole different story... I only wish they'd have imported the CX650 sport model that Canada had. Sweet looking and that stout engine. __________________ Ever get lost? You know, that good kind of lost - come to a dirt road intersection and you have no idea where you are or which way to turn? I like when that happens! Mark - klx678 95 KLX650C w/Vulcan piston bigbore, 90 Zephyr 550

04-12-2012, 10:55 PM	#15
L.B.S. Studly Adventurer Joined: Feb 2010 Oddometer: 712	Gone but never forgotten. Best motorcycle I have ever owned, bar none.

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