Ascot Owners forum

truck6driver · 02-18-2011, 06:54 PM

Well the Ascot doesn't have it's own thread so I just started one.

I have just gotten my FT500 and found that information in one place is lacking. So if you own either the FT500 or the VT500 lets make this a place to pass on information and stories. If you have done modifications please let us know that as well.

I will post up pictures of mine when I get batteries for the camera.

Ray

FT500 · 02-20-2011, 06:03 PM

I've got a '82 Ascot here in Melbourne. I recently busted a cam, got a new one installed, trying to get the bugger going again.

djg · 02-20-2011, 06:09 PM

Well, I had an '82 FT500 for several years. Painted it, put the White Bros carb kit and exhaust on it, generally fixed it up. It was a fun bike, but not very fast.

truck6driver · 02-20-2011, 06:37 PM

Well I got batteries now. Here is My 83' FT500. Only 3200 miles on her. I did pull the baffle out of the muffler and modify the inlet tube for better flow and then reinstalled. Only thing wrong with it is the tachometer is broken. The PO lost the rubber plug out of the gauge cluster and when it sat up dirt dabbers build a nest in it. The spring for the needle was almost eroded away after I took the nest out.

Here she is.

Ray

camit34-1 · 02-20-2011, 07:02 PM

Nice FT... I really dig my Ascot. Here is the only picture I have of it. It's an '83 VT that my dad bought new in '84. I've had for the last 3 years. It runs good but needs a little help. Also a little updating...still coming up with plans for that. Also have an '83 & '84 parts bikes.

Hughlysses · 02-20-2011, 07:19 PM

Just in case you guys don't know, there are "groups" for the FT500 and VT500 at Yahoo:

FT500 Enthusiasts Group: http://autos.groups.yahoo.com/group/honda-ascot/

VT500FT Enthusiasts Group:http://autos.groups.yahoo.com/group/...00enthusiasts/

truck6driver · 02-21-2011, 07:18 AM

I have heard of that but I don't have alot of time to cruise several different sites all the time. I do here and just wanted a place for us to post bike specific things on ADV. When I have some extra time between my 3 jobs I will look at the Yahoo site too.

Ray

rallyhound · 02-22-2011, 05:55 PM

I sold my Ascot last year to a kid about 20 or so.

When I sold it that thing was mint, as in, Museum quality.

Just a couple weeks ago I saw the bike on craigslist. It was in rough shape with about 18,000 more miles on it.

It brought a huge smile to my face, That kid rode the hell oughta that bike and I'd like to think he had the best summer ever.

danny danko · 02-23-2011, 02:14 PM

Rallyhound,

Yes I did ride the hell out of that bike, and I gotta say it was one of the best summers I've had. My love for motorcycles began with that bike. Very sad to see her go.

I took her all across Minnesota, to the Apple river in Wisconsin for camping, all across gravel roads, rode her in the rain, sun, and storms. I remember riding home once and getting caught in 40 mph winds and a crazy downpour. I couldn't see more than 15 feet ahead of me, going 20 mpg with my feet dragging. Best ride I had. Pulling up to a four stop and seeing this old lady's jaw drop made my day.

Definitely did take a beating though. I told the guy I sold it to to do the same.

Right before I got drenched

Favorite gravel road to mess around on

Packed up for Apple River. $2 milkcrate luggage carrier, $5 for bungees. This was taken on the southern end of the St. Croix Trail. Forget the parks name.

Hughlysses · 02-23-2011, 04:58 PM

Here's a photo of my VT from a few years back in front of an old dragline near Holly Hill, SC:

rallyhound · 02-23-2011, 07:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by danny danko

Rallyhound,

Yes I did ride the hell out of that bike, and I gotta say it was one of the best summers I've had. My love for motorcycles began with that bike. Very sad to see her go.

I took her all across Minnesota, to the Apple river in Wisconsin for camping, all across gravel roads, rode her in the rain, sun, and storms. I remember riding home once and getting caught in 40 mph winds and a crazy downpour. I couldn't see more than 15 feet ahead of me, going 20 mpg with my feet dragging. Best ride I had. Pulling up to a four stop and seeing this old lady's jaw drop made my day.

Definitely did take a beating though. I told the guy I sold it to to do the same.

Right before I got drenched

Favorite gravel road to mess around on

Packed up for Apple River. $2 milkcrate luggage carrier, $5 for bungees. This was taken on the southern end of the St. Croix Trail. Forget the parks name.

Glad you enjoyed it.
I loved the sound of that exhaust.

truck6driver · 02-24-2011, 04:26 AM

Nice looking bikes guys. Wish I had the time to do some riding like that in the pics.

Ray

truck6driver · 03-09-2011, 08:44 AM

My Ft has started weeping oil from the head gasket area on the cooling fins. No compression loss but I started to smell it one day and a week later saw the evidence of oil. I just cleaned it off and kept on trucking. Is the head gasket a problem on the FT as I have heard nothing about the old XR500's having issues. Maybe it satt in the barn too long before I got it.

Ray

truck6driver · 03-18-2011, 05:30 PM

Looking at the parts bike for my Nighthawk and something popped into my head: " Will the forks and wheel off the Hawk fit the clamps on the Ascot?" Dual disc brakes and better forks would be nice to have.

Ray

CoffeeGuy · 03-18-2011, 05:43 PM

An '82 Ascot in nice clean condition came up for sale here locally today. I'm not affiliated, but if anyone wants it- pm me and I'll give you the link. Cool bikes.

02-18-2011, 06:54 PM	#1
truck6driver ^OP The Fireman Joined: Sep 2007 Location: Hope Mills, N.C. Oddometer: 5,795	Ascot Owners forum Well the Ascot doesn't have it's own thread so I just started one. I have just gotten my FT500 and found that information in one place is lacking. So if you own either the FT500 or the VT500 lets make this a place to pass on information and stories. If you have done modifications please let us know that as well. I will post up pictures of mine when I get batteries for the camera. Ray truck6driver screwed with this post 02-19-2011 at 06:50 AM

02-20-2011, 07:19 PM	#6
Hughlysses Beastly Adventurer Joined: Jun 2004 Location: Summerville, SC Oddometer: 2,644	Just in case you guys don't know, there are "groups" for the FT500 and VT500 at Yahoo: FT500 Enthusiasts Group: http://autos.groups.yahoo.com/group/honda-ascot/ VT500FT Enthusiasts Group:http://autos.groups.yahoo.com/group/...00enthusiasts/ __________________ 2007 Buell XB12X Ulysses 1983 Honda VT500FT Ascot

02-22-2011, 05:55 PM	#8
rallyhound Macho stud guy Joined: Jan 2007 Location: Minneapolis Oddometer: 865	I sold my Ascot last year to a kid about 20 or so. When I sold it that thing was mint, as in, Museum quality. Just a couple weeks ago I saw the bike on craigslist. It was in rough shape with about 18,000 more miles on it. It brought a huge smile to my face, That kid rode the hell oughta that bike and I'd like to think he had the best summer ever. __________________ When it's all said and done, More will be said. You dont have to wish me luck for me to know that I need it.

02-23-2011, 04:58 PM	#10
Hughlysses Beastly Adventurer Joined: Jun 2004 Location: Summerville, SC Oddometer: 2,644	Here's a photo of my VT from a few years back in front of an old dragline near Holly Hill, SC: __________________ 2007 Buell XB12X Ulysses 1983 Honda VT500FT Ascot

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02-20-2011, 06:03 PM	#2
FT500 Honda FT500 - 'Ascot Joined: Nov 2010 Location: Melbourne, Australia Oddometer: 28	I've got a '82 Ascot here in Melbourne. I recently busted a cam, got a new one installed, trying to get the bugger going again.

02-20-2011, 06:09 PM	#3
djg Gnarly Adventurer Joined: Aug 2006 Location: western wi Oddometer: 405	Well, I had an '82 FT500 for several years. Painted it, put the White Bros carb kit and exhaust on it, generally fixed it up. It was a fun bike, but not very fast.

02-20-2011, 06:37 PM	#4
truck6driver ^OP The Fireman Joined: Sep 2007 Location: Hope Mills, N.C. Oddometer: 5,795	Well I got batteries now. Here is My 83' FT500. Only 3200 miles on her. I did pull the baffle out of the muffler and modify the inlet tube for better flow and then reinstalled. Only thing wrong with it is the tachometer is broken. The PO lost the rubber plug out of the gauge cluster and when it sat up dirt dabbers build a nest in it. The spring for the needle was almost eroded away after I took the nest out. Here she is. Ray

02-20-2011, 07:02 PM	#5
camit34-1 Adventurer Joined: May 2010 Location: Colorado Oddometer: 84	Nice FT... I really dig my Ascot. Here is the only picture I have of it. It's an '83 VT that my dad bought new in '84. I've had for the last 3 years. It runs good but needs a little help. Also a little updating...still coming up with plans for that. Also have an '83 & '84 parts bikes.

02-21-2011, 07:18 AM	#7
truck6driver ^OP The Fireman Joined: Sep 2007 Location: Hope Mills, N.C. Oddometer: 5,795	I have heard of that but I don't have alot of time to cruise several different sites all the time. I do here and just wanted a place for us to post bike specific things on ADV. When I have some extra time between my 3 jobs I will look at the Yahoo site too. Ray

02-23-2011, 02:14 PM	#9
danny danko im warped man Joined: May 2009 Location: Minnesnowta Oddometer: 109	Rallyhound, Yes I did ride the hell out of that bike, and I gotta say it was one of the best summers I've had. My love for motorcycles began with that bike. Very sad to see her go. I took her all across Minnesota, to the Apple river in Wisconsin for camping, all across gravel roads, rode her in the rain, sun, and storms. I remember riding home once and getting caught in 40 mph winds and a crazy downpour. I couldn't see more than 15 feet ahead of me, going 20 mpg with my feet dragging. Best ride I had. Pulling up to a four stop and seeing this old lady's jaw drop made my day. Definitely did take a beating though. I told the guy I sold it to to do the same. Right before I got drenched Favorite gravel road to mess around on Packed up for Apple River. $2 milkcrate luggage carrier, $5 for bungees. This was taken on the southern end of the St. Croix Trail. Forget the parks name.

02-24-2011, 04:26 AM	#12
truck6driver ^OP The Fireman Joined: Sep 2007 Location: Hope Mills, N.C. Oddometer: 5,795	Nice looking bikes guys. Wish I had the time to do some riding like that in the pics. Ray

03-09-2011, 08:44 AM	#13
truck6driver ^OP The Fireman Joined: Sep 2007 Location: Hope Mills, N.C. Oddometer: 5,795	My Ft has started weeping oil from the head gasket area on the cooling fins. No compression loss but I started to smell it one day and a week later saw the evidence of oil. I just cleaned it off and kept on trucking. Is the head gasket a problem on the FT as I have heard nothing about the old XR500's having issues. Maybe it satt in the barn too long before I got it. Ray

03-18-2011, 05:30 PM	#14
truck6driver ^OP The Fireman Joined: Sep 2007 Location: Hope Mills, N.C. Oddometer: 5,795	Looking at the parts bike for my Nighthawk and something popped into my head: " Will the forks and wheel off the Hawk fit the clamps on the Ascot?" Dual disc brakes and better forks would be nice to have. Ray

03-18-2011, 05:43 PM	#15
CoffeeGuy Coffee is 99% Water Joined: Mar 2008 Location: St. Louis, MO Oddometer: 129	An '82 Ascot in nice clean condition came up for sale here locally today. I'm not affiliated, but if anyone wants it- pm me and I'll give you the link. Cool bikes.