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

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.

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.

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

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.

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/ascotvt500enthusiasts/

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

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.

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.

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

<a href="http://s70.photobucket.com/albums/i119/whodom/Horatio%20trip/?action=view&amp;current=Horatiotrip004.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="https://www.advrider.com/advrider-photobucket-images/images/w/whodom_Horatio%2520trip_Horatiotrip004.jpg" border="0" alt="Holly Hill dragline"></a>

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

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

Ray

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

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

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.

Here's what I did to my '82 FT500 Ascot a few yrs ago:




Replaced the airbox with a clamp on cone filter. Replaced the stock exhaust with an cone reverse cone megaphone and also took about 40lbs total off the thing. The lighter weight with the open ed up intake & exhaust woke that little sleeper right up!!

Do you still have the bike? Looks like you were making a fun little curve carver to me.

Ray

Yup, still got it. And your right it is fun in the twisties.....especially on the back country dirt roads.

I bent 4 valves when the cam busted. waiting on a new set, if anyone has some, they want to sell, I am keen as mustard to get some and hit the trails

Let me know eh?

If my C would have looked as sweet as the ascot, I never would have chopped it up