CX500 GL500 650 Global
https://motofaction.org/motorcycles/honda-cx-gl/shep/

Hello from New Zealand!
https://motofaction.org/motorcycles/honda-cx-gl/shep/viewtopic.php?f=6&t=567		 Page 1 of 2
Author:  silentdth [ Sat Jul 03, 2010 8:15 am ]
Post subject:  Hello from New Zealand!
Hello Everyone,

I am posting from New Zealand. (If you don't know where that is, check it out: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_Zealand)

I have purchased a 1980 cx 500 custom in pieces. I have 2 of almost everything, so I'm planning on modifying it in some way. I like the cafe racer look, but I also like the bobber look, and the classic cx 500 look - how to decide!

I found this site while checking for the correct compression.

My engine turns over at 110 psi in one cylinder and 149 in the other, checking from cold. So I'm going to do the 'teaspoon of oil' test to see if its the valves or the rings, and go from there.

Also going to sand blast my frame, and repaint it from scratch. Re-chrome, polish, etc etc... It's going to be a big project.

This is actually my first bike that I've bought in pieces and am learning from the ground-up. Very excited about it all!!!

Greetings everyone!
Author:  Gman [ Sat Jul 03, 2010 9:45 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Hello from New Zealand!
Welcome.Yes those figures are low.On a none firing crank I get 147/147-ish Psi and on a running crank on one cylinder I get on one of my Cxs 170/165 Psi.The normal allowed numbers are between 150/170 psi the 150 being the lower service limit however there are Cxs running as low as 130/130 psi.
I could be the heads need a good de-coke and valves re-lapping or as you say worn bores.As you are in New Zealand I don't know what facilities you have to get a re-bore but the 1st cheaper option would be to do a Top-end de-coke/valve grind service.
Also on some older car engines I've used Molyslip,

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Molyslip-2001-sli ... 483b2301cb

which has brought the compression back up to a usable level and I also run my bikes on it just in case.It does NOT cause clutch slip.

Over-size pistons are available over here from David Silvers
http://www.davidsilverspares.co.uk/
(Use Their bike search for parts)

and a few other places but AFAIK you need a special jig to re-bore these engines but not sure on that one.
Author:  silentdth [ Sat Jul 03, 2010 11:50 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Hello from New Zealand!
Thanks for your reply and information on correct psi.
The engine has been sitting in a garage for a long time, not used. I wonder with a bit of a clean up the compression may improve.

Can you explain in a little more detail what a top-end de-coke involves? Sorry I am new to this business. I am happy to get my hands dirty and take the engine to pieces.

The Molyslip looks great, I will look out for a retailer in NZ.

If I did not find a solution to the psi problem are you suggesting the over-sized pistons as an option? Or just for better performance?
Author:  Gman [ Sat Jul 03, 2010 12:05 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Hello from New Zealand!
You cannot do any real work on engines without a manual,

You can download one from here,

http://trainwiththom.com/2009/02/10/hon ... -download/

but a hardback version is better or good to have.

It will explain how to do a top-end de-coke which means removing the heads however for now I would

However as the engine has not been run the compression may well improve with running as the rings will hone the bores to a degree.Get some cheap 15w40 made for diesel car engines engine oil and change the oil.From an Autoparts place try and get an oil filter.Over here they are an HF111 and fit many bikes,

http://shop.ebay.co.uk/?_from=R40&_trks ... Categories

but they have other part numbers and are used in some cars I believe.

Also make sure the Washer and spring are present in the oil filter housing as per,

http://www.pdsrecording.site90.com/cxgl ... Change.htm

Oversize pistons are not for a performance increase they are for if the bores of the cylinder have to be re-bored to repair wear but don't worry about that for now as you may be lucky.How many miles are on the engine?
Author:  silentdth [ Sat Jul 03, 2010 12:55 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Hello from New Zealand!
Thanks, I have now downloaded all those manuals.
I will keep my eye out for a real one, it might be hard to find in NZ.

I will get the 15w40 oil tomorrow - great suggestion!

I did a quick search on www.trademe.co.nz (NZ equivalent of ebay) and found a 3 pack of HF111 for $24 (about 10 pounds at current exchange rate). The local autoparts shop will likely have them as well, I can check tomorrow when I get the oil.

Good guide on changing the oil, I will keep an eye for the washer and spring.

50,000 kms on the engine (30,000 miles).
Not many really?
Author:  Gman [ Sat Jul 03, 2010 1:03 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Hello from New Zealand!
That to me is a low mileage engine.There's a good chance with a decent bit of servicing it will be fine.

Both my bikes are using second hand cranks,old cylinder-crankcases etc but I've picked the best parts from the engines I've bought cheap of Ebay and of course main consumables like Cam-chains/oil pump chains/big-end shells etc were renewed.

There are Cxs with well over 100,000 miles on them,

viewtopic.php?f=20&t=289

and some in Australia with over 200,000 miles on the engines with no re-bore or crank change.
Author:  Blindstitch2002 [ Sat Jul 03, 2010 1:20 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Hello from New Zealand!
Maybe it's just me but all the cx's that I've ever been around when being tested didn't break 110 psi on the cylinders. Yeah I know they should be closer to 170psi warm but even 100 psi wont kill an engine. The real question is why is one jug 30 off. Maybe one of the rings is a little stuck. Use might free it up.

Either way welcome in.
Author:  Gman [ Sat Jul 03, 2010 1:26 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Hello from New Zealand!
If they didn't break 110 Psi the compression tests were being done incorrectly or all those engines were faulty,which I doubt.

Compression testing takes some skill and knowledge.It's not as cut-and-dried as people assume.An average should be taken from a none firing crank-over and also a running compression test several times.

A none firing Compression test on my engines with the throttle fully open will read 10:1 bar or 147 psi which is correct.
The same test with one cylinder firing will eventually pump read to 170 Psi.This tells me that cylinder is fine.

Note:Prior to the fitting of new rings the cylinders were,"Glaze Busted" as per Worksop manual recommendations and the engines run-in using this method,

http://www.mototuneusa.com/break_in_secrets.htm
Author:  silentdth [ Sat Jul 03, 2010 2:01 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Hello from New Zealand!
Amazing.

I might be OK with a clean up and run in then.

Let's see how we go, the mileage might be inaccurate... it is second hand. That is what the speedo is reading, might have also gone around once! The seller assured me it was genuine as he has owned lots of cx 500's in his time - but you never know.

Any recommendations for a quick spruce up? (I will do the oil and filter tomorrow anyway).

Thanks for the welcome.
Author:  Gman [ Sat Jul 03, 2010 2:13 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Hello from New Zealand!
silentdth wrote:
Amazing.

I might be OK with a clean up and run in then.

Let's see how we go, the mileage might be inaccurate... it is second hand. That is what the speedo is reading, might have also gone around once! The seller assured me it was genuine as he has owned lots of cx 500's in his time - but you never know.

Any recommendations for a quick spruce up? (I will do the oil and filter tomorrow anyway).

Thanks for the welcome.


With all due respect the PO would have had to ridden continually around your Island every day for about 20 years to go around the clock<Joke><grin> :lol:

PS
Yeh I know it's bigger and you have had trouble with Orcs.Heh Heh :o
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