I'm convinced that Craig can bring almost any motorcycle from the dead

“It never gets old”. No, it doesn’t boys. Keep up the good work.

As a birthday present, I´ve got a 1978 Honda CX500 which was sitting in a garage for the last 24 years. I changed the oil, rebuilt the carbs, cleaned the tank and took it for a four day trip to Italy. It still runs perfectly without any further service done to it. These bikes run forever. Greetings from Germany

Back in 2000, I took a chance and bought my first bike, a not-running 1979 GL1000 I was told just needed a starter. Turned out it needed carb work and had rust in the tank. My neighbors watched me fool with it for weeks. Then one day I'll never forget, they were over talking to my wife in the driveway while I'm working on it in my garage. It was time. I pushed that button and it coughed, a truly thrilling moment. My neighbors looked over and said, "whoa!". I hit that button again, gave her some gas, she sputtered then fired to life. I was out there in a cloud of smoke, fist pumping and celebrating like it was a football game. I probably looked like a fool, but the excitement was real. Not a big deal for a seasoned mechanic, but it was for me. I rode that bike for nearly 2 years after before I sold it to get a Harley. Your video brought that day back for me. Thanks.

I'm now convinced Craig could get a 47 year old rotten potato to run.

I owned a 1978 CX500. I put 68,000 miles on that bike. Some additional fun facts about the bike: 1. It took Honda three tries to get the cam chain tensioner system right (I rebuilt the cam chain system on mine twice, using different part numbers each time - which is how I knew it took 3 tries). 2. You could drop the engine out of the frame in less than 5 minutes (the carbs stayed with the frame; there were no frame rails under the engine, so you just had to remove the frame bolts between the cylinders, loosen the carb spigots, remove the clutch cable, put a transmission jack under the engine and wiggle it front off the final drive splines and carb spigots). 3. The original ComStar wheels had stamped steel spokes, bolted to an aluminum hub and riveted to an extruded aluminum rim. This was (and in my opinion, still is) a superior design to modern cast wheels (extruded aluminum is stronger and less porous than cast aluminum - so it didn't need to be sealed on the inside of the rim to hold air - and the additional strength of the extrusion meant the rim thickness could be less, resulting in lower rotating inertia; and the steel spoke provided more "flex" than the later ComStar aluminum spokes or cast spokes. In fact, with the current Adventure Bike craze, I'm shocked no one has "re-introduced" this original ComStar design - combining the advantages of a modern cast wheel and a traditional wire-spoked wheel.

Man, your videos make my week! I’ll be stressing out about life, then I get a new video to watch! It’s like when I was a kid and my pops would be watching “New Yankee Workshop”

Guys, you two are the best! I love Dan's little comments that he throws in! Nothing like hanging out in the garage with you guys! Thanks for putting these videos up for our entertainment and education!

Classic Dan quote of the day. The good ATF not the one that's gonna come after us for our hammer. Priceless. 😂😂😂😂

Long time CX 500 owner here. Don't strip that engine down. Couple of oil changes, it'll be running fine. Already sounds good! Couple of things. Search for "Triple Bypass". Three common things that go wrong with these bikes. Carbs. Don't separate them. They need to be cleaned very well. There are emulation tubes that need to be pulled and cleaned before they run properly. I used a 4-40 bolt and nut. Thread the top part of the tube, screw the bolt in. Use the nut to jack the tube out. A dpiral extractor will work, but I prefer the bolt and nut. All of this stuff can be found on forums. You got a new subscriber

I like most London Motorcycle dispatch riders owned a CX500 in the 90,s. It was great,The cooling fan was held on with self tapping screws and i wore the foot pegs off of it on roundabouts. And in winter when you stopped at traffic lights you could put your hands on each cylinder head to warm them up

I've got an 82 CX Custom in my shed. (Owned it since 86) Parked it after It blew the second stator. (Requires engine removal). My buddy is dropping by tonight. You just inspired me to discuss a restore. 😎 Enjoy your channel. Cheers

Wow i remember my dad had a blue one in the late 1970s such good memories. I remember waiting till he came home after work every day so he could take me for my ride around the block . Thanks for the memory

Circa 1989, my landlord in Southampton UK bought one of these Hondas 2nd-hand. He hadn't ridden for some time and needed to muster courage to take it for a first spin. I'm guilty of being one of a small audience that gathered to make him extra nervous. No biggie though; he made it round the block without mishap. Happy days.

I had a 79 cx500custom when I lived in colorado. Best 500 bucks I ever spent. ❤️ rode it all over the front range from Fort Collins down to the springs and everywhere in between. Such rad bikes

I have a 1982 GL 500 that I bought brand new 41 years ago. The GL is the CX but with the Honda Fairing, trunk and saddle bags. I still have it. That thing is bullet proof. Rode it all over North America and all over Europe. It's no longer my primary ride but it still runs and I can't bear to part with it. I'll probably keep it until I'm in the ground.

A favourite with Motorcycle Couriers in the UK for many years.

I owned two NEW CX500 bikes, 77 and 81. They were GREAT dependable bikes that were ahead of their time.

This brought back memories of restoring my 79 cx500. Man, I loved that bike

Had a 1980 model CX500 Custom. Bought used in 87, fully bagged. Fairing, hard bags and trunk. King, queen seat. Two years later I had it knocked down to a hard-tail, straight pipes with fishtail exhaust on each side, tombstone tail light... man, it was cool!!! Nobody could stand riding behind me for any length of time. Said it sounded like a powered up Cessna that never got cleared for take off!😅 Fun video guys! Thanks.

I used to have an '80 CX500. I was young and didn't have a lot of tools, knowledge or resources. It wouldn't idle to save its life. Found I had a bad spark plug boot and fixed it by cutting the finger off of a rubber glove and taping it around the boot with some electrical tape. Best fix ever!

OMG!!! 😢 I want one so bad. It was my dad's first bike. His last bike before he passed was an 85 CB1000 Custom. I'd LOVE to own either one of those bikes. This is awesome, though! U guys are awesome! AND funny coincidence - my dad was an "electricken"! Lol Did some more looking and realized my dad also had the CB500!

I just bought a 1983 Silverwing GL650 with 7,000 original miles. It has the engine from the cx models. It's smooth and I can really lean in the turns, I love it.

I'm currently running the absolute BAJEEZUS out of a 650 Ninja, with part of the cylinder liner chunked out on the right side, used head gaskets, and no torque value assigned to the head bolts. I just made 'em tight. We're learning to wheelie on it. This spirit of slapping an engine back together just to make it run, is just beautiful. I love it.

Ah the Honda-Guzzi! I had an 81 Gl 500 with factory fairing and radio. Great bike!

This bike had my favorite method of mounting stuff, shoe string, parachute cord, zip ties and electric wire. I missed superglue and double sided sticky tape... You just cannot do without this stuff. 😎

The Motorcycle Whisperer right here! You clearly have the knowledge and that in turn makes you patient! You would be a great great shop teacher!!! Fantastic fantastic as always!

I absolutely enjoy the enthusiasm you bring. Even when it looks the worst, you keep on trucking. Best one yet!

Had a 1978 CX for 6 years here in the UK used it every day for work...great bike

It's Alive! Dr. Frankenstein would be proud!

I needed a project. There was a '79 Honda Twinstar CM185 for sale across town. It sat outside for years. Had 5k on the odo. Bought it for $200. It was missing some small parts, was NOT locked up. A month later my wife and I were traveling through Mew Hampshire and on the side of the road was another Twinstar for sale. Bought it. I spent the winter putting the two together. That was 2015. I registered it that spring and rode it daily until 2023. I then bought a Shadow RS. I sold the Twinstar because I really didn't want to put it into storage. Vintage Hondas have always interested me.

at 24.41 --- love how all the knowledge just starts flowing out at times!

OMG YES! that was my first motorcycle back in 2018 when i got my license. It was working but needed work. did all the work with my brother and I. loved it. I put over 15k miles on it in less than 6months. Such a great bike. My current 2014 honda fury is also chaft driven. i love it. wish more brand would do it

I had a 1982 GL500I. Every spring it wanted new sparkplugs and fresh break fluid. It knocked down a steady 55 mpg. Air ride was nice. A bit top heavy but smooth at highway speeds. I put 40k on it and sold it for what I bought it for. I would consider buying another for a long term ride.

Back in 1989 or so, I helped get a friends CX-500 running. Thought we had everything fixed except the stator. Took it for a test ride and about 5 miles from his house, the engine suddenly just locked up at speed. No warning, no sound. Nothing. Just suddenly locked. Skidded until I got on the clutch.

OMG - I LOVE THIS! I'm just getting into working on bikes and love to see pros not only tear into them but get em running again. Well Done! I hope one day to be able to do what you guys do.

I’d love to see you rebuild just the engine, so iconic.

That's awesome Craig you want to donate that bike to somebody that doesn't have one that can rebuild it

I can’t wait to watch this. I bought a brand new 1978 CX500 Deluxe, such as you have there. I outfitted it with a Vetter fairing and added saddle bags. I live in Michigan and drove it to Florida several times, West Virginia, Kentucky several times and loved every minute of it. That bike Never let me down! My brother had one that we used to race. Up at Blackhawk Farms racetrack in Wisconsin it won the endurance race they had. These are awesome bikes!!!! Edit: my brother’s bike had 30,000 miles on it when we took it to the track.

Brings back memories and left me smiling. I had a maroon CX 500. Put about 10k on it and sold it at 28k miles. Never had any issues, other than a starter and a couple batteries over about 5 years.

I'm not gonna lie, I'm getting in love with your work, with mechanical stuff thanks to you and your charisma, Craig. Thanks for your content. Keep on it. Note: awesome edits lol, good job.

Love that you got that engine to spin from totally frozen!

Youre really a great mechanic and Dan makes a great videographer and partner in crime. As an old one time rider (82 Kawasaki 1000CSR) it makes me feel good being still connected in at least this way seeing hurt bikes find healing and running again with your cheerful and positive attitude and capable hands. Thank you for your very enjoyable videos!

I had one. I let it rot in the end but it got me training on the streets. I went onto a ‘84 1100 Magna. This bike shows up in the thumbnail I get flash backs.

You should look into 3D printing an adapter for the sparkplug hole so you can hook up an air line and "pressurize" the combustion chamber.... That might help your special sauce soak in better. 😉😁👍

Wow! That bike is minty!!!

The CX500 is one of the 3 favorite bikes I've had. It was a '79 I got in '84. It had class, was a workhorse and my girlfriend enjoyed riding with me (finally). But in '87 I found myself unable to care for it and someone actually traded me a '74 Chevelle straight across. (another story from the shores of poverty) Nice to see you bring that one back to life.

I had one in high-school in 1980. I rode that thing everywhere. Ortega hwy over the mountain and down into Elsonor. Up and down P.C.H. It was a great little bike. You could lay on the tank and wrap your arm around one of the jugs to keep warm.

( in Deutschland Güllepumpe genannt)Hondas schönstes motorrad die laufen immer

Beloved of we old London despatch riders

Thanks so much for doing the CX500! I happen to be working on one right now. You offer a lot of VERY helpful info. I have never missed an episode

My uncle had one of these in the 70s also, loved it so much, even the police used it for a while. So happy to see ya'll get this up and running again, I love these kinda vids. :)

Craig, tell your editors to lay off the damn jump cuts! These videos are unwatchable. Going to need to put a damn seizure warning at the beginning.

I was also released into this world in 1977. I'd say the bike has weathered it's life better than I have.

The master at work. Thanks for bringing us along.

You hit the first piston at TDC so it wasn't going to turn. Then you tried #2 at a better rod angle, with success.

That radio was the height of technological advancement back in 77. Plastic Maggots rule! Great sounding engine and so smooth to ride.

By far my favourite channel at the moment. Thanks for brightening up cloudy times 👍

I have two of these old gals and they just keep running. Honda knocked it out of the park with the cx engines. Well done bringing her back to life.

I spent my childhood riding around on the back of my dad’s cx500 (he didn’t plate his car in the summer). It’s the first bike I learnt to ride, first bike I dumped first bike I rode to another city to chase a girl… So many memories. He’s been gone 5 yrs this week and just seeing one brings back so many memories. Thanks for the video.

I really enjoy watching your videos man. Entertaining and informative, can't get better.

Craig, I enjoy your process of diagnosing mechanical or electrical issues with these older bikes. Right up my alley. Nice work.

The line that absolutely undid me: “What’s that mean?” “TOUCH IT” Bringing back memories.

Great laugh, you guys are great. Thanks for the entertainment. I was a 17 yr old apprentice at a Honda dealership in the UK (in 1977) tasked with doing many cam chain tensioner modifications as discussed. I remember lifting these lumps out of the frames with my eyes popping out of my head in order to fit the mod kits. I never recall having to punch the 3 dots on the frame though! First time I’ve heard of that! Great bikes, many fond memories. Someone said that this engine was originally designed by Honda for a generator……??

I love these videos. I grew up riding these bikes with my friends in the late 70s. To hear one start up again that's been out of action, priceless. My stable of bikes began with a Yamaha RD125a (twin 2 stroke) a Honda CB400 Hawk, a Honda 750 supersport, a Honda CB900F, then a Honda CB750K1. I also owned a Kawasaki 350 Mach ? 2 stroke triple and a Suzuki 750 water bottle :). They don't make em like they used to!!... Thank goodness LOL.

I had a 78 cx500. rode it for 10 years in every weather, even snow. constant electrical issues, but awesome bike. the 3 punch marks are on the motor.

My first bike was the yamaha rd80, and the second, a cx500. The only drama I ever had was the chain spitting its dummy into a corner. The beauty, ran without fault for 5 years until I sold it (in a little dark corner of my mind, I kind of regret doing that). In '92, I bought my gixxer brand new and still ride her daily. I hope someone restores this honda, it's a gem once it's running again.😊 Living in germany (was in the british army), I found out that the locals call it 'die gullenpumpe', roughly translates to 'the ditch pump' 😊 Thanks for posting and bringing back some memories mate, and a tear or two (I'm not crying, just got a fly in my eye 😊) 🤟

I bought one in '82. My first bike.

Hey Craig and company. I know you probably won’t read this but thanks for all your videos. I don’t know much about motorcycles but your videos are both very entertaining and very informative, I’ve learned a lot watching you. Thank you 😀

I had a '79 CX500C that I was very fond of. That engine lent a lot of character to the bike. Probably was the influence that led me to getting an '08 Moto Guzzi Norge in '09. Fun video, thanks!

Well done Craig - It’s always FUN watching you guys 🫡👍🏼🍻

Thank u for working on a Honda , i got a old CB 750 from 74 my father own and i wish i could have a great mechanique like u , i did give it to one guys and he left it outside in the rain ... Bike Run but spit a lot of oil from botom end i try to learn mechanic and watching u is a bless .

A fantastic rewarding watch you guys. Thanks!

I bought a 78 GS1000 Superbike that had been leaning up against a garage since 1980, they raced it for a season and parked it untill I bought it in the mid 90s, everything was rusted and gooped up, brakes were shot front and rear, rotten tires, no spark in 2 cylinders, electrical gremlins and it had no lights! Just number plates. In 2 weeks going through every system I had it running like new and factory gs1000 lighting package on it. Rebuilt the brakes, forks,scrubbed out the tank, Rebuilt the Keihn drag carbs and synced them, replaced the throttle cable and was pulling 150mph passes untill everything settled back in untill one day I thought I needed to know what top speed was, I hit 185mph, almost got blown off the bike because I sat up too soon, sold it soon after that! Never did find out how fast it really would go, but it was still picking up pretty hard at 185! I don't get scared on bikes usually but that's one that I admit was probably too much giddy up for me😂😂😂 it was fun while it lasted, about a year or so riding all over colorado, but I decided I wanted a cruiser and gave up my speed demon ways in the interest of being alive awhile longer.

I really like to see the reactions when Craig gets a junker running…makes the whole video. Love this channel!

I'm 21 got an 82 and an 83 one of these. Didn't even know people loved these bikes so much that's awesome I love the way my 82 looks there's chrome bars everywhere and it's a devil it keeps up with my 82 seca 750 love these bikes!

Great video Craig and Dan. Even a lost cause can bring great excitement if you know where to look. My nephew has a Silverwing sitting in his garage that I may need to liberate! Keep up the great work!

I rebuilt a 20yrs stalled CX500 and ran it 5 years as my first bike, until the oil pump packed in and the engine seized up. But what a fun bike that was.

Awesome Craig! So looking forward to firing up my GT750 which turns over but hasn't run in decades. So many useful tips. And plain fun.

I remember a KZfaq channel where a British guy put a Honda silver hawk engine , one that looked similar to that engine, on an old riding mower , it was awesome, good video Craig, and Dan 👍

I have a donated CX500 sitting in my garage. Rebuilt the carbs but now think i should check the engine before moving on. Thanks for the inspiration. Oh and mine needs plenty of wire work too...

Wow! I had one of those! I remember every time I changed the oil I had to adjust the clearance on the valve tapits. Got a header from JC Witney too and boy was it lowd!

Have a goldwing that was in similar shape. Running now and have put over 3000kms on it. so glad to see this one up and running now too!

Just found your channel, love the positive and non-obnoxious narration!

There’s nothing more satisfying than bringing one back to life! Great video.

Guyz That was a blast Loved that whole process Gr8 effort. Thanks

Hey i really love these videos. I really appreciate that youre a burly looking dude that doesnt appear to get rageful when you encounter obstacles between you and your desired outcome. Thats important for people to see.

Had three of these. The cam chain tensioner bolt always comes loose then the timing chain starts slapping around. Otherwise it is a tank!! And runs forever with a great cooling sustem and an awesome thumping sound!

So happy to see the CX500 getting some love. I am the proud owner of a near mint condition, bone stock, all original 1980 Custom and a 1981 Deluxe parts bike with over 100k miles. Bought them off a family member who bought the deluxe new. First bike I ever owned. Learned to ride at 40 years old on a 40 year old bike. Put over 10k miles on the custom in my first year and a few months. It's a good reliable bike. What you've got could be a decent parts bike, save everything you can and pass it onto someone like me who is restoring or keeping alive these old cruisers.

That ATF and Acetone mix I have used for years over here in Scotland to get bolts loose its the ultimate trick! Great to see it in the clip. Every bike I used this on it worked.

I had a 1980 CX500A, in the UK they called it the Maggot. I had it 4 years, it had the mods but the camchain tensioner failed at about 35k. Mine had twin discs up front but they were awful and useless in the wet With some spacers in the forks and better shocks they handled ok-ish, a lot better than the CB750FA I got after the CX!

I love your use of the T-handle wrench. One of my favorite tools. I used it as much as I could instead of a ratchet. It give you fine control of bolts.

Here's a trick I learned from an old timer: Break out the insulation from an old spark plug and weld a zerk fitting to it. Thread it in, loosen up the valves, and pump in some grease until it breaks free

My brother had this bike, sold it to my neighbor... was an excellent smooth running bike. But pretty weak and slow. Awesome seeing it again. Thanks Craig!

Craig, I really hope you and Dan will be the next KZfaq sensations in the world of motorcycle mechanics. Newbies could learn so much from y'all, and that's no joke. Hell, even I learn a thing or two from y'all every now and then, and I've been a shadetree mechanic for the last 8 years 😂. But for real though y'all rock, and I hope y'all reach more folks in the moto community!

I had a nearly identical CX500 (no fairing or sissy bar) for a few years. It was a 1980 that I bought from the original owner for $500.... with 500 miles on it. He had bought it for his wife, but she was afraid to ride it and so it ended up sitting unused for many years on a covered patio. I think I bought it around 2004 or 2005. The engine was gummed up with old oil, the carbs full of varnish, and the tires needed replacement. I bought some clutches for it, but never got around to putting them in. Despite being out of the California weather (such as it is), the mufflers had rusted out from the inside and there was some pitting on the chrome. I couldn't find OEM mufflers (or they were ridiculously expensive... I forget), so I installed some similar looking generics that worked pretty well. I got it cleaned up, fixed most of whatever else needed fixing and put it back on the road. Frankly, it ever felt comfortable to me (seemed top heavy) and had to run at too high revs on California's 70mph+ freeways. So over a couple years I only put another 1000 miles on it riding back roads or around town. I liked the wheels (no spokes to loosen!) and the shaft drive (except when changing tires or wanting to change the drive ratio). Something I didn't like was the cost of Honda parts! As I recall, the plastic floats for the carbs cost $40 each! In 2009 I ended up selling (for $750) to a guy who brought along a certified Honda tech buddy, who was stunned to see a nearly 20 year old bike with so few miles.

Hey Craig. I bought a ratty 78-ish CX 500 with just 5000 miles showing for 400 bucks from Jeff Kahn in Seymour Wisconsin and shipped it back to the Uk with 16 other bikes. It sat in my storage for about a year until I got round to having a look at it. When I got it on the stand it too was seized. I put some "Marvel Miracle Oil" in the cylinders and rocked it carefully back and forth in 5th gear every morning. On the 3rd morning it freed up ( Woohoo!) so I put a battery on it and it wouldn't turn. Just like yours the starter was also seized. I stripped it and it was just a mass of rust ( though the brushes were hardly worn) as it it had been immersed in a lake, but with a clean and grease up it worked. So I put it back on the bike and spun her over...great spark..we're in business. The carbs were stuck too so I popped them off and gave them a sonic clean. When I put the carbs back on, the bike started after about 15 seconds of spinning . It was VERY smoky and I thought it was maybe damaged inside but after about 10 minutes of running it cleared. The tyres were shot-they were the originals- and it had a seized master cylinder so no brakes ...but I snagged a new Chinese master cylinder for £13( maybe 16 bucks) and the brakes came up a treat. All the electrics except the starter relay worked as if it had run yesterday I then cleaned the bike up and it came up really nicely. It rides so well I never liked the CXes but for some reason I really like this old gal and will probably restore it properly due to the the low miles. Everything tells me the miles are genuine and we have almost no CXes left here. Here's a vid I did about it that shows it starting for the first time. kzfaq.info/get/bejne/pNafgqSK08u4hWg.html Thanks for the videos, they're fun

I have seen many mechanics work. But rare seen one that is actually, really, sincerely happy working.

Saved one from a barn in 2005ish. It was an okay bike but didn’t have a lot of seat time on it. Young lady ran me over and totaled it a year or so after I got it on the road. It was a fun learning experience, working on the bike.

Your videos give me a lot of hope for the project motorcycle my brother and I are working on. I'm all ready to slap everything back together and crank it over to see what it will do!