PROJECT CX500: Progressive 412 Rear Shocks

Rear Suspension Update:

Progressive Suspension 412 Series Shocks

$299.95

The CX500 build is an ever evolving platform. I ride the bike daily around the city so it's both out of necessity and desire. Considering it started as a budget build there wasn't a lot of money thrown at the systems one might want to upgrade for improved performance - like suspension and braking. I'm slowly beginning to give attention to these areas on the bike when I've got time.

First up is that rear suspension. The shocks that used to be on there were far too stiff, and just plain shitty. I think they were Emgo units but I couldn't verify because they had no markings on them. I got to talking with David Z. over at Progressive Suspension about a new set up for the rear.

On Progressive's site they list the 412-4211C shock for a CX500 which is a 13" shock with a 90/130 spring rate and a 3.89" stroke.
I was looking for a 1" drop in the rear so I ran through their catalog and picked out the 412-4049B/C models. They're a 12.00" length with a 3.01 stroke and 90/130 rate. Meaning the shocks are an inch shorter but have a .88" shorter stroke and an identical spring rate. They come in Black and Chrome I believe. I've removed the dust covers from mine. So far I love them. The ride comfort is amazing yet still sporty. They're allowing me to go for much longer rides without ass-fatigue.

I know there are a lot of other CX owners that follow the blog so just sharing the info. :)

DAILY INSPIRATION.

Bike Swap Saturday. Kara's craving more CC's lately...

BIKEEXIF: Top 5 Honda CX500's

The Honda CX500 made BikeEXIF's top 5, along with a rad illustrated representation by Ian Galvin as the header image. Check it out!

TRIP PREP: Stage 2 - Emgo Universal Low Rise Bars

In further preparation for our upcoming trip around Lake Michigan I've swapped out the clubman bars for some Emgo Universal low rise units. I decided I didn't feel like cafe racing it 800 miles around the lake. I've only taken the bike out for about 30 minutes since the swap but the comfort and control over the clubmans is astounding. I may never go back, but if I do I think it will be for some clip-ons. 

TRIP PREP: Shinko 705 Dual Sport Tires

Making some updates to the CX500 in preparation for our camping trip around Lake Michigan come August 3rd. First stage is better performing rubber. I've been riding on these Shinko 705's for a couple weeks now and they're just worlds better then the Dunlop K70's. They just fall into corners so effortlessly and grip like hell. 

Front: 110/80-19

Rear: 120/80-18

SHORT FILM: Apartment Number 9 Feature

The fine folks from the Chicago menswear store Apartment Number 9 stopped by during the building of Kara's Yamaha SR250 to talk shop and shoot some of the process. Here's a little short film they put together, featured in their newest bulletin.

Warming Up in Chicago.

ART&DESIGN: Ian Galvin CX500 Illustrated Prints

Moto-Mucci Honda CX500 Illustration

by Ian Galvin

$45.00

Now up for sale in the webstore are these limited edition prints by Designer / Illustrator Ian Galvin, depicting the Moto-Mucci Honda CX500. Only 50 prints will be made, each one hand numbered by the artist. Posters are 12x18" format printed on heavy 100 lbs. paper.

Get yours here.

PHOTO: Season's Close

Montrose Beach

Chicago

Fall sang it's final song this weekend with some mid 60's temperatures so we decided to take the CX500 out for one final ride. She'll be getting put away for the snowy months after today.

CX500: Quick Ride

A quick ride, then back to work.

CX500: Off To The Races

Some shots of the CX500 up at Road America, WI.

SHORT FILM: CX500 Exhaust

Here's a quick vid of the CX500 and I leaving Ace Motorcycle's Acetoberfest meet.

Shot by Ryan Plett

CX500 Exhaust from Ryan Plett on Vimeo.

MEDIA: Develop3D Article

The UK based magazine Develop3D recently ran a short piece on me and the CX500 which I'm pretty stoked about.

You can check it out in the July/August 2012 issue.

Thanks to Corpses From Hell for the photos!

PHOTO: Hanging at Ace

Hanging at Ace Motorcycle & Scooter

photo by Patrick Daly

PROJECT CX: Impromptu Photo Shoot

Photographer Patrick Daly had some free time and his camera on him a few weeks ago while Micah and I were tinkering with his CB360. Here's a little impromptu photo shoot of the CX500, parked in the lot next to my garage space.

CX500: Exhaust Sound

I've gotten a lot of e-mails asking to post videos of the CX's exhaust note with the new system on it, so here it is.

1978 CX500

MAC 2-1 exhaust

8" Cherry Bomb Muffler

90/120 Jetting

Stock Airbox

Sorry for the crappy cell phone sound quality.

There may be moving footage with higher quality sound coming in the near future...

PHOTO: Out for a Spin

We had a good time hanging out with Brett and Abby of Iron & Air this weekend.

Brett's the first one who's ridden the CX besides myself! It's always cool seeing something you built in motion for the first time.

We're looking forward to more of the team coming for Chicago's Mods vs. Rockers in June.

CX500: Common Issues

A common problem with the CX500 is with it's timing / cam chain tensioner. The '78 models had a recall on this part, due to the guide bolt backing itself out.

"THE CAM CHAIN GUIDE BOLT MAY LOOSEN DUE TO THE PRESENCE OF A RUBBER COATING ON THE SURFACE OF THE GUIDE IN THE AREA WHERE THE BOLT SEATS. IF THE BOLT BECOMES LOOSE, THE ENGINE WILL DEVELOP A TICKING NOISE. CONTINUED VEHICLE OPERATION WITH A LOOSE GUIDE BOLT MAY RESULT IN BREAKAGE OF THE BOLT AND INCREASED ENGINE NOISE."

Recall details here. 

If your '78 model had the recall remedied by a dealer, you will see 3 punch dots on the engine casing in this location:

If your bike is a '78 and does not have these punch marks, you need to update the tensioner.

The manual requires that you check the timing chain at 20k miles. Doing so is usually an engine out operation and is referred to as the Triple Bypass. Triple because there are 3 elements to the CX engine that are common failures and all are engine out operations - thus, doing all three at once is preferred preventative maintenance. Them being the water pump mechanical seal, stator, and timing chain / tensioner. 

Here are some invaluable links for CX owners:

Triple Bypass Parts List

Links to all common CX issues.

My CX has 26k miles on it, and has had the recall addressed. At the end of last season I suddenly got a metal slappidy noise coming from the engine. I rode it 2 blocks to the apartment and then had it towed from there. 2 blocks can do a lot more damage then I imagined.

What happens is the chain is either stretched beyond spec, or the tensioner lets go. In either case, this causes the now loose chain to run against an interior plate that blocks off the crankcase. 2 blocks of riding, at around 3k RPMs means about 3,000-6,000 revolutions of that chain grinding away at your casing.

Here's the aftermath of what it did to mine:

You can see it ground off most of the screw boss, screw head, and the lower casting protrusion.

Upper screw boss wear.

Broken right chain guide.

Broken left chain guide.

The semi-good news is the crankshaft bearing plate that the chain ate up is replaceable and not to expensive to pick up used. They pop up on eBay for around $20-50.

1978 CX500 microfiche

The amount of life your chain has left can be checked without removing the engine.

Here's how.

Using the dental mirror method, you're looking for the amount of travel the cam chain guide bolt (#15 above) has left to move in the channel of the guide plate (#5).

Here's a diagram explaining what you're looking for:

Now go check your tensioner and avoid garaging the bike while it's prime riding season.

A MERRY XMAS: Project CX Gets 3rd Place on BikeEXIF!

BikeEXIF has just released it's Top 10 list of most popular bikes over the past six months, and Project CX has gotten 3rd place! What a wonderful addition to an already fulfilling Christmas morning.

I've been overwhelmed with the amount of positive feedback the bike has recieved. Thank you to everyone out there for your praise and support.

Happy Holidays everyone!



THANKS: Project CX is on BikeEXIF, GasCap

Just wanted to say thanks to Chris at BikeEXIF and Alex at GasCap Kustom Kulture for featuring the CX build. I'm pretty stoked on the exposure, it means a lot to know I'm doing something right. Project SR has some shoes to fill, but there's still so much room to improve and skills to acquire.

Thanks for visiting,

Dave

PROJECT CX: The CX500 Cafe Build Gets The Full Shoot

1978 Honda CX500

Moto-Mucci

Here it is, the full shoot on Project CX. Although it will likely never be done, the project has reached it's intentions. It's meant to be a bike for the city. A daily rider around the unforgiving roads of Chicago. Able to absorb rock chips, hail storms, and clueless people driving big SUV's. 

Not only was this my first build, but my first motorcycle. I learned a ton, and aimed at doing everything on my own. Anything I couldn't learn within a few weeks practice, I outsourced to those who could.

That being said, I'd like to thank these guys:

Tony Prust of Analog Motorcycles, for all his fabrication and powder coating help.

And Art, at Rod's Designs, for the seat upholstery.

For all the background on the build, just click the Project CX tab at the top of the page.

PROJECT CX: Setting Up The Gararge

 

As stated before, I recently moved into a newer, less thefty, garage. Space in this city is scarce, so I always end up having to rent the space I need a ways away from home. Roughly 5 miles this time. In Chicago time, this takes about 30-40min to get to. 

I've been spending my weekends setting everything up and trying to organize a more legit work space. I recently put up a ton of lighting and, just, wow. Having a very well lit garage makes your quality of garage-life sky rocket. No more incandescent bulbs and shop lights.

It made me happy, so I shot a few pictures of the bike through the mounds of boxes and parts I'm still organizing.