Project New Bike - Plastic Maggot - CX500

OK, so I have decided that the Triumph, as lovely as it is just doesnt get ridden enough (500km since I bought it new) so I will be selling that in the very near future and it just so happens my neigbour 2 doors up mentioned he had his fathers bike up for sale (his dad passed away about 9 months ago).
It is a 1983 CX500 Shadow (base model) otherwise known as the Plastic Maggot, that for its age is in pretty amazing condition.
It isnt quite as good in real life compared to the pictures but nothing some chrome polish etc wont fix.
There are no oil leaks and it cranks and starts easy, idles lovely on both cylinders and feel really strong.
Its not a race bike but does have a lovely note to it (as most Honda twins do).
43,000 km on the clock (original mileage) in 43 years...
I think the only thing I will probably do is look at changing the tyres.. The rear is a Shinco and not sure about the front.
It has been on Club Rego (Still has the plate) so it will be going back on Club Rego... there will be plenty to do on it even just tidying it up as well as sorting out the Thermo fan conversion and making sure the cam chain is right... anything else I will find along the way.
Oh, I forgot,, the front cowling needs to be painted and when I get the bike (on the weekend) I will confirm the pain number and look to getting that done soon.

 

The beauty of this bike is its originality so no USD forks or Turbo etc
Mods will be for reliability only and hopefully hidden


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Cheers @Frankster
I am already scouring for the best E-fan conversion and it seems to be using a Kawasaki ZX6R fan... they seem to be hard to find.. but there is no rush.
I have downloaded all the Workshop manuals, set up manual etc from Australian CX500 & 650 register... and have been looking on the other forum.
Way too many Cafe Racer conversions in there for my liking... but good info all the same.

 

Hmm looking at the tyres they are going to need to be changed... both front and rear are 2014 tyres and have some minor cracking low down in the sidewalls... apart from that they are hard as a rock.
As much as I have an aversion to a tyre called Shinko that seems to be the best compromise in available sizes to suit this bike... It is more a Cruiser and really will not be hustled along so a new set of Shinko's will work.

 

Not sure what the Club inspector will think of a 10 year old tyre but it would be a shame to scrap the front one as it is basically brand new.
Never been round a corner by the look of it.




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While checking the Maggot over to ensure it will pass the required checks for historic rego I found that I had no front parking light or tail light... headlight works fine both high and low beam...
Then I checked to see if they worked on thw "P" position on the ignition.. and the tail lights work but still no parking light.
Very strange... so off comes the headlight and I find the connection for the front parker has come adrift of its receptacle and it is too fiddly to try and repair it...
But that still didnt remedy the lack of tail lights when ignition is on.. so after spending an hour or so colouring in wires on a wiring diagram and head scratching I thought I would just check the fuses... YEP... a blown fuse...replaced it and now I have power to the tail lights and front parker (when I get one) when ignition is on and lights are on.
The headlight isnt one from a Honda (I think). Honda have a push in parker lamp (rubber bung holds the bulb) and on searching the item I need appears to be from a BMW.... thanks to @2valve for steering me to a good BMW parts outfit in WA.. the item will be here next week and that should sort out the headlight.
Interesting thing I found is that quote a few models in the CX range had a lcking cover over the fuel filler... but.. it was kind of a dummy lock. Any key, screwdriver etc can open it.
I was told the key was broken off inside it so I grabbed my lock picking kit... um broken key extraction set... sorry, and started to see if I could get the sucker out... when all attempts failed I found my cheap chinese borescope thingamabob and had a good close look... nope... no key in there.
So that cover will go back on now as well.
And finally today... I took a pic to give some perspective of ethe difference 43 hears has made to bikes..
1983 CX500 rear end and 2022/23 Triumph TS660 rear end... the tyre is much wider on the RS660 but weight is similar, power is similar, riding position is vastly different (foot pegs are so high on the Honda) and I have to say... the Honda makes a much nicer noise Even with stock mufflers. I wonder how a set of Emgo Dunstall copies would sound...

 

Well I have more pics but I am getting the 403 forbidden message... GRRRRRR

 

Most likely, although choices will be a lot less on tyres now.


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