Honda CX 500ES Sports

Make Model	Honda CX 500EC Sports
Year	1982 -
Engine	Four stroke, longitudinal 80⁰ V-twin cylinder, camshaft nestles at the base of the V between the cylinders. ,OHV, 4 valves per cylinder operated by pushrods
Capacity	497 cc / 30.3 cu-in
Bore x Stroke	78 x 52 mm
Compression Ratio	10.0:1
Induction	2x 35mm Keihin VB1AA-A
Ignition	CDI
Starting	Electric
Max Power	50 hp / 37.2 kW @ 9000 rpm
Max Torque	46 Nm / 33.9 lb-ft @ 7000 rpm
Clutch	Wet, multi-plate, 5-speed
Transmission	5 Speed
Final Drive	Shaft
Frame	Pressed steel and tubular “diamond” construction
Front Suspension	37mm Showa telehydraulic fork
Rear Suspension	air/oil damped, TRAC anti-dive braking system. Pro-link rising-rate, single-shock
Front Brakes	2 x 275mm disc 2 piston floating-caliper
Rear Brakes	Single 275mm disc 2 piston caliper
Front Tyre	100/90-18
Rear Tyre	120/80-18
Wheelbase	1495 mm / 58.8 lbs
Dry Weight	208 kg / 458.5 lbs
Wet-Weight	225 kg / 496 lbs
Fuel Capacity	19 Litres / 5.0 US gal

Honda introduced the CX500EC Sports for 1982. The CX500EC Sports suspension was improved by fitting of air pre-load assisted anti-dive front forks and an air pre-load assisted Pro-Link mono-shock rear. The Honda anti-dive system was called Torque Reactive Anti-dive Control, abbreviated to “TRAC”. Front and rear wheels were of 18” diameter and were Comstars, but of a different style to previous models. Tires were now a 100–90H18 for the front and a 120–80H18 at the rear.

Brakes were also given a significant upgrade with twin front discs with twin pot calipers at the front and a single disc with twin pot calipers at the rear. The styling of the CX500EC was modernized with a front fairing containing a rectangular headlight that provided better illumination, a large fuel tank, and re-styled side panels and seat. One of the more significant improvements that appeared on this model was the automatic cam chain tensioner. The early model CX500 bikes had manual cam chain adjustment and this provided a universally bad experience for owners and had given the CX500 a bit of bad name as a consequence.

The automatic cam chain tensioner was arguably a feature that should have been incorporated into the engine at the very beginning but it took Honda time to realize the significance of the problem and to create a bulletproof engineering solution to it. The automatic cam chain tensioner was able to be retro-fitted to the earlier model CX500 bikes and most if not all received that modification. There were also more subtle engineering improvements made to the engine, one being the reduction of valve clearances indicative of more precision in manufacturing and fitting. The engine of the CX500EC Sports was also given some cosmetic changes with black painted stripes on the valve covers and satin alloy flat areas on the engine.