Date Acquired: 04/24/2023
VIN: JH2PC0308CM001659
Key Code: #313
Miles at Acquisition: 21,929 miles
History
Honda generated 250+ new patents to turbocharge the CX500. When it arrived at dealers in 1982, it featured swoopy new bodywork and a terrific paint scheme that was mildly futuristic, totally in keeping with the eighties. Many riders loved the rush of power when the bike came on “up on boost” at around 5,000 rpms. 82 peak horsepower was awe-inspiring for a 500cc engine. But sales were disappointing. The price was high, and a major recession further dampened enthusiasm. Now, these bikes are appreciated for their grand engineering, stellar performance and outstanding ergonomics. As the first Honda motorcycle to feature both turbocharging and electronic fuel injection, the CX500 Turbo was a groundbreaking design ahead of its time.
5,343 units were manufactured for the single year of production, 1982. Only 2,525 were sold in the United States. This one has a serial production number of #1,659 out of the 5,343 manufactured.
The original owner of my bike was Louis Van Koevering. He bought the bike in Michigan and even recorded the key code (#313) on the back of his “Statement” brochure, which was personalized with his name printed on the cover. There were several other owners after Louis Van Koevering. I bought the bike from Doug Carlson of Gross Point Park, Michigan. Doug transferred the rare and unusual, 20-page “Statement” brochure to me. My copy is not in the best condition, but it is a treasured document.
Doug had purchased the bike in 2008 after an extensive search. Doug is a high school classmate of a mutual friend, J.R. Luksik. J.R. is a vintage Honda restoration expert (specializing in CBXs) with a national reputation. Doug rode and enjoyed the bike for several years with no issues. J.R. also rode and evaluated the bike in that timeframe. He declared it “very impressive.”
Around 2014, Doug started performing routine maintenance, including replacing the speed sensors and performing the recommended 20,000-mile “triple bypass” service. Unfortunately, an injury and illness sidelined Doug.
J.R. “rescued” the bike in 2022 and facilitated the sale to me. He completed the stalled maintenance and did a comprehensive rejuvenation prior to my purchase in 2023.
"J.R. Luksik (right) with Kurt Muelbacher
My bike still has all of these model-specific "special" items (often missing):
- Special Cloisonné Keys (2)
- Special tank cap badge
- Cable "hoods" ...in front of levers (over the control cables)
- Special toolkit with pressure gauge
- Special Owners Manual with protective bag
- Official Workshop Manual
Doug ceramic coated the valve covers, exhaust pipes and other miscellaneous parts before his project stalled. J.R. completed the “stalled” work and much more. Many of these bikes are now merely museum artifacts. This one has been refurbished according to a master plan to ride and enjoy. All routine (and challenging) maintenance has now been completed. It should be good for another 20,000 miles before another heavy “triple by-pass” maintenance is needed again.
Masterful Restoration Work Done by J.R. Luksik in 2022/2023
- New water pump seal
- New speed sensors
- New stator
- New timing chain
- New timing chain tensioners
- New starter
- New starter reduction gear set
- New Galfer braided brake lines
- New Bridgestone BT46 tires
- New wheel bearings
- New Big Crank battery
- Powder-coated frame, doglegs, heat shields, radiator bracket, fairing birdcage, motor mounts, center stand, side stand, swing arm, torque rod, relay panel, battery tray, radiator, etc.
- Ceramic-coated valve covers, exhaust pipes, etc.
- New frame decals.
- Master cylinders rebuilt
- Brake calipers rebuilt
- New brake pads front and rear
- New headset bearings
- Fork oil changed (10W)
- 100 mm fork pre-load spacers added
- New air filter
- Petcock rebuilt (with Randakk’s Viton disk)
- New fuel hoses
- New radiator hoses
- New OEM Honda fuel filter)
- Rewrapped OEM wiring harness
- New Randakk’s Amazing Grips
- New foot peg rubbers
- Miscellaneous vacuum hoses
- ATC blade fuse panel upgrade
- ATC blade main fuse upgrade
- Turn signal flasher replaced
- Fuel gauge sending unit repaired
- New spark plugs: NGK DPR8EV-9 Gold Palladium
Upgrades since my ownership starting in 2023:
- New Bosch auxiliary analog boost gauge
- Digital DC Voltmeter (connected via micro relay for accurate battery voltage)
- Upgraded Suzuki Pb (MAP) sensor using my proprietary Turbo Enterprises harness
- Upgraded Suzuki P1 (atmosphere) sensor using my proprietary Turbo Enterprises harness
- New sensor vacuum hoses
- New OEM high-tone horn
- New contact base (from CB1100F) installed onto ignition switch to keep matched keys
- New radiator fan switch
- Manual air valve conversion (my design) for better cold starting/warmup. Details here:
- New coolant and air hoses for manual air valve
- New windshield by Gustafsson Plastics (standard height / light smoke)
- New rubber edge trim for windshield
- New Tarozzi fork brace - #22-0015
- New Hagon rear monoshock - #M-61045
- New center stand bump stopper
- Fabricated new fuel tank seat tabs (originals were broken off)
- Upgraded to MOSFET rectifier/voltage regulator by SparckMoto for more accurate voltage regulation and reduced load/shock on the stator.
- Implemented “Power Steering Mod” for better handlebar leverage: Switchgear and levers moved outboard 1 1/4” on each side.
- Sourced a CX650 Turbo 140mph speedometer showing 2,061 miles from MIDS Motorcycle Salvage in Sumter, SC.. Mike Grossmueller Speedometer Service in Lithia, Florida, serviced the new speedometer and verified the odometer reading to match my actual mileage: 22,131.7 miles — installation date: July 22, 2024.
- New speedometer cable
- Philips LED 20W Headlight Bulb - #LUM1134ULSX2. H4 base, internal driver with self-powered cooling fan.
- Special custom seat by Greg Goss of the Grease Machine in Escondido, CA - built on extra CX500 Turbo seat pan. (I still have original seat in excellent condition.)
Maintenance Particulars:
- Honda SAE 10W/40 GN4 motor oil
- Honda HP coolant (“blue” pre-mixed, ethylene glycol, low-silicate)
- Honda Hypoid gear oil in final drive unit - SAE 80W90
- Honda DOT 4 brake fluid
- Maxima Racing fork oil - 10W
Disassembly
More Disassembly
Test Fit - New Timing Chain, etc.
New Stator
Old Quadruple By-Pass Parts
Powdercoated Parts
Powdercoated Swingarm
Cleaned and Powercoated Radiator
Engine Back in Frame
Reassembly
More Reassembly
ATO/ATC Fuse Panel Upgrade