Comments: 1-15, 16-20
Nothing.
I bought the CX650E new and still have it 22 years later. For those who don't know the model, it is a liquid cooled 674 cc V-twin with the engine transversly mounted across the frame like a Moto Guzzi, driving through a 5 speed box and shaft to the rear wheel. Each cylinder has 4 valves per head, but only 2 pushrods, each operating a pair of valves through a fork. Stopping is by dual front disks and a single rear disk. Clutch is cable operated and there is a front fork brace.
The best feature of the bike is its bullet proof engine. Wonderful torque right off idle. In its day, I could blow off 750 4 cylinder bikes up to about 85 mph. You can come off the line like being shot out of a cannon, running up to the 9,000 rpm redline in first in about 1.5 seconds, or loaf along in 4th gear around town at 30 mph. When down shifting it's like applying the brakes, so consequently you don't use them much. The engine seems to have two sweet spots... 4500, which gives a 65 mph cruise, and 6500, which gives a 90 mph cruise. I've maxed it out at 121 indicated and cruised at 90 for an hour. Overall fuel consumption is about 53 mpg and the tank holds 4.5 imp gallons including reserve.
The riding position is fairly comfortable with your legs tucked up like a jockey and your upper body canted slightly forward. The small bar-mounted fairing gives some wind protection. There is a bit of a vibratory pulse through the bars, which can get annoying after a while.
The handling, although not great, is not too bad. The bike is inherently top heavy and requires great care at under 5-10 mph. It will tend to tuck in and want to fall over when doing a U turn at walking speed. On long sweepers at speed, it tends to wallow and oscillate if you are really going WOT and laid over. Nothing bad actually happens, but it isn't confidence inspiring. Still, you can ride it very quickly if you want to; however, you MUST counter steer to get it to lay over for a corner, because at speed in a straight line, it's stable like it's on rails.
All in all, a very rewarding ride that requires some ability to make the most of. I would definitely not recommend it as a first bike. I felt pretty respectful of it for quite a while when I first moved up to it from my CB350.
I loved my old CX650E also.. I should never have gotten rid of it. I managed to make significant improvements to the handling by fitting tapered rolled bearings to the head-stem, Marzocchi suspension unit on the back, getting the frame straightened out (the bike had never been dropped and the guy that did the straightening said that he has done three so far and the frames were all offset the same direction and amount... factory jig problem perhaps?) and fitting a good set of matched tyres.
I also bought a CX650E (the white version) in May of 1983, my first new bike. I left for Western Canada on a vacation with a friend 3 weeks after I picked it up.
I live in Ontario. I had the bike until 1994 when my wife suggested that since it is just sitting in the garage unlicensed, I should sell it. A fellow teacher in her school was looking for one. It was gone in a flash as it was in excellent shape. As luck would have it, I was asking him one day last year (August 2005) how it was running and he said fine, but it was for sale again. I bought it back for half the money he paid me 10 years prior. It is home again.
The bike is in great shape, runs like a top, and I must admit it is good to have it back, especially since I bought it new when I was only 18 years old. You know the bike looks fairly modern even today 23 years later. All it needed for safety was new seals in the calipers and a set of rubber, as the tires were weather checked. Like the other bike mentioned here, mine has had zero issues other than the normal maintenance items. A fun to ride bike, and it still turns heads.
With any luck, it won't leave home without me on it again.
Cheers!
I also bought a white CX new (my first street bike) in 1984.
In 90,000km, the stator failed (a Honda tradition), I had to replace the cam-chain tensioner, and the head gaskets. Seems like a lot, but that bike was a rock, and never left me stranded.
Sold it in 1998 to a friend who put another 15000km on it, and made it full circle when it was gifted to my father (who still has it).
Was great to ride that bike in the USA, where nobody knew what it was. Ahhh, the days when Canada got the European models...
I bought my black 1983 CX650E on August 12, 2004. It had only 12000 km and it looked like new. Now it has around 30000 km and it still looks like new with no issues whatsoever. I love it.
Air assisted forks, pro-link suspension, disc brakes front and back, anti-dive unit, hydraulic valves and water-cooling. Very smooth engine with lots of torque. Perfect on highway and long trips. More than fast enough.
Did I mention I LOVE IT!
I purchased my new black CX650E Honda in fall of 1984.
The low speed handling is nothing to write home about and it chews through batteries, but other than that, I cannot fault the bike. It is extremely comfortable to ride and has never let me down. I love it and cannot pry my wife off the back of it.
I use it mainly on weekends for short tours around Southern Ontario. I have considered looking for a CX650T or possibly a BMW (boxer style), but would probably have a tough time selling my old CX.
For the guy with the cx650 who wrote he loved his bike because of the hydraulic valves : there no hydraulic valve on any cx500 or 650. In the years '78 to 84, the only bike in the Honda line up who get hydraulic valves was the vt (750 not sure, but for sure the 1100) the nighthawks "s" 750 and 650 (650: the twin cam version)
I had a white CX650E I purchased from the original owner in 1988. Rode it for years, but ended up parting with it. Regretted that decision and finally found another one several years ago. I had to do a ground up restore, so I did some chrome and paint mods at the same time. The decals and lettering are now painted on with 5 coats of clear over it. I chromed the aluminum pieces that get corroded under the lacquer coating. The project can be seen at www.vaxxine.com/tomspage and go to the CX.
I ride a HD Standard for two up touring, but it's fun to take the CX out for a coffee and turn a few heads now and then. It chokes my Harley buddies up when a V Twin half their size can stay beside them in a stop light contest.
My CX650E was bought only two months ago (May 2007). It was built in 1987, and should serve as an extra bike next to my wife's BMW and my MV Agusta. To be honest, I fell in love with the CX the moment I laid eyes on it. It has got character, and so far it hasn't failed me. The rubbers holding the saddle have deteriorated and it isn't spic and span anymore, no wonder after 20 years of service. This bike is pure fun, and it is actually competing for my favor with my trusted MV Agusta (F4 750s). That says it all!
Last year my son wanted a bike, so we looked around and found a 1984 CX650E. As soon as I saw it, I had to have it. It was in pretty good condition. This year he bought a new crotch rocket, so the CX is now mine. The only problem I have is I'm short, so I have to wear shoes with some height.
I have a 1980 Maxim I bought new, that is in a million parts. Now with the CX, I don't know if the Maxim will ever get finished. I never thought I would like this kind of bike, but I think it's great.
For the fellow that says his bike was built in 1987, the CX650e was only made in 1983 and 1984, and only in Canada. Strange that the US didn't get it.
I've had my 1983 model for a few years, and have thoroughly enjoyed it. It is a great commuter bike. The abundance of torque gives it excellent, around town drive-ability.
The handling does take a bit of getting used to, but once familiar with the way it handles, one is able to toss it around with aplomb.
I love the sound of the motor at full throttle - it really growls. This bike is also deceptively quick. I have left more than 1 Harley in the dust.
This coming year the bike will be eligible for collector plates. The bike has 67,000 kilometres on the odometer, and the only thing that has needed replacement are the fork seals.
George Clarke - Vancouver, Canada.
I bought my CX650E new in 1983. I rode it consistently up till 2004 when the rear calliper seized, and I haven't got round to repairing it. I used to go camping in the New England States for about 5 days every year, and that bike was perfect for the job. The only drawback was the lack of a decent fairing during inclement weather.
Even the 1982 Aspencade I used to tour on for a couple of years didn't provide the kind of fun I had on the CX. I now have a Suzuki GSX1100G, but I will never sell the CX. It is/was a much under rated motorcycle.
I bought my CX650E in rather tatty condition 4 years ago, and have slowly been improving the worn bits, but they are only decorative so don't prevent me from actually getting out on the open road.
The bike runs very well, has never given me any trouble whatsoever, and just keeps trundling along no matter how far the ride, (which in Australia can be very long!)
I agree that it is a bit of a dog around town at slow speed, but who wants to ride around town anyway.
Being only 5ft2 I have had it lowered an inch and still have to wear big boots, but can't seem to find anything to beat this bike.
Does anyone know where to get parts for a 83 Honda CX650E? I live in New York, and when I bought this bike as a project bike, I had no idea it was European, so I have no way of getting parts so far.
Thanks for any leads you guys can suggest.
I bought a CX650 in early 1996 (84 model I think) - it was the worst bike I have ever owned. Everything broke, and some bizarre things happened, like the ignition switch melted. In 2 months I replaced the rear brake caliper, timing chain, radiator, and most of the electrics.
It was very top heavy, but having said all that it did handle well. Sold it 3 months later in disgust.
It's yet another bad example of 80's Honda engineering - big on design quirks, low on build quality.
As for where to get parts in the states, you're pretty much stuck with eBay, and especially eBay Canada. I've been perusing for the last month or so, and the best I can tell, there are about six of us in the states with CX650E's. Not a big market for parts.
That said, if you're looking for something in particular, shoot me an email (rcw@wolfteck.com). You never know what I might have laying around.
Also:
http://stores.ebay.ca/The-Honda-CX650E-Store