Hi there! I'm Leonel and this is my site.

Despite its reputation of being ugly ⁽¹⁾, I think the Honda CX is a very cool motorcycle nonetheless. Ugly things can be cool as well. I especially love the weird engine configuration (500 cc V2 mounted sideways) and how it's anchored to the frame.

1. Germans called it "güllepumpe" which means "shit pump" or "manure pump". Others called it the "plastic maggot".

The Honda CX was not sold in Portugal, but a few were imported, so I kept an eye on internet listings and one poped up not far away: a 1980 CX 500 C. Not my preferred version but it's not an issue because the idea was converting it to kind of a "Cafe Racer". It was cheap, neglected and rusty.

It also had documentation issues, it was registered to the previous owner, not the actual seller. The previous owner was out of the country, but I was able to track him down to properly register the motorcycle.

The Honda CX 500 C when I bought it.

It wasn't in great shape, it had loads of rust on it, but the engine ran and sounded great.

Things I did over several months (some with the help of my dad, who is a retired mechanic):

• Stripped it down, painted the frame in satin black and sent the tank to be painted by a professional (in white). Also applied a cool golden Honda wing logo on the tank.
• Rebuilt the front suspension: I dismantled it, cleaned it, changed the oil and seals and also changed the steering bearings in the process. Painted it satin black.
• Made a new seat.
• Cut both the mud guards as they were crumbling with rust, and painted them satin black.
• Replaced the handlebars with a clubman one. Also changed the grips (semitranslucent brown) and levers.
• New headlight and taillight.
• New single exit exhaust. The original one was very corroded and fell appart when I touched it. Still sounded great.
• New brake master cylinder ad rebuilt callipers, new hoses and new brake oil.
• New 18-inch rear wheel, instead of the fat 16-inch wheel of the CX 500 C. Painted them in satin black.
• Stripped the chrome out of the crash bars, and painted them in satin black.
• New Dunlop tyres with a classic look.
• Several small fixes (rev counters, several electrical problems and other small things).

I was pretty happy with the result:

The end result.

Honda CX 500 (customized).

Ended up selling it, and bought the 944. I sometimes regret selling it, it was a pretty cool motorcycle.