In the late 70s to early 80s, Honda developed the CX500 model with visual similarities in engine layout to that of Moto Guzzi’s. This page is dedicated to showing the details of this street-tracker inspired build based off the CX500 platform with details on the modifications to this mini cruiser’s transformation in an attempt to bring it’s aesthetic into the 21st century.

COMPACT RADIATOR

The stock radiator is about twice the size and arguably excessive for this engine’s design. An international spec, Honda Jade (CB250) model radiator was sourced and mounted to custom brackets with the fan being triggered by a temperature sensor. With just shy of 2k miles on initial break-in, the fan is seldom triggered except for extended periods of idling at a stand still, equivalent to that of any/all other water cooled engines, and doesn’t seem to run for all that long. Therefore, the volume of coolant circulated through the smaller radiator is sufficient for this application.

TAIL LIGHT LENS

A piece of acrylic was cut, shaped, filed & sanded to mimic the design of the seat pan while also housing an integrated LED light which emits tail, brake, and turn signal lights.

SPOKED WHEELS

The front end was adapted from a CB550 model to take advantage of the thicker forks along with the front spoked wheel. The rear hub was disassembled and re-adapted to be laced to an 18″ rear rim.