Featured New Project - But Not A Triumph

I recently decided that I needed a project to get stuck into. The Tiger has a new exhaust - about as far as I can go there and the Bonnie has been altered a bit and will have a few more modifications but mainly under the skin and all in good time.
So, me and a mate decided at Poole bike night after seeing two rather splendid BMW "Airhead" cafe racers that we might do the same only they is way too expensive! Like the cylinder arrangement and the shaft drive though and then a few bikes down we spot the possible cheap alternative - the much maligned "Plastic maggot" or Honda CX500. (The Germans called it "Gullepumpe" - get Winglad to translate).
Mine has literally just arrived, delivered to my door with 12 months MOT, full tank of petrol and two almost new tyres and half customised already. My mate has bought one but it is still in Walsall and is a 1983 Custom stock bike.
Main job will be sorting out the rats nest of wiring and making the instruments/ dash layout how I want it, and the tank but the frame has been shortened and the seat and rear light will do just fine for now! Not too bad for £875.00.

 

Yes! The water pump seal - almost as famous a weak spot as the early cam chain tensioner!

 

That's the one! Will keep posting pics

 

Cheers mate it's a bit tatty and needs redoing so I might try it in black.

 

Easy answer - they have enjoyed a bit of a cult following, as often happens with things that were not particularly popular when first introduced, the engine is solid and reliable (ask an 80's London dispatch rider) - apart from the very early cam tensioner problems - and they make an excellent basis for a cafe racer, tracker or scrambler conversion (see The Bike Shed or Bike EXIF). Relatively short wheelbase, V- twin engine and shaft drive - bloody cheap compared to an R80!

Started the strip down last night:
Tank and carbs off. My god that wiring's a mess! (another job then)

 

Latest pictures as I progress through the strip down.
Carbs are all done - stripped, cleaned and jets and gaskets replaced.
Now for the wiring - what was the idiot doing!

Pleased with the clocks though - they used to be like this!

 

I wondered if you did - I believe they were the weapon of choice for you boys!
Mines the later model with the automatic cam chain tensioner - but need to watch the water pump seal. (I'll change it anyway as the engine is now coming out)

 

Cheers mate that is a useful link

 

Good pics mate.
Mine looks like this at the moment!