Margot the Maggot

[CTB]

Carry on from “A Good Day Out” thought I would start a new thread on progress with my CX500.

Margot has covered circa 54,000 miles and has been ridden by her previous owner every year for 38 years, I have all the Old MOT’s and Tax discs as evidence. This I think is remarkable. And credit to the last owner who maintained her very well.

Although Pantera fairings are very period for this bike, I can understand why they were fitted when the bike was a work horse for work journeys, however now Margot is in retirement I intend to give her a little tlc and remove that heavy fairing.

The fairing was fitted in 1988 at a bargain price of £300.45. It is better quality than the a Rickman in my opinion and was fitted without cutting up the original wiring.

[CTB]

Four bolts and one electrical plug socket and Margot is free from the fibreglass dress 😃

[CTB]

Removing the wiring for the fairing was not so easy, as I said early no damage was done to the Honda wiring, just a small amount of heat shrink was needed to cover up damage to the plastic coating on the wires.

[CTB]

Thankfully Philip, the previous owner, had kept all the parts taken off and kindly gave them to me when I collected Margot.

Unfortunately I forgot to take photos of the works involved, similar to the super dream it is very important to get the wiring and plugs correctly fitted in the headlight bowl, if it’s not the light will not fit.

Fortunately I had a photo of duffers bike and the Honda workshop manual to help me.

[CTB]

I hope you will agree with me that Margot looks far prettier already 😊

[comstar]

Do you think you will end up flogging the fairing or keep it?

[CTB]

Jul 2, 2023 3:01:07 GMT comstar said:

Do you think you will end up flogging the fairing or keep it?

Don’t think anyone would want it, probably just keep it so I can pass it on if and when I let Margot go to another custodian,

[CTB]

Although the fairing was easy to remove the frame that supported it was not so easy. Once removed it was time to smarten the radiator up.

[CTB]

Just a few bits of tlc to tidy things up, she could really do with a complete strip down to paint the frame and engine, maybe a job for the winter months.

[CTB]

So onto a quick oil and filter change along with valve clearances and cam chain adjustment. Nice easy jobs.



All done and ready for a ride out 👍

[CTB]

Ride out was really sweet, I can report that the riding position is almost identical to the super dream, acceleration is brisk even compared to the 400 super dream.
Brakes are good and water temperature was steady. Seat is super comfortable.
Only issues are the collector box has a small hole so she’s blowing a bit and the front tyre is out of shape 😲.
Overall very impressed.

[duffer]

So now you've fixed it.... got any bits left ?? 🤣👍

[comstar]

Jul 4, 2023 16:21:27 GMT duffer said:

So now you've fixed it.... got any bits left ?? 🤣👍

Perhaps at least an engine and fuel tank…..

I’ll get my coat.  

[davefirestorm]

Saw a CX collector box for sale  at the VJMC autojumble Saturday. Looking forward to meeting Margot I have good memories of riding my brothers new CX in 1978 I actualy preferred it to my 550 Four 😎

[davefirestorm]

Met Margot in the flesh and very impressed I was CTB reports bit of a wobble from front ( tyre related I reckon 😁 ) and she suffers from flatulence in the silencers not very lady like but nowt serious ,another good buy CTB👍