Which Model CX / GL Do You Have?
Remember that with bikes this old, there has probably been some interchanging of parts between models. For example, a CX500Z fitted with a Eurosport engine and B model wheels, yet lacking the flyscreen and polished aluminium radiator shrouds. However the frame number dictates the original model.
Most North American models have only one front disc brake, whereas European variants have twin front discs.
|
Model
|
Frame
Numbers
|
Distinguished
By
|
|
Original CX500 (Z, or zero) |
CX500 - 2003736 to CX500 - 2051719 1978 : CX500 - 2000001 onwards 1979 : CX500 - 2100006 onwards My June 1979 German CX500 had a CX500 - 300xxxx number - technically a Z but I rebuilt it as an A. |
Barrel shaped front brake master cylinder; black tabs where the Comstar wheel spokes join the wheel rims; black plastic one piece radiator shroud; no flyscreen; rear drum brake. Steering lock on the left side of the headstock. Engine breather pipes from cylinder heads to T-pipe junction thence to airbox (the "B" model bottle conversion is often done to these engines). Early cam chain failure on frame numbers 2000001-2034366 Paint is not metallic; CDI ignition UK registrations are S, T and V. All 500s (except Turbo) have mechanicallly-drived fans bolted to the nose of the camshaft. All 500cc (except Turbo) cylinder heads are interchangeable. ZAB fuel tanks are interchangeable and these also fit the C with minor modifications. |
|
CX500A
|
1980 : CX500 - 2200013 onwards
|
As "Z" but with rectangular shaped front brake master cylinder; polished aluminium alloy two piece (left and right) radiator shrouds; flyscreen; metallic paint; CDI Ignition, steering lock on the left side of the headstock. UK registrations are V and W. |
|
CX500B
|
1981 :
CX500 - 2300004 onwards
|
As "A" but with reversed black anodised Comstar wheel spokes. Steering lock built into the ignition lock. Bottle conversion to engine breather pipes, with direct pipe to airbox and cylinder head breather stubs blanked off during casting. UK registrations are W, X and Y. |
|
CX500C
|
1979 : PC01 - 2000017 onwards 1980 : PC01 - 2100018 to PC01 - 2125022 1981 : PC010 - BM200006 to BM212752 1982 : PC010 - CM300001 to CM307389 |
Custom variant High handlebars Teardrop shaped tank CDI ignition, manual cam chain tensioner. Rear drum brake |
|
CX500C-B
|
PC01 - 2200006
onwards
|
The only UK custom variant. Steering lock on the left side of the headstock. UK registrations are W, X and Y. |
|
CX500D
|
1979 : PC01 - 40000006 onwards 1980 : PC01 - 41000002 to 4107865 1981 : PC011 - BM200011 to BM205030 |
Deluxe custom
|
|
CX500E-C
|
PC06 - 2000029
onwards
|
"Eurosport" UK and European variant. Black anodised portions of the engine casing; monoshock; air forks. Automatic cam chain tensioner. Twin piston, twin caliper front brake and single twin piston caliper rear brake. Plastic or glass fibre front mudguard. Fuel gauge. Steering lock integral to the ignition lock on this and all subsequent models. UK registrations are Y, A and B. |
|
GL500
|
1981 : PC020 - BM00022 to BM007550 1982 : PC020 - CM100001 onwards |
Silver Wing.
Hard-luggage fully faired tourer; electronic ignition but manual cam chain
tensioner.
|
|
GL500I
|
1981 : PC021 - BM000007 to BM004396 1982 : PC021 - CM100001 onwards |
Silver Wing
Interstate
|
|
GL500D-C
|
not available
|
UK touring
variant
|
|
CX500TC "Turbo" |
1982-84 Sample frame number P00-32001081 Sample engine number P00-32001001 |
Faired turbocharged
variant of CX500 Eurosport. 5,343 built, with 5,257 shipped, of which
200 came to the UK. Imports have headlights permanently on; UK models
can turn them off. 82 bhp. UK registrations A, B, C
|
|
CX650C
|
1983
: RC110 - DM000018 onwards
|
Custom. Electronic ignition, automatic cam chain tensioner, twin piston caliper brakes, rear disc brake. All 650s thermostatically-controlled electric cooling fans. |
|
CX650E-D
|
not available, but a correspondent quotes RC122002050 as a valid UK frame number. More welcomed 1983-86 |
UK Eurosport variant. Electronic ignition, automatic cam chain tensioner, twin piston caliper brakes, rear disc brake. UK registrations are Y, A, B and C. |
|
GL650
|
1983
: RC100 - DM000004 onwards
|
650 variant
of the GL500.
|
|
GL650 D2-E
|
RC10E - 41001
onwards
|
ditto
|
|
GL650I
|
1983
: RC101 - DM0000018 onwards
|
Silver Wing
Interstate
|
|
CX650T "Turbo" |
1984-6
|
Faired turbocharged
variant of CX650 Eurosport. 1,777 built, with 1,749 shipped, of which
150 came to the UK. Imports have headlights permanently on; UK models
can turn them off. 120 bhp. UK registrations B, C, D
|