1981 Honda CX 500 Specifications

Name: 1981 Honda CX 500
Brand: Honda

Naked bike • Specs last verified 13 July 2026

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1981 Honda CX 500 Overview

For 1981, Honda offers the CX 500 as a naked bike motorcycle with 497 cc on tap. The 1981 Honda CX 500 is built around a Four stroke, longitudinal 800 V-twin cylinder, camshaft nestles at the base of the V between the cylinders. ,OHV, 4 valves per cylinder operated by pushrods engine, a compression ratio of 10.0:1. Out on the road, the CX 500 delivers 50 hp @ 9000 rpm of peak power and 46 Nm @ 7000 rpm of torque. Flat out, it's quoted at 180 km/h. In everyday use, the 1981 CX 500 tips the scales at 205 kg and carries a 17-litre fuel tank. Every technical detail, from suspension travel to tyre sizes, is covered in the full 1981 Honda CX 500 spec sheet below.

1981 CX 500 - Pros & Cons

Strengths

Strong power output: Peak output on the CX 500 is 50 hp @ 9000 rpm and 46 Nm @ 7000 rpm of torque - strong numbers for what it is.
Low-maintenance final drive: Shaft final drive is about as close to maintenance-free as motorcycle drivetrains get.

Considerations

Carburetor fuelling: Carburetion is more hands-on than fuel injection - plan on periodic jetting and cleaning as part of routine ownership.

Wear Points & Servicing Notes

Carburetor maintenance

Being carbureted, the CX 500 is more sensitive to stale fuel and altitude changes than a fuel-injected bike - a carb clean and rejet restores crisp throttle response after any extended lay-up.

Brake disc and pad wear

2x 275mm discs up front provides the primary stopping power; inspect disc thickness and pad wear at each tyre change to catch scoring before it becomes a rotor replacement.

Suspension condition on used examples

Suspension duties are handled by 33mm Showa telehydraulic fork up front and Swinging arm fork with adjustable shocks absorbers at the rear. Weeping fork seals aren't a dealbreaker on a used bike, but they're a fair basis for negotiating price.

Final drive maintenance

Shaft final drive on the CX 500 removes chain and belt maintenance entirely - the trade-off is a little extra unsprung weight and periodic gear-oil changes.

CX 500 - Buying & Maintenance Guide

What to check before buying

A pre-purchase check on the 1981 Honda CX 500 should cover the same ground every time: service history, chain and sprocket condition, and any oil seepage around the casings. Start it from cold if you can - a well-kept CX 500 settles to a smooth idle within seconds.

Oil and filter changes

Oil changes are the cheapest insurance you can buy for a CX 500's engine - keep to the manufacturer's interval rather than stretching it. Use the viscosity grade the manual specifies, not whatever's on sale.

Carburetor upkeep

A CX 500 that's sat unused is almost always a carb-cleaning job before it runs right again - float bowls and pilot jets first, since they clog before anything else.

1981 Honda CX 500 - Frequently Asked Questions

What engine does the 1981 Honda CX 500 have?

The 1981 Honda CX 500 uses a Four stroke, longitudinal 800 V-twin cylinder, camshaft nestles at the base of the V between the cylinders. ,OHV, 4 valves per cylinder operated by pushrods engine with 497 cc of displacement.

What is the top speed of the 1981 Honda CX 500?

The 1981 Honda CX 500 has a factory-quoted top speed of 180 km/h. Real-world speeds vary depending on rider weight, conditions and state of tune.

How much does the 1981 Honda CX 500 weigh?

The 1981 Honda CX 500 weighs 205 kg. This is the manufacturer's dry figure.

How much power does the 1981 Honda CX 500 make?

The 1981 Honda CX 500 produces 50 hp @ 9000 rpm of power and 46 Nm @ 7000 rpm of torque. These are peak figures.

What is the fuel tank capacity of the 1981 Honda CX 500?

The 1981 Honda CX 500 has a 17-litre fuel tank. At around 5-6 litres per 100 km, that is roughly 283-340 km between stops.

What brakes does the 1981 Honda CX 500 have?

The 1981 Honda CX 500 uses 2x 275mm discs at the front and 160mm Drum at the rear.

What tyre sizes does the 1981 Honda CX 500 use?

The 1981 Honda CX 500 runs 3.25-19 front and 3.75-18 rear tyres. A good selection of sport, touring and all-weather rubber is available in these sizes.

What gearbox does the 1981 Honda CX 500 have?

The 1981 Honda CX 500 is fitted with a 5 Speed transmission.

Honda CX 500 Spec Evolution

The Honda CX 500 was produced across 3 model years (1978-1981). The table below highlights the key specifications that changed across the production run - useful whether you are comparing years or tracking down a specific variant.

Specification	1978	1979	1981
Fuel Induction	2x 34mm Keihin carburetors	2x 34mm Keihin carbs.	2x 34mm Keihin carbs.

Key Specifications

Engine

Four stroke, longitudinal 800 V-twin cylinder, camshaft nestles at the base of the V between the cylinders. ,OHV, 4 valves per cylinder operated by pushrods

Power

50 hp / 37.2 kW @ 9000 rpm

Torque

46 Nm / 33.9 lb-ft @ 7000 rpm

Top Speed

180 km/h / 112 mph

Weight

205 kg / 452 lbs

Fuel Capacity

17 Litres / 4.4 US gal

Full 1981 Honda CX 500 Specifications

Year 1980 - 81

Make Model Honda CX 500

Dry Weight 205 kg / 452 lbs

Fuel Capacity 17 Litres / 4.4 US gal

Top Speed 180 km/h / 112 mph

Max Power 50 hp / 37.2 kW @ 9000 rpm

Max Torque 46 Nm / 33.9 lb-ft @ 7000 rpm

Standing Start ¼ Mile 14.0 sec / 93 mph

Displacement 497 cc / 30.3 cu-in

Engine Detail Four stroke, longitudinal 800 V-twin cylinder, camshaft nestles at the base of the V between the cylinders. ,OHV, 4 valves per cylinder operated by pushrods

Bore x Stroke 78 x 52 mm

Compression Ratio 10.0:1

Fuel Consumption 43 mpg

Fuel Induction 2x 34mm Keihin carbs.

Ignition CDI

Starter Electric

Clutch Wet, multi-plate, 5-speed

Final Drive Shaft

Transmission / Drive 5 Speed

Suspension - Front 33mm Showa telehydraulic fork

Suspension - Rear Swinging arm fork with adjustable shocks absorbers

Wheel Travel - Front 132 mm / 5.1 in

Wheel Travel - Rear 84 mm / 3.3 in

Brakes - Front 2x 275mm discs

Brakes - Rear 160mm Drum

Tyres - Front 3.25-19

Tyres - Rear 3.75-18

Specifications are compiled from manufacturer documentation and cross-referenced technical sources, and corrected on an ongoing basis. Spot an error? Let us know.