Total Motorcycle Community Forums

Hey guys

I am new to the forum and would first like to thank everyone for their advice on how to start out in the biking world without becoming a streak on the road. I have been riding dirt bikes my whole life, but after riding a motorcycle a couple times, have realized they are two very different things. I am enrolling in a MSF course starting next month.

I bought an old ’81 Honda CX500 a few months ago, and it ran for a while before it started leaking oil. I replaced the gasket, but ran into a few problems after that. I almost have it fixed up and running. Anyways, after reading the posts on here for a few weeks, I decided that I want to try to find a used GS500, for the more sporty look and newbie friendly ratings posted by a few people on here (eventually getting a GSXR hopefully).

Cash is tight and I would be willing to trade the Honda for it, with a little extra money of course. I was wondering how much anyone would think would be a good price in addition to the older bike? Would it be worth it, or would I be better off just keeping the bike as an extra?

Anyways, thank you guys very much for any information you could give me, and all the knowledge you have given me prior to… you guys are really helping out. Look forward to reading more…

I would take the KBB values and compare the two and subtract the difference to find out about how much more you should add in.


Finding someone to trade a GS500 for a 25 year old bike that's having problem, though. That might be tricky.

Thanks for the advise, that's a great idea. I wasn't aware that KBB did bikes also.

Once the parts come in, I should get it running almost perfect. However the blinkers don't work, I have been using hand signals, so that will probably effect it.

Once you get it working, you might just want to keep it. You have probably already spent more money on it then you are going to get out of it.

It might make a nice play bike or something...

How much did you buy it originally? That's a classic bike and I would just keep it after fixing it up. It's always nice to have a second bike anyways and it may turn into a nice cafe racer if you're into that sort of thing.

I originally bought the bike from a friend at work for $200 and have spent about 40 bucks fixing it up. So I have gotten it for very cheap, which is one reason I wouldnt mind selling it, because I figure I could get quite a bit more for it. But I think it is a very sharp looking bike. The only reason I contemplate selling it is because I can't seem to find a gs500 for less than a grand less then what it's worth new. Like I said I have a tight budget, trying to go to school... but if I could find one for about 2-2.5 grand I would gladly take it, without selling the honda. Would anyone know where a cheap used bike shop is in the georgia/florida area?

Yea, the signals kind of worry me.

It is the things behind the side panels, one of the wires is missing and it seems someone did a makeshift job trying to repair it. Not that I am suprised because when I got the bike the gasket was bad and someone tried to fix the oil leak with epoxy, and started leaking shortly after I got it. But anyways the right blinker doesn't work at all and the left blinker, blinks left in the back and right in the front. A bit confusing to people around me, hence the hand signals.

The bike doesn't do real well on the highway either, shakes really bad and maxs out at 85, another reason for the intrest in a newer bike...

i'll second just keeping the cx. You got a good deal, but to me, a decent running bike is worth more to me than the $500 or so you'd get by selling it. Keep it as a backup, or a project bike, but its just not worth selling it.

I agree. It's not worth the 500 dollars, I'd rather just keep it. I was hoping I would acctually get more for it, because I have seen online where people have been selling the same year and model for $1500 or more, but I guess that's just wishful thinking with the electrical repairs that would have to be made.

Thanks for all the advise, I will save the Honda for a good project bike and just keep hunting for a cheap gs500.