81 Honda CX500 vs 85 VT500
 

I'm looking for a cheap cruiser to ride around on and fix up a bit. There are a couple of local bikes that I'm looking at (see title) but I know basically nothing about. The VT500 has less miles, but the CX seems to have had more thorough maintenance. It's recently had a bunch of seals replaced, fluids flushed, carbs rebuilt, etc. Does anyone have any experience with either of these that could help me decide?

I think the cx500 has a pita center camchain but otherwise solid.

get the VT. cx is a guzzi clone ie: sideways engine and shaft drive. any old honda is a solid bet. fresh oil, filters and spark plugs is all they need

The CXs had problems... I would roll with the VT.

They are both shaft driven.

What problems did the CXs have?

^2

The VT500 is a bulletproof and FUN bike (I've had TWO).. the CX is slow, heavy boring, busy sounding and was prone to waterpump failure, crank seal failure, valve issues and general crankiness. As they get older the issues get worse. I know some folks have put many miles on em,(in CX650 guise) and i know folks who spent more time working on them than riding them.

I got the CX, it feels as fast as the VT did and looks a lot better. The 2 guys with the VTs were jerking me around and they both weren't in the best shape compared to the CX. It seems like the valve maintenance is a bit more than a normal bike, but fairly simple. We'll see how it goes.

post pics