Everything you need to know about the Honda Ascot 

That’s my bike! At least it used to be. Bought it in 89. Sold it in 21. Put that USMC sticker on it myself. Rode it in college, then gave it to my Dad who kept it until I retired in 15. It needed more work than I had time to devote, so I sold it. So glad to see it in the hands of someone who appreciates it enough to get it back on the road!

Forgot to mention one of the big advances you didn’t mention was that there were three valves per cylinder and it made about 45hp almost 100 hp per liter. Love the USMC sticker on the tank. I was in the Marines when I bought mine.

I worked in the parts dept of a Honda dealer when this bike was new. I loved the flat track style.

I used to have one of the FT bikes for commuter. The thing would to wheelies so easy! I also had the full touring version of the CX500 called the GL500 interstate.

Thank you. I have a red one that has been sitting for the last ten years. I never had it on the road, this year I will put it on the road. It sounds nice.

Fact. the Ascot 500 was the first on/off road bike made. I owned one. I had the semi knobby tires that allowed me to ride the streets and then hit the trails and do a little bit of dirt bike riding on the mud flats as well. Many of times in my youth I would lose a few "Ahem" people in the trail parks. I wished I never sold mine but I needed the money to buy a house, which I still own. So yea great little bike and that's what I did with it.

I agree. I keep my bikes stock too including huge OEM blinkers and rear fender/mud guards.

Wrong information. I worked for a very large multi-line dealership 1982-1987. The VT500 did not sell at all. We sold literally a couple. The CX500 had NOTHING to do with this. It did not sell either. We did sell some non-current CX500D, and CX500C because they were pretty and were very cheap. The VT was pooly timed. It had to compete with the VT500C, VF500F, VF500C, CB550C, 2nd gen CB650SC Nighthawk just within it's own stable. The FT500 did not sell at all. Ad in all the really nice Kawasakis, Yamahas, and Suzukis, and the Ascot had too much competition. The VT500 Ascots were fun to ride and very nice bikes. Just overshadowed.

You didn´t tell it have 4 sparkplugs!

I had one for 10 years. It was a good bike that never gave me trouble but I found it uncomfortable with the high sport like seat and I was a bit large for it I always felt goofy riding it.

Great video thanks 👍

You need to get the correct sized tires, everyone replaces the fronts for shorter rubber and I see someone did to your rear too, makes for twitchy turns and fast-reading speedo. You should know there are 4 spark plugs on these, the inner ones are kind of tricky to get at so often people don't notice them and neglect to change them :/ The side handles you have are all they are on these, just a rounded bolt-on plate with 2 pegs for cargo cables - never seen one used on these bikes either haha The Pearl Siren Blue is a real magical color, if you can polish up the body panels the metallic flake in the sun is incredible! Just be careful because only the tank and side covers are clearcoated after paint, the rear cowl and front fender are single-stage paint so they can be buffed through pretty easily.... Hipsters are steered off by the prices of these, when they're up and running they're worth every penny! And they don't take much to run, and once there they are insanely reliable - and like you said a total BLAST to ride!! These are total diamonds in the dark, I've restored many and every single one has made the owner happier than can be! If you ever want to make yours faster you know who to get ahold of :)

Nice share - thanks.

I nice, cleanly styled bike. It Looks like the little brother of my favorite, the V4 1100cc Sabre. Down with transformer looking bikes!

Stock exhaust is nice on what is if memory serves is an 80s, bike will be quiet and give best power from engine with stock exhaust and airbox, the black chrome did tend to rot which is why they are often tatty or replaced. 500cc twin will do about 120mph so not that slow. As for size it's a middleweight not dinky toy small as you seem to think unless your comparing to HDs or something.

Nice rustoration

Just picked up a nice, clean red 84 with 12k on it! Great video!

I have an 84 Ascot and i wanted to ask where you purchased the braided SS brake line?

I do love the bike also the way it looks rides nothing I would change and it's actually faster than my dad's 01 sabre 1100

I rode one in 1987.they are what they arre.

getting one this week

Ive just watched this after seening FortNine's vid on the same bike. I wonder if Ryan would do another vid on it and show the small engineering details that have not been carried over to save money. Just Saying.

I've been looking for the kill switch and start module for my 84 VT. Do you know if anybody does repairs or carry this part? I have the Shadow's module and it works but I still want the original look.

I have one for sale in Dodge City, Ks! Only has 2,485 miles.

Je veux la version française. Et comment on démonte la roue arrière.

The bike has 2 spark plugs PER CYLINDER, for a total of 4.

J'ai la VT 500 c

And mine has 2k miles insane

I had á 1992 ,650 sv Revere Honda, direct evolution from this bike, it sounds exactly the same ! , I regret selling it!

Honda .....😁😀

If you only change the two spark plugs, you need to get two more. You missed the the one in the top of each head. This was my first bike, I naught in new for 1900 in 85. Was the last one at the dealership. The hand holds are had hold and lift handhold and the lugs inside were for bungie cords to attach. I used to carry a surprising amount of gear bungied to the seat. I didn’t have the luggage rack. That always a Honda line accessory that was impossible to find after they ended production. I still have my ascot, but it is not in riding condition.

Did you just steal this whole video from motard squid?

The hipsters are gonna ruin it