VT500 Honda Ascot...

[AAAltered]

Well I'm being given an 83/84 Ascot twin V 500.  Going to pick it up next week.

Anyone know anything about them? 

They seem well regarded....

[m in sc]

thats VERY cool.

basically a shadow 500 motor. lots of fun. i wouldnt mind one     very good indeed.

[Dvsrd]

Pretty much a factory built street tracker. Very cool. Even more so if a VT750 or Even a Hawk 650 engine could be wedged in

[Organicjedi]

I always thought these were neat. The shaft drive is confusing to me though.

It's like the bike has an identity crisis. Is it a street tracker, dual sport, or cruiser?

[AAAltered]

We will see next week!

[m in sc]

i rode the shadow version once up near little Switzerland in NC, it was surprisingly capapble. 

[~JM~]

...Anyone know anything about them?   

Yes, I do.  That was my first street bike after a long riding absence. I have since owned 2 of the VT500FT version & 2 of the FT500 version. The FT was the first version. It is a 500cc air cooled single (XR/XL500 type engine) with electric start, chain drive & disk brakes on each end. The FT was offered in the USA in 1982-83. The VT500FT is a liquid cooled 500cc V-twin with 6spd OD trans & shaft drive. Disk front & drum rear. It was available in 1983-84. They are both inspired & modeled after the Ascot Raceway Flat Track racers. Great bikes that were offered in the USA at a poor time. Check out: WWW.ASCOT500.COM

https://youtu.be/E3DmbuD5Jxk

[dgorms]

I had a red 83, would run all day at 72- 75 mph and loved it! Would go faster but that was the sweet spot........................................D

[AAAltered]

I got the bike this week, unfortunately it's a turd.  The PO knew something about bikes, he told me via text that the engine has new pistons and rings, and was run with that new stuff for a short period. 

Then he went hipster on it.  Was trying to make a SuperMoto from what I figure.  It's got some sort of USD forks and a cut frame.  With no title, seat, fenders, instruments, etc etc it's a breaker for me.  At least I have a good winter project, dismantling, cleaning, listing and selling all the bits.  I'm sure there's plenty of $20 parts on there so one sale puts me in the green on this one. 

Questions:
- Can anyone identify the forks?  They may be worth a few dollars if I know what they are.
- With these cases, am I better off trying to sell the complete engine, or break it further down?

[Evans Ward]

I'd be disappointed too! Not what I was envisioning either.... Can't help you with an ID on forks but I would recommend trying to sell the engine intact locally in your area. Yep- a good winter breaker project!

[SoCal250]

Wow, he did a pretty good job of ruining that bike.

[dgorms]

All that's missing is the brown 2x6 seat, that makes it a real "Bobber", and me want to puke......................................D

[85RZwade]

That's a damn shame, Ed. Sorry about the disappointment, but I think you've got some semi-late model Honda forks. They look a bunch like the forks on my '04 CRF250X:



The brown anodized caps caught my eye. Showa cast on the axle lugs maybe?

[m in sc]

id make it into something you can mod without guilt. hell, cant be worse than it is.

[The Red Scourge]

Those forks look like KYB forks that came on a lot of CR's.