The 1978 Honda CX500 combined sporting and touring ambitions. Its liquid-cooled V-twin had a crankshaft running along the motorcycle and an 80-degree angle between the cylinders. Shaft drive powered the rear wheel, with a five-speed gearbox for the rider.
The distinctive detail was the cylinder heads, rotated by 22 degrees. The intake passages tucked inward to leave room for the rider’s legs, while the exhausts angled outward. Each cylinder had four valves, operated by one camshaft through pushrods and rockers.
The CX500 photographed in May 1984 has a front fairing and luggage cases, illustrating its touring role. Looking at the model today, pay attention to the arrangement of its components: the engine’s architecture and the space needed for the rider both contribute to that distinctive silhouette.