What was the Honda VT500FT Ascot made for?
The VT500 Ascot appeared to be the result of some marketing types putting together all their questionable ideas. With the shaft drive it lacked true sportiness, and the weak suspension made expensive upgrades a necessity if anyone wanted to really lean seriously into the corners.
What was the weight of a 1983 Honda Ascot?
1983 Honda VT500FT Ascot. Comstar wheels were running tubeless tires, a 3.50 x 18 on the front, 4.25 x 18 at the back. A single disc was on the front, with a twin-piston caliper, a single-leading-shoe drum on the rear. With the tank full with 2.5 gallons of gas, the wet weight ran 425 pounds.
What was the intended market for the Honda Ascot?
American motorcycle testers could not figure out what the intended market was for this bike. It was competing head-on with the previous Ascot, the single-cylinder FT500 (Retrospective, February 2001), and the two were actually advertised side by side. On what was a buyer supposed to decide his or her purchase?
What kind of engine does a Honda VT500FT have?
The oversquare VT500 engine had a bore of 71mm, a stroke of 62mm, and chain-driven overhead camshafts operating the valve train. Curiously, the heads had three valves apiece, two intake, one large exhaust, a design that engineers claimed increased torque.
Why does my Honda VT500 Ascot not start?
Just got this 83 non running honda vt500 ascot. Having issues. It cranks but doesnt start. My biggest issue right now is the carb, already broke a part. And can’t get the choke cable brass part from inside the carb, it’s fused in there. Managed to get one out, but the other is stuck.
Is the Honda VT500FT Ascot a cult bike?
Some people thought it might become a cult bike, but that never happened. If you wanted a seductively sporty 500cc V-twin, you could always drop $3,500 for the Moto Morini 500 Sport. The new Honda never caught the public’s eye, and sat on the showroom floors, unwanted, unloved, unbought.
Where did the Honda VT500 get its name?
One, the Ascot VT500 is named for Ascot Park, a California track where countless legends have been born. Team Honda races at Ascot and has won there. But they don’t do either there with the Ascot VT500. For TT, Honda runs a special-framed version of the XL600 Single.
1983 Honda VT500FT Ascot. Comstar wheels were running tubeless tires, a 3.50 x 18 on the front, 4.25 x 18 at the back. A single disc was on the front, with a twin-piston caliper, a single-leading-shoe drum on the rear. With the tank full with 2.5 gallons of gas, the wet weight ran 425 pounds.
The VT500 Ascot appeared to be the result of some marketing types putting together all their questionable ideas. With the shaft drive it lacked true sportiness, and the weak suspension made expensive upgrades a necessity if anyone wanted to really lean seriously into the corners.
American motorcycle testers could not figure out what the intended market was for this bike. It was competing head-on with the previous Ascot, the single-cylinder FT500 (Retrospective, February 2001), and the two were actually advertised side by side. On what was a buyer supposed to decide his or her purchase?
The oversquare VT500 engine had a bore of 71mm, a stroke of 62mm, and chain-driven overhead camshafts operating the valve train. Curiously, the heads had three valves apiece, two intake, one large exhaust, a design that engineers claimed increased torque.
What kind of transmission does a Honda Ascot have?
Not bad for a 30-incher. 1983 Honda VT500FT Ascot. Primary drive was by gear, a wet clutch feeding a six-speed transmission, followed by a shaft drive—quite an elaborate arrangement as this required two right-angle connections, out of the gearbox and into the hub.
What kind of wheels did the Honda Ascot have?
1983 Honda VT500FT Ascot. Comstar wheels were running tubeless tires, a 3.50 x 18 on the front, 4.25 x 18 at the back. A single disc was on the front, with a twin-piston caliper, a single-leading-shoe drum on the rear.
How big are the wheels on a 1983 Honda Ascot?
With a rake of 31 degrees, trail of 5.7 inches and a lengthy 58-inch wheelbase, it was not the quickest-turning bike on the block. 1983 Honda VT500FT Ascot. Comstar wheels were running tubeless tires, a 3.50 x 18 on the front, 4.25 x 18 at the back.
Not bad for a 30-incher. 1983 Honda VT500FT Ascot. Primary drive was by gear, a wet clutch feeding a six-speed transmission, followed by a shaft drive—quite an elaborate arrangement as this required two right-angle connections, out of the gearbox and into the hub.