Honda Ascot (motorcycle)

The Honda Ascot was a name given to two motorcycles produced by Honda in the early 1980s. The motorcycles that carried the name, the FT500 and VT500FT, were produced with the Ascot name between 1982 and 1984.

For automobiles marketed under that name, see Honda Ascot.
HONDA FT500 motorcycles

FT500 (1982)

The Honda Ascot, designated FT500, was sold in 1982 in the colors Monza Red or Black. The tank stripes and the "FT500" decal were gray and silver on the red bike and red and orange on the black bike. On American bikes, the speedometer was limited to 85 mph (135 km/h) as was required, in other markets the bike received a 180 km/h (112 mph) speedo.[1] The headlight was rectangular and so were the instruments. The engine was a 498 cc SOHC, 4-valve single-cylinder with 8.6:1 compression ratio, and one carburetor, producing 35 PS (26 kW) at 6500 rpm. This balance shaft-equipped engine was derived from that of the Honda XL500 enduro motorcycle, but tuned for highway usage through the use of a vacuum carburetor and other adjustments.[2] The transmission was a 5-speed (1st=2.462:1 2nd=1.647:1 3rd=1.250:1 4th=1.000:1 5th=0.840:1), also from the XL 500 but with tempered gears and a stronger chain. Stock gearing is 15/42 (3.71:1). The brakes were single piston disc front and rear and the bike has an electric starter, foregoing a kickstart entirely.[1] The 156 kg (344 lb) motorcycle had a top speed of about 150 km/h (93 mph) and achieved an average fuel economy of 48 mpg. The serial numbers began with JH2PC0708CM000019.

FT500 (1983)

The 1983 FT500 was also sold in Monza Red or Black. The tank and side cover stripes on the red bike were white and blue; but on the black bike they were silver and red. The headlight and instruments were rectangular. The speedometer had a 120 mph (195 km/h) limit. The engine remained the 498 cc OHC, 4-valve single cylinder with one carburetor. The transmission was a 5-speed. The serial number began JH2PC070*DM100001. The brakes were dual piston, front and rear.

VT500FT (1983)

The 1983 VT500FT Ascot received a twin engine rather than the single-cylinder used on earlier models. It was sold in one of two colors: Pearl Siren Blue or Candy Bourgogne Red. The side cover panel on the blue bike was silver, but on the red bike it was black. The gas tank wing decal was 2-tone. The 2-into-1 exhaust system was black chrome. The engine was a 491 cc OHC 3-valve liquid cooled V-twin linked to a 6-speed transmission (1st: 2.86, 2nd: 1.95, 3rd: 1.55, 4th: 1.28, 5th: 1.07, 6th: 0.87) and a shaft drive. The serial number began JH2PC070*DM100001.

VT500FT'84

The VT500FT'84 Ascot was sold in 1984 in one of two colors: Black or Red. The side cover panel on the black bike was silver, but on the red bike it was black. The gas tank wing decal was 3-tone. The 2-into-1 exhaust system was black chrome. The engine was a 491 cc OHC 3-valve liquid cooled V-twin linked to a 6-speed transmission and a shaft drive. Serial numbers began at JH2PC070*EM100001.

References
  1. Leek, Jan (1982-10-20). "Nostalgihoj som fungerar" [Nostalgia bike that works]. Teknikens Värld (in Swedish). Vol. 34 no. 22. Stockholm, Sweden: Specialtidningsförlaget AB. p. 47.
  2. Leek, p. 46
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