A New Motorcyclist

Posted: Sat Jul 16, 2016 3:12 am

Hello!

My two youngest daughters have both made their motorcycle licenses, doing the local AMA course to get it. The older one was quick into wanting a bike, and started searching craiglist and ebay, and fell in love with the Honda Ascot. I honestly did not have much to do with her selection of an old Honda. In her words - It isn't the crotch rocket that everybody else has. How can you go wrong with that thought process.

We found an '84 Ascot (VT500FT) in driving range, and brought it home. Good times!! It turned out to be mechanically good, and the body work is OK. She is happy, and so am I!!

It is definitely a good day when you go riding with your wife and daughter!!

Steve

PS- If anybody has a clutch cable for the Ascot or info where one is to be found, please let me know!! (the VT Ascot, not the FT single cylinder!) Thanks!

Posted: Sat Jul 16, 2016 3:15 am

Love this!

Posted: Sat Jul 16, 2016 3:56 am

That's really cool congrats to you and your daughter enjoy !!!!!

Posted: Sat Jul 16, 2016 8:38 am

Cool bike! Good luck with it

Posted: Sat Jul 16, 2016 10:27 am

Going for a ride has to be the best way to spend quality time with the family. Excellent!
The Ascot looks great.
Same era black ceramic coating on the exhaust as the 1100F. Low mileage on hers?

Posted: Sat Jul 16, 2016 11:18 am

The Ascot looks great! Lovin' the line up pictures.

"Going for a motorcycle ride with the wife and kids" - Life Goal

Posted: Sat Jul 16, 2016 11:29 am

Good for you, Steve! Everyone ride safely!

Posted: Sat Jul 16, 2016 4:01 pm

Excellent, nothing like the Northeast and the Adirondacks for old stuff with low mileage and low use😀.

Great place for new riders. Low traffic, variety of turns, lots of space to evaluate the situation.

Toddk

Posted: Sat Jul 16, 2016 4:43 pm

Thanks, Guys!

The Ascot is a hoot to ride. Light, nimble, OK acceleration, OK brakes, and when somebody asks her what she rides, she can honestly answer "A V-Twin", and leave them guessing!

The bike has almost 22k on it, and no leaks or drips anywhere. I changed every drop of fluid and greased/lubed everything moveable. Put new tires (Shinko 230's) on it and it rides real nice. 20 weight fork oil (to 6 inches from top of tube LOL) with no air works on this bike too! Shaft drive is cool for a new rider. Adjusted 6 valves (2 intakes 1 exhaust per cylinder). No cam chain tension to adjust.

Still have two weird little bulbs to replace in the gauge cluster. Speedo and tach aren't visible in the dark! Of course the bulbs are so weird that you can't find locally. And $3 each at the dealer!!

Steve

Posted: Sat Jul 16, 2016 4:55 pm

I really like the look of that Ascot, pretty cool machine if you ask me, I am in a similar situation with the family rides... pretty cool isn't it....
Ed

Posted: Sat Jul 16, 2016 6:23 pm

FWIW........... the original part # 22870-MF8-770, was superceded to 22870-MF9-700

Our Lightspeed system has a part locator that ties into all dealers on Lightspeed

These dealers show to have this part Honda Yam N 816-421-1515
Red Hills Powersports 850-702-5730
Foothills Motorsports 864-527-7433
RJ Motorsports 218-729-5150

Several of these show to have more than one, so one of them should be able to help you

Good luck

Posted: Sat Jul 16, 2016 6:46 pm

SteveG wrote:

Thanks, Guys!

The Ascot is a hoot to ride. Light, nimble, OK acceleration, OK brakes, and when somebody asks her what she rides, she can honestly answer "A V-Twin", and leave them guessing!

The bike has almost 22k on it, and no leaks or drips anywhere. I changed every drop of fluid and greased/lubed everything moveable. Put new tires (Shinko 230's) on it and it rides real nice. 20 weight fork oil (to 6 inches from top of tube LOL) with no air works on this bike too! Shaft drive is cool for a new rider. Adjusted 6 valves (2 intakes 1 exhaust per cylinder). No cam chain tension to adjust.

Still have two weird little bulbs to replace in the gauge cluster. Speedo and tach aren't visible in the dark! Of course the bulbs are so weird that you can't find locally. And $3 each at the dealer!!

Steve

How's the gas cap? (inside joke). Very Happy

Enjoy every minute with your family and many safe miles.

Chico

Posted: Sat Jul 16, 2016 7:38 pm

hondaron wrote:

FWIW........... the original part # 22870-MF8-770, was superceded to 22870-MF9-700

Our Lightspeed system has a part locator that ties into all dealers on Lightspeed

These dealers show to have this part Honda Yam N 816-421-1515
Red Hills Powersports 850-702-5730
Foothills Motorsports 864-527-7433
RJ Motorsports 218-729-5150

Several of these show to have more than one, so one of them should be able to help you

Good luck

Thanks a ton hondaron!

I had my local Honda dealer send out their request to see if any other dealers had that part and were willing to let it go. I haven't heard from them yet. My dealer has successfully requested NLA stuff for me before with good results.

I will be making some calls!! EDIT: Made some calls and have 2 cables on the way. Just one more reason why this is the best site in the world.

basmn wrote:

I really like the look of that Ascot, pretty cool machine if you ask me, I am in a similar situation with the family rides... pretty cool isn't it....
Ed

Indeed, family rides make my day!

And Chico, this cap is fine!! LOL!

Steve

Posted: Mon Jul 18, 2016 3:13 am

Glad I could help out and you found what you needed.

It's all about keeping old Honda's on the road and yeah this site is the best !!!!

Posted: Mon Jul 18, 2016 4:04 am

Good stuff here.....

Posted: Mon Jul 18, 2016 5:58 pm

I picked up an Ascot several years ago after lusting for one since they came out. A good buddy of mine bought one new and still has it - he's tried everything to kill it but it just wont die - the Keith Richards of motorcycles! Very Happy

If I had to pare my stable down, the last bike to go would be the Ascot.

PS: the original exhaust you have their looks mint - I wish mine looked like that.

Posted: Tue Jul 19, 2016 4:36 pm

Cool Beans Steve! You are a lucky man to have a riding family and some very nice bikes in the stable!!!

Take Care Y'all!
Chris

Posted: Tue Jul 19, 2016 9:49 pm

Steve, jealous of the Ascot. I tried to find one for Jacob but there was none to be found. He had to settle for a CB450SC. How long before they join the NE rides?