Honda Ascot (motorcycle)
Encyclopedia
The Honda Ascot was a name given to two motorcycles produced by Honda
. The motorcycles to carry the name, the FT500
and VT500FT, were produced with the Ascot name between 1982 and 1984.
, a 491 cc OHC 3-valve liquid cooled V-twin
linked to a 6-speed transmission and a shaft drive. The serial number began JH2PC070*DM100001.
There were virtually no differences between the 1983 and 1984 models save for a vacuum controlled fuel tap introduced for '84.
linked to a 6-speed transmission and a shaft drive. The serial number began JH2PC070*EM100001.
The gearbox and shaft final drive were shared with the VT500C Shadow and VT500E Euro models. The Ascot made 48 hp claimed, 2 hp less than the C and E models, a result of having a 2-1 exhaust system. The C model had basically the same exhaust system as the FT, although with one muffler on each side, instead of one on the right side only, emitting from the big collector box sitting under the swingarm behind the engine. The E model had a simpler 2-2 exhaust system with a pipe connecting the two instead of a collector box.
The front wheel and brake is shared with the C model, but the rear wheel is an 18 incher instead of the 16 inch hoop found on the custom. The fuel tank, side covers and tail piece tie together and look very similar to what Honda later featured on the 750 Nighthawk introduced in 1991. Although externally of a normal size, the FT fuel tank only holds 2.5 US gallons due to a big tunnel underneath required to allow ducting between the airbox and carbs that takes up a lot of space underneath. The seat is thinly padded and not suited for long distances. Passengers need not apply for rides that last more than mere minutes.
The Ascot already has good cornering clearance, but those craving more can fit fork springs from for instance Progressive Suspension along with shocks absorbers intended for the V65 Magna, aka VF1100C, that will raise the bike noticeably. Seat height is still fairly low due to the earlier mentioned thinly padded seat.
Handling is light but slow, thanks to lots of rake and trail more befitting a cruiser. The front disc brake and rear drum stop the bike safely while demanding quite a bit of pressure. Engine power is a bit bleak, especially measured against current standards, and a dip in midrange torque makes it hard to cruise in the 110-130 kph / 70-80 mph range in top gear. Shifting down to 5th brings a lot more revs compared to the overdrive sixth gear and alas also the power to maintain cruising speeds even under less than perfect conditions. Unfortunately, with more rpm and power also comes more vibrations from the engine, enough to blur the mirrors and numb hands. 1/4-mile times is in the high 13s. Fuel consumption depends heavily upon how hard the throttle is twisted, delivering between 30 and 70 mpg - a much greater spread than usual - with a typical average of around 50 mpg.
The Ascot twin was developed for the North American market and only made for two years due to lack of interest from the buying public.
Honda
is a Japanese public multinational corporation primarily known as a manufacturer of automobiles and motorcycles.Honda has been the world's largest motorcycle manufacturer since 1959, as well as the world's largest manufacturer of internal combustion engines measured by volume, producing more than...
. The motorcycles to carry the name, the FT500
Honda FT500
The Honda FT500 is a single cylinder, 497cc motorbike produced by Honda during the early 1980s.Honda FT500 Ascot. FT stands for Flat Track. Imported from Japan as a 1982 and 1983 model. Did not sell well in the USA. Originally at dealerships for $2,195, by 1984 the left-over models were a steal at...
and VT500FT, were produced with the Ascot name between 1982 and 1984.
FT500'82
The Honda Ascot, designated FT500'82, was sold in 1982. 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. The speedometer was limited to 85 mph (135 km/h). 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. 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). Stock gearing is 15/42(3.71:1). The brakes were single piston disk front and rear. Top speed: 85+ mph. Fuel mileage: 48+ mpg. The serial numbers began with JH2PC0708CM000019.FT500'83
The FT500'83 was sold in 1983 in one of two colors: 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 was a 498 cc OHC, 4-valve single cylinder with one carburetor. The transmission was a 5-speed. The serial number began JH2PC070*DM100001.VT500FT'83
The VT500FT'83 Ascot was sold in 1983 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 the Honda VT500Honda VT500
VT500 is a common name for the family of Honda motorcycles sharing the VT500 engine; Ascot, Shadow and Euro.-Specification:The engine is a 491cc liquid-cooled V-twin 4 stroke....
, a 491 cc OHC 3-valve liquid cooled V-twin
V-twin
A V-twin engine is a two-cylinder internal combustion engine where the cylinders are arranged in a V configuration.- Crankshaft configuration :Most V-twin engines have a single crankpin, which is shared by both connecting rods...
linked to a 6-speed transmission and a shaft drive. The serial number began JH2PC070*DM100001.
There were virtually no differences between the 1983 and 1984 models save for a vacuum controlled fuel tap introduced for '84.
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-twinV-twin
A V-twin engine is a two-cylinder internal combustion engine where the cylinders are arranged in a V configuration.- Crankshaft configuration :Most V-twin engines have a single crankpin, which is shared by both connecting rods...
linked to a 6-speed transmission and a shaft drive. The serial number began JH2PC070*EM100001.
The gearbox and shaft final drive were shared with the VT500C Shadow and VT500E Euro models. The Ascot made 48 hp claimed, 2 hp less than the C and E models, a result of having a 2-1 exhaust system. The C model had basically the same exhaust system as the FT, although with one muffler on each side, instead of one on the right side only, emitting from the big collector box sitting under the swingarm behind the engine. The E model had a simpler 2-2 exhaust system with a pipe connecting the two instead of a collector box.
The front wheel and brake is shared with the C model, but the rear wheel is an 18 incher instead of the 16 inch hoop found on the custom. The fuel tank, side covers and tail piece tie together and look very similar to what Honda later featured on the 750 Nighthawk introduced in 1991. Although externally of a normal size, the FT fuel tank only holds 2.5 US gallons due to a big tunnel underneath required to allow ducting between the airbox and carbs that takes up a lot of space underneath. The seat is thinly padded and not suited for long distances. Passengers need not apply for rides that last more than mere minutes.
The Ascot already has good cornering clearance, but those craving more can fit fork springs from for instance Progressive Suspension along with shocks absorbers intended for the V65 Magna, aka VF1100C, that will raise the bike noticeably. Seat height is still fairly low due to the earlier mentioned thinly padded seat.
Handling is light but slow, thanks to lots of rake and trail more befitting a cruiser. The front disc brake and rear drum stop the bike safely while demanding quite a bit of pressure. Engine power is a bit bleak, especially measured against current standards, and a dip in midrange torque makes it hard to cruise in the 110-130 kph / 70-80 mph range in top gear. Shifting down to 5th brings a lot more revs compared to the overdrive sixth gear and alas also the power to maintain cruising speeds even under less than perfect conditions. Unfortunately, with more rpm and power also comes more vibrations from the engine, enough to blur the mirrors and numb hands. 1/4-mile times is in the high 13s. Fuel consumption depends heavily upon how hard the throttle is twisted, delivering between 30 and 70 mpg - a much greater spread than usual - with a typical average of around 50 mpg.
The Ascot twin was developed for the North American market and only made for two years due to lack of interest from the buying public.