The Honda CB500 is a naked motorcycle which was produced by Honda

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...

 from 1993 to 2003. It is popular with riding schools and motorcycle couriers and is suited as a commuter bike It is raced in the United Kingdom in the Honda CB500 Cup

Honda CB500 Cup

The Honda CB500 Cup is now a three-make motorcycle racing series based in the United Kingdom. For the 2009 season the series is now run by the Thundersport GB club and the name has been changed to "Thundersport500". This re-branded class also allows two other 500cc twin machines to compete, namely...

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A half-faired variant called the Honda CB500S was produced from 1998 to 2003.
Production ceased in 2003 as the engine could not meet Euro 2 emission regulations

European emission standards

European emission standards define the acceptable limits for exhaust emissions of new vehicles sold in EU member states. The emission standards are defined in a series of European Union directives staging the progressive introduction of increasingly stringent standards.Currently, emissions of...

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Engine

The 499 cc parallel twin DOHC engine was designed, according to Honda engineers, to last for 300,000 km. One bike was tested by Moto Revue from 1993 to 1996. Dismantled at 50000 kilometres (31,068.6 mi), the engine was in perfect condition. At 100000 kilometres (62,137.3 mi) only the distribution chain and the pistons were replaced, although, in the tester's opinion, it could have run with the original parts for longer with no problems.

Type	Aluminium liquid-cooled eight-valve parallel twin with balancer shaft
Capacity	499 cc
Bore x stroke	73 millimetre
Compression	10.5:1
Camshafts	Dual overhead cams, chain driven
Carbs	2 x 34mm flat-slide Keihin VPs
Ignition	Digital transistorised, electronic advance
Clutch	Wet multi-plate
Fuel	Unleaded petrol 91 octane minimum

CB500-R (1994-1995)

First model. Naked version only, rear drum brake. Nissin front brake. Made in Japan.

CB500-V (November 1996)

Front brake changes to Brembo

Brembo

Brembo S.p.A. is a manufacturer of automotive brake systems, especially for high-performance cars and motorcycles. It was established in Bergamo, Italy in 1961. Soon after the company was formed, it specialised in disc brakes, which were exclusively imported from the United Kingdom at the time...

, rear brake changes to Brembo disk brake. Silver wheels. CB500 cup race series starts. Special silver model with cup logo introduced. Production moved to Italy.

CB500-W & CB500S-W (1998)

CB500-W (naked bike). CB500-SW first 'sport' half-faired model with new headlight, clocks and bar layout.