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.
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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. The brakes were dual piston, front and rear.
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 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.
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. The serial number began JH2PC070*EM100001.