Ascot Forum

The Ascot 500 Forum => Welcome => Topic started by: benmuellerb on June 21, 2014, 07:39:03 pm

Title: New Ascot Owner....time for questions!
Post by: benmuellerb on June 21, 2014, 07:39:03 pm
Hello from Seattle, Wa.   After 15 years of not riding, I figured it was time to get back in the saddle.   I purchased an 84' Honda Ascot here (actually is still on your classified section.)  It's a sweet bike, i'd say 90%. She's a runner and solid all around.   As with anyone who like old cars and motorcycles, you got be a tinkerer....so I have a few questions for the pro's here on the board.  I have spent the better part of the last two days searching for specifics on my questions, so please forgive me if I did not find it before.... Being as I want to keep the Ascot as close to "stock" as possible..or "Honda Stock" if you will, so here is my main question (for now):

Not a big fan of the gauge cluster..and it buzzes like crazy and the tach needle is gone, are there any stock Honda clusters that are an easy swap?  I know the Vt500 Shadow is the sister bike, and I would not be above putting the shadow gauges and headlight on the Ascot...does anyone know if this is possible?

my other thought would be a 1984 700SC gauge cluster and bikini fairing on it...they are very similar in style...thought that might look cool.

If there are any other Honda's that have parts interchange with the Ascot I would be interested also. 

Thank you in advance for any input.   Looking forward to hearing from you.


Regards,

Ben
Title: Re: New Ascot Owner....time for questions!
Post by: J6G1Z on June 22, 2014, 11:38:08 am
Congratulations on buying an Ascot & welcome to the forum. Which bike did you pick up?

My gauge cluster buzzes at a certain RPM also. I've kind of become accustom to it & it's down low on the RPM scale. You might try gently snugging the allen head screws around the bezel.

As far as interchange possibilities... Hmmm... The Ascot is somewhat its own animal with the 500 Shadow being the closest cousin. I have seen a VT Ascot with Shadow gauges on it. I didn't care for it personally as the Shadow gauges are chromed & don't fit the theme of the Ascot in my eyes.

Here is a link to several after-market gauges that could be adapted with various levels of ease. http://ascot500.com/index.php?topic=72.0

Here is what I did on my FT Ascot with a Vapor unit. http://ascot500.com/index.php?topic=79.0

The Vapor unit seems to be fairly popular & it's made in the USA.

Good luck & please feel free to fire away with any questions you might have.
J.
Title: Re: New Ascot Owner....time for questions!
Post by: J6G1Z on June 22, 2014, 11:44:15 am
This must be the bike. http://ascot500.com/index.php?topic=183.0

I noticed the tach needle missing in the gauge photo. I have an extra gauge cluster on my VT Ascot parts bike. I'll take a look at it today & see what kind of condition it's in. I stole the gauge bezel off of it for my rider, so I know that part is cracked. Please let me know if you have any interest in this gauge cluster. I live about 200 miles south of you.

J.