Honda FT 400 Ascot

The Honda Ascot was a name given to two motorcycles produced by Honda in the early 1980s. The motorcycles that carried the name, the FT500 and VT500FT, were produced with the Ascot name between 1982 and 1984.

The Honda Ascot, designated FT500, was sold in 1982 in the 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. On American bikes, the speedometer was limited to 85 mph (135 km/h) as was required, in other markets the bike received a 180 km/h (112 mph) speedo.

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, producing 35 PS (26 kW) at 6500 rpm. This balance shaft-equipped engine was derived from that of the Honda XL500 enduro motorcycle, but tuned for highway usage through the use of a vacuum carburetor and other adjustments.

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), also from the XL 500 but with tempered gears and a stronger chain. Stock gearing is 15/42 (3.71:1). The brakes were single piston disc front and rear and the bike has an electric starter, foregoing a kickstart entirely.

The 156 kg (344 lb) motorcycle had a top speed of about 150 km/h (93 mph) and achieved an average fuel economy of 48 mpg. The serial numbers began with JH2PC0708CM000019.

FT500 (1983)

The 1983 FT500 was also sold in 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 remained the 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