The original SilverWing started life as a CX500, a real smooth bike with it's transverse v-twin.

Check this link http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Honda_CX_series I saw this bike for the very first time at the Congress Halle in Nurnburg, West Germany. -- Also saw a Honda FT500 Ascot at the same show. I really drooled over that big thumper and still wish I'd bought one when I had the chance.

The next iteration for the mid tourer was the Pacific Coast which I believe had a more traditional logitudinal v-twin arrangement.

I always liked the looks of these bikes and I'm surprised they weren't more popular. It seemed like they were a great choice for someone who didn't want the bike the size, or cost, of the Gold Wing. I never rode one of these but I have sat on them back in the days and they seemed very comfortable. Later on Vetter fairings were making fairings for these too.

I remember all of those bikes! The CX and FT were available over in UK, but I don't think the Pacific Coast ever was, though some made it to UK as grey imports.

Does anyone remember the turbo version of the Honda CX500...

http://www.bikez.com/motorcycles/honda_cx_500_turbo_1982.php

They also went on to make a 650..... I'm sure it featured in a science fiction film (Ice Pirates?) that came out in the mid to late 80s, but can't remember the name of it now. Those bikes always seemed to stand out......

I bought a new left over 1990 Pacific coast in 1992. We put right at 110,00 miles on that machine and owned a Goldwing at the same time. I think it was the best all around motorcycle that I have owned. Still ran fine when I let it go...These were Vtwin 800cc honda Shadow designed motors with different tuning for different riding styles.
The CX500s were nice machines, early ones had timing chain issues and later ones, 650cc were complete with fairing and saddlebags and of cource the CX650T which was turbocharged. You still see a few CX's on the road thru the summer. I was working part time in a Kawasaki shop when these first came out and wondered when Kawasaki would come out with something like that. Water cooling, shaft drive and comstar wheels, it was neat.
The Ascot was a shot at the flat track look and was named after Ascot race track in California. They actually made two versions of the Ascot. One was FT 500 Ascot which was a single cylinder and then there was the VT500FT Vtwin. Both neat looking machines.
The 60"s and 70's motorcycling era still hold the fondest memories for me.