1979 CX 500 has no cam chain, the valves are actuated by push rods. Its an interesting design, Honda engineers, twisted the cylinders a little to allow the carburetors to be close together and the exhaust farther apart. The push rods are also slightly twisted with respect to the cylinders. Because this was a relatively low revving, water cooled engine, with a shaft drive the lifespan of the CX 500 is very high compared to other comparable motorcycles. I would suspect skipping and stalling to be an electrical issue.