Author Topic: CBX (Read 8322 times)

bubbafun101 · « **on:** September 14, 2016, 05:31:42 PM »

I was wondering if anyone would care to comment on the Honda CBX. I am looking to buy my H.S. dream bike. I am looking for opinions from previous owners. Best year to buy? What about the pro-link swing arm on the later models? Should I look for anything in particular? Should I stay away from resto mods? I have ridden several CBX in high school but that was a looong time ago. I am a keeper of bikes which means I seldom sell them once I get what I want. All comments gratefully accepted.

NobleHops · « **Reply #1 on:** September 14, 2016, 06:03:29 PM »

I'm a huge fan. Some guys do upgrade the twin shock bikes with Prolink or 1100F swingarms and it's a nice improvement. JJam aka Jim Sawtell is an excellent resource for that as they need shock eyes welded on - it's a monoshock swingarm.

You should definitely avail yourself of the two main CBX forums, I help admin one of them.

http://www.cbxclub.com/forum

and

http://www.cbxworld.com

They are both excellent resources.

As far as what year, that's a matter of spirited debate. The 79 is the first year, silver wheels, and a gnat's ass more powerful on a dyno on a perfect day. The 80 had something like 100 different improvements over the 79, including a much better swingarm and pivot, and there are far fewer of them. Those two are referred to as "twin shock" or "early model" bikes. I have 3 80s and two 79s. (How did that happen??)

In 81 Honda totally changed the bike, put a big sport touring fairing and slim saddlebags on it, and arguably created the first Japanese sport tourer. I didn't care for them till I rode one - it is in many respects a much better motorcycle: Mono shock rear, much better swingarm, 39mm fork (as opposed to the 35 on the twin shock), and a greatly improved (and quieter) clutch basket, among other improvements. A few guys make naked versions of those and those are possibly the best CBX of all performance wise, but they lack the classic appeal of a red twin shock, to me.

Go forth and browse young man! And ask away. I'm not the cat's ass with CBX knowledge, but the guys that are are on those two websites.

N.

kpier883 · « **Reply #2 on:** September 14, 2016, 07:01:49 PM »

I really enjoy my black 1980. I would recommend staying away from any example where the stock air box had been ditched for pods. Besides having low speed carbureting issues with pod equipped CBXs, you have to worry about engine damage due to the forward cant of the engine. If left in the rain, water may flow in and hydro-lock the engine when starting, resulting in a bent rod. It almost happened to me before I found a stock air box to install.

Also any model with a good original or accurate replica exhaust is worth more than ones with aftermarket it seems.

Sport kits were available with lowered handlebars and more rearward set foot controls. Even if that isn't your preference, the parts are valuable and could be sold for enough to more than pay for the other type.

Watch for instruments that don't work. Needles on instruments are known to break and getting them repaired is expensive.

Be wary of fork braces. Mine came with a fork brace and the previous owner had raised the forks which lowered the bike. This combination almost caused me to get into an accident. The fork compressed so much under hard braking on choppy pavement that the brace hit the "splitter" and caused a fitting to spin releasing the pressure and nearly sending me into a busy intersection!

Best to get a bike with good carburetors. A quality cleaning and set-up of the carbs can set you back 800 dollars. Mike Nixon sells a good book on the CBX carbs and if you are handy, you could try it yourself.

Get a repair manual for the common things like proper disassembly for adjusting valves etc!!!

It is so choice. If you have the means, I highly recommend picking one up --- Ferris Bueller

kpier883 · « **Reply #3 on:** September 14, 2016, 07:21:01 PM »

OEM blinkers are expensive. I recommend a bike with all original blinkers present.

70CB750 · « **Reply #4 on:** September 15, 2016, 04:58:20 AM »

Somebody here got one back on the road, not sure of the name now, but there was a write up too.

Bankerdanny · « **Reply #5 on:** September 15, 2016, 10:04:19 AM »

I think it was ToyTuff who did a lengthy thread on his CBX

*edit* Nope, not him. There was someone. I need to search through my own posts, I know I commented on the thread.

kpier883 · « **Reply #6 on:** September 15, 2016, 03:27:47 PM »

I do think ToyTuff did a lengthy thread

http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php/topic,98461.0.html

Bankerdanny · « **Reply #7 on:** September 15, 2016, 04:06:16 PM »

I found that thread, but didn't look at every post, it looked like it was just about one he found but didn't actually buy.

micol · « **Reply #8 on:** September 15, 2016, 04:12:07 PM »

In '79 four friends and I each ordered a new CBX. These were the first ones sold by the local dealer. Cool picture of us lined up when they came in. Kept it for over 20 years. Really had no major issues with it. Alternator brushes went out on a trip to Colorado. Was a fun bike to ride with one of the best sounds of any motorcycle I've ever heard.

scottly · « **Reply #9 on:** September 15, 2016, 08:17:47 PM »

Micol, two of my friends had '79 CBX's, and both bike's alternator brushes went out on the second day into a trip from CA to CO in early July of that year. Both bikes had about 8000 miles, IIRC. We limped into Winnemucca, NV, where my cousins lived, and bought some brushes at an electric motor shop the next day. With a bit of filing and reshaping we made them fit into the 'X brush holders. The factory did provide more durable brushes some months later. Chris's silver 'X was supposedly the very first one sold on the West Coast.

754 · « **Reply #10 on:** September 15, 2016, 09:11:40 PM »

Where are those guys now ?

simon#42 · « **Reply #11 on:** September 16, 2016, 02:40:46 AM »

that is a great photo , it captures the period perfectly .

Lostboy Steve · « **Reply #12 on:** September 16, 2016, 04:54:29 AM »

It really does.

MoMo · « **Reply #13 on:** September 16, 2016, 07:02:18 PM »

Quote from: Lostboy Steve on September 16, 2016, 04:54:29 AM

It really does.

the hair, cigarette, leathers bikes , poses. Cool shot of what must have been great memories

HondaMan · « **Reply #14 on:** September 16, 2016, 07:55:08 PM »

I am in the process of restoring a 1979 CBX engine that had pods, can vouch for the water damage to the inside of the engine from them. A nice hint: CrusinImage is now offering OS pistons in .5mm and 1.00mm for them. They need the usual hand-finishing I do with the other CI 836 pistons, but otherwise are fine-looking parts. They even came with chrome rings!

BOY, there's a lot of valves in there! It's been fun, though, so I'll be sorry to see it leave when done. I'd sure like to have one, myself!

There's (a rusty) one near here in a shed in a small town east of Denver (Hudson) that has a supercharger on it, driven by a custom pulley where the ignition pickups used to be. The toothed pulley drives a long toothed belt that runs the charger and a specially-built housing hanging out on the front of the engine's side where it has a spark advancer and points plate from a Yamaha 750 triple, mounted in an unlubed (but sealed) ball bearing, operating three CB750 coils. While it sounds "Rube Goldberg" it looks pretty nice, but was intended only for the drags. The owner died 15+ years back, his kids don't want to give up the rusty bike: I'd like to get it and resto it! I drool over the CBX, really do...

scottly · « **Reply #15 on:** September 16, 2016, 08:19:30 PM »

Frank, I lost touch with Dwayne (owner of the red X on the left) in the early '80s, and Chris in the late '80s. Maybe Nils can help?

Larry, one of the memories of that trip was that the 'Xs were the center of attention everywhere we went; no one passed a sideways glance at Stan's 750 twin Kawi or my Seeley CB 750.

I also learned not to try to ride 3500+ miles in 7 days on a motorcycle, sleeping on the ground every night.

I swore to myself I would never do it again, and so far I've kept that promise.

At the risk of 'jacking the OP's thread, I'll attach some more pics..

MoMo · « **Reply #16 on:** September 16, 2016, 08:53:15 PM »

Back on topic, there weren''t that many CBX made so buy it when one comes up. I had a chance to ride a few when I worked at a Honda dealer, had to be the most memorable bike I ever rode " back in the day". CX650 Turbo was a close second.

754 · « **Reply #17 on:** September 16, 2016, 09:59:12 PM »

Really enjoying them pics..

NobleHops · « **Reply #18 on:** September 17, 2016, 11:08:13 AM »

Quote from: scottly on September 16, 2016, 08:19:30 PM

Frank, I lost touch with Dwayne (owner of the red X on the left) in the early '80s, and Chris in the late '80s. Maybe Nils can help?

Larry, one of the memories of that trip was that the 'Xs were the center of attention everywhere we went; no one passed a sideways glance at Stan's 750 twin Kawi or my Seeley CB 750. I also learned not to try to ride 3500+ miles in 7 days on a motorcycle, sleeping on the ground every night. I swore to myself I would never do it again, and so far I've kept that promise.
At the risk of 'jacking the OP's thread, I'll attach some more pics..

I don't know Dwayne I'm afraid.

For sure though, If you want to meet people at a motorcycle gathering, ride up on a CBX. Among old far^^^^GROWN UPS like most of us, it seems everyone has some story or connection or recollection of the bike: The first time they saw one, they had one, they wanted one, the Cycle cover with a red 79 doing a wheelstand, and more. People just really enjoy them.

To further hijack the OPs thread, here's my (first) CBX (#49 of the 1980 model year, and made in Japan), before, during and after restoration:

dhall57 · « **Reply #19 on:** September 17, 2016, 12:25:28 PM »

Love the old pics Scottly. Nice CBX Noble. Never had or rode a CBX. The 6cyl and 6 carbs have always got my attention. Always heard they a bear to work on though. Having one would be on my bucket list of bikes for sure

jerry h · « **Reply #20 on:** September 17, 2016, 12:55:43 PM »

Beautiful bike Noble!!!!

One thing I've always wondered, how much different is a CBX handling wise, from a 750? Is is a lot more "top heavy" feeling?

strynboen · « **Reply #21 on:** September 17, 2016, 01:50:13 PM »

cbx is a bit top heavy...but only the first 5 minuts,,at the start of the seson
..its so stabil and better then sohc..but the carbs is hard to hold in topform..new fuel make them to be kleaned up by 3 years run...and it are a hell job to pull them..generators holds4-5 years..and need then bearings and brushes..and can then go for some years..but are easu to pull/fix..forks brakes frame os likly late sohc..ignision is cb 650 type..forks is simpel and easy to vork on..elektric is nice made..and just as easy as sohc...nice konnektors Blocks for all konnektors at the battery holder..mutch nicer then older Honda#s
i had no reparations on the valve train/ engine inside..seem to run for long..
so vorst Things is carbs..have to tilt the engine to take them aut..
its a simpel and komplikated bike at same time..the tecnik is not komplikated...but there is a lot of it..24 valvets..6 karbs 3 ignision systems 3 coils
..but still basis stuff

NobleHops · « **Reply #22 on:** September 17, 2016, 02:16:13 PM »

Quote from: jerry h on September 17, 2016, 12:55:43 PM

Beautiful bike Noble!!!!

One thing I've always wondered, how much different is a CBX handling wise, from a 750? Is is a lot more "top heavy" feeling?

Thank you very much Jerry. It's pretty porky feeling to me at 600# or so. My bike has the lower 'sport kit' handlebars (mine are actually from a VFR), which I prefer for the riding position AND the appearance, but they don't do anything for helping the bike feel light and maneuverable at low speed. I rode a faired Prolink last summer in Ireland and I have to say, I preferred the taller bars.

bubbafun101 · « **Reply #23 on:** September 18, 2016, 08:18:50 PM »

Wow the response from you guys has been overwhelming. Looking at an 1981 with 8 thousand miles in white with blue accents. The bike is clean as a whistle and single owner. And I have had my eye on it for over 10 years. The owner finally is making peace with selling the bike so I will be patient a little longer. Just want to be reassured that I haven't developed an unwarranted attachment to a bike from my youth in my memory. Thanks for all the info and when she finally changes hands I will update everyone. Just had my step sons and their family over for dinner and they were wondering what I was looking at. After I told them I got blank stares till I mirrored my lap top onto my 80 inch tv and played a quick rip video from you tube. That 6 cylinder rips fast and hard to the point the youngest step son wanted to know if I bought one would I keep it long enough for him to inherit? A joke to be sure on his part but I think they were impressed.

MoMo · « **Reply #24 on:** September 18, 2016, 09:19:49 PM »

good luck and have patience or as ConFuse-Us would say, "He who wait for CBX, get big bike"

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Author Topic: CBX (Read 8322 times)