Topic: Anyone here have any experiences with the CBX 1100?

[cliffN61]

I was just thinking of looking for one to restore and have zero experience with them. Curious if anyone else has and what their thoughts are on them?

[dave500]

mate of mine has a pristine cbx 1000 6 cylinder if that's what you mean?,if you buy a rough one that needs engine work be prepared to start spending money real quick,nice bikes.

[Don R]

 That's a lot of carbs to tune. My buddy had 2 sets of vac gauges for his. Don't ever let them gunk up especially after you've gone through them once.

[dave500]

you have to unbolt the motor and lay it forward to adjust the valves!

[strynboen]

bay a running one.
..sleepers is to expensive to vake up.
..leaking carbs..dryed up rubberparts..intake /airfilter rubber rotten fast..and carbs gunk up in a fev month..,,so just a vinter sleep can give problems..
its a great bike in all vays...but the cost to hold it running..and the problems to hold it running(if you not use it evry weekend..) they just hate to stand still..
a sohc is just so more simpel and easy ...just turn gas on and fire up..even after 3 month...cbx is just in a heiger class..in good and badd...

cbx engines is not so komplikated..there is just just more of evrything..and it harder to come to the Things..specily the carbs,,,tilting the engine is easy..

[RAFster122s]

Cleaning 6 carbs once and you will appreciate that you do not wish to do it again. They are musical on full throttle application and pull like a freight train. CV carbs are very sensitive to blockage and will block when sitting too long so, keep them exercised and they stay happy. Some seafoam can keep them happy if used every tankful, it does the trick for many CV equipped CX-500, GL-500 and 650 owners along with Goldwing owners.

You will spend a fortune on a CBX not in great shape, save your change until you can afford the difference between a great running example and one that has sat or is not running.

[ekpent]

 Member Mike Simon seems to have a lot of knowledge and experience on this model. He will probably chime in. See other bikes section also as somebody posted about just buying one recently.

[cliffN61]

Thanks for all the replies, seem's like a much larger consideration than I had imagined. Since I live in a cold area my riding months are sort of limited so it seems that may be an issue for me. I love the look of the bike and of course the power but also not looking for a full time headache either.

[MikeSimon]

I own 3 CBXes. Bought my 79 in Novemebr of 78, still own it. Restored and sold a few.
Any questions - fire away. If it gets too much for the forum here e-mail me at mike.simon70@yahoo.com

[Trevor from Warragul]

you have to unbolt the motor and lay it forward to adjust the valves!

Not true!  You just have to remove two triangular frame hangers (three bolts each) and the tacho drive (two screws).  Easy!

Umh, if you want to replace one of the throttle cables, then it's best to drop the motor forward... (which is not as hard as it sounds).

Trevor

[Scott S]

 Carb rebuilds by a pro will run you $800-1000.

[cliffN61]

I own 3 CBXes. Bought my 79 in Novemebr of 78, still own it. Restored and sold a few.
Any questions - fire away. If it gets too much for the forum here e-mail me at mike.simon70@yahoo.com

I have never laid eyes on them in real life so I am curious, I love what I see in pics and videos. Obviously you love them or you wouldn't own 3. What is your thoughts on buying one to rebuild compared to buying one finished already?

[PeWe]

My general thoughts....
A good running bike will most likely cost less than find one in need of restore where lots of stock parts are missing unless you find one really cheap. My experiences of CB750.

I have a friend that has restored a few CBX so I know who to ask. I have seen and heard about the carbs with jets to be drilled, threaded and pulled out for cleaning. All shims to check and do properly. Cam chain tensioner was the question to solve when I visited him a week ago.

[MikeSimon]

you have to unbolt the motor and lay it forward to adjust the valves!

Not true!  You just have to remove two triangular frame hangers (three bolts each) and the tacho drive (two screws).  Easy!

 
Trevor

Yeah! I want to see you getting the valve cover off without tilting the motor.  On how many CBXes have you done this?

[MikeSimon]

 I have seen and heard about the carbs with jets to be drilled, threaded and pulled out for cleaning. All shims to check and do properly. Cam chain tensioner was the question to solve when I visited him a week ago.

Only the CBX-Z or 79, first year model, has jets pressed in which need to be tapped and pulled for proper cleaning. Cam chain tensioner adjustment needs to be done properly and requires the correct procedure. Attempting to work on these bikes based on your skills and experience and WITHOUT the service manual is ill advised.

[MikeSimon]

I have never laid eyes on them in real life so I am curious, I love what I see in pics and videos. Obviously you love them or you wouldn't own 3. What is your thoughts on buying one to rebuild compared to buying one finished already?

There is a significant difference in price between the four years for a "finished" bike. It depends on what you want and how much you want to spend. Working on one to rebuild can be very rewarding, but depending on the final goal, can be costly or maybe impossible due to parts availability. You need to do some research and set your sight on which year/model, then assess whether you want one to restore or want one that is ready to ride.

[MikeSimon]

Coming back to the title of this thread: The bike's displacement nominally is 1047cc. It was always a CBX 1000, not 1100.
The 4-cyl DOHC "F" model with 1062cc was identified as a CB1100.

[dave500]

heres some pics of my mates one,he paid 10,000 aussie for it which is dead cheap,it spent 10 years in a guys lounge room,its bloody great to ride but at 5 foot four inches tall its a bit big for me.

[dave500]

heres how I look on one,big bike if you ride it around town,i had no trouble once I was moving,i couldn't live with one though,we swapped bikes mine has a dash cam so heres a freeze frame,real quiet then look at the speedo!#$%*ing oops 140 kays came up real quick n easy.

[Trevor from Warragul]

Yeah! I want to see you getting the valve cover off without tilting the motor.  On how many CBXes have you done this?

Just one, which I've owned for thirty years...

I bought Mike Nixon's booklet "Adjusting the CBX Valves".  Maybe you should buy it too...

Oh, and the "Official Honda Shop Manual CBX" (3-10) has the same valve cover removal instructions as Mike's booklet...

[seebee750]

I had six 1979s CBXs and one 1980. I kept the best one, a red 1979, and sold the rest. You need lots of patience, good mechanical skills and lost of cash. It is sometimes easier to find used space shuttle parts cheaper than CBX parts. Don't buy one that is not complete, is all I have to say.

[dhall57]

I have never had one, but always been fascinated by the look of the bike and of course the 6 cylinders and 6 carbs.

[strynboen]

 

[PeWe]

Dangerous thread. I have always liked a red -1979 with 105 hp, totally stock. A forum with all details explained and manual downloads should help to make me to fall over the edge...
Z1-900/1000 with modified engine is also on the list.... I have a CB750 K2 stock to put together first.

[MikeSimon]

The ICOA (International CBX Owners Association) has an excellent forum with a lot of people holding extensive knowledge about the bike and its maintenance and service. Other than that, there are a lot of "experts" out there who read something or know someone who read something.
I still have to ride one of my CBXes anywhere without running into someone who tells me he owned one way back then, wished he would have never sold it and knows everything about it. Based on that, Honda must have made substantially more than the barely 40,000 bikes from April 1978 through January 1982. Beware of bad advice.
As I said before, if you want my personal input without having to argue with self-proclaimed CBX authorities send me a pm or e-mail me at mike.simon70@yahoo.com

[RAFster122s]

I wonder how many Trail 50s of youth were said to be Honda 750s or 550s or CBXs they used to own...

Saw a ratty 750 in a parking lot while out shopping a year or two back and took a pic of the bike and the build plate for grins before owner returned and we chatted. He ask how much I would give him for the bike. I declined to offer as I would not wish to insult him. It was very rough but it ran.

David

[Trevor from Warragul]

Here's a photo I took last time I adjusted the valves.



Valve adjustment is not a difficult job, you just need the right tools & plenty of time...

...and I don't proclaim to be an expert, it's just that when someone says something can't be done, and I've done it, I have to put in my $0.02!

[Trevor from Warragul]

My CBX and 1/2 a CBX...

[bill440cars]

    Lots of good info & comments here. I was able to get my '80 CBX, back around 2010, had it for about 6 years. Things happened & I needed to come up with some cash & considering my age, along with the weight of that one. I decided I needed to let it go. One of the biggest mistakes of my Life. Loved the look, the sound & how it was to ride it. Carbs only had to be cleaned twice, while I had it. I could kick myself for not looking for another way, to take care of my issue. But, that's life. Myself, the '79s are cool enough, but I preferred the '80. Though I couldn't tell you what all changes were made, for 1980, I do  know the wheels were changed, the '80 had a small compartment, in the tail piece, behind the seat & the max Speed Limit peg, on the speedometer, was lowered & I think the rpm limit peg was lowered as well. If you peg out the speedometer &/or the Tach, you stand the change of causing damage & have to have them rebuilt. There used to be a listing on ebay, that serviced them, for a tidy sum. Good Luck, with how ever you go, on this.     

[MikeSimon]

     Myself, the '79s are cool enough, but I preferred the '80. Though I couldn't tell you what all changes were made, for 1980, 

  There were about 100+ changes between 79 and 80 ( Z and A) if you count each and every little modification. In addition to the changes you already listed, the engine had different cams, different carbs, different ignition advancer, different clutch, different valve cover (which some experts are able to remove from the motor without busting their knuckles when not tilting the engine). Front forks were air assist. Sliders were different. Steering neck bearings were different. Rear swingarm was different. Rear shocks were different (US and Canada). Seat pattern was different. Black was only available on the 80. Perseus Silver was no longer.

There are quite a few CBX owners in the community who prefer the 80 model as the "better" bike. In addition, the 80s made in japan are the smallest overall number of all versions and thus should be most collectible. The 79 just has this reputation of being the highest hp output and thus the "fastest"

[bill440cars]

     Myself, the '79s are cool enough, but I preferred the '80. Though I couldn't tell you what all changes were made, for 1980, 

  There were about 100+ changes between 79 and 80 ( Z and A) if you count each and every little modification. In addition to the changes you already listed, the engine had different cams, different carbs, different ignition advancer, different clutch, different valve cover (which some experts are able to remove from the motor without busting their knuckles when not tilting the engine). Front forks were air assist. Sliders were different. Steering neck bearings were different. Rear swingarm was different. Rear shocks were different (US and Canada). Seat pattern was different. Black was only available on the 80. Perseus Silver was no longer.

There are quite a few CBX owners in the community who prefer the 80 model as the "better" bike. In addition, the 80s made in japan are the smallest overall number of all versions and thus should be most collectible. The 79 just has this reputation of being the highest hp output and thus the "fastest"

            Whoa! Thank you, Mike, for that info. I knew there were "Some" changes, but sure didn't realize there were so many. With all of those changes made, it is a shame that production ended up being just 4 short years. I often wondered if the '80 would be more desirable. Of course I know that the 1st year, has significant value. But, for me, the '80 was the one to have. I have to wonder, IF Honda would have kept producing the basic model (like the '79 & '80 was), along with the "loaded version", if the demand might have been enough, to justify continuing that model, at least for a few years more? Of course, it didn't happen, I just wondered what others thoughts might be, just for the sake of conversation. I'll never be able to have another, but I sure enjoyed mine, while I had it.       

[MikeSimon]

this is really not the place to discuss CBXes in detail. You should go to the specific forums:  www.cbxclub.com and www.cbxworld.com
Both have quite a number of members with tons of knowledge. The first is the ICOA site and the second, well, the admin/owner is a little anal about site security. He has rubbed some people the wrong way in the past and ever since has this paranoia about being "trolled"

Here is a little comment about the same question you have:

It is not a mystery, really. The CBX after 1980 was not a competitive bike anymore. The inline 4 DOHCs were almost as fast, almost better handling and much more affordable. The performance segment brought the CB1100R with 115/120hp in the unrestricted version, which the CBX could not run with. Besides that, Honda had changed the product strategy away from the inline 4 and was working on the V4 designs which were soon to come. It made sense to utilize the CBX engine for something different than a superbike and turn it into a "Sport-Tourer", which seemed to be one of the ways customers were leaning. Kawasaki did the same thing. Although the KZ1300 six was available in the naked form in Europe until 1989, in the U.S., they changed the bike into the Voyager in 1984. BMW had set an example in 1976/77 already with the first full-fairing "Superbike" the R100RS. And, believe it or not, BMW was the major competition target of Honda on a worldwide base.
The reason for bringing out the Goldwing was not to get ahead of the other Japanese manufacturers, but to compete with BMW and their R90.

That all being said, I do like the Prolinks. Of the CBXes I own, my 81 is the one I ride the most. It is a great 2-up bike, has a little luggage capacity and some weather protection. As soon as you go for more than 200 miles a day, the Prolink is superior to a CBX-Z or A. The handling, especially 2-up, is far better han that of the early Xes. Of course, if you want the "show effect" and want others drool over your bike, stay away from an 81/82.

[bill440cars]

     Thanks for the input and yes, I know about CBX World & am a member there, as well. Haven't been there, for awhile. And, I didn't intend to get too involved in the CBX discussion, but I have a definite liking for them.