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

[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.