Topic: Oh Lordy..I found a CBX. Shoot me!

[toytuff]

I always wondered what Honda was thinking when it changed the 1981 model year. Found some interesting articles as to why.

Grab a cup of Joe and read on. Honda history is always interesting.

http://www.cbxclub.com/davespage/cyc81-1.html

http://www.cbxclub.com/davespage/cw81-1.html

And all years..

http://www.cbxclub.com/davespage/m_test.html

tt

[toytuff]

Anyway, I built my own spreadsheet (but using OpenOffice rather than Excel) and will try to attach it in case you would like to use it. Others with shims might find it useful as well. Edit - This forum disallows uploading .ods files, so I used OpenOffice to save the spreadsheet in .xls format.  Hopefully it is compatible with MS Office excel

Also, Yamaha shops may have the shims you need since the Venture and others used the same diameter shims. 

Good to know that Mike Nixon (I have his carb book) recommends .005.  I would not have guessed that, and had targeted a tighter clearance on mine as can be seen in the row entitled "Target Valve Clearance  (thousandths of Inch)".  You can set that to whatever clearance you are shooting for.


I am due to check my CBX valve adjustment too... sigh.
[/quote]

I found this web site that makes things much easier. Might work for others attempting this.

Enter a value then convert. In the left drop down box go three figures. In the right box enter decimal. Once you mic the shim you removed it's pretty easy to figure the value to get to .005.

Spin the motor a couple of times then check. Easy enough just time consuming.

tt

http://www.metric-conversions.org/length/millimeters-to-inches.htm

[Dave K]

I had a '81 CBX that I foolishly sold and knew when I sold it. At the same time, I had an '81 Wing, which I still own. I bought the 'Wing new and the CBX was 3yrs. old and I was the 2nd owner. My wife had developed back trouble and I had decided to "reduce" the herd, so I chose to sell the CBX. As soon as I SOLD it, my wife said, why did you sell the CBX? As much as you loved that bike, I would have thought you would have sold the 'Wing first. She said, with her back, she would probably never ride again or at least very little. NOW YOU TELL ME! Yes, the CBX would STILL in my garage! At that time, my brother had a '79 CBX while I had the '81 CBX. He loved his '79, but I preferred my '81. I do not think it was a "miss" as many of the bike magazines said. Any more than you can call a Vincent a miss. They didn't sell well either and history has probably made the Vincent much more popular than it really was. I remember hearing stories, which we still hear, how fast the Vincents were. Remember in stock trim, they made 55 hp. It takes some real horses to get the speeds that the Vincent legends are made of and I don't think 55hp is enough. JMHO Anyhow I loved my faired and gray '81 CBX. I didn't think the valves were hard to adjust at all, but I did keep in inventory about 3-4 different size shims to rotate in when I needed to adjust them. The outside cyl. would be the first that to get out of adjustment, just as I found my 750 K3 does. If there was a bug-a-boo to me, it was the clutch used on the alternator. IMHO, don't even think about replacing just one part when this clutch would start to squeal, change it all and most of all the spring. I never did did add a shim, but a small thin shim to increase the spring tension, may not be a bad idea. As much as I just said I wish I had the '81 CBX yet, I also know I am not as young or as strong as I once was. As the articles pointed out, once moving, the CBX was not a problem. But, just rolling it around the garage would probably take more muscle than I got. Maybe I did do the right thing by keeping the '81 'Wing, But, I could sit by the hour and just look at the CBX.

[toytuff]

Great post! What year was that taken?

Thank you. Picture is priceless.

I only rode the CBX around 75 miles or so before bringing it in for a redo. I must admit that the sound, handling (front forks leaking), cupped front tire it was a blast. Can't imagine how it will be when finished.

With the exception of the front fairing it was left alone. With 30 years of just riding it things were do for replacement. I do this with all my bikes I have and sold.

Yes, I'll have quite a bit in it but it will be as good as new. Even a top bike needs some work IMO. The smile it will  bring to me is worth every penny. I truly love the CBX.

tt

[scottly]

I noticed one of those articles mentioned the '79s didn't show up at dealers until late '79. That was not true, at least in my experience. The silver one was supposedly the very first CBX sold on the west coast, and Chris had owned it for over 6 months when the attached picture was taken early July, 1979. Dwayne bought the red one after taking a test ride on Chris's bike; he was sold! He had just bought his first bike, a 400 Hawk, a few months before the test ride, and loved it, but after riding the CBX he had to have one.
The pic is from a road trip we took, somewhere in Colorado, I think..

[Dave K]

The first picture in previous post was taken 4th July 2000. Been awhile, The CBX is gone and the '85 XR 350 R is gone. Cancer mets to spine, ribs, pelvis, skull, liver and lungs told me I needed to quit dirtbiking unless I wanted to end up in a wheelchair. The Birdgestone 175 shown is just like the other new bike I had bought new over the years. So now, I have every bike or one like it, that I had bought new. Not near enough of them.  Currently on the rack is the '75 that I am cafing. It is in need of ALLOT of engineering, but it is really coming together well. I am just slow ot photograph. It will looks as a BSA Gold Star when finished. The '99 CBR F4, I bought one winter form a solder back from Iraq. In 2 weeks he tossed her down the road  on both sides. He was not hurt, but the bike was rashed everywhere. That winter I made her whole again. That bike was a rocket, but even though I am not big, it was too cramped for me. The CBX may not be as fast, but it fit me SO much better. These pictures were all taken in the past 3 yrs. I could buy a proper sporting bike for what I am putting into the XL 350 project, but I am having so much fun building it.

[toytuff]

Some nice rides there!

I have been looking for information on the Sport Kit Honda offered on the 81/82 model. I saw one pic and it looked completely different. Can't find the pic now.

Shorter bars, saddle bags removed, turns relocated and was told different rearsets. Had shorter cables also.

The 81 I sold had the bars but that was it.

tt

[toytuff]

Just received an update on the carburetor rebuild.

Almost there. 

tt

[toytuff]

Just about have the valves shimmed. Still need some shims to finish it up. It wasn't as bad as I thought it would be and after a while you can just about guess what size to put in after you remove the shim. Be sure to keep the splash guards in proper order off the intake side. (black plates)

Intake #1-#6 Done.
Exhaust #1,#2 and #4 -#6 Done. Just need a couple of 260 or 262 mm shims.

The hardest part is the tool.  If it's not on there perfect to hold the edge on the lifter you can't install the shim. Frustrating! I filed the edges of the tool and it works a little better.

Once this is done I can install the valve cover. Cam chain A and cam chain B are all adjusted. By then the carburetors should be done. New cables need to be run off the carburetor before you install them otherwise it ain't happin. 

Next will be to bolt the engine in place, install oil cooler and new oil lines, adjust rear wheel and bleed rebuilt rear caliper. Fairing is waiting on a Clearview wind screen being done in dark..dark smoke. 

Then we will start on the front. 

tt

[toytuff]

Finally finished the valves this morning. Fought the valve cover gasket but after three (3) attempts success! Wow, what a job.

Then another fight ensued. Getting the old tach drive seal out.    Finally won that battle with a small torch.  Finished up the cam cover caps with new screws from Honda.

Waiting on carburetors then I can get this engine bolted up and move on.

tt

[jaguar]

Looking very good
You are almost motivating me to get mine buttoned up and running.
Have not touched mine in 4 or 5 weeks.

Ive been very much trying to clear out clutter from my shop to focus more on the bikes.
I didnt go over the shims on my bike and looking back on it I should have when the motor was out.  Bike only has 6K miles but still....Oh well its only time effort and work right?...lol

Kinda got the itch for a twin shock superbike CBX after seeing TimsCBX road racer and trike at Mid Ohio this year.
I freed up some disposable income and would like to take you up on the offer of altimeter and clock, let me know how to get you the $

What are you doing for tires on yours?

[toytuff]

Bike Bandit had a big sale on tires over Memorial Day weekend so I picked up some Dunlop GT-501 Arrowmax.

I thought the valves would be more work but actually it's more time. A work sheet is a must and the tool to compress the lifter. After a few you can just about figure the size you need. If you are flipping the bike they are probably close. If keeping it I would take the additional time.

The PO told me he did it around 1000 miles ago. They were in spec running from .003 to .005 however Mike Nixon told me to set them all at .005. Huge difference in power I was told. I'll go with him.

Twin shock eh? Might want to wait until you get your 82 finished. If you have not ridden it yet you will be pleasantly pleased when you do. 

PM sent. The clock works. 

tt

[Stev-o]

Hey Toy - do you put anything on the new gasket when installing? Seems to be a little debate on this.

[toytuff]

I made an attempt per the book which is around the cam covers. Won't work because when you turn the valve cover the gasket fell out. I had to use some sealer every 3 or 4 inches to hold the gasket in place. Just put in a dab or so.

Still had problems lining up the center front where it makes a little bend. The bend in the gasket was a little off in this area. OEM gasket. That is why it took 3 times to get it. That area and one corner kept pulling. See red arrows.

It was quite the job but sets perfect now. Torque bolts to 84 inch lbs. and we are good to go.

tt

[toytuff]

 

Teaser pic!



tt

[Stev-o]

You're a tease!

[RAFster122s]

Did they polish or plate those domes?
The domes look like the CV Keihens on my 78 cx500.
But it is a twisted twin and only needs two carbs.

[toytuff]

You're a tease!

Is that so? Well here, take this!



And this too!



tt

[toytuff]

Did they polish or plate those domes?
The domes look like the CV Keihens on my 78 cx500.
But it is a twisted twin and only needs two carbs.

Domes are polished. Steadies, cable brackets etc. are zinc plated. All new hardware and I requested black fuel line and new hose clamps. Had a new auto fuel diaphragm installed also.

The carburetors are VB64A.

tt

[Stev-o]

Now you're talking! Love those polished domes.

[toytuff]

Now you're talking! Love those polished domes.

 

tt

[toytuff]

Just like Christmas. 

A little compound to polish off the tops and the work begins!

Or should I say continues. 

tt

[Stev-o]

Better than Xmas....I never got a present better than that!

[toytuff]

Better than Xmas....I never got a present better than that!

 

tt

[toytuff]

The better part of the last two days were spent in a hot garage trying to get things on the up side. I received my ceramic coating yesterday and wanted to get the crank cover inserts painted, alternator put back together after testing and new brushes as well as the ignition cover.

Today was the carburetor install.








Better part of four hours on this one fighting me all the way.  First you have to install your throttle cables and figure out how to keep them there. Once in place I alligator clipped them to prevent moving. Fun stuff. If they fall off I'm screwed!

Next was trying to pop six carburetors into the boots. Mike told me to heat them up good which I did to the point of hot to the touch. Bing! Snapped right in.  Then adjust your choke cable. There is a trick to getting it right as Mike Nixon told me how.



Next was the air box. In the picture above you can see how far down the motor is tilted. Slowly lift until you are right about there, wiggle the air box in place, hook up the breather hose (which I forgot the first time) and figure out how to tighten six clamps.



Once that was all done it was time to install four upper engine mounts, put it the rear upper bolt and torque it all down to spec.

Left..



Then right..



Install number 1 and 6 spark plug and snap on the new caps.

Now to be quite honest I don't want to do this again. It is a ton of work. A ton. I can only image the old head Honda mechanics were glad to see these being discontinued. The amount of parts you have to remove is large.

Next will be the oil cooler, oil lines and adjust rear wheel. I need a break. A long one.

tt