Ducati Monster Forum

and now I got me one.   [evil]

Six cylinders, six carbs, and 24 valves.  1047 cc.  11,100 miles.  Fresh OEM pipes.  The aftermarket pimpy tour seat's gotta go but it is pretty comfy.  It's a beast to muscle around the garage (600 lbs wet) but under power, it's very smooth and well behaved.

An FJR would out perform it now but, in 1979, it was the coolest production superbike.  103 hp, 0-60 in about 4 sec and 1/4 mile in about 11 sec at 117 mph topping out around 140 mph.  It's the first bike I've ridden since a bad wreck (totaling my Monster) almost three years ago so I won't be testing those performance stats anytime soon.

For now, it's just a fun resto project.

Barn fresh.
(http://i327.photobucket.com/albums/k445/majmontana/IMG_0620.jpg)

(http://i327.photobucket.com/albums/k445/majmontana/IMG_0624.jpg)

  Very Cool, a little clean up, leaning toward the Cafe' style and Your havin' a good time.... Right on  [thumbsup]

It would be interesting to run it with your KZ 1000.

Awesome!!! I had a friend who had one new and his looked just like that... minus the seat. ;D He always wanted to put a pipe on it but never did. I've heard them with an aftermarket exhaust and the sound is pretty damn sweet! [bow_down] Congrats on the nice score. Enjoy it. [moto]

If you have a six cilinder you need an exhaust like this

(http://supertjeduc.zenfolio.com/img/s9/v15/p923222660-4.jpg)

I've wanted one of these for so long; I want a red 1979 model.

Saw one at the Rock Store a month or so ago.  I heard it coming from about a mile or so out and knew exactly what it was.  What a beautiful noise from a beautiful machine.

Oh, and I hate you now.   [cheeky]

Congrats on the purchase - she looks pretty tidy  [thumbsup]  And welcome back to two wheels - shiny side up this time...


Six-into-six FTW. 

some CBX craziness = V12 CBX running down the road (alley) (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OEe6c3KIUB4#normal)

3:00

CBX: Spyhunter edition

;D

Do something about the front brakes, I've ridden one and they're underwhelming.

edit: Brakes are underwhelming, bike is pretty cool.  :)

Forget that.  This is what every CBX should sound like.
CBXsound (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UTcA6DIeAyI#normal)

I've seen this incredible bike at Hallett - not my pic though
(http://i219.photobucket.com/albums/cc190/stankbone/SpondonCBX.jpg)

Weird-I've never had a CBX or been to Hallett. You sure it was my bike?

Ducs sound great and all and even my RC51 w/Satos kicks ass but that is what I am talking about!!!! That's just f#@king music to the ears! Sweet. [thumbsup]

Oh you SUCK!!!  [laugh]

I love the sound of those bikes. Totally bad ass.

Jealous=Me.

Ahhh! Always loved the big 6.
Gotta get a Bissani 6 into 1. Meanest sounding bikes. You will love synching those carbs every coupla 1000 k's.

Great video.....around 0:34 it looks like a Harley rider flipped him off or maybe it was just an enthusiastic fist pump in the air.

Thanks for the comments and the hate.  [laugh]

Still not sure which way to go with this bike.  Faithful restoration?  Restoration with improvements (esp. lower bars, improved suspension and brakes as mentioned)?  Or, just ride it as is and not sink much $$ into it? 

Right now, in addition to replacing the saddle with a Corbin solo type seat, I'm leaning toward pulling the nice OEM exhaust to preserve it and then installing a 6 into 1 system like this one that still keeps the stock look for the header pipes.

(http://i327.photobucket.com/albums/k445/majmontana/new206120pipes200061.jpg)


Here's a comparison of some the exhaust choices including the Bassani.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zgyGJh_3PDY

I know, I watch that clip all the time - or rather, listen to it.  The guy from that video, Rick Hayberg,  did a MASSIVE amount of work to his CBX, it's an amazing bike.I love my Duc, but I will eventually have to add a CBX to the stable.  I would, without hesitation though, trade my M750 for Rick's CBX.  

This is the original he did:
(http://www.randakks.com/Richard_Hayberg_Custom_1980_CBX_2.jpg)
(http://www.randakks.com/Richard_Hayberg_Custom_1980_CBX_7.jpg)
RICK'S CUSTOM 1980 HONDA CBX (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c2RnqCFF5cs#normal)


I guess he re-did it as a Carbon CBX...
(http://www.bikeexif.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/03/honda_cbx.jpg)


I say go nuts...also, Rick's exhaust set-up seems to work pretty nice, imho.  [thumbsup]

I'm loving the 6 into 1 Kerker. Do they still even offer that pipe? Is Bassini still even in business? Yeah, good luck with jetting that puppy! Dyno jet to the rescue! And keeping all those pumpers synced!! Not sure if I have ever seen a six stick synchroniser, I only had a four tube synch. Again, major congrats on a true classic!! Sweetness for sure! [thumbsup] [moto]

That Rick Hayberg bike is beautifully done and really looks like how the bike should be.

The exhaust system I posted is sold by TIMS International Motorcycle Supply and is available with Kerker or Supertrapp cans.  I like it too but I'm wondering about the ground clearance.  Looks to be at least 2 inches lower than stock and I wouldn't want a speed bump to steal a kiss.

http://www.timscbx.com/index.html (http://www.timscbx.com/index.html)

added:  There are some nice CBX restorations in their Gallery link

I always wanted a CBX and I still dont have one... I think its the beautiful execution of excess thats so appealing coz after all, nothing exceeds like excess. Great work on scoring yours  [thumbsup]  I'm so envious I'm green.

Sweet!

A friend of mine had an '80 model. He did a fair amount of mods: big-bore pistons, cams, changed wheels/brakes, Corbin seat, 6-into-one exhaust, and gave the bodywork a nice simple burgundy respray. I loved it, and couldn't believe it when he sold it to buy a Kawi ZRX1200.

That black one above.....  [thumbsup]

Why is this not in NMC?

Anywhoo, loving the 6 cylinder excessiveness. [moto]

BTW there's a hotted up one on Ebay

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/HONDA-CBX-CAFE-RACER-/180551976308?pt=US_motorcycles (http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/HONDA-CBX-CAFE-RACER-/180551976308?pt=US_motorcycles)

   I like to see the older classics stay in the basic timeframe they were produced. Single sided swingarms, inverted forks, etc., are cool, but take away the nostalgia of the machine. To ride a '70-'80s bike with period mods like better shocks, brakes, power upgrades, controls, etc., really is an experience to enjoy. These bikes are a piece of history that should be shared, the few times I've rode the KZ, I've had dozens of people ask about it and spend a moment thinking, both young and old. You can always buy a new bike, the classics are getting rare, especially in that good of shape!!  Enjoy.

Because this has MC?  M = Moto, not Monster :)
Love the work put into that ebay bike... excepting the color.

Very well said.  I restored a '72 cb350 to showroom condition a few years ago and it's like a time machine.  People instantly recognize it and warm up.  It gets way more attention and comments than modern bikes I've ridden, including my late Monster.  The drawback is that it's so nice that I really didn't take it out that much.  I started that resto to have a fun rider around town but got carried away and ended up with a show bike.

My original intent was to maintain the CBX as stock (or period) as possible and at the same time experience it's ride.  It really needs very little work and I want keep it restorable even though those modded bikes are cool. 

It's too bad that Honda rolled out that incredible© engine on a platform that was just so-so even in 1979.  Honda made minor improvements in the following years but then they also went the sport tourer route.  It's tempting to fix the weak areas of the original but I know I won't if it means permanently altering anything.  It's a milestone bike.  There's a lot you can do to a '57 Chevy but the coolest ones IMHO are the unmolested originals.

I'll probably still replace the OEM exhaust to preserve it.  A new seat is a must.  I doubt that I'll ever be riding hard enough to warrant an upgraded clutch, brakes, fork, and suspension even though those are the bikes weakest and most dangerous areas.  In the mean time, I'll be scrounging for NOS OEM bits for a full restoration down the line.

This is really close to the paint scheme my buddy had on his:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/honda-cbx-showbike-starter-kit-/370412131691?pt=Motorcycles_Parts_Accessories (http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/honda-cbx-showbike-starter-kit-/370412131691?pt=Motorcycles_Parts_Accessories)

I don't recall what wheels he changed to, but they were period. Wish I could have bought it at the time.....

yeah ive known him for a while now, really nice guy,
known him the hayabusa hooter's days, you really have to see the cbx in person its amazing, he did an awesome job...

http://www.sportbikes.net/forums/honda-sportbikes/407922-winner-botm-december-2008-bbqb4racin.html (http://www.sportbikes.net/forums/honda-sportbikes/407922-winner-botm-december-2008-bbqb4racin.html)

^

that's a pretty cool ride!

Just saw one that color in our local bike shop - 2,000 or so miles and flawless.

Spiked this shot of the world's fastest CBX from the Pashnit forum.   ;D
(http://i327.photobucket.com/albums/k445/majmontana/speedometer1.jpg)

Holy crap-that thing has a "turn' light. That like a shift light for leaning?  :D

That's at the Yellow Face pull off on the BRP about 20 minutes or less from my house!

I'd say improve suspension and brakes and see how you like it and go from there ~

JM

I just found one on a bike sales website in Australia. A 1978 model.


He wants:

$15000



 :o

LINK (http://www.bikesales.com.au/all-bikes/private/details.aspx?Cr=0&R=3229979&keywords=&trecs=1&__Ns=p_RankSort_Int32|1||p_Make_String|0||p_Model_String|0||p_YearMade_Int32|1||p_PriceSort_Decimal|1&__sid=120385217A08&__Nne=15&__Qpb=true&seot=1&__N=1432%20604%201430%201429%201428%204294967259%204294964541&silo=1400)

For Your information regarding the mighty, mighty CBX:

If you're partial to putting it on the side-stand, hereby be forewarned:

All the fuel from the RH 5x float-bowls rests precariously on the needle & seat in carb #1.  Should that needle & seat fail, the 5x float-bowls WILL over power that needle & seat and then proceed to flood the #1 cylinder.  

*IF* that cylinder floods, ****AND*** you hit the starter button w/the kill switch in the 'ON' position, one of the other cylinders *will* fire up and you'll bend the #1 connecting rod.

AND....that would suck.

So, here's whatcha do:  Hit the starter button w/the kill switch in the 'OFF' position as the engine's starter isn't strong enough to bend the rod.  If the motor turns over a for a bit, feel free to turn the kill switch to 'ON' and then enjoy your 6 cylinder goodness.

Dammit!  The more bikes like these you guys post, the bigger my garage addition gets!

I read the article in CW on the 6s and that CBX was my fav.  Holy freak do they sound awesome!

Nice bike JOD!

Thanks, I've heard of that problem but hadn't heard of that trick.  Mostly, I've been wrestling it up on the center stand.  I've also been shutting off the petcock about a 1/4 mile from home and letting the carbs drain as I park it.  I think there's another trick using the choke as it's shut down.

What I thought that was your incredible bike with the lean light. Don't you know about the light?

I was unaware of the 12 volt GPS. There must be more than one light, unless it's like a Nascar bike. Left! Left! Left! Must come in handy.

I'm thinking of hooking up a 12 volt power supply on the monster for GPS Cell phones and stuff. The GPS I used on my trip almost went dead.  I bet you already have one on your BMW tractor.

LOL at this:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/HONDA-CBX-CAFE-RACER-/180551976308?pt=US_motorcycles (http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/HONDA-CBX-CAFE-RACER-/180551976308?pt=US_motorcycles)

Nope. 99% of the time I get lost I find that while I may not end up where I was going, i end up somewhere I needed to go anyways.

The other 1% is a long walk out of the woods, pushing the bike.



Also, I want a 6 cylinder bike, if only to check out the smoothness. BMW is making a new one methinks.

Indeed, the sixes are smooth and powerful and sound nice.
Trouble is, they're wrapped in 30 year old technology chassis and tires.

I've ridden both a CBX (just a short spin) and a KZ1300 (quite a bit).

    When I posted about staying in the time era, this is kinda what I was thunkin', tho' I'm not happy with the seat, guages, pipes, etc., You can get an idea of the idea. I'll finish this in winter, right now sorting carbs and other items while getting seat time.  1978 KZ1000 police bike is what it started as, they had some very nice parts to start with, tho' not much original is left...



(http://i680.photobucket.com/albums/vv168/sbjilbert/015.jpg)

(http://i680.photobucket.com/albums/vv168/sbjilbert/011.jpg)

^Nice ride man!^ 

Damn that thing's gotta be loud!

 [bacon]

   Thanks, it actually has a muffler insert, bad pics, but is still a bit too loud...kinda.  [evil]

Good luck with it.  There was a write up on these in a few issues back of VJMC mag.  They have quite a cult following.

  Well, Jonny OrganDonar, You gotta keep Us posted on Your progress. I think a Tarozzi fork brace,steering stabilizer, trussed swingarm, lower bars and a little suspension work would be a nice start. naturally after pipes, intake and tuning!!  Cafe' Revolution  [thumbsup]

Thanks, nice job on that KZ1000.  A friend of mine had a new one in high school - I have a picture somewhere of him smoking his tire.  His mom had no idea what that bike could put out.

I've only put about 25 miles on the CBX so far - I want to go through the seals and hoses before I really ride it.  Still, it handles way better than I expected for such a big bike and such smooth power.  I'll need to put some more miles on it to figure out which way to go suspension-wise.  So far, the stock set-up is not so bad.  
 
I love being back on a bike and I really appreciate all of the comments and advice.  Here are a few more pictures.  After three years of not riding, I pulled out my old '72 cb350 (my high school bike) to see how big a "monster" the CBX is by comparison.  I'm thinking they have similar displacement per cylinder.  Sadly, I no longer have a Ducati Monster to compare it to.   :(

(http://i327.photobucket.com/albums/k445/majmontana/IMG_0885.jpg)

(http://i327.photobucket.com/albums/k445/majmontana/IMG_0886.jpg)

(http://i327.photobucket.com/albums/k445/majmontana/IMG_0894.jpg)

What a pair!! Nice CB350!!! There are parts of me that would love to have a semi restored CB350... or a CB400F... or a '85 RZ350 water pumper (in the bumble bee livery [thumbsup])... or my old '80 CB750F... dammit! Look what you've started! [bang]

Two really sweet scooters you got there for sure! Congrats on riding again too! [thumbsup] [moto] [beer]

2 things.

1. Cheapest mod you can make for a huge difference in the ridability. Get some low bars, you can pick up a pair that are pretty flat for?, I think I got some for $24 dollars when I had my old GS1100e. Made a huge difference in the handling and being able to feel the road somewhat.

2. Nice work Keith, I'm gonna try to get to up your way soon, I'll expect an introduction to the kz.  ;)

I remember being in awe of the CBX when it was launched.

Looks like a bike with charm, but do lose that seat ;)

What a pair indeed!  [thumbsup]

Love the Jeep too....

Pics of my buddy's former CBX:

(http://i367.photobucket.com/albums/oo118/Speedbag/CBX024.jpg)

(http://i367.photobucket.com/albums/oo118/Speedbag/CBX030.jpg)

Mods included a 1050 big bore kit, ported heads, cams, rejetted carbs, Kerker 6:2 exhaust, CB1100F fork parts and wheels, 900F headlight and signals, Corbin seat, and paint.

After he unearthed these pics he began wishing he had kept it.....

Wow, that's a beautiful job and still kept the CBX look.  Looks like an '81 or '82 only much better.  Shoulda hung onto it.  Thank him from me for digging up the pics. 

This one should have some appeal to Monster lovers.
(http://i327.photobucket.com/albums/k445/majmontana/uhingcbx21.jpg) 

hey, look who showed up at bike night last night.... [thumbsup]

(http://i51.tinypic.com/2wpj6mb.jpg)

(http://i56.tinypic.com/25i43vd.jpg)

(http://i54.tinypic.com/2nbbrzc.jpg)

(http://i53.tinypic.com/29waa9w.jpg)

(http://i51.tinypic.com/29dfue1.jpg)

(http://i56.tinypic.com/98a5uu.jpg)

(http://i54.tinypic.com/11qqng8.jpg)

(http://i55.tinypic.com/2w7py7r.jpg)

(http://i53.tinypic.com/2cfcy7t.jpg)

(http://i56.tinypic.com/wj8386.jpg)

(http://i54.tinypic.com/x3ag6p.jpg)

(http://i55.tinypic.com/315ilc5.jpg)