I always wanted a CBX

[Africaboy]

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.

[Johnny OrganDonor]

Forget that.  This is what every CBX should sound like.
CBXsound

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. 

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.




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

[Javamoose]

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.

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:


RICK'S CUSTOM 1980 HONDA CBX


I guess he re-did it as a Carbon CBX...

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.  

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.

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

[fastwin]

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! [moto]

[Johnny OrganDonor]

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

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

[ungeheuer]

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    I'm so envious I'm green.

[Speedbag]

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..... 

[techno]

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

[KRJ]

   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.

[il d00d]

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

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

[Johnny OrganDonor]

   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.

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.

[Speedbag]

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

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

[lazarus7]

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

[Monsterlover]

^

that's a pretty cool ride!

[Johnny OrganDonor]

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

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

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.