1979 CBX rebuild ground up...

Posted: Wed Jan 17, 2018 7:19 pm

Evening all as requested here is my CBX restoration project..

So I purchased this project nearly three years ago as a job lot of CBX parts and frames, this was the only complete bike. The bike is very rare as it is reputed to be one of only 300 made in black prior to the launch of the 80A to test the market. There has been a lot of debate as to whether these bikes were out the factory black, however it is clear that other CBX did exist in black and were exported to Europe and South Africa as general export variants.

This is how the project started, this bike has only 26000KM's on the odometer and I am certain from the foot peg and other indicators that it is genuine.

The engine was completely stripped casings re-painted in OEM silver - will continue to post soon!

Posted: Wed Jan 17, 2018 7:36 pm

I have no doubt that this will be another one of your stunning restorations. Thanks for starting the thread and please keep the pictures coming!

Posted: Wed Jan 17, 2018 7:37 pm

So I just remembered pics need to be posted in reverse order - so here we go for the engine rebuild.

The crank was in superb condition within factory specified tolerances, the main bearing were re-used but big ends replaced as the engine has now been bored out to 1147cc with the big bore kit so I wanted to be prudent. The cam chain tensioner was found with no cracks and both timing chains replaced with OEM. all new gaskets and seals throughout the objective for this bike is improved freeway cruising performance and reliability as this is going to be my personal classic tourer

The cylinder head has been ported and shimmed to between 4-5 thou - the cams are the originals with high lift compared to the B model prolink delivering as standard 105BHP so hopefully I should see maybe a 10% increase and more torque. I will post the frame build up tomorrow night as its getting late.. however check this out for the ease on fitting the big six into the frame!

Link

Posted: Wed Jan 17, 2018 11:14 pm

I see the trick NOW.

Just add Two EXTRA PEOPLE and Four EXTRA HANDS. Smile

..

MUCH Easier than two hands and a floor jack. Shocked

Posted: Thu Jan 18, 2018 1:46 am

I don't need no stinkin' jack!

You have a Katana too? Nice stable of bikes.

Posted: Thu Jan 18, 2018 4:17 am

CBX1260cc wrote:

I see the trick NOW.

Just add Two EXTRA PEOPLE and Four EXTRA HANDS. Smile

..

MUCH Easier than two hands and a floor jack. Shocked

Come on CBX1260- can you lift a CBX motor out the back of your SUV on your own Shocked

? So its only one pair of extra hands Wink

Fitting a CBX motor is actually a doddle compared to an RC with a rigid frame.

PS: note the fitting of the chain guard between the engine and frame and spacer.. if this is not fitted it bends the frame possibly beyond repair.

Posted: Thu Jan 18, 2018 4:22 am

smurdoch wrote:

You have a Katana too?

Yes every now and then I have to remind myself why I have so many Honda's Cool

..

Posted: Thu Jan 18, 2018 3:08 pm

Ancillaries...

Carbs completely rebuilt, new jets fitted - new plating, nearly as good as new... can anyone see the deliberate mistake?

Ignition pack rebuilt...

Calipers and master cylinders soda blasted fitted with new seals..

Posted: Thu Jan 18, 2018 3:33 pm

Frame assembly..

Tip her upside down... insert the swinging bit and stand and insert the rotating thing into the swinging bit.. Laughing

Once finished turn her upright and add the two protruding things into the front holes and add the second rotating thingy... Shocked

Finally once finished dress her up for the next round... Wink

Posted: Thu Jan 18, 2018 3:50 pm

Looks sweet! Can you tell me what the overall length of the frame is in inches? I'll be PC'ing one soon and want to make sure it will fit comfortably in my oven.

Posted: Thu Jan 18, 2018 5:09 pm

recall my 1st ever bike purchase, a silver honda xl250 motosport - goes to the local Honda dealer 17yr old and more excited than when I popped mi cherry - just arrived was the 1st CBX in stock at the local, a silver one - just gobsmacked at it - nothing at the time had the presence of this bike and even now it still stands out as something very special
I soon got my focus back on why I was at the shop but that image has remained with me - sorry to say the xl250 didn't last as long
looking fwd to seeing this build progress - Cool

Posted: Thu Jan 18, 2018 5:14 pm

CBX frame is 54.5", Tom.

Posted: Thu Jan 18, 2018 6:23 pm

smurdoch wrote:

CBX frame is 54.5", Tom.

thanks Smurdoch couldnt find my tape measure Embarassed

Posted: Thu Jan 18, 2018 6:48 pm

Awesome - that should fit fine. The frame is being dropped off Saturday. Should be easier to deal with than an F frame without the lower members to deal with. I wish our engines were that easy to install!

Posted: Fri Jan 19, 2018 7:06 am

tomk1960 wrote:

Awesome - that should fit fine. The frame is being dropped off Saturday. Should be easier to deal with than an F frame without the lower members to deal with. I wish our engines were that easy to install!

Another BIG plus is attaching the carbs while the engine is tilted. Razz

Chico

Posted: Fri Jan 19, 2018 10:23 am

Hello Cary, nice work! you are very active with the Honda`s is the next project more spectular than the six :<)

Very nice work.

Greetings,
Wim

Posted: Fri Jan 19, 2018 8:17 pm

metalganz wrote:

Hello Cary, nice work! you are very active with the Honda`s is the next project more spectular than the six :<)

Very nice work.

Greetings,
Wim

Thanks Wim TBH it does not get much better than this, this has been my dream bike from the age of 15 when it was first released, I had the "big six" poster on my bedroom wall and this will be my bike to go touring on with - the wife who hates my modern bikes. I have always loved Honda's purely down to their engineering excellence and looks. This is sort of turning into a business as I have another two RC's to restore and a eurospec 1100F to complete.

I sold my engineering businesses a couple of years ago and now do this as a hobby to keep me busy in South Africa where I spend my time in the European winter. The skill sets here are fantastic and very cost effective and I have made many great friends in the process.

So if anyone wants an RC nut and bolt restoration I have one coming up for sale - I will ship it to Europe or the US... PM me if your interested and we can discuss..

Anyway the bike is being dressed up now - the Marzocchi shocks were put on as a temporary fitment whilst I overhaul the originals.. I think they wil stay now though Laughing

Link

This video was taken after firing up for the first time in over 30 years... the carbs have not been synced yet (but set by eye when rebuilt) and probably will not need it as you can see from the burn across the six cylinders...

Posted: Sat Jan 20, 2018 1:49 pm

Very nice Cary!Stunning bike. I hope that my CBX just as nice looks as these pictures! But that will take some time.
Wim

Posted: Sat Jan 20, 2018 2:32 pm

Very nice Cary!Stunning bike. I hope that my CBX just as nice looks as these pictures! But that will take some time.
Wim

Posted: Sun Jan 21, 2018 5:22 am

Thanks Wim,

Just waiting for the exhausts from my supplier which should be ready on Tuesday, I am going for the same brushed satin finish as on the RC. It has given me time to sort out the detail items to make it original in every way possible down to very nut and bolt and washer. Like my RC I have tried not to over restore the bike to give it the patina of a bike that is 39 years old... I may change this decision but will wait to see what the finished product looks like. So things like the peg brackets, and foot pegs are showing their age along with the rims (I had the outside edge of the rims polished and clear lacquered but the inner is original as are the hubs).

So hopefully I should be able to post the final pictures middle of next week... I am really excited to see the boy hood dream realised!

PS. Wim I dropped you an email around the other RC I am restoring..

Posted: Mon Jan 22, 2018 8:41 pm

Top work there!
What paint did you use on the engine c/cases?
beerchug

Posted: Tue Jan 23, 2018 12:06 am

Hey Longclose, I see you have the 79 OEM single rubber nub rail for the rear tail section. Take care to not put any pressure on the tail section getting on and off the bike and don't let any fat chicks ride pillion or the tail will crack.

One fix is to use a grab rail from an 80 A model, that has the two rubber nubs vs one.

Posted: Tue Jan 23, 2018 5:45 am

Longclose, I noticed you placed the rear shocks with the reservoir facing forward. I have them facing rearward so as to keep the reservoir away from the rear passenger pegs. Did you have a reason for your position or was that arbitrary?

Chico

Posted: Tue Jan 23, 2018 3:00 pm

"don't let any fat chicks ride pillion"

Timeless words of wisdom for all ages..

Posted: Tue Jan 23, 2018 8:02 pm

chico wrote:

Longclose, I noticed you placed the rear shocks with the reservoir facing forward. I have them facing rearward so as to keep the reservoir away from the rear passenger pegs. Did you have a reason for your position or was that arbitrary?

Chico

Ahh... you noticed the Marzocchi shocks will not face rearward as they foul the brake caliper.. tried but failed.. these are temporary as the original I am refurbishing but may leave the Marzocchis on..

Posted: Tue Jan 23, 2018 8:07 pm

cbxsix wrote:

Hey Longclose, I see you have the 79 OEM single rubber nub rail for the rear tail section. Take care to not put any pressure on the tail section getting on and off the bike and don't let any fat chicks ride pillion or the tail will crack.

One fix is to use a grab rail from an 80 A model, that has the two rubber nubs vs one.

The bike is for me and SWAMBO to tour so will have to be a little delicate on this front...or rear as the case may be Wink

I have an 80A tailbox but it is being swapped for a guy who is restoring his 80A to stock... I will get all of the parts off it for my twin shock cafe racer project which is coming up..

Posted: Tue Jan 23, 2018 8:12 pm

Testr wrote:

Top work there!
What paint did you use on the engine c/cases?
beerchug

Will check out and come back to you the engine cases were painted over 12 months ago!

Posted: Tue Jan 23, 2018 8:17 pm

Nearly there..

Exhausts fitted this evening from my trusted artisan who build to OEM spec in stainless! Big reveal tomorrow all being well..

Posted: Tue Jan 23, 2018 8:27 pm

Motorcycle porn...

Posted: Tue Jan 23, 2018 8:31 pm

Nice work, thanks for sharing....