What is high mileage for these engines?

[6Pipes]

Hi all,

Under normal maintenance and operational conditions, how many miles before these engines need top end work?
How many miles before complete overhaul is required?

I realize the questions are subjective but I am looking for a bike to purchase. Based on mileage I'm trying to figure out when engine work beyond externals (Carbs etc) is likely.

Thanks!!

[Terry]

My 82 is just about to pass 100,000 miles so I'll let you know in a couple years...

[daves79x]

It all depends on the care they've had. I've had an 80,000 mile '80 that ran near redline much of it's life and was speed-shifted a lot, but that bike ran fantastic, used little oil and was one of the nicest running CBXs I've had. My original '79 has 45,000 miles on it and runs as new - uses no oil to speak of (any more than it ever did - they all use a little). Then I've seen some very low-mile ones that needed a lot of engine work because they've sat in a bad environment, or just plain sat. But 20,000-30,000 miles is no problem if the bike has had any reasonable care.

Don't be frightened off by the excessive clutch rattle on most '79s - it's not a problem. If you can hear a bike run that you're considering, that's worth something, but in any case, buy the best one you can afford, 'cause you'll put the money (or more) in a lesser bike on the back side, guaranteed. But if you like the restoration process and are patient, most everything you need is still available somewhere.

Dave

[6Pipes]

Great feedback Dave.
Much appreciated!

[steve murdoch icoa #5322]

I have a '79 that went through 6 owners and 42,000 miles before it needed a new top end.
It was the first CBX i looked at ten years ago. I remember the seller telling me "they all make that racket" in reference to the clutch rattle. I was convinced he was lying, that the engine was about to implode and was going to walk away from the sale, but i took it for a ride and was hooked.
After buying the bike and doing some research, what do you know..."they all make that racket"

[Don]

After buying the bike and doing some research, what do you know..."they all make that racket"

Well, all '79's eventually start sounding like they have Ducati clutches in them when at idle and the '80 models also but to a lesser degree, but the '81 and '82's are all nice and quiet . . . . which makes a late model clutch a really neat upgrade. We just put one in my '79 last month and it's now one of the quieter early models you're likely to hear - What a change!!

The bad news is . . . . they made nearly 40,000 or so early models which could use a late model clutch, but with only about 10,000 late models to steal parts from, it makes finding a good clutch basket pretty hard . . . . and pretty 'spendy' too - But, it's worth the search and the money 'cause it's one of the better upgrades there is for a '79 or '80

It's just a shame to have such a 'Swiss Watch' of an engine and then have it sound like every bolt in it is loose when you come to a stop sign

Don

[George R. Garrison #0857]

Don, I looked at and listened to your bike at Brookeville and its an excellent example of how a few upgrades can make the early CBX a sweet heart of a ride.

Nice bike you have.