Hello New Member

[FalldownPhil]

Don't be tempted by all the modern-add-on customs here and elsewhere. Huge dollars and work and won't be worth near what you have in it. Yours is very nice and looks like all stock with all the correct parts guys would almost die for (sport kit included). Spend the money on a quality stock red paint job, clean/polish/paint where needed and get the mechanicals up to snuff and you (and your dad) will be much happier with the bike in the long run. All you may want to do has been done here by many, so ask before venturing into the bike very far. You need a shop manual and a lot of patience.

Dave

+1
It is a beautiful, original CBX, begging to be returned to it's former glory (Candy Glory Red) pun intended !! If you rebuild this one back to stock, there will be many opportunities falling from the sky in front of you for a "Deal" on one sitting in someone's backyard. Make your custom out of one that is not quite restoration material. This bike is far too nice to make anything but an original out of. It will also be worth considerably more $$$ in stock form. This is of course, just my own opinion and it is yours to do with as you please. If you want a hot rod, maybe I could interest you in some sort of a trade. Maybe you would like a turbo? Maybe "The Hulk" Just PM me.
Very Best,
Phil

[daves79x]

Does this bike happen to have a particularly low (2 or 3 digit) serial number?

Dave

[herdygerdy]

I am with many on here, keep it as close to stock as possible, get it running right and simply enjoy it. There would be a lot of time spent, that could perhaps be better spent riding the CBX, you would have to invest to turn it into a hot rodl

Also...if you turn up back in Florida with a metal flaked, upside down forked, single sided swinging armed CBX crotch rocket with the 'mating dog' seating position and with disc rotors the size of dustbin lids, how on earth could your dear old Dad relate to that bike at all? I could imagine him taking one look and saying 'WTF?'

The alternative could be kinda something like this instead....

https://youtu.be/82iVMONcwss

Seems to me you have become the lucky, not to mention honoured, custodian of this lovely candidate for refurbishment through the generosity of spirit of your dear old Dad. Can you possibly imagine the enormous smile on his face when you turn up with it looking even better than it was when he purchased and rode it? Now THAT would be priceless and a special memory and an emotional event for both of you. And then, with the passage of time, you could pass it on to your kids....

And if you simply MUST do the crotch rocket thing, then get an el cheapo' roughie and have your way with that instead - but only after you have this back on the road. The desire to do the crotch thing may dissipate considerably when you are riding and enjoying your family heirloom.

My two South Pacific pesos worth.

Cheers...Tony

[whitecatbob]

Get it running, clean it up and repair only what is necessary, the seat cover for instance. Unless the paint is really bad polish and leave it original. Showroom restorations are great were the state of the bike needs it. However I think a original good condition 35 year old bike should simply look like a well maintained good condition 35 year old bike.

As for changing and/or adding go faster bits, unless the original bike is a real mess what's the point, whatever you do will not make it outperform even a 90s Fireblade and probably cost twice as much.

[wyly]

all true, I've increased my hp by maybe 10 but it wasn't to make it run with the new rockets, at 600lbs it just won't do that unless I put a turbo on it. The power I now have is more than enough for my needs I can spend $2-3k on a used 650 crotch rocket that will out run and out handle the Z. But whenever I'm at a bike event nothing seems to draw crowd quicker than the Z.

My prime objective is to have the Z run reliably and improve it's handling for my own personal comfort and fun.

[Ban-one]

Thanks for all the input. It's all greatly appreciated. Well as far as paint goes. It will definitely need a repaint. The top of the fuel tank is very faded. I did forget to mention that although it has been stored in a garage. It hasn't run in 20 years. The last time she was on the road was 1996. First thing first. I need to get it running. Rebuild carbs. Valves adjusted. Anything else anyone can suggest before I hit the go button ????

[wyly]

dynatek or accel coils, alternator conversion from Tim's, Core-Moto brake lines , led light conversion, seat from corbin, rear shocks...

and as has already been mentioned exhaust, good oem exhaust are rare save the ones you have. If you want to keep the original look (and they perform well) the oem manufacturer Sankei has re-issued the original product. Or you can do as I did and opt for a different look and sound and store the oem pipes in the garage.

[daves79x]

Rebuilding the carbs will be your biggest challenge. If you are not intimately familiar with the process specifically with CBX carbs, expect to pull them 2 or 3 times to get them right. Ill running upon first start-up will almost certainly be attributed to carbs not right yet, but don't get discouraged - it happens to everyone. You also really need to check all wiring connections, including coils and ground points. Get a good AGM battery. Might as well look inside the alternator and see what it's like also.

Assuming it ran when parked (didn't they all?), it should at least run to do a further evaluation.

Dave

[wyly]

as to Dave's comment on battery, the stock setup has a spacer, take that out (don't throw it away) and you can fit in a bigger battery from a GoldWing.

[Ban-one]

Ok now the fun starts !!!! I spoke to the guys at Old School Carbs. I will be sending them out for a full rebuild. I did a compression test. The news was very disappointing. 80psi to 90 psi. Across the board. Looks like I'm in for a lot more work !!!