New guy - NC redneck in Arizona

[desertrefugee]

Hello gents. I'm not a youngster (60'ish), but I've never owned a CBX - until today. Lusted after them since they hit the streets. Always a bit out of reach, and I moved in other cycle directions (Triumph/Norton/CB750/ZL900 Eliminator/Vmax/GS1000) to name a few. Before today, my garage held a very nice '97 Valkyrie and a fun hotrod - a '78 GL1000. Now sporting dual Weber IDF 40's. It's a looker too.

But, there's a new gal in the garage to join the two GLs.

I found a CBX in nearby Tucson and had to go take a look. Touted as "one owner", it had nonetheless been through some changes over the years. On the way down from Metro Phoenix, my buddy and I agreed I shouldn't be too emotional and that I'd walk if this wasn't a slam dunk. (Good bones, good paper, etc. etc. etc.) I am of the opinion - and he agreed - that it is all the above and maybe a little more.

I hope you gurus agree. I know it's late to ask, but I didn't want to miss it. I'll never have another shot for one at such a low price.

It is in fact a one owner '79. I have the original title issued to the owner when the bike had three (3) miles in 1983. Yes 1983. He bought it still in a crate in '83. Said it was supposedly one of the last crated CBX's left. Too bad he was not of a slightly different mindset. He has money. He made quite a few less than desireable mods, in my opinion. At one time, he said he had four of them. He's old now and, for some reason, this was the last of them to go. I wouldn't have even been there if the price had not been one I simply could not ignore.

Pics showed flames. I'm not a flame fan. I looked past them to future respray. But, they were done professionally in Daytona by some guy from Chicago named Gilmore. The paint is exquisite. Waaaaayyyy too nice to cover up. I'll think I might learn to like flames. It has a few mods. Forks are now air. That came later, but this system was not Honda. Motor was painted black and needs a respray. It was dropped on the right side off the kickstand and two fins are broken on the head. (Bummed me out). Not bad and I think I can smooth them out and make them appear "normal". Missing turn signals, chain guard, original seat (Corbin now). Bars are not stock. Tail piece has the hatch. He says a "fat girlfriend" years ago sat on the original and broke it. Hmmm.

It's dirty. Been sitting in a garage for ten years since last run. Stabil in the tank. No rust. (It's Arizona). No rust not just inside the tank, but anywhere. It will clean up nicely.

There was no battery. I took a powertank and very carefully bumped it over until I was assured there was not fuel in the cylinders. It was clear, so I then spun it over healthily and it seemed to have really good compression. I spritzed some WD-40 into the four outside cylinders and hit it again and danged if it didn't fire and try to run. I was sold. Gave the man the money and loaded it up. Tally ho!

I know my way around a carburetor (although I'm sure this rack will be a test of will). I've gone through a pile of motorcycles - some back from the brink. I, for sure, will rely on the archived expertise here - and some real-time discussion if something unusual pops up. At this point, I'm going to drain the fuel tank, put in some fresh gas and see if I can get it to run as is. I just want to gauge "how bad" the carbs are before I dive in. Doing some reading, folks say that getting your CBX carbs sorted is half the battle in getting one running again. We'll see about that. The carb is remarkably similar to the early GL carbs with which I am quite familiar. Both Mike Nixon and Randakk carry kits and other bits for them.

So, I'm off. Thanks for letting me in the door. Sorry about the lengthy intro, but if there's a group of people who can understand my excitement, it's you!

Hook, line and sinker:

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Crowded garage:

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I can't bring myself to cover this paint for now:

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I will be in this chair into the wee hours detailing for no other reason
than to bond with the machine. Then the real planning/work starts:

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[swarrans]

Welcome.
That looks like it might be noisy!

Simon

[steve murdoch icoa #5322]

Welcome to the site.
The fact that it sorta runs makes it a decent starting point with some "interesting" changes from stock.
A bonus [imho] is the addition of the Sportkit.
If you run into difficulties in the resto process there is an excellent shop nearby in Tuscon.
https://www.restocycle.com/

[daves79x]

Welcome! Good story. Your bike has the complete optional sport kit. Bars, rearsets, all the bits. It is a very desirable option. If you decide you must hear it run right away, I'll not discourage you, but you should really check several things over before you do that. There's a pretty extensive checklist of things needing done from stem to stern on a CBX that's been sitting for a long time. Sounds like you've been through that, just know that the CBX does not suffer many mistakes and any made will get expensive. A shop manual is a MUST. Carry on and keep us posted of your progress.

Dave

[desertrefugee]

Thanks for the well wishes - and the cautions. I'm pretty stoked, but don't want to make any missteps - especially if they get expensive.

To wit, aside from hydrolock, which missteps could gets expensiver? Again, I'm a CBX virgin, but have done some significant reading. Also, Dave, any notion where that "New CBX Owner Checklist" you mentioned might be formally documented? Or is it a "Waking a Long-Sleeping CBX Checklist?" I'd prefer not to do something stupid that's not otherwise intuitively obvious. By the way, I've seen Randakk's checklist for waking an old GL that's been laid up. It's mostly applicable to anything. But, the CBX-specific pitfalls worry me a bit.

About the front Comstar. Mine has aluminum spokes. In the GL world, those were bad news and quickly converted (and even replaced) with steel? It's original, but a 40 year old design mistake. Or are the CBX aluminum Comstars not a problem?

And yes, I'll bet this thing will make the devil's own noise with those pipes. They are Russ Collins (RC) headers - no idea what the extensions are. The good news is that I got the never-installed RC silencers still in the box! (I actually hear that they're not all that quiet either. But, I suspect they won't howl like these straights.

Thanks again. I'll be around, but won't become a nuisance. (I hope).

[Mouse]

To the group

[wyly]

...never had an issue with my oem wheels , I only know of one other instance where it was claimed claimed the wheels were a problem...

[steve murdoch icoa #5322]

The RC Eng. system has a lovely sound.
This one belongs to Greg, a member here.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L9Y-CvWRw1Q

[wyly]

Pics showed flames. I'm not a flame fan. I looked past them to future respray. But, they were done professionally in Daytona by some guy from Chicago named Gilmore. The paint is exquisite. Waaaaayyyy too nice to cover up. I'll think I might learn to like flames.

I can't bring myself to cover this paint for now:

IMG_5724.JPG

it's an excellent paint job, I'm not a flame fan either but I'd hesitate painting over that...wait until you drop it then paint

Tail piece has the hatch. He says a "fat girlfriend" years ago sat on the original and broke it. Hmmm.

yup that'll do it, the cowls get brittle as they age and tend to crack in the middle...some owners cut the rubber bumper under the cowl to prevent cracking and/or don't engage the two latches on either side of the seat...

[desertrefugee]

Since I have begun a "resurrection" thread (as opposed to a restoration) and dislike loose ends, here's a link to that. It will not be detailed, rather an overview of what was needed to get this one on the road again. Time has been fairly kind to it and, although customized, it does not whisper in my ear, "Restore me!"

Thank god.

viewtopic.php?f=102&t=10965

[CopperCollar]

The flame job looks great. I really like the blue in there.
A great bike to start with and those RC pipes are killer.

[Jeff Bennetts]

I like the period mods on the bike, continue with that theme and do whatever upgrades you can afford.

[Bernd]

Welcome to the Forum!

Bernd

[NobleHops]

Howdy neighbor!!

[Ringnalda]

Welcome to the forums, most information you could possibly need for your CBX is on here, but if you cannot find it, ask any questions and you will get a reply. If you have a question about oil or brake fluid, THOSE topics have already been covered, can be found easily and should not be re-opened...!

Enjoy the project, and congrats on a very functional and purpose-built CBX. And even though I normally hate flames, the ones on your bike do look great!