New in Washington state

[wood337]

Hello,

I just posted my intro in some other area...probably lost. LOL. Try again here.

I have a '68 Victor and '75 elsinore but m without a street bike at the moment. I've had Harleys so I'm thinking something different this time around.

At the dealer I saw the new CB1100 retro bike (almost bought it). To me it has just about perfect vintage Honda styling and certainly would be easy to live with (fuel inj...nice size...abs) but then I looked into a local CBX sale. Well the X is the pinnacle of vintage Honda to be sure.........so I'm deliberating.

Anyway, the CBX is an 81 and I would be removing (and storing) the fairing. Which headlight bucket-assemblies would fit? (cb900 ... 750?) or is it CBX strictly on the headlight?

Also, although I appreciate the original pieces and style I find the tail section, fender and tail light kinda bulky. Has anyone fit up or fashions something a little more brief, shorter etc? I am only interested in botl-on mods because, of course, I want to be able to restore to original quickly and easily.

Thanks very much

Wayne

[swarrans]

Welcome Wayne. I've got a naked 82 CBX and I agree it does look fat and heavy around the rear end. At the moment I have wrapped the painted fender in black vinyl which helps a bit but I'm thinking of wrapping more of it to follow the feature line below the grab handle and lower part of the tail piece. I've seen bikes masked and sprayed like that and it definitely makes them look better imho.

It is possible to fit an earlier seat and tail piece I believe but the parts would be horrendously expensive and it's not a bolt on project.

The two bikes you're considering obviously have huge performance and ownership differences - but then you know that!

Simon

[daves79x]

Welcome also Wayne! Removing the fairing is easy enough and the easiest, by far, headlight conversion is the early CBX one. They are getting harder to find and expensive. You need the mounting bracket for sure and you can use a CB750/900 bucket, but it is a nightmare fitting all the wiring into one as they are a bit smaller.

Replacing the seat/tail is another matter. Permanent frame mods are required to adapt an early seat/tail, and you need the early tank as well. That would be pretty expensive and pretty permanent.

For your first CBX, I'd personally keep the '81 stock and worry about getting all the mechanicals/suspension right, which is in itself a huge feat. You might really like riding the '81 as is.

Dave

[steve murdoch icoa #5322]

Hi ya, Wayne.
Any of the bobber/brat/cafe Prolink customs that i have seen photos of required some rear end frame alterations.
I have always thought the massive lump of the engine needs a substantial tail area to keep a balanced look.
How about just going naked like this one.
https://www.smartcycleguide.com/L48595930

[wood337]

Thanks, very much, for the replies.

Simon- Would you have a pic you could post or send me of your bike and tail section? Very interested.

Dave- The bike I'm looking at is in very, very good condition. What tweeks will be essential right away..... other than safety items, fluids and setting valves?

Steve-I like that picture of the white bike very much...yea, I'm certain I would remove the fairing, for a try.

Thank you again everyone. PLEASE keep comments/advice comming.

Wayne

[swarrans]

Mine looks almost identical to the picture posted except for the application of vinyl wrap around the rear mudguard - I haven't got a photo but will take one tomorrow. There were other photos on here or CBX world where the bike had been repainted with the bottom section of the rear end blacked out and it makes it look much slimmer.

Simon

[daves79x]

This thread might give you a little idea of what you're in for: viewtopic.php?f=27&t=11043

Dave

[wood337]

Thanks again.

This next bike is going to be Honda inline-four (or 6) ...away from Harley. This site is fantastic. Is there a simular site for cb650/700 and 750/900?

[steve murdoch icoa #5322]

Here are 2 excellent sites for the DOHC Honda.

http://www.cb750c.com/
http://www.cb1100f.net/

You will recognize some of the names.

[EMS]

A local dealer here has bought all remaining 2014 inventory of the Honda CB1100 from Honda of America and is selling the bikes NEW for $5,600.-
If one doesn't mind to have the old model, what a deal!