1979 CBX Restomod

[FalldownPhil]

That is really cool but where is the rain?
Best,
Phil

[Mouse]

And it runs, and runs nicely:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GMFcTmwPoIQ

Now, swingarm, gas tank, petcock, lights, gauges, controls, etc.

Yup!
That sounds nice. Is that 6 into 1 from Tims?

[steve murdoch icoa #5322]

Congrats on the engine rebuild although it would make a cool looking piece of artwork.

Mouse, that 6-1 is from Motogpwerks. The header section is a replica of a long defunct Winning system. They sound nice.

Eaasssy, Phil. haha.

[Mouse]

Humm.
I checked out Motogpwerks web site but did not find a listing for CBX exhaust units.
I have seen them listed at TIM's though.

[Jeff Bennetts]

It sounds sweet Z, looking forward to the rest of your build!

[Z3n]

Motogpwerks is indeed making those pipes for tims. It sounds lovely in person!

Now I just have to sort out swingarm and shock mounts, rear wheel spacing, and the rest and it should be good to run!

Thanks all for the kind words on the build, I'm very pleased with it.

[Z3n]

I have ordered a better condition ZX6R swingarm (the one for test fitting has seized bearings and will be sacrificed to make sure there's enough meat on the swingarm to clearance for the back of the engine), weld in shock mounts. I've also ordered a petcock rebuild kit, an Earls 10 row oil cooler, the appropriate AN-10 oil fittings, need to order a dyna ignition. I think this is highly unlikely, but it might be possible to make the ZRX speedo drive work with the CBX gauges.

Besides that, the #4 carb is leaking slightly (probably just some grit on the float needle), I need to take care of some odds and ends, clean up the gas tank, replace the fuel lines, remove the no longer needed electrical components, figure out rear wheel fit/spacers, figure out a rear brake, fit the oil cooler and have the lower oil cooler lines clamped to the fittings by a hydraulic shop, install turn signals, headlight, mirrors. Also need to order custom rear shock upper bushings for fitting the ZRX shocks to the CBX frame.

Once that stuff is done the bike will be rideable.

After that stuff is done, its:
Ducati headlight mounting/wiring
ABS
Replace wiring harness / rewire bike / RFID key
Steering damper / handlebar mounts
Replacement gauges

And then finally, after the engine is broken in nicely and all, and we've had fun for a couple thousand miles, it'll all get torn down for paint/powdercoat/other cosmetic work.

And after that is done, I'll probably try and custom make a 6 into 6 for it, get it all tuned up properly, and see if I can break 100rwhp on it.

[steve murdoch icoa #5322]

Hate to cherry pick one tiny portion of your build but what are you using for shock mounts to be welded on the swingarm?
I used a set from Katman years ago but he is getting out of the business.
http://www.parts.suzuki-katana.com/

[Jeff Bennetts]

Hate to cherry pick one tiny portion of your build but what are you using for shock mounts to be welded on the swingarm?
I used a set from Katman years ago but he is getting out of the business.
http://www.parts.suzuki-katana.com/

Steve, I think he mentions Stites in his post, his name is Scott and he posts on the ZRX and Busa forums. He started a machine shop a couple yrs ago and specializes in MC bits among other things, I can PM you his contact info if you like.

[Z3n]

Jeff is correct - using stites shock mounts. His email is pulseperformanceparts@gmail.com. They're scheduled to show up today which will allow me to dial in initial geometry.

[steve murdoch icoa #5322]

Thanks, Gents.

[Z3n]

So, I've made some progress and then threw everything together so I could feel like the bike was going somewhere:


Shooting for first ride at end of February.

Have two things to address - the first is the shock bushings (I think i can get away with removing the old metal spacer bound to the bushing), the second is getting the swingarm shock mounts welded on, which requires making sure my test fit and such is in place.

Also, man, the old fuseable link fuses are hilarious.

Oh, and the ignition switch broke, that made for some fun troubleshooting.

[Jeff Bennetts]

How's your frame bracing coming along?

[Z3n]

From what I've heard, a large part of the problem with frame stiffness was down to the plastic swingarm bushings allowing massive flex between the swingarm and the frame - I'm not ready to send the frame off to powder coat yet, so I'm gonna get it together and see if the stiffer forks, swingarm, and solid swingarm pivot design brace the frame enough. If they don't, then I'll brace it before it gets powdercoated. :)

This bike will never be as fast / performance focused as a more modern bike, so having some flex in the chassis can make it more engaging to ride at street speeds which isn't a bad thing.

[wyly]

I switched out the plastic swingarm bushing for brass and I haven't had a repeat of the head shakes, I can't say positively that change alone cured the issue or if it could be attributed to a combination of changes I made at that time, better tires, improved shocks...since then I've changed the seating position with a sport kit moving my mass forward and lower ...and now race tech modifications to my forks...