CBX Strengths & Woes

[Bandit88]

Hi men!
CYCLE WORLD Forums Board Homesteader Bandit88 (125,000 miles on a GSF1200) checking in.
We got into a CBX discussion over there:

CAN SOMEONE PLEASE TELL ME/US...
The BASIC challenges of maintaining a CBX?
Weak links in the design? (i.e., cam bearing failures, etc.?)
Strengths?
THANKS!

[tevan]

Challenge is the carbs and the idle jets in carb.if you don't use bike much.
The alternator is a challenge to keep up. It never was a big charger. Bad design.
Engine seems to be a strong one minus if you hydrolock it.
Front forks on 79/80 were too small and flex under aggressive riding. They put bigger ones on the 81/82 models.

[hondaman160mph]

Anything with small carburetors that isn't used often is going to be trouble with today's gasoline,
especially gasoline containing ethanol.
My CB 450's idle jets will plug up quicker than my CBX on ethanol gas. I run ethanol free gas in everything from weedwackers to outboards now.
As for the alternator my '82 with 15,000 miles has never been any trouble and I am running dual headlights.
Like muscle cars of the same era the cool factor is worth the effort of maintenance.

[Larry Zimmer]

Hi, Bandit,

For what it's worth: I have an '82 prolink. I'd say the most sensitive item on the bike relative to maintenance/service is the electrical connections! Keep them clean and corrosion free!!!! This can have significant affect to the charging system. Yes, the carbs can be an issue if the fuel is neglected. However, in 20+ years, I've never had an issue. Drain the carbs if sitting more than 2 or 3 days. (Requires about 10 minutes.) Add a double dose of Stabil if sitting a month or longer. Use an AGM battery. Battery Tender. Besides that, just the usual maintenance. Best updgrade -- Progressive 465 series shock and RaceTech emulators in the forks. Go ride.

Happy 2016!

[Mouse]

So we have read about the weakness's of the CBX 6 in the previous post's so how about the strengths.
No#1 in my book is the AWESOME! sound track. Nothing, NOTHING! beats the sound from a well tuned CBX .

[Larry Zimmer]

DITTO that!!!

[tevan]

So we have read about the weakness's of the CBX 6 in the previous post's so how about the strengths.
No#1 in my book is the AWESOME! sound track. Nothing, NOTHING! beats the sound from a well tuned CBX .

I agree totally. Nothing like the sound of a x going thru the gears with a good header on it.

[Mouse]

No#2 strength in my opinion is the reactions of others when they see my X .
Like- "Holy Crap! that has six cylinders", to, as happened to me this year, getting a thumbs up from an overtaking Hell's Angel MC member". People just want to chat with you about the bike in general.

[wyly]

No#2 strength in my opinion is the reactions of others when they see my X .
Like- "Holy Crap! that has six cylinders", to, as happened to me this year, getting a thumbs up from an overtaking Hell's Angel MC member". People just want to chat with you about the bike in general.

yeah not riding for 35 yrs and having it stored in the garage I wasn't prepared for the attention my Z gets anytime anywhere...it's like having your "15 minutes of fame" every week....

[wyly]

No#2 strength in my opinion is the reactions of others when they see my X .
Like- "Holy Crap! that has six cylinders", to, as happened to me this year, getting a thumbs up from an overtaking Hell's Angel MC member". People just want to chat with you about the bike in general.

yeah not riding for 35 yrs and having it stored in the garage I wasn't prepared for the attention my Z gets anytime anywhere...it's like having your "15 minutes of fame" every week...

I get the thumbs up and nods of approval from the young guys on their sport rockets and every one of them could leave me far behind...

[wyly]

weak spots-carbs, carbs, carbs...not an issue for the mechanically talented on this forum, but for us mortals it's a challenge, cleaning, rebuilding,synchronizing, removal and re-installation of the carbs is intimidating for us less experienced types(i'm getting better with help from the forum experts) ...but when they're working well it's fantastic....

there other issues (handling)are easy to live with or easily remedied...

strengths...it's magical to look at, when you pull up in front of the nearest cycle shop you know there aren't going to be any others parked there, your ride is special ...and that sound!

[Mouse]

Strength No#3
It fits me!
Seriously! I'm 6'3" so finding a street bike that fits is problematic. I've sat on most of the modern sportbikes, and they are clearly designed for people shorter than the average male (5' 9").