Hello New Member

[Ban-one]

Hello All....
My story starts around 1986. My dad picked up this 1979 CBX for $800.00.. Most of his riding was back and forth to work. as he got older the riding got less and less.. He parked the bike in the in the garage around 20 years ago..Well it took along time for him to let it go and know I have it..It has 18000. miles on her... All stock.. I have some work to do.. Not sure if I want to keep it stock or do a resto mod... But whatever I do I have to keep one promise to my Dad..When its done I will bring it back down to Florida for bike week..
any thoughts on keep it stock or resto mod it would be great.....

[wyly]

welcome...stock or resto mod? it can only be stock/unrestored once, as soon as it's modified it loses it's ultimate value as a collectable.

if it were me and the bike had trashed, thrashed and modified by a previous owner then I'd modify with no guilt and no loss of value, if it was in the condition yours appears to be in I'd leave it as is.

But that just me, everyone has there own pov.

[steve murdoch icoa #5322]

I am with wyly on this one.
That one is too nice to resto-mod.
I also like the idea of having a stock version of any model first and then the second one can be altered.

Welcome to the site.

[EMS]

I don't think he is talking about "leaving it as is" vs "resto-mod". He is talking about a restauration in stock form vs. turning it into a custom. The bike obviously needs some work.
That being said, I would try to bring it back to as close to original as possible. records show that nicely redone stock form bikes have more value than customs. Unless you do a really radical one, with extensive motor and chassis modification.
Then, still, it will be a very personal opinion of how much it will be worth.

[Mouse]

to the group
from the non-burning part of Alberta Canada

[Ban-one]

I was thinking of a modern sportbike front suspension (inverted forks) better brakes ..new swingarm for wider rear tire.. but trying to keep a close to stock look... But at this point still unsure of the way I would like to go...just throwing it out there to see what the better options are...

[wyly]

if you upgrade and keep the original parts safely packed away then you can modify and return to stock if need be later on.

[daves79x]

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

[wyly]

my tank has two small dents in it and very minor wear that's not unexpected for a 38yrs. The dents really bothered me and I wanted to repair and paint it but then I had a professional assessment for an insurance evaluation. The Assessor said as soon as it is painted it is no longer considered unrestored, that a line has been crossed and I would get a lower evaluation for doing so. So unless his paint is really bad it's difficult to tell from the photo maybe just a good clean and shine.

What I've done is bought a salvaged front fender and gas tank and an aftermarket tail cowl. I'm going to store my oem's and paint my extra body parts black with no worries about future resale.

[daves79x]

Somewhat different standards down here, I think. Paint is pretty faded on this bike and in no way would be worth more that way (original) compared to a quality re-paint. I'm saying to either an insurance company or a collector.

Dave

[demoderbydave]

Wow,
You've got what many consider the Holy Grail of collectible bikes there...Its your bike, do what you want with it but if You ever would consider selling it I would resist the urge to do anything to it that can't easily be UN-done. If that stock exhaust is in good condition and not rusted through, that's worth a bunch right there. I have an 82 I recently picked up that is VERY neglected (see my 750.00 cbx) and I have no qualms doing what I feel like to it because its so bad and its also not one of the "desired ones". Your bike if it were mine, I'd clean it up and possibly repaint it stock and enjoy it. Either way remember it IS YOUR bike (i am JEALOUS) do what YOU want with it... keep us posted with photos...

[wyly]

I disagree Dave...unrestored and running is the baseline even in the USA, it doesn't appeal to everyone as a finished item but it does satisfy the entire market. Those who like their collectables untouched showing it's age and battle scars, as well as those who don't and will go on to restore it to showroom condition. Regardless how someone feels about cosmetic appearance the the rule of being "original only once" still holds true.
The ultimate value being unrestored and mint condition.

Fading paint was a consideration when I purchased my Z nearly 4 decades ago, being in the painting business I knew dark colors faded quickly(red in particular) and silver wouldn't. Despite my annoying tank dents my silver looks as crisp as the day I took it home. My tail cowl is repainted but I had no choice it was damaged to an unacceptable level, I'm searching for an unrestored cowl.

[EMS]

I have to agree with Dave. I own 12 classic/vintage/collectable bikes and some are "partially restored" with repainted bodywork. The value considered for insurance is higher on all of them than it was with the original, dented or faded parts.
In most cases, the insurance doesn't even know how to tell a repaint from an original.

[demoderbydave]

I guess everyone's definition of "stock/original" is different. I totally agree that an 100% original/as rolled off the assembly line/never un-crated or never ridden machine is worth the most... But how many of us have one of those and can afford one? To me a repaint is not a big deal since there are people out there that can do it so well you'd be hard pressed to tell the difference...but a real knowledgeable guy will check that the "carpet matches the curtains" when evaluating a bike as stock or restored....generally the rest of the bike would have to be mint...for it to be considered unmolested...many people just repaint the main things but leave the tiny details undone...small screws, battery tray etc...that an expert would notice...

That bike should be cleaned up and enjoyed and if it needs it "touched up" as the lucky owner sees fit...but it is his bike...if a turbo, nitrous, and a single sided swing arm is what he wants to do he has that right...Honda DID make a lot more of these so its is not a "rare" bike...condition wise maybe...

[cross]

Welcome to the club and congratulations on your bike.
I would keep it stock with functional upgrades such as prolink front forks (with race tech springs and gold valve emulators) and dual pot brakes and upgraded rear shocks. Bike would ride, handle and stop better. All these upgrades are bolt on anyway.
Other than that, get it in good mechanical condition and if needs to painted, paint it. It will look s good! I love all colors that these bikes came just like red a bit more!

Good luck
Sasha