New member from Pennsylvania

[Wrench&Ride]

My name is Rich and I am a avid collector of Kawasaki triple's. It's more of a obsession I have every year and every color of the H2 and H1. Just started collecting 4 strokes and decided to restore a 79 cbx that I picked up at a yard sale. She's not pretty but she's mostly all there. I don't know if it's number matching because I don't know if Honda is like Kawasaki where it's series matching not frame engine matching. So if someone can help me out that would be great.
Frame # cb1-2000836
Motor # cb1e-2001401
Thanks Rich

[SanDogDewey]

My ‘79, while not as early as yours, has S/N’s only 114 apart.

CB1-2005363
CB1E-2005477

[Wrench&Ride]

That's why I was wondering. All my Kawasaki bikes are around 200 apart. I need to figure it out because that going to be the deciding factor if I just get it running or do a major restoration. Thanks for your input.

[CBX-tras]

Numbers have matched but it's a rare occurrence.

Most frame and engine numbers are hundreds apart.

Don't overthink it.

[daves79x]

Those early frames had engine numbers several hundred apart frequently. I'd say it's the original engine. The early frame number is cool. Your engine should have the smooth cylinder studs as well. Where in Pa are you? I'm in Clarion County.

Dave

[steve murdoch icoa #5322]

Welcome to the site, Rich.
You've got a better class of yard sales in your neighbourhood than in mine.

[mrcbx]

Welcome to the site Rich ... I have a 72 H2, love it! Have fun getting that X back on the road and looking good.

[Wrench&Ride]

Those early frames had engine numbers several hundred apart frequently. I'd say it's the original engine. The early frame number is cool. Your engine should have the smooth cylinder studs as well. Where in Pa are you? I'm in Clarion County.

Dave

It does have the smooth studs. I had to do some exploratory surgery and I found stuck rings on #4 and a burned exhaust valve on #1. The bike shows 9k on it but it's been sitting since 89 when it started running rough. It was the original owner I bought it from but of course it had fuel left in the tank and it was rotted..I actually had a tank in my storage building and it's in perfect condition. The bike is red but the tank I have is the silver and it's original paint . Would be a shame to paint it red but I need to figure out if the vin tells what color it came as. If not it's going silver because the tank is perfect. I am located in Pike county in the Poconos where I can make lots of noise and I have no one around to complain. Rich

[Wrench&Ride]

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Welcome to the site Rich ... I have a 72 H2, love it! Have fun getting that X back on the road and looking good.

Very nice H2 did John do the paint work on it? The 72 & 73 H2 are my favorite with the short swingarm it's a blast to ride. I started with a 72 but somehow I ended up with every year and color but I always ride the 72 because it's the most challenging to keep on the ground.

IMG_20241117_142545959.jpg

[mrcbx]

Clean H2 !!!! I don't know who did the paint on my H2....

[Wrench&Ride]

Clean H2 !!!! I don't know who did the paint on my H2....

That is a customers bike I just finished restoring. We were able to get all his original hardware plated and all the chrome done including the pipes I even went through his original wire harness and repaired what needed to be repaired and wrapped it with nos wire wrap and had new part tags installed. That restoration was 22k but it's all original except cables rubber parts and tires. It's a show bike that will probably never be ridden. The pictures don't do it justice it's a stunning bike and probably better than it came from the factory. He didn't want me to even start it so it left with basic carb adjustments. The main reason for such a extreme restoration is it's frame #22 engine #26 so it's a really early one and it even has the bigger ports on the head. I would ride it if it was mine.

[daves79x]

There is no way to know if a CBX was red or silver by serial number, so you can make it either. Depends on how picky you are - you should be able to lightly hone the cylinders and install new rings. Then of course remove all valves, clean and lap them in. Install new Viton seals. You may need to replace some of the exhausts (in addition to the burned one). Far and away the most common reason for a burned valve is the clearance was too tight. You should also check each piston pair at TDC to be sure you do not have a bent rod.

You may be able to sell your silver tank for a good price, if it is indeed mint, and buy a decent one to paint red.

Dave

[Wrench&Ride]

I just tore down the head and the seen something I have never seen and that's saying something because my career of 33 years as a engine builder and machine shop owner I thought I seen it all. I was right about the burned valve but I thought it burned because it was tight but that wasn't the case. The spring broke and somehow jammed the valve open. So either someone over wound it or it just broke but I am still trying to figure out how it got to hold it open. Sometimes we get a mystery that we can't solve. I checked all the springs both length and compression and they are all weak except 3 does anyone have a parts source for these and valves? Also I am going to polish the crank because its not too bad. I plan on doing rod and main bearings and I figured out how to find out what bearing I need but when I go to order them it shows the same bearing with different manufacturers can anyone shed some light on this situation? Thanks for the info I appreciate it. Rich

[daves79x]

CBX Performance carries replacement valves and possibly springs, KM Carburetor may also. These springs are absolutely not known for breaking. Very few guys ever replace them. I can give you replacement springs if you want to go that route.

Dave

[Wrench&Ride]

I messed up and looked at the wrong spec for the springs and after checking again they were all good. I have no idea how the spring broke but it was the outer one. I do need a keeper 1 went flying across the shop and I have looked and even rolled the magnet and I can't find it. It definitely got some distance but I don't know if it's my record for distance because I have launched a lot over the years. Big fingers little keepers and vision getting bad is not a great combo for installing them. All the seats were in great shape and only needed a quick lapping and without the springs I had no leaks so that was good. Thanks for your input I am still in the learning process on the cbx.