Another new forum member

[Electronhammer]

I currently do not own a CBX, but want one real bad. I currently have a '80 Honda CB750k. Looking to move up. Love my DOHC 4, but want to hear and feel the power of a 6 under me.

[NobleHops]

You're gonna love it when you do.

Welcome!

N.

[Electronhammer]

I've never heard one run in person, only on internet videos. Do you think a person could find a decent project bike for around $2500?

[ajs350]

I spent a good deal of time this year looking for a project in the $2500 price range but it is hard to find anything at $2500 that will not require a good deal of work and much money spent on replacement parts (these you will find are expensive). Unless you are looking at a full restoration and will keep the bike after (because you will have spend more than you can sell it for) I'd try to find one in the $4000 to $5000 range with good paint and just needing it's mechanicals serviced.
You'll also be on the road quicker and able to enjoy that 6 cylinder howl behind you!
Good luck.
Ross

[Electronhammer]

Cool. Thanks.

[NobleHops]

I've never heard one run in person, only on internet videos. Do you think a person could find a decent project bike for around $2500?

Yeah man, in fact that is the very amount I paid for mine, and if you follow the link in my signature you can see it looked pretty intact when I got it, but in fact it had a lot of expensive flaws, not the least of which were the crappy exhaust and the fact that the carbs were plugged solid. It was a project alright, and I don't [want to] know exactly what I've put into it done and done, but my guess is that there are one too many zeros in the number.

The sad news is that there are rarely bargains to be had in CBXland, but if I were to give you a single piece of advice it would be to buy a bike that is currently running well, because that way you can evaluate it for oil consumption, carb condition and odd noise, gunk and rust in the tank, etc. The carbs may not need a $1000 R&R if you find a good runner. The exhaust is the other major component. If it needs replacement it's $1500 or thereabouts for a repro system, or less for a used aftermarket.

There was just a running 79 advertised here in Massachusetts for $3700 as I recall and that was frankly a very good deal for what was apparently a good running bike with recent tires, battery, etc.

So the short version is that in my humble opinion, although you could find a bike in that range if you looked long and hard, you should set your sights on 3-4k for a decent runner that's been maintained. And if possible, take a bunch of photos of any bike you are interested in, and post them here before you jump, and this crowd will help to tell you what's going on with the bike before you get into it.

N.

[Don]

One thing which is true for both antique cars and bike is . . . . it's much cheaper in the long run to buy the best example you can find and then go from there - Many needed parts are both hard to find and EXPENSIVE. You'll save many hundreds of dollars buying a project someone has already put $6K into for $3500 or $4K than buying the same $2500 bike he began with and then put $4K into

. . . . or, you'll occasionally run across a near stock, never molested bike which has sat in someone's garage for 15 or 20 years that has good paint, exhaust and a sound motor and needs only a carb job and some superficial cleaning up, but either way, as the others have said, be prepared to pay $3500 to $5K for something in relatively good shape which won't cost you another $5K or more to whip into good running shape

There ARE guys here on the forum who buy the $1500 to $2500 bikes and then spend a year or more rebuilding them and then sell some very nice bikes afterwards . . . . but, if these same guys counted the hours they have in the restoration and the value of the many parts they either source or 'borrow' from their personal parts stashes, even they would tell you that they're working nearly for free by the time that $2500 bike gets sold for $7500 . . . . and they already know all the tips and tricks which would hang up the average amateur rebuilder . . . . and they know where to find the very best deals on good used parts - Many times, that place is in their own attic

Don

[Electronhammer]

Sounds very logical, very sound advice. I've gotten the same great advice over at the DOHC custom site http://www.cb750c.com . I have had my CB750K for nearly 4 years and have been part of the DOHC custom site for at least that same amount of time. I had hoped to keep my current CB750K and acquire a CBX to add to my stable, but may have to part ways with my current ride in order to finance a CBX. If that's what I have to do, then I''ll do it. I think it will be worth it.

[Don]

Thay ARE a magic bike, for sure - I own other bikes but nothing compares to riding the X in my experience

The engine and trans are just excellent. The chassis can use some help if you enjoy riding it in a 'sporting' manner

You can quite easily update the forks, swingarm, brakes and rear shocks with better pieces from newer Honda models . . . . others too and make it a much better rider - CB1100F parts are a popular upgrade . . . . that's what I have on my bike

The rims on the '79 were only 2.15 inches wide, so you can't put much of a tire on a stock CBX. I have a 3 inch Boomerang on the back and a 2.5 on the front and those will support tires of a suitable size

You sound like a 'bike guy' - I predict if you buy a CBX, you'll probably own it for a loooong time

Don

[EMS]

Welcome to the ICOA Forum from me too!
If you are mainly interested to experience the 6-cylinder and not particular about having a certain model, look for a later model or "Prolink"
81s, especially are availble for $2,500 in a decent "project" condition. And if you decide to remove the fairing, you may look for one that has a damaged one and get it even cheaper.