New '79 CBX owner

[Mello]

Hi All,

Just picked up a 79 CBX last Thursday after much looking (and drooling) over these fantastic looking machines. After never really being a Honda fan, I now find myself with 2 (the other is a '97 CBR1100XX Superblackbird) and if that SP2 comes available ......

We have, arguably, one of the best climates for bike riding as we can ride virtually all year round, with some fantastic roads and mountain passes. Sadly, road maintenance is getting worse with some previously great roads becoming bumpy and potholed.

I am a mechanical engineer, married, 2 kids (girl 12 and son 10), 2 border collies, 3 cats (I had no say in these), 15 koi. I grow bonsai trees (actually just tend to them when I have time).

The CBX will share space with the blackbird, a triumph explorer, Suzuki drz400, mgb gt and my son's kx65.

So, the bike is a '79 model with around 29500 km on her. Not sure if this has gone around but judging from the general condition, is probably correct. The last 6 years or so has seen very little use. Bike is reasonably original but has Kerker 6 into 2 pipes. She runs, doesn't idle too good, sounds fantastic though! Earplugs may be needed! So I tried to do a service and a few problems arose - will post inst he appropriate section. Short story, she's at the bikes shop.

Long intro but hoping to glean some info from those more experienced with these bikes.
Cheers,
Mike

[Rick Pope]

Mike,

Welcome! Don't feel bad about the long intro, it's nice to learn everyone's background.

It sounds like you bike needs the carbs, particularly the idle circuits, cleaned. They need to come off the bike, which means tilting the motor. No small task, but not too bad using the shop manual.

Do your Kerkers have the baffles? If not, yes they're LOUD.

As for the CBR-XX, yes, it's a great stable mate for the CBX. I've had mine for 10 years, and love it.

[Mello]

Thanks Rick.

The bike stood for some time so I'm sure the carbs are gummed up a bit. I added some fuel system cleaner when i filled the tank and it seemed better. The quick service I did probably helped a bit but the carbs will need to be looked at by someone who knows these things.

I haven't had much time to go through the bike as I only effectively had her home for the night. Pretty sure the baffles are missing in the pipes as the noise is awesome!

[NobleHops]

Thanks Rick.

The bike stood for some time so I'm sure the carbs are gummed up a bit. I added some fuel system cleaner when i filled the tank and it seemed better. The quick service I did probably helped a bit but the carbs will need to be looked at by someone who knows these things.

I haven't had much time to go through the bike as I only effectively had her home for the night. Pretty sure the baffles are missing in the pipes as the noise is awesome!

Reprising our tech director's Dave's frequent advice, clean that tank out completely and install a good inline fuel filter before you go much further. It'll do you no good to get the carbs sorted only to have them plug up again with some funk in the tank from the 5 years' sitting.

Welcome and good luck!

N.

[steve murdoch icoa #5322]

Welcome to the site, Mello.
Do you have any place to stretch the legs of your Blackbird. Always wanted to ride one of them.
Sounds like quite a pet menagerie you have there.

[NobleHops]

Welcome to the site, Mello.
Do you have any place to stretch the legs of your Blackbird. Always wanted to ride one of them.
Sounds like quite a pet menagerie you have there.

Steve is cracking me up tonight

[Mello]

Thanks for the welcomes.
Nils, good idea to clean the tank. I unwittingly ran it pretty dry as she spluttered to a stop close to the filling station so some of the crud is now in the carbs. The tank took 19,8 litres with the bike on the side stand. Will give it a going over (saw Dave's method described in one of his posts).
Steve, the blackbird is a great bike. Was also a restoration project some time back as she'd been in a front smash when I bought her. Various upgrades make for a great ride. I'm sure the long arm of the law doesn't reach this forum, so yes the legs get stretched every now and again. Had a roll on with a mate of mine on his (far newer) R1 a while ago and he said when his clock was reading 299km/h I was still pulling away

[bikeymikey748]

Welcome, Mello. You've come to the right place. Great intro
Is it just me, or is there a disproportionate amount of CBXs that go by the name of 'Mike' ? Coincidence, I think not !