Just bought 1981 CBX - Don't Know What to Expect

[pgilliam1]

I bought this bike at an estate sale with 17K on the odometer. All painted parts except the frame are new (sale included all original parts). The PO died a year ago in a motorcycle accident and the bike has sat in his garage since then. He was retired and rebuilt bikes at his home. He had a full shop in his house with many bikes and parts. This bike was the one he rode, when he rode. It wouldn't start and when I put an ohm meter to the solenoid terminals I couldn't get 12V out when I pushed the start button. The solenoid would only click intermittently and then stop clicking. The BATT terminal was also stripped when I tried to tighten it. I ordered a new one off of eBay, so we'll see what happens.
I'm sure this is going to be a labor of love and have gotten a repair manual to start the journey. I look forward to interacting with all you owners and hope I don't become too much of a bother. TIA!

[EMS]

Welcome P.! Sounds like an excellent find, with all new body parts! Never worry about being a bother. We all love to hear stories like yours and try our best to keep you running!

[NobleHops]

What Mike said. Welcome P., we look forward to getting you and your bike on the road!

[steve murdoch icoa #5322]

Hi ya, P.
You will be hooked on the 6 once you get it running.

[Z Grand]

Welcome and good luck bringing the old girl back to life.

[harvey]

Welcome to the Club! I remember well the night I picked up my 1981 CBX way back in 1998. I had been lusting for one for years and finally found one. Since then I have put almost 40,000 miles on it and in truth have not spent that much.

I wish you the best getting it going, folks here are very knowledgeable about the CBX and willing to help with any problem. Most guys do prefer the 79 and 80 models but they are still great folks and very helpful.

[pgilliam1]

Most guys do prefer the 79 and 80 models but they are still great folks and very helpful.

Is the higher interest in those 2 years over the 81 and later years just because they're the first models or is there a mechanical preference?

[NobleHops]

Most guys do prefer the 79 and 80 models but they are still great folks and very helpful.

Is the higher interest in those 2 years over the 81 and later years just because they're the first models or is there a mechanical preference?

We could have a pleasant debate about that very question I think.

The faired bikes (81 and 82) are referred to as "Prolinks" mostly, and they had several very meaningful improvements over the "twin shock" 79 and 80 bikes, most notably a 39mm fork (vs 35) twin-pot brakes (single on the TS bikes) a much better swingarm, 16mm swingarm pivot (that the '80 bike shares) and rear monoshock. Also a much quieter clutch basket using spring dampeners, and carbs that had removable slow-speed jets. I'm sure there's a lot more. The fairing and windscreen was a love it or hate it thing, visually. I have never ridden a Prolink, but I believe they are in any objective sense a much better motorcycle.

But the twin-shock bikes are something different - it was in some respects the last of the Universal Japanese Motorcycles, and Honda ended that decade with a roar when they introduced the 79, and they left an indelible print on pretty much everyone that's likely to read this. The Prolink may be a better motorcycle, but it does not have nearly the presence of the twin-shock bike IMO, IMO, IMO.

Roll up to a gathering of motorcyclists on a twin-shock and you will be talking about it for the next hour with all the guys that come up and want to relate the first time they saw one, the time they rode one, the one they sold, all of it. It is the ultimate motorcycle conversation starter

N.

[pgilliam1]

Most guys do prefer the 79 and 80 models but they are still great folks and very helpful.

Is the higher interest in those 2 years over the 81 and later years just because they're the first models or is there a mechanical preference?

We could have a pleasant debate about that very question I think.

Roll up to a gathering of motorcyclists on a twin-shock and you will be talking about it for the next hour with all the guys that come up and want to relate the first time they saw one, the time they rode one, the one they sold, all of it. It is the ultimate motorcycle conversation starter

Being 60 years old, I understand that aspect of older bikes, but I'm glad they keep improving them too. I hope when I get this thing running it feels as good as it looks! Thanks for all the info.

[EMS]

Beauty is in the eyes of the beholder.....or something like that also applies to the preferences regarding the different CBX styles.

While the early models have a more impressive presence, the later models (or Prolinks) are not only technically improved in details but also more practical if you ride a CBX a lot.
I ride mostly two-up with my wife, mostly on 250-300 mile Sunday rides and the 81 gets more use for these outings than my 79 (or 80 would, if it would run)
The 81 is more comfortable for a passenger, it has some luggage capacity and it has decent wind protection. And loaded with two people it has much better handling than the early models.
There are some who believe in horsepower and they claim the 79 is the "fastest". Fine. If you need the 3 hp, I guess you should look into a BMW S1000RR or similar to make it really worthwhile.
I challenge anybody to ride with a passenger on a 79 and lose me on my 81 two-up.
The Prolinks are unattractive to many because the fairing obscures some of the CBXes outstanding features including the engine.
That may be a reason why there are quite a few who turn a Prolink into a "naked" bike

[pgilliam1]

Beauty is in the eyes of the beholder.....or something like that also applies to the preferences regarding the different CBX styles.

While the early models have a more impressive presence, the later models (or Prolinks) are not only technically improved in details but also more practical if you ride a CBX a lot.
I ride mostly two-up with my wife, mostly on 250-300 mile Sunday rides and the 81 gets more use for these outings than my 79 (or 80 would, if it would run)
The 81 is more comfortable for a passenger, it has some luggage capacity and it has decent wind protection. And loaded with two people it has much better handling than the early models.
There are some who believe in horsepower and they claim the 79 is the "fastest". Fine. If you need the 3 hp, I guess you should look into a BMW S1000RR or similar to make it really worthwhile.
I challenge anybody to ride with a passenger on a 79 and lose me on my 81 two-up.
The Prolinks are unattractive to many because the fairing obscures some of the CBXes outstanding features including the engine.
That may be a reason why there are quite a few who turn a Prolink into a "naked" bike

I have no intention of going "naked" with this bike. But I do have other bikes (V-Rod, Speed Triple, FJR) that feel great when I ride them. I have ridden many, many bikes and can tell within just a few miles of riding it if the bike is something I really enjoy riding. Looks only go so far with me. If the bike handles (holds a line through a turn), brakes and rides like an overweight, underpowered, unbalanced hog, then it's not for me. I have high hopes for the CBX.

[EMS]

rides like an overweight, underpowered, unbalanced hog, then it's not for me.

I hope you will not be disappointed. Some say exactly that about the Prolinks. A little top-heavy, a little too much effort to turn....compared to a modern bike!

[cross]

Congratulations and welcome to the club.
I bought my '82 CBX in February and took me over a month to through everything, carbs, brakes, forks, etc
Bike was sitting for 7/8 years and all this needed to be done.
Now I put about 750 miles on it and I love it!
Everyone here is very knowledgable so don't hesitate to ask.
Dennis Kirk had the best prices on tires!
Good luck

[solarmoose]

Welcome! Have you gotten that first ride on the 81 yet?
My 81 was my primary ride for several years. And like you, I've had/have many bikes. The latest is an '07 BMW K1200GT. Night and day difference of course. The 81 feels very different when I get back on it now. Long, a bit heavy but once I turn up the R's and settle in then its love all over again. And I am amazed out how well its aged and still holds its own. If your 81 hasn't been abused, it should be a reliable bike for a long time. Honda built good bikes. The few problems are well documented here and addressable.
So give us a report and enjoy the six's music.

[jimtexas]

Dont know what to expect either. this is my first CBX, a ProLink model. Cant compare it to earlier ones. My goal is to resurrect a great motorcycle from extinction, be it Honda, Harley, Suzuki, Yamaha, etc. Japanese, British, USA...no matter. Each one has it's place in history,good or bad. When CBX is done, a Harley Hummer is next on the lift. These things need to be preserved!