New Member, Old CBX

[FZBob]

Hi from Northern California. Same old story - I just retired and am getting my '79 CBX running again.

Back in '79 I was ripping around on my modified RD400, and following the superbike wars with great interest. When the Cycle Magazine CBX test came out I was in love, but working at a gas station, there was no way I could afford one. Nine years later I was a new engineer with a bit of cash burning a hole in my pocket. I bought the first CBX that came along (big mistake). '79 with rusty peeling chromed frame, horribly painted ruined bodywork, and generally totally weathered. $600. It seized on the way home as I pulled into my driveway! I spent a month of lunches sandblasting the peeling chrome off the frame, and then painted it black Imron. Rebuilt the engine in my living room. Bought all new red bodywork. Installed 1100F running gear. I drove it regularly for a few years, but then Family, House, Work, and Other Bikes came along. For 20 years, I just dusted it every so often.

Back to the present. The motor turns over freely with a wrench. I bought the Randakk carb kit and book, and manifolds, and have the carbs fully disassembled. I will post a few questions over on the carb forum. I need to rebuild the brakes and fork seals. I am hoping to slide a set of Pipemasters under the wife's radar... Hope to have it up and running by summer. Looking forward to driving it up to Alices...

Just as an observation, I have worked on a lot of different carbs over the years, from Holleys to Webers to a bunch of Mikunis to Keihins. I have a theory that the CBX carb rack is the most complex and sophisticated carburation ever made. Can anyone name a more complex setup? I don't think even a six Weber setup on a V12 Ferrari would compare...

Bob

[EMS]

. Can anyone name a more complex setup?
Bob

A set of two dell'Orto pumpers...


Welcome back into the CBX community, Bob!

[RJ CB650]

Sounds like my type of retirement!

Ooh, and a game. Complex carburetors... hrm...

The early GLs aren't as tight packed but have some "fun" linkage to deal with...

[EMS]

Complex carbs to sync?? O.K., I play!

Here, try this one...

[steve murdoch icoa #5322]

Welcome to the site, Bob.
If you can acquire a set of Pipemasters without alerting SWMBO, in comparison sorting out the carbs will be a piece of cake.

[FZBob]

The early GLs aren't as tight packed but have some "fun" linkage to deal with...

Hmm... That carb setup just makes me go Hmmm...

[FZBob]

Complex carbs to sync?? O.K., I play!

Here, try this one...

Is that your boat!? Can I be your friend? I always wanted a rich friend with a boat!

[NobleHops]

Greetings Bob!

I just missed you, moved here to AZ from Santa Cruz last summer. There are a half dozen friendly CBXers in your area, they don't use the forums much, but if you like I can put you in touch, or FallDownPhil can. One in particular is right in San Jose, Mike Dondelinger. He wrenches on CBXen for fun and profit and has a great reputation.

Welcome to the site! Now post pictures of your bike and your repairs or as we say, "It didn't happen".

[FalldownPhil]

Mike Nixon, Dave McMunn, or one or two others for the carbs.
Mike Dondelinger for anything else that your CBX may need. Just ask and I will put you in touch with either Mike
and Dave McMunn can be found here on site and is the best ( dave's79x )
Phil

[wyly]

Z

[FZBob]

Wow a mirror of my own story. I read that same magazine test and to get the new 6. Family, mortgage, kids dental bills forced me to park my 79 for 35yrs, I had a 350 RD when I bought my 79z, I still have a number of its parts in a box. Now that im retired and the kids have jobs I can rebuild my z, and I did sneak a set of pipemasters past the little boss, get them they're gorgeous. Carburation, yeah I have problems I was going to have Dave rebuild mine but my local tech said he could do it but now he's having problems with them. So stick with the forum experts for carb issues. I hope to be rolling by the end of the month.

I still have the RD out in the garage. I was going to get it running first, but the gas tank has a leak, so I figured the CBX might be easier to resurrect. After all, it just needed a carb clean and a battery...