1979 model vs 1980 model, and the winner is...
Posted: Sun Jan 17, 2021 4:08 pm
A treatise: Why the 1980 Honda CBX is better than the 1979 model
Firstly I will present the benefits of the 1979 model:
1- Horsepower is 103 versus 98 for the 1980 model.
2- The speedometer went up to 150mph on the 79 model. Only 85 for MOST 80’s models.
3- Fewer exhaust baffles to increase air flow and horsepower.
Benefits of a 1980 model:
1- Different camshaft lowered horsepower but afforded better mid range power without a “weak spot”, and a smoother power delivery.
2- Rear Comstar rim was wider to allow for a larger tire.
3- Larger swingarm pivot diameter.
4- Introduction of needle bearings on the left side of the swingarm and thrust bearings on the right.
5- Adjustable rear damping shocks.
6- Steering head bearings tapered roller bearings 2mm farther apart.
7- Front fork sliders 1mm wider.
8- Two anti-stiction rings in the front forks rather than one.
9- Air assist front forks.
10- 20% higher oil capacity.
11- Vacuum controlled petcock in brakes to prevent “hydraulic lock”.
12- Modified timer advanced ignition to go faster and further.
13- Small storage compartment added to the tail section.
I may be biased being the owner of a single 1980 Honda CBX for the last 39 years, but all the mechanical differences listed make me think that other than the horsepower drop, the 1980 model being aesthetically the same, the 80 model has better handling and is safer. The suspension upgrades both front and back can only be seen as improvements. I wonder if the weaker suspension of the 79 model would have bit me in the rear end a couple of times when I was younger...
It is also fact that the 20% higher oil capacity was to better cool the two middle cylinders of the motor that tended to overheat. One could also argue that smaller carburetor jets increase fuel economy.
The biggie is the horsepower drop. If you really want to get the 5 horsepower back because you are track racing your bike, you could install the 79 camshafts (pretty expensive) and re-jet your carburetors (less expensive). There are a myriad of ways to get more horsepower out of an engine, but for the purist stock is best, and I argue that the 1980 Honda CBX is a better motorcycle than the 1979 model. Input?
Firstly I will present the benefits of the 1979 model:
1- Horsepower is 103 versus 98 for the 1980 model.
2- The speedometer went up to 150mph on the 79 model. Only 85 for MOST 80’s models.
3- Fewer exhaust baffles to increase air flow and horsepower.
Benefits of a 1980 model:
1- Different camshaft lowered horsepower but afforded better mid range power without a “weak spot”, and a smoother power delivery.
2- Rear Comstar rim was wider to allow for a larger tire.
3- Larger swingarm pivot diameter.
4- Introduction of needle bearings on the left side of the swingarm and thrust bearings on the right.
5- Adjustable rear damping shocks.
6- Steering head bearings tapered roller bearings 2mm farther apart.
7- Front fork sliders 1mm wider.
8- Two anti-stiction rings in the front forks rather than one.
9- Air assist front forks.
10- 20% higher oil capacity.
11- Vacuum controlled petcock in brakes to prevent “hydraulic lock”.
12- Modified timer advanced ignition to go faster and further.
13- Small storage compartment added to the tail section.
I may be biased being the owner of a single 1980 Honda CBX for the last 39 years, but all the mechanical differences listed make me think that other than the horsepower drop, the 1980 model being aesthetically the same, the 80 model has better handling and is safer. The suspension upgrades both front and back can only be seen as improvements. I wonder if the weaker suspension of the 79 model would have bit me in the rear end a couple of times when I was younger...
It is also fact that the 20% higher oil capacity was to better cool the two middle cylinders of the motor that tended to overheat. One could also argue that smaller carburetor jets increase fuel economy.
The biggie is the horsepower drop. If you really want to get the 5 horsepower back because you are track racing your bike, you could install the 79 camshafts (pretty expensive) and re-jet your carburetors (less expensive). There are a myriad of ways to get more horsepower out of an engine, but for the purist stock is best, and I argue that the 1980 Honda CBX is a better motorcycle than the 1979 model. Input?