Rear tire damper rubber

[DevonCbx]

I noticed on the rear tire inside the hub there are 5 damper rubbers. Are they the same because I did notice that there are different numbers stamped on each one. I would like to know if there is a certain order or sequence. They all appear to be the same. Also, what is the purpose of these.

Thanks

[EMS]

The damper rubbers are all the same. The stamping is probably from the mold, which is a multiple die. You answered the question about the purpose yourself: They are damper rubbers, intended to protect the chain and rear hub from torque spikes. Remember that in 1978, the CBX was the first street motorcycle to produce over 100hp. The KZ1300 that came half a year later had 120hp with a shaft drive. I think Honda engineers wanted to be on the safe side. Later bikes with more horsepower didn't have the rubber dampers anymore and many custom CBXes have wheel conversions without them.

[NilsMenten]

The damper rubbers are all the same. The stamping is probably from the mold, which is a multiple die. You answered the question about the purpose yourself: They are damper rubbers, intended to protect the chain and rear hub from torque spikes. Remember that in 1978, the CBX was the first street motorcycle to produce over 100hp. The KZ1300 that came half a year later had 120hp with a shaft drive. I think Honda engineers wanted to be on the safe side. Later bikes with more horsepower didn't have the rubber dampers anymore and many custom CBXes have wheel conversions without them.

Honda has continued to use them in some bikes, my old 91 ST1100 being one, and a friend's CBR600F4 being another.

N.

[Rick Pope]

I believe the Blackbird has them, while the Henderson does not.

[Don]

The Henderson would be oh so cool (and decades ahead of it's time) if it had come with a shaft drive . . . . but then most of it is already 'decades ahead of it's time' anyway

It does need a few molded sparkplug boots . . . . even though they may not look stock

Don

[Rick Pope]

The Henderson would be oh so cool (and decades ahead of it's time) if it had come with a shaft drive . . . . but then most of it is already 'decades ahead of it's time' anyway

It does need a few molded sparkplug boots . . . . even though they may not look stock

Don

Molded boots would just take some of the excitement out of the ride. Those bare plugs will zap you through jeans and insulated riding pants. Rain soaked jeans conduct really well.