Modern Rarities - page 2

Suspension came courtesy of oil damped 35mm telescopic forks up front and 'FVQ' twin shock absorbers and swinging arm at the rear. By modern standards, the Comstar wheels were shod with skinny sized tyres - Dunlop Gold Seal 4.25 x 18in rear and 3.50 x 19in front. Braking was handled by twin 10.9in discs up front and a single 11.6in disc at the rear. The whole package weighed in at 545lbs dry.

The 1979 'A' model was identical to the 'Z' except that it was red. Both 'Z' and 'A' models proved reliable machines, the only reported problem being that the left hand carburettor could flood. This was rectified on the later 'B' model which was fitted with a vacuum fuel tap.

In 1980 the CBX (in black livery) hit American shores and in so doing lost some of its fire. Bikes tested in the States were producing 98bhp at 9000rpm. Tighter emission controls had meant re-designed silencers which stifled some power but internally the main change was the use of different camshafts. However, this slight loss of power seems to have been a little academic and midrange power was reported to be as good as ever.

Distinctly wide when viewed from the front, the CBX’s rear view is not quite so porky. Rear tyre is spindly by today's standards. Would modern rubber have helped its handling?

Handling was improved over early models by changing the plastic swinging arm bushes for a double end-thrust ball and needle roller assembly mounted on a larger swinging arm pivot and stiffer swinging arm. The 35mm fork legs were retained but now featured air pressure valves at the top to vary stiffness and preload. The sliders also ran on new style bushes of a Teflon-lead-bronze alloy (as used on Honda's moto cross machines) to improve suspension movement. The final drive chain was also changed to a 530 size which was said to make the drive less noisy.

In Europe the CBX1000 went through the only major specification change of its four year lifespan with the introduction of the CBX1000B (from engine number SC03E2301512 and frame number SC06-230065). From pure sports, it now devolved into a sports/tourer. Cosmetically the CBX1000B gained a full fairing with storage pockets, engine protection bars and a 54lb weight gain.

The brakes were upgraded to help stop the extra bulk, now featuring ventilated discs with twin piston calipers. Suspension was changed dramatically with the front forks being increased to 39mm, with the rear suspension now sporting Honda's monoshock 'Pro-link' system and an aluminium swinging arm. This had the knock-on effect of increasing the wheelbase from 58in to 60in.

Internally the motor was in the same state of de-tune as the American models, with output being a claimed 100bhp at 9000rpm.

   

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