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Masterfully Massaged - page 2 |
Riding Brocato's Honda is a joy. The pieces selected to increase power have been masterfully integrated to achieve an exciting motorcycle. Nowhere is the power disappointing, and the bike just loves to spin to redline. The engine now displaces 1168cc using 68mm forged MTC pistons with a compression ratio of 12.5:1, and this is mainly responsible for the incredible low-end and midrange. Before this bore increase, this CBX ran down the Famoso quarter- mile in 10.74 seconds at 126 mph. Brocato plans to better that "now that the engine is big."
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| A 3.5-inch-wide alloy rim from an ex-racer and Mulholland shocks adorn the rear end. Brocato completed extensive work to fit the new wider wheel and tire. | Brocato won't disclose his carburetion secrets and for good reason. If he had to do it over again, he would begin with the more easily adjustable '79 carburetors. |
The cylinder head has seen its share of work over the years. Minor head porting, stock-sized Manley stainless valves, Honda racing valve springs and Norris cams make up most of the exotic parts. The cams provide 9mm of lift, 256 degrees duration and have 108-degree lobe centers. The time spent getting the cam timing to work with the rest of the engine stretches into days and includes at least one set of bent valves.
Heavier clutch springs took over in the stock clutch basket, the
five-speed tranny was undercut by Fours N' More, and Carrillo
connecting rods with titanium rod bolts took care of what Brocato
feels is the weakest link in the CBX power train. These
modifications took place over the years, and through it all Brocato
kept fiddling with the six carburetors in an effort to keep the bike
streetable.
"There were nights when I had the carburetors out four times. In a stock CBX the engine must be dropped forward to get the carbs out, and it takes a lot of work." Brocato struggled with the stock airbox for years and recently went to velocity stacks.
But numbers describing bore sizes and quarter-mile times aren't
what defines this bike. It's the fabulous ease with which it runs,
the rich, crisp scream coming from the Winning six-into-one
exhaust and the pared-down look of a bike that puts its engine on
display. The visceral thrill still hits Brocato every time he and the
bike take to the streets. "Hell, I guess it's the sound I love most,"
Brocato said.
We know just what he means.
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FOURS N' MORE
MANLEY PERFORMANCE PRODUCTS, INC.
MTC ENGINEERING
NORRIS CYCLE CAMS |
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