The International CBX Owners Association

Well, here we go! After recently cleaning out the garage and realizing I had created enough room for "just one more", I took a browse on Craigslist and what should I see but an '82 for sale by original owner. This is a cycle I have been on the lookout for years. What can I say? I reserved the trailer and went to pick-it up the next day.

I have been the steward of some remarkable machines over the years but, as I'm sure everyone here knows, there is something magic about these bikes.

After I got the bike home and did my full safety inspection, I slipped out the driveway, warmed the motor and pulled out lightly onto the highway. It was my first taste of the stature of this machine and the attention it receives. I've never had so many motorists and motorcyclists linger on my flank or attempt to egg me on to more speed. Lot's of looks. I'll admit to being a little uncomfortable by the attention and envy. I may yet get used to it.

I'll pin up a few pics here when I'm on my laptop later. Thanks for reading and thanks in advance for your patience if I solicit for help down the road.

Life is good.

Life is good.

It definitely is on a CBX!! Congratulations and welcome to the site. Looking forward to the pics.

Steve

I remember being shocked by the attention when i got my first CBX.
Now i enjoy it.
Welcome to the site, wheeliepop.

welcome. nice to have another member on the west coast. i am up in Vancouver Canada and visit a buddy of mine in samamish (probably spelled it wrong) once in awhile. when you get into your bike ask any question and there are a ton of guys here who really know thier stuff. make sure you pick up a factory service manual as it is INVALUABLE when figuring these things out. i have just more or less finished off an "81 and i know what you mean about attention.

Kent

Thanks for the welcome gentlemen! I do have a manual on the way kbart1 and a fresher set of footpegs too. I have been poking around the tire threads trying to find some useful suggestions. I don't think I'll go for the Avons, but it is cool and wet enought here, I think a set of Battleaxes will do the trick.

Anything else I should do right away to make sure I don't screw the pooch?
Ignorance is bliss but also sometimes very dangerous.

Thanks

Bridgestone BT45 for excellent grip and decent wearabilty
Bridgestone S11 for decent grip and excellent wearabilty.

Keep an eye on the charging system, the stock alternators occasionally need attention.
Ride it and enjoy it.

hey wheeliepop

i am by no means as experienced as most of the guys here but below is what i found from my own experience with my '81 prolink with the help of all the guys in the club. these are in no particular order:

any tires other than stock size may cause your bike to sit on the side stand funny. i went with the S11's. as someone said it is enough tire for these bikes.
turn your petcock off on your tank to avoid hydro-locking the #1 cylinder. UNLESS you are absolutely sure your auto petcock is working (or nobody has already removed it)
don't start your bike over winter storage UNLESS you are going to ride it awhile. condensation will occur in the case and you will get water in your oil. don't ask me how i know this
don't mess with the carbs unless you know what your doing. these are VERY finicky and the heartbeat of your engine. there is a great write-up by mike nixon for "on bike carb cleaning procedure" that worked great for me. when your shooting the fluid into the openings wear eye protection, it tends to spray back at you. don't ask me how i know this EITHER
if your doing any de-greasing and metal prep for painting etc. i use POR15's marine clean and metal prep. the stuff is AWSOME! also used the POR15 heavy duty tank kit and love it, stripped out the old kreem and have a beautiful finish inside the tank now.
i got myself a small mountain bike suspension pump that has an on-board pressure gauge for tweaking my suspension. DO NOT use a gas station air system for example.
and the #1 piece of advice i was given??? "ask lots of questions. these things can get expensive if you head off in the wrong direction too many times."

judging by the number of bikes you already have a lot of this you may have already experienced or know. just some things i discovered in my own journey with this machine. have fun with it!

kent

Some snaps...

kbart1 wrote: turn your petcock off on your tank to avoid hydro-locking the #1 cylinder. UNLESS you are absolutely sure your auto petcock is working (or nobody has already removed it)
kent

Auto Petcock? I look forward to poring over the service manual; I've got a lot to learn.
Kill switch, ignition, Petcock. Petcock, ignition, kill switch. Right? Good habits go a long way.

I've seen/heard the hydro-lock nightmares. Man, physics is relentless huh?

kbart1 wrote:and the #1 piece of advice i was given??? "ask lots of questions. these things can get expensive if you head off in the wrong direction too many times."

Very good advice. And I'm less worried about making embarrassing mistakes in the privacy of my garage than I am at speed on the road. I focus carefully on safety and loss prevention.

Thanks for the thoughtful reply.

steve murdoch icoa #5322 wrote:Bridgestone BT45 for excellent grip and decent wearabilty
Bridgestone S11 for decent grip and excellent wearabilty.

Keep an eye on the charging system, the stock alternators occasionally need attention.
Ride it and enjoy it.

Copy that Steve. I was thinking of ordering up Mike Nixon's booklet on the topic. I can't imagine regretting that decision.

Ride it and enjoy it? Best advice ever! Now, if it would just stop raining...