New Member, Old CBX
Posted: Tue Mar 24, 2015 2:53 pm
Hi from Northern California. Same old story - I just retired and am getting my '79 CBX running again.
Back in '79 I was ripping around on my modified RD400, and following the superbike wars with great interest. When the Cycle Magazine CBX test came out I was in love, but working at a gas station, there was no way I could afford one. Nine years later I was a new engineer with a bit of cash burning a hole in my pocket. I bought the first CBX that came along (big mistake). '79 with rusty peeling chromed frame, horribly painted ruined bodywork, and generally totally weathered. $600. It seized on the way home as I pulled into my driveway! I spent a month of lunches sandblasting the peeling chrome off the frame, and then painted it black Imron. Rebuilt the engine in my living room. Bought all new red bodywork. Installed 1100F running gear. I drove it regularly for a few years, but then Family, House, Work, and Other Bikes came along. For 20 years, I just dusted it every so often.
Back to the present. The motor turns over freely with a wrench. I bought the Randakk carb kit and book, and manifolds, and have the carbs fully disassembled. I will post a few questions over on the carb forum. I need to rebuild the brakes and fork seals. I am hoping to slide a set of Pipemasters under the wife's radar... Hope to have it up and running by summer. Looking forward to driving it up to Alices...
Just as an observation, I have worked on a lot of different carbs over the years, from Holleys to Webers to a bunch of Mikunis to Keihins. I have a theory that the CBX carb rack is the most complex and sophisticated carburation ever made. Can anyone name a more complex setup? I don't think even a six Weber setup on a V12 Ferrari would compare...
Bob
Back in '79 I was ripping around on my modified RD400, and following the superbike wars with great interest. When the Cycle Magazine CBX test came out I was in love, but working at a gas station, there was no way I could afford one. Nine years later I was a new engineer with a bit of cash burning a hole in my pocket. I bought the first CBX that came along (big mistake). '79 with rusty peeling chromed frame, horribly painted ruined bodywork, and generally totally weathered. $600. It seized on the way home as I pulled into my driveway! I spent a month of lunches sandblasting the peeling chrome off the frame, and then painted it black Imron. Rebuilt the engine in my living room. Bought all new red bodywork. Installed 1100F running gear. I drove it regularly for a few years, but then Family, House, Work, and Other Bikes came along. For 20 years, I just dusted it every so often.
Back to the present. The motor turns over freely with a wrench. I bought the Randakk carb kit and book, and manifolds, and have the carbs fully disassembled. I will post a few questions over on the carb forum. I need to rebuild the brakes and fork seals. I am hoping to slide a set of Pipemasters under the wife's radar... Hope to have it up and running by summer. Looking forward to driving it up to Alices...
Just as an observation, I have worked on a lot of different carbs over the years, from Holleys to Webers to a bunch of Mikunis to Keihins. I have a theory that the CBX carb rack is the most complex and sophisticated carburation ever made. Can anyone name a more complex setup? I don't think even a six Weber setup on a V12 Ferrari would compare...
Bob
