Opinions on the Honda CBX750?

[thx1138]

Going to look at one tomorrow evening, near me.

Wants £700 for it.

[Shaft]

They're OK when everything's good, so good that a contemporary magazine report said they bordered on blandness, as they did pretty much everything well.

Pay particular attention to any sort of engine noise - there's the cam chain as normal (with a not very good tensioner system) but also the starter and the alternator are chain driven and there's hydraulic tappets.

If any of that lot are noisy in any way, walk.

Check out the suspension at both ends - look for dodgy anti dive at the front and seized linkages at the back.

And watch out for front tyres, they eat them and there's not much choice, as it's a 16" wheel.
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Things get better with age; I'm close to being magnificent........
20 RE Interceptor, 83 Z1100A3, 83 GS650 Katana
WooHoo, I'm a Man Point Millionaire! https://www.bikechatforums.com/viewtopic.php?t=234035

[thx1138]

[Teflon-Mike]

As a nostalgia classic, they were a VERY good bike.. but as a modern, every-day machine? No... there's a lot of other bikes out there at that sort of money that will do everything a CBX will, better, and with less hassle.
I used to ride my uncles back in it's day.. he still harps on about it.. the rose mist descends in-front of his eyes and he recalls doing 140 down the Mulsane straight on it, and commenting about what they go for these days, and.. and.. and... I point at my twenty year old CB750... which just six years younger than his CBX would be now, benefits from 17" wheels you can actually buy decent tyres for! Has 'simple' twin-shock suspension, that hasn't got umpety knackered bushes in its linkage, and can be overhauled with a pair of Hagon shocks that cost half what a single mono-shock for a CBX does.. it doesn't have wampy TRAC anti-dive forks linked to the brakes.. has the same air-cooled 16v motor with hydraulic tappets, de-tuned 15bhp or so for mid-range, which is less frenetic, doesn't have to be worked so hard to make good progress, and can make better progress on the 'flexibility' it has... it is ti my mind a FAR better bike, in the modern world, for all the lack of what is no longer state of the art sophistication, and teh sacrifice of a few points of illegal top speed.
If you want something 'interesting' as an occassional classic.. well at £700 I'd not expect it to be much of a talking point at a meet.... but, could be a 'project'... then fair enough.
Otherwise? Buy an XJ600 or a divvy, or a Zephyr, or a CB Seven-fifty...
I LIKE the CBX, I really do... I just wouldn't buy one!!!
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My Webby'Tef's-tQ, loads of stuff about my bikes, my Land-Rovers, and the stuff I do with them!
Current Bikes:'Honda VF1000F' ;'CB750F2N' ;'CB125TD ( 6 3 of em!)'; 'Montesa Cota 248'. Learner FAQ's:= 'U want to Ride a Motorbike! Where Do U start?'

[thx1138]

oh well I've bought it now, getting it Friday

[Shaft]

Good man, welcome to the 80s
____________________
Things get better with age; I'm close to being magnificent........
20 RE Interceptor, 83 Z1100A3, 83 GS650 Katana
WooHoo, I'm a Man Point Millionaire! https://www.bikechatforums.com/viewtopic.php?t=234035

[stevo as b4]

In 2015 id say a dated chassis with odd size wheels, less than perfect brakes, suspension and handling, but still an eager 90bhp air cooled IL4 with a nice raw sound to it and a lively free revving feel. Definitely the best 750cc air cooled four pot that Honda or any of the Japs ever produced IMO.

A good bike today for a chassis upgrade/ front and rear end swap. Maybe a good Sanctuary special candidate bike?

For road riding as it is and having to put up with old/funny size wheels/tyres and twin pot brakes, I have to say id go for VF750 instead every time though!

[Shaft]

[temeluchus]

I recall they are prone to destroying the starter clutch.
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Some shite cruiser. Now with guns and FREEDOM!

[Teflon-Mike]

[chickenstrip]

Thx, I don't see it in your sig., but have you owned or got much experience on anything more recent that's a modern equivalent? Would be interested in knowing what you think, going back to 80s stuff, if you have.

Would be interested to hear more about your experience with this one anyway, as you get to know it.
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Chickenystripgeezer's Biking Life (Latest update 19/10/18) Belgium, France, Italy, Austria tour 2016 Picos de Europa, Pyrenees and French Alps tour 2017 Scotland Trip 1, now with BONUS FEATURE edit, 5/10/19, on page 2 Scotland Trip 2 Luxembourg, Black Forest, Switzerland, Vosges Trip 2017
THERE'S MILLIONS OF CHICKENSTRIPS OUT THERE!

[thx1138]

[chickenstrip]

I guess the Hornet you had would be the closest modern equivalent out of those. Like me, you haven't been overly spoiled by modern fare then. Maybe that's just as well, and you'll enjoy the CBX more for that.
I know what you mean about not really knowing how to ride properly in younger days

Good luck with this one, hope you enjoy it
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Chickenystripgeezer's Biking Life (Latest update 19/10/18) Belgium, France, Italy, Austria tour 2016 Picos de Europa, Pyrenees and French Alps tour 2017 Scotland Trip 1, now with BONUS FEATURE edit, 5/10/19, on page 2 Scotland Trip 2 Luxembourg, Black Forest, Switzerland, Vosges Trip 2017
THERE'S MILLIONS OF CHICKENSTRIPS OUT THERE!

[thx1138]

And here it is, came with a box of bits that I've not looked through completely, including original KMH dashboard, a workshop manual, toolkit, and more;


https://img.photobucket.com/albums/v616/THXII38/temporary_zpsezvthcud.jpg
https://img.photobucket.com/albums/v616/THXII38/temporary_zps6vrqxmkg.jpg
https://img.photobucket.com/albums/v616/THXII38/temporary_zpsbdie3tub.jpg

[blurredman]

That's a beauty Mark, considering the price!! I like it!!
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CBT: 12/06/10, Theory: 22/09/10, Module 1: 09/11/10, Module 2: 19/01/11
Past: 1991 Honda CG125BR-J, 1992 (1980) Honda XL125S, 1996 Kawasaki GPZ500S, 1979 MZ TS150.
Current: 1973 MZ ES250/2 - 18k, 1979 Suzuki TS185ER - 10k, 1981 Honda CX500B - 91k, 1987 MZ ETZ250 (295cc) - 40k, 1989 MZ ETZ251 - 51k.

[Matt B]

[Shaft]

Looks good

Engine sewing machine quiet?
____________________
Things get better with age; I'm close to being magnificent........
20 RE Interceptor, 83 Z1100A3, 83 GS650 Katana
WooHoo, I'm a Man Point Millionaire! https://www.bikechatforums.com/viewtopic.php?t=234035

[McJamweasel]

That looks very tidy, apart from the fork lowers. Enjoy.
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BCF: Be yourself, just don't be an arse.