The Honda CBX sports motorcycle was manufactured by Honda from 1978 to 1982. With a 1,047 cc transverse six-cylinder engine producing 105 bhp, it was the flagship of the Honda range, well received by the press but outsold by its sibling, the CB900F introduced in late 1979.
Honda CBX at a glance
| Maker | Honda |
|---|---|
| Production | 1978–1982 |
| Engine | 1,047 cc transverse inline six |
| Valvetrain | DOHC, 24 valves |
| Power | 105 bhp (78 kW) |
| Role | Honda’s flagship model |
| Chassis | tubular frame, telescopic forks, twin rear shocks |
| 1981 CBX-B | sport tourer, 98 hp, Pro-Link monoshock |
| 1982 CBX-C | paint and trim changes only |
| Outsold by | Honda CB900F |
Based on one source, the English Wikipedia article on the CBX.
History of the Honda CBX
Racing technology for the road
Honda had built a six-cylinder RC series race bike in the mid-1960s, but the CBX was its first production six-cylinder road bike using that Grand Prix technology. The advanced DOHC 24-valve inline six was the outstanding feature; in other respects the bike was conventional, with telescopic forks, a tubular frame, twin rear shocks and straight handlebars.
Narrower than it looks
Although bulky, the CBX was only two inches wider than a CB750. The width across the crankshaft was relatively narrow because the alternator and ignition components were stacked behind the cylinder block, keeping the engine narrow low down and moving critical parts out of harm’s way. The journalist L. J. K. Setright defended the width, writing that the engine was no wider than the rider’s legs and added nothing to the frontal area.
Sport tourer and the end
In 1981 Honda repositioned the CBX as a sport tourer with the CBX-B, detuning the engine to 98 hp and adding Pro-Link monoshock rear suspension, air-adjustable 39 mm front forks, a fairing and optional panniers on a stronger frame. Ventilated dual front discs handled the extra weight. The 1982 CBX-C differed only in paint and trim.
Design and features
- Transverse six: 1,047 cc with DOHC and 24 valves.
- Stacked accessories: alternator and ignition behind the block for a narrow engine.
- Flagship status: the top of Honda’s range in 1978.
- Pro-Link rear end: added with the 1981 sport-touring CBX-B.
Honda CBX versions
- CBX (1978–1980): the original 105 bhp flagship.
- CBX-B (1981): detuned to 98 hp with fairing, panniers and Pro-Link.
- CBX-C (1982): final model with paint and trim changes.
The CBX is the six-cylinder extreme of Honda’s CB family, alongside the four-cylinder CB1100 and CB1300. More Hondas are in the Honda collection.
Sources
- Honda CBX, English Wikipedia: engine, chassis, 1981 repositioning, reception
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