A bit outside what most would probably conjure up when picturing a sportbike, the Honda CBX gets a pass mainly for that utterly exquisite engine and the motorsports heritage that inspired it. Seemingly intended to evoke Honda’s Grand Prix racing past and history with inline six engines of nearly a decade before, the decision to introduce a 1047cc, DOHC, 24-valve, air-cooled straight-six powered motorcycle in 1978 was a strange, but welcome decision, although the bike didn’t really sell all that well when it was new. The CBX was heavy and complex, and tuning the bank of six carburetors made it a maintenance nightmare. But that giant aluminum brick of an engine and cascading headers made quite the visual statement, and one twist of the throttle when the bike was pointed at an open stretch of road made it all worth it.
SELLER
Medical issues force sale
Price reduced $5000.00 11/13/25
Frame Off Restoration by a professional late 2022. Turnkey. Smooth and very fast. 130 HP. Upgrades to exhaust, ignition, coils, alternator, clutch powder coated frame and much more. Nothing rides like a 79 CBX.
$23,000 OBO
Clean title
10,000 miles
Honda’s overweight CBX may not have been much of a sportbike at the time it was introduced, but all its flaws could be forgiven with a twist of the throttle… I don’t believe the CBX was ever produced in this vibrant blue, but the color suits the bike and is period appropriate. If you prioritize originality, this might raise your hackles, but this is certainly a very beautiful example of a classic machine.
-tad
Price seems quite optimistic to me. And I’d like to see dyno confirmation of that HP figure.
I don’t think there’s a universe in which a stock CBX makes 130hp. Surely he has a Dyno to back this up. Surely. Full restoration and they paint it a color that never existed from Honda, especially when the correct colors are so good looking. Good luck with that.
A stock, well tuned CBX measured between 82-85 hp at the rear wheel. A 130 hp CBX is pure fantasy.
Another thing that jumps out at me is the possibility that the carb “top hats” have been chromed. If this isn’t done properly the chroming can interfere with the pistons ability to move freely and screw up the carburation to no end.
Asking price seems as absurd as the horsepower claims.
Yeah, I personally like the color, but it’s not a smart choice if you’re then going to try to sell it and ask big bucks: buyers of classic bikes like originality. Anything custom is a big gamble, as you have to find a buyer whose taste matches your own.
Yet another “restoration” that isn’t. 130 brake? Move along…
A limiting factor in any CBX horsepower race is its air cooling which limits its the engine’s heat dissipation capacity. A six is inherently smooth which is perhaps its greatest virtue aside from its somewhat uniqueness?. Have enjoyed several and still ove them but realistic price points prevail. Tims is the go to place for CBX. Good luck to both the seller and the buyer of any of these really neat bikes. .