The International CBX Owners Association

Just joined here. Looks like a great site!

I bought my 1980 CBX in 1981 with 3000 km. After putting 40000 km on it over the next 5 years I have driven it rarely in the last 25. It has been sitting idle now for 10 years. In the last weeks I drove it (10 years back) starting her was becoming problematic. When it did finally start it would have to warm up for some time before running properly on all cylinders after which there was no further problems performance wise.
I recently decided to bring her out of hibernation but had nasty problems getting it started. After having to spray raw fuel directly into the air intake she finally fired up but would only run ion 4 or at best 5 cylinders. The suspect cylinders were number 1 and 2. Thinking it was only a carb problem I took it to my local Honda dealer for repair and overhaul of the carbs. Since then a nightmare has followed. They worked on it for many hours cleaning carbs one and two and eventually getting those cylinders back firing. I was told to come and pick up the bike but was warned the choke was not working on one bank of cylinders and they could not find out why. Can you believe this? I took the bike and had to return it as it ran like crap. Performance was degraded and sometimes it would only run on 5 cylinders with the odd light backfire being heard. Once cold, the bike would not start unless fuel was again sprayed directly though the air intake. When idling it sounds very rattly but engine sound returns to normal over 800 RPM.
The dealer took the bike back and has called to say I now need 6 new carbs As explained to me the choke shaft is bent and thats why 3 cylinders wont choke for startup. They have also said this shaft cant be straightened or repaired which means all carbs must be replaced.
I am at my witts end as they also mentioned on the work order "since the carbs have been taken out and put back in so many times over the last 30 years there has been unrepairable damage to the choke shaft. In reality THE CARBS HAVE NEVER BEEN TAKEN OFF THIS BIKE OR WORKED ON.
When I took the bike in I asked this Honda dealership if they had the EXPERIENCE to work on such a specialized and old machine
They assured me they had. I think they dont have a clue whats going on here and want to wash their hands of the entire ordeal by charging me 3000.00 for carbs.

One other thing..To preserve the pipes over the years I put 10-30 oil inside them to stop the potential rusting. It has worked very well for 30 years. There has been no rust found around the footpegs bottom side. There was always lots of smoke on initial startup but after a few minutes of RIDING the excess oil was burned off and blown out so no more smoke. When the dealership finally got my bike running they must have ran it for hours as both my pipes are ruined having been burnt to a crisp (bronze and blue color now} from the hot oil as they ran it on its stand. The lack of cooling by RIDING has damaged the chrome finish which I feel sick about.
Does anyone know if you can re chrome CBX pipes and how much it costs? I would be ashamed to take it out looking the way it is.

If anyone has any info on bent choke shafts and how they can affect starting and the operation of the carbs I would greatly appreciate any advice. The dealership want me to go in and discuss matters while the carbs are on the bench. Being informed about what these problems may be REALLY all about would be a huge help.

One last thing. They told me since the choke could be sticking ON my carbs would cause the engine to run rough.


This after telling me one bank of carbs was not getting choke ON making startup impossible. They cant seem to get their story straight and I am beyond frustrated.

Thanks a million for any suggestions here folkjs. Cant tell you how much I would apprecite input!
Cheers
Norm

Welcome here, Norm. Too bad that it had to go that far with your CBX. We could have probably helped you a little BEFORE you went to the dealer. Dave McMunn and Mike Nixon are rebuilding carbs and are doing and awesome job, probably for less money.
Unless the dealer had the bank of carbs apart completely, I doubt there is a bent choke shaft. If the butterflies go back to the start position, the bent shaft should not affect the running of the bike. Some owners have actually taken out the choke assemblies completely in order to improve performance by elimination the restriction in the airways.
It may just be a matter of one side of the chokes sticking, because the connection between the two shaft halves is messed up.
At this point, I am afraid the dealer may do more damage than good and still charge you a truckload of money. Before you pay him $3,000 for a set of new carbs (where does he get them????) I would take the bike home and spend the money elsewhere to get the bike running.
You may have to bite the bullet and limit your losses this way.

Welcome Stormin! I'm glad you decided to check in here. Along with advice you have already gotten, I am sure you will get any help you need from the members here. I would just repeat my earlier advice to get your CBX away from that dealer, and make sure you get all your parts.

Sorry for the late reply, welcome to the site Norm....

I had a dealer do my 600 mile maint. on my new CB750F in 1979, I waited about 20 minutes(the good friend he was). Maybe thats why at under 2000 miles the top end was trashed to $683.00 and they replaced it all. When I got the tool and done it myself, I realized they did not adjust valves.
Taking a CBX to a dealer, even in 1985, is like taking a point distributor to any mechanic today. I cringe at the thought of taking anything to any dealer(even warranty), my new truck goes back for the forth time on the same issue.

Norm:
Your carbs are completely repairable, I'm sure. You can check out Mike Nixon's carb service, he's the best. If for some reason that doesn't work out, I can do them for you. They are for sure going to need more work than if someone competent had done them the first time. Never take a CBX to a Honda dealer. In fact, none I know will touch any bike older than late '80s anyway. PM me for more info on Mike's work or mine.

Dave

"Never take a CBX to a Honda dealer" They should all be proud of how we feel !!!!
It will take an act of congress to ever get my Valkyrie to a dealer and they should know that engine.

I have had good dealer exp., after my stepson worked at GM dealer thru high school, he needed to get his car ready for college trip to Fl. I find out now that he gets a $25. labor rate for everything, after 2 years. I had 4.10 gears sitting on my shelf for over a year now to put in my immaculate 95 Z 6 speed. I was pretty happy in a couple days. They had no clue however, how to give me the LT4 upgrade and make it run right, I wasn't going to be first.