1981 Honda CBX - Jay Leno's Garage
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- Опубліковано 29 гру 2012
- 1981 Honda CBX. Take a ride on the very first new vehicle Jay ever bought - the groundbreaking motorcycle that put Honda on the map.
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1981 Honda CBX - Jay Leno's Garage
• 1981 Honda CBX - Jay L...
Jay Leno's Garage
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What I really like about Leno is he doesn’t just own the stuff he knows what he owns
In detail .
He's like 'RainMan' of cars And bikes
Joseph Winkler super knowledgeable, but sometimes asks the silliest questions...
shut up
Not so he knows but a cbx with a stock fairing? Get a 79
I think Jay invented needing-out on vehicles. He is living the dream.
The more of these I watch, the more it's clear that Jay's just an amazing down-to-earth guy. Unpretentious, no arrogance, knows his stuff, and isn't afraid to get his hands dirty. He'd be a great guy to know.
💯
Totally agree.
"He'd be a great guy to know."
Indeed. 😊
100% . A genuine Petrol Head .
Thank you Mr. Leno for sharing your CBX with everyone. I vividly recall admiring your bike in 1981 at the Honda dealer wanting to buy one. Drooling to buy one was a better description. But, at the time I, had two young sons, the wife stayed home to raise babies, I was a Staff Sergeant in the Air Force, I was working part time, and going to night school. There was no money for a new motorcycle. (I had a 1971 CB-350 at the time) Even if I'd had the money to buy a CBX, I didn't have the time to ride it. So, it'll always be the bike for me that almost was. It'll always be the one that got away for me. Thanks for making an old guy happy by sharing your CBX. Thanks too for taking such good care of her. She deserves it.
I love that Jay bought it new and still has it. That says a lot about the man.
Says he never needed money between now and then lol
@@killeralltires if you live within your means and save hard you shouldn't need to sell a possession to keep yourself afloat. Cash is king
@@operator91210 check your privilege. Life happens man. One second your on top next you can be real real low. Jay's a good egg. Deserves all his success and possessions. But there's always a way life can make it all go away.
@@killeralltires look all I said was have a rest egg so get off the high horse.
@@operator91210 you probably still live on your daddy's valet, that's where your opinion came from...
That bike looks like it just came off the assembly line. The brochure looks like it was just printed today. Jay, you really take care of your stuff.
Wiser InTime More like: Someone takes really good care of his things.
+Gasrullen Or he rarely even uses them at all.
Noukz37 That too.
+Wiser InTime I think he probably doesn't even ride it.
+Wiser InTime I know this is nearly a year old comment, but you did see that it only has 1200 miles on it.
Makes me feel sorta bad. I bought my Daytona 675 brand new a few years ago, and I've not wiped it down a single time. Then again, my bike isn't for show, it's or riding, she could be covered in mud and still be beautiful to me.
I've got a CBX and I never get tired of this episode.
I owned the same bike in the 80's. Living in the Northern Territory (Australia) where there were long distances between towns and no speed limit. You could up until recently go as fast as you like with the exception of populated areas. This bike was in it's element . Wish I still had it.
So,that would be a lefthand drive? Just kidding.
@@tomcrockett7941 no they ride upside down lmao
Darwin ??? You shooda stukk a cuppla of Japanese Zero stickers on itt Kobblerzz 👍 👍 ✔
I lived in Alice Springs in the 70's and had a 69 Bonneville. Loved the open roads and the bike.
The joy that Jay Leno enjoys in his cars & bikes is what I experience when I watch these videos.
That's awesome Jay! I was working at a small Honda dealership in Longview Washington and found a '79 CBX on Honda's inventory list in early 1982. I purchased it for $2,700. I drove up to Seattle to pick up the crate because I couldn't wait for Honda to ship it down to us. I opened up the shop and assembled her that night... Boy did I love that bike!
Later that year I began Road Racing at club events, and the CBX is what I started out on, and did quite well actually... I put her down in early 1983 at Seattle International Raceway and retired her from racing.
I pulled the engine down in the winter of 1988 for a freshening up while working at Portland Honda. The store, while the #1 dealer in the states, suddenly closed and she left in boxes...
With a young family and struggling to find a high paying job like Portland Honda, I finally sold her. I know where she was as of 5 years ago, still in the boxes in the guys shop where he put her that day in 1992!
I should contact him or his son and see if he'd like to sell her back to me...
Thanks for the awesome CBX episode! You flashed me back it time, and it was fantastic!
"HER" ??
Steffano Ducati referring to a special vehicle as a woman is a very old and very common practice amongst enthusiasts.
Uhhmmmm I have 4 Ducatis ... and have had built various other machines over 4 + decades .... never referred to them as "her" ........ neither does anyone I know .... I find it irritating and nerdish .....they're machines ffs ..
I wouldn't even bother asking / telling him , anything!
Just posts his Crap Vids.
Of Stuff we'd only dream of.
He's no Petrol Head 🙁
Screw the emissions, turn the crazy idle RPMs down, Jay!
Jay's got the biggest, best toy box of any kid I ever met!
doesnt make make him a nice person
Greg Vinson he wins!
monstersince doesn’t make him a bad person either.
Never get tired of this video. Jay, it's time for another! There's never been a bike like the CBX.
I love the smooth sound of this HONDA CBX engine...
Those Honda 6 cyl engines are among the best sounding of all time. Not to quibble, but the CB750 is what put Honda on the map.
Yup, silly thing is the original 750 was a pretty lame engine overall. Heavy, and low power. The 450 DOHC was a much better bike overall (for at new performance) but hardgrained mentality bigger is better, sad. I have multiple vintage honda motorcycles, but I will never get a classic 750 just out of principle.
Oh and for sound, (yeah, this is parallel to the 750) is my 650 with glasspacks. Sounds better than the CBX (in city). Alas, the cbx is now scuffed. Suspension on the CBX are terrible. The air rear is problematic. A strong wind blew in from a wierd angle while at a bbq, blew it over. Scuffed engine guard, signal and side case... sob. I have the rebuild parts but full modern replacement on the way. Can keep original, but nothing wrong with some of it in a box. New front, new rear components.
Hey! I resemble that comment... Though the bike itself is kind of a pig, the engine in my ol' 93 Nighthawk 750 is as reliable as a brick and squeezes out enough HP to move the 500 lb. bike to 60 mph in around 3.8 seconds. Not too shabby for a carburated, air-cooled, hydraulic lifter, single disk, rear drum, spongy fork, double cradle, ancient suspension bike. By every measure, it is an utterly ordinary, design by committee, parts bin bike. except when ya ride it and develop a spontaneous grin.
In any case, the Honda 4s revolutionized motorcycles. The CBX is amazing, but it's the old CB750 that got things rolling.
Well, I was refering to the first ones. It did revolutionize motorcycles, and an absolutely reliable engine. But the very first 750s, the SOHC 4, still less of an engine than the 450 DOHC. Even the carbs were less advanced.
It is like the origins of the V8s in performance. There were more advanced and better performing engines. The V8 was for work and trucks, but peeps did the work to get the power out of the big engines. Overall, they still were worse, but power was king. Eventually the manufacturers developped the market.
So 450 faded into honda civic predecessor history while the 750 got the tech. Eventually the 4s got the tech from a decade sooner.
So, just principle as a 450 owner is all.
Doug Elick That was a hydraulic adjuster not lifter. The rocker arm was pushed open by the camshaft and a small hydraulic adjuster maintained a proper clearance between the rocker arm and valve stem.
Right, it was lazy nomenclature on my part. The 750 (I own one) has hydraulic lash adjusters the rocker arm pivots on, though it's not a rocker arm in the conventional sense, but really a pivoting cam follower. The old Chrysler 2.2L 4 cyl (Horzon, Omni, K cars, Laser, etc) worked exactly the same way.
These old Hondas are so awesome.
I owned a CBX in london, England in 1981 same colour as Jay Lenos but with a half fairing, It was stolen one Autumn day and it broke my heart. I have never loved another bike as much since then. My current Honda Cb 1100s is the closest I will ever get and its 2 cylinders short of six to make it nearly what the CBX was. Jay, you just went to the top of my 10 ten list.
Here it is, nearly 10 years after Jay made this video - it's still a great bike. As he says whilst on the fwy, "you could ride this from LA to New York, no problem". Probably still could. Few of us still have the 1st of anything we owned, and he's got this, his first new vehicle, and the Buick which he's had since he was a budding entertainer. Jay I hope you still have this bike and enjoy getting it out every once in a while. Beautiful bike.
I met Jay when he just bought it, I had just picked up my Yamaha XS 1100 and we talked for a bit about our bikes as both es were new and rare at that time. I was turned off by the complexity of the CBX while he loved it. We met on Mulhulland hwy one Sunday and I still remember it like it was yesterday. I still have my XS but it is not anywhere near as in nice condition as his. Oh well.
Still love those xs1100s. Had a fj1200 and was indestructible.
I had a ‘79 XS Eleven Special. It was nice. I had purchased it from a friend, and the fairing that had been put on it made it shaky at triple digit speeds. Sold it a few months after I got married in ‘89.
I had an XS 1100 that was set up as a sport tourer. Don't know why I got rid of her. Loved that bike.
@@y.u.doodat9133 I had 2 of the 750 xs second gear , snap ring would pop off the shaft inside and leave me without 2nd gear..still got one of them but after a 100000 miles the head gasket burnt out. Still haven't fix it yet but plan on it. Riding a 750 suzuki now
I had me a '79 XS 1100 with the old school fairing, hard bags and trunk. So much room to carry stuff when traveling. Came across an '80 XS 1100 with a bit more updated version of all that (square lights as opposed to round lights) so I traded up. My brother needed a cruiser so I gave him the '80 and found me the "sister" bike of the XS - an '82 XJ 1100 Maxim. No touring package on that one, just a windshield. This was years ago and I still ride the Maxim to this day. Fires right up and purrs like a kitten.
Bought a 650 nighthawk brand new in 82 and drove it for a couple of months. Was in the Honda dealer one day and saw a CBX over to the side. Asked about it and was told I could get a crated 79. Traded 650 for the 79 CBX. Blown away by the CBX and had it for a couple of years. Needed a car and traded CBX for 75 Riviera. Loved car but missed CBX terribly. Guy who got bike wrapped it around a pole later that year. He was fine. Six years later I bought an 82 CBX (used of course) Had it for about 9 years until I couldn't afford the repairs any more. Sold what was left but miss the bike a lot. Will have another some day but in the meantime ...thx Jay for the memories. I appreciate you greatly for all that you do for motoring.
A very good friend of mine had one of those. RIP big John. One summer, three of us rode our bikes from Edmonton, Alberta to L. A. and back. What an adventure. A ‘79 Honda CB750k (mine), a ‘84 Honda 1000 Interceptor (Dean) and John on his ‘81 Honda CBX. His bike was identical to Jay’s. Just as coincidental, my current helmet is identical to Jay’s. I’m now 70 years old, but I still ride my 2000 Honda VFR and my 2006 Honda CBR1000rr. Not as much as I used to, but I don’t know, or even see, guys around here, my age, riding these days.
Back to our adventure with the CBX. We took a great route, down into the USA first, then West to the highway back up into Creston, BC. From there it was North on BC’s #1 rated motorcycle road to the Balfour Ferry. Dean and I were loaded with luggage, but we still ended up chasing a Honda 750 interceptor through the curves. We got a bit too far in front of Big John, but thought he would catch up when we stopped a few miles up the road. Halfway to the ferry there used to be a wooden bridge on a slight curve. The road was still damp in the shadows, so we knew enough tip toe across that bridge because it would still be wet and greasy. Big John, being a new rider, didn’t. Apparently he didn’t slow down and had that big CBX completely sideways on the bridge. When his tires hit the grippy pavement still sideways, it violently snapped back straight. If you happen to watch MOTO GP or if you ride a bike yourself, you know what happened next. Big John was launched from the bike into the air…
The way that bike was put together, plus having the crash bars really limited the damage. We straightened out the sub-frame that held the front fairing onto the bike frame. Nothing else around, so we used a telephone pole as brace to bend it straight again. Worked like a charm. One rear bag and the crash bar were scraped up, nothing else was damaged. The mirror on the side that hit the pavement was scuffed, but it wasn’t even broken. That was Day 2 or 3 of a 3 week adventure.
My bike developed an oil leak through the gasket at the base of the cylinders around Day 6. It wasn’t a real fast leak, but it did require regular oil top ups. At every gas fill-up, I’d check it. If it had stopped leaking, it was time to add some oil. A lot more happened on that trip, but we all made it back in one piece. It was an adventure of a lifetime!!
Dean and I keep in touch on a regular basis although he now lives in Aussie Land. I still have pictures of that trip some 37 years later. Even though there were many other trips (and bikes) after, that one was epic. Seeing Jay’s bike in such beautiful shape, brings back memories. P.s. John had the bike fixed up and looking like new soon after we got back. We had managed to do such a good job straightening and eye-balling that bent steel sub-frame that somehow it was so straight, it never required any more work. Everything aligned and fit like when it left the factory. Amazing beginner’s luck. No tools, just an old telephone pole.
I stripped down about 9 of these bolt by bolt and part by part and rebuilt them from the ground up, full measurements, bore and valve machining, dyno...the whole 9 yards in a motorcycle school and in real working condition from 1990 to 1995. Even taught classes on this and many other models for 3 years...
I love this bike!
What a beautiful machine. I remember the first time I came across the CBX in a parking lot, and I kinda did a double take when I saw the width of the motor. Absolutely astonishing. Utterly unique sound too.
The seat of your CBX is probably saying " I can't believe I've been carrying this guy around for 32 years! "
Now that’s funny !! ..
Jay, this is favourite bike, when I was in high school I went to the Honda dealer just to sit on one. Now I'm 54 I know I will never own one but a man can still dream. Thanks for the video. Thanks for the memory.
Jay's videos are so good. No overproduction, no distractions or unnecessary music, just one man talking about the machine, showing you round it and then demonstrating how well it goes. Perfect!
And what a gorgeous bike... If you're into these amazing Hondas, look up LJK Setright's Dresda CBX.
Thanks Mr. Leno for the memories! The best years of my motorcycling life were spent astride a Black 1980 model.
Jay has a sweet collection of motor vehicles. What a great guy. A true lover of automobiles.
I was working for Honda in 79, got a red/black one that an old guy saw God on, for half price, with 70 mi. and a windshield, that came right off! I raced it every weekend and made a hack to be able to adjust valves/jet carbs on the fly by (with chain still on) taking top mounts off, loosening the others, trying a rope to the front of motor, going to the back and while holding pressure on the rope, ease the motor down with the chain adjusters and then when done, pull on the rope while using adjusters to help me back up. Worked like a charm. Thanks for sharing Jay. We had crates of 82s that went for 1500 ...sad. Shoulda bought em all :)
God, Jay pretty emotional, talk about close to his heart
Beautiful and outstanding motorcicle, for me it's one of the sexiest sport bikes of the 80's.
I bought a 83 Honda Interceptor of the Showroom Floor and my buddy had a 82 Honda Turbo and another friend had a CBX....The Good Ole Days...:)))))))))
CX650 Turbo?
I was eleven when I first had seen it on the cover of Cycle magazine back in 1978. That motorcycle cemented a passion that still continues to this day. Thanks for the video and winding out THAT MOTOR. What a glorious sound!
I've always had geat admiration for Jay, the knowledge, respect and appreciation for all things wheeled is staggering.
Of my 40 Street bikes, the 79' CBX was probably my favorite. Owned it the longest at 6 years. Wish I had it back :( Nice bike Jay!
Amazing machine. My mate had one and we fitted a Turbo to it. I am a heating engineer so did all the plumbing. It was fast I think we geared it up, I can remember doing 160mph on ( on a race track) and it had some left. Just loved the power delivery. Nice to hear the understanding of getting a new bike, not sleeping etc. Mad
Jay is so awesome. I love how he does his homework and knows everything about about his bikes and cars. Never was a fan of The Tonight Show, but Jay's garage is awesome. Thumbs up J!
What a great segment! It gives me a new found appreciation for this legendary machine. Thanks, Jay!
I rode a 1982 CBX from Redondo Beach, CA to Inuvick , NWT in the summer of 1982, that's a round trip of about 8000 miles. Great ride, no problems. I wish I had kept the bike.
wow, thanks for this Jay :) that bike was somewhat of a superhero to me when i was a kid. my dad had one, and I thought it was just an amazing machine. don't let it go!
Jay is the great, all these videos that are fantastic to watch you know and to have him share all this knowledge is incredible! He always sounds like he is so happy to share his knowledge of his fantastic collection Thanks Jay and miss you on late night television- its never been the same!
I always wanted one just a awesome bike I know a friend that has one but he won't sell it.i tell you jay it is so good that you preserve all history in cars and motorcycles it is a blessing to have you host your show love watching your episodes no matter what cars your showcasing keep up the good work and thank you for all you do in the automotive line very much appreciated Pat from Canada
the naked CBX's are much sexier also a 6 in 1 header makes it the sweetest sounding bike anywhere. The sound is more on par with a 1980s F1 engine.
+Hot80s That matches with a couple videos on youtube I saw of a CBX going around a track, it's only the one bike on the track but it sounds like a small group of F1 cars. Amazing.
I loved the first Gold Wings when they came out naked. You can still see one now and then.
Check out Devil Exhaust for these!
I concur.....Those CBXs look unbelievably cool naked. Unlike some women I've known in the past that I've ridden
@@evanmorrow1234 You're going out with the wrong women!!!
I have an 82 Silverwing. I love your channel. Just found it. I envy your ability to play with these toys and I appreciate your historical knowledge. Your ability to have your collection is just deserved as your have a profound respect.
Those are still around because they are a simple 2 cyl & with easy access. 4 /6 carbs sounds good till 20+years go by...
@@JTA1961tons of 4 carbs left, Einstein
My first bike was a CB 650. I’ve had a few CBs over the years, but the CBX is the dream bike. Really enjoyed the video, surprisingly, I was impressed with how relatable you are after years of fame.
if I had one last wish it would be 1 hour with Jay at his garage to see a true car guy who shares his passion and is so down to earth. thanks jay Leno, we love you.
I love when Jay stops during the ride @11:15 and his chin bobs out to say hello. A Schuberth may offer better coverage. ;)
his helmet looks to be the wrong size
The CBX and the CB750 four..started my love affair with Honda..loved the VF series bikes also.
i have a sabre v65. was just thinking Jay needs one too lol
for me it was the cbx.. i recently got one from 1979.. beautiful machine.. also the cb 400f was my first love affair. Great review
Yeah, I have one too. Just love it to death.
Is it just me or are all modern bike looking the same with no real Character.. We were lucky enough to enjoy the golden years of biking with 2 strokes(250/350lc). Remember the Honda v4..with bikes that had to be RIDDEN!! Not just a 2 wheeled computers.
They should make a modern updated 750- 4 I would buy one. I had 2 of them an 80 750-K and a CB - 750 Custom. I rode them until they just Melted Away !
I had a 1979 model in red. I could just sit and stare at that beautiful engine. This bike was definitely a work of art...
I had an 82 cbx, bought it new and put about 30k miles on it. Loved every minute on it. Wish it was still in my garage.
"I got it for 2100$". Even thou Jay has millions in the bank, I love how he says that.
Seems to be a down to earth guy who really knows what has real value in life.
Thomas Chevrier Back in those days in the L.A. area that was the going price, not because the dealer couldn't move it but because competition was insane.
The two biggest dealerships, Honda of Hollywood and Pasadena Honda were at each other's throats constantly, with ads in the L.A. Times listing discounted prices for almost all models and they would change the prices by a dollar when the other guy's new ad came out.
750's we're $1695, 900's we're $1895, etc.
Dealers made their money on finance, insurance, accessories, mystery fees, just like they do today.
This was around the time of the second gas crunch and dealers literally couldn't keep small and medium size commuter bikes in stock. Those first time buyers would be loaded up with every possible option and accessory, in addition to clothes, gloves, helmets, sunglasses, goggles, either they bought the whole package or the bike wouldn't be sold to them.
And on the last day of 2019 I’m still lovin’ this thing!
Man, if only Honda had made like a 2-2.5L automotive version of this motor (with hydraulic valvetrain and a few other auto-friendly features, of course), it would’ve been the greatest sports car engine ever made. I’d love to see even this exact engine in an old S600.
Those were the days in which we dreamt like kids, walkin’ through the dealerships, touchin’ the bikes like Holy Graals and, coming home with a bunch of brochures, was a victory itself. ❤️
I remember those days. One time I got real lucky and the the local bike dealer gave me a poster for the 1983 Molson Supercross. I still have it framed in my garage.
I was going to buy a brand new one in 78 when they came out but I was into handling more than anything so instead I bought a new (78) 750F ss which I put every pay check just about into it for a year (lol) it was the only vehicle I ever loved and was stolen thanksgiving morning 1980 in front of the NY Daily news where I worked,still to this day I never got over it,would give anything to find out who stole it so I could cut their fucking arms off!! it was also the first vehicle I bought new at 21!i have pictures all over the place of it and constantly dream about it ( when I sleep that is),in my next life I want to be jay leno!!!!! lol
feel ya!
love your channel and love the bike but let talk about the classic Clark forklift in the background!!! That model is a classic
Kudos to Jay for keeping this gorgeous bike all original. Looks and sounds fantastic.
Rode this in the 80s . What an awesome bike it was.well done jay for preserving this it looks beautiful
Hi Jay! You probably don't remember me, but back around '82 you and I met at Hollywood Honda- BMW where I was the sales manager. You let me ride a lot of your recently acquired old classics and I would come back to the lot and tell you what horrible machines they were compared to the new stuff. You owned this CBX at the time but you weren't in love with it. I'm glad to see that you held on to it long enough to make it a classic in its own right. So what have you done with yourself since then? -Bill
G D wow
I also bought one brand new from the Toronto International Motorcycle Show in 1981 (This exact Model & color ) - It was on a raised rotating display platform in the Honda section and looked spectacular under the spot lights - - - I had to have one !! I ordered it on the spot & picked it up 2 months later - astounding performance & practicality 4 the time - I loved the snap on luggage - I was a very proud owner for 24 years of cross continent touring - 103 Hp six shooter & able to dice in the corners with the best of the production race bikes of the time !! - - - I Loved It like a girlfriend until I finally found a better one - My current Steed a 2002 Air cooled 1200 S Suzuki Bandit - - - which is even more impressive in performance & function !!
I was in my mid teens when this bike came out. Love it. I wish I enjoyed life as much as Jay seems too. That's what I am most envious of.
Love your bike Jay. Thanks for sharing.
Honda 6 cylinder is legendary. A set of headers...sounds like an F1 racer...that whine..🤤🤤 I love Jay...a motorhead with money.....👍👍
decent bloke that made it in life
At 12:00 that pull to redline sounds like a Ferrari Daytona 12 cylinder!! 🏁👌🏽
Mine "Pulled" & sounded like a Ferrari - I loved it !! - I always wanted to replace the stack mufflers with a 6 into one header but I was still waiting for the stock mufflers to rust out 24 yrs. later and never got around to it. - - - I Sold it in 2005 for the same I paid for it & 5,700 - best bike I ever owned until My current Steed a 2002 Air cooled 1200 S Suzuki Bandit
6 cylinders are inherently balanced, that's why they run and sound so smooth. 4 cylinders are a lot more rough becuase you have to go 180 degrees of crank rotation between firings. Inline 6 cylinders only have to 120 degrees of crank rotation between firings. This gives them a distinctively smooth sound.
A ferrari flat plane v8 is essentially 2 inline 4's attached at the crank. The roughness is still there, the scream and snarl is still there. They actually still have to go 180 degrees of rotation between firings, but there are two pots firing at a time.
The v12's are two inline 6's attached at the crank. They're just as smooth and that's why they sound so amazing at high RPMs. it's such a smooth tonal climb that it's just crazy to hear. Compare a Ferrari v8 to a Ferrari v12 and you'll hear the difference.
For example, a typical american v8 is NOT two inline 4's attached at the crank. They only have 90 degrees of crank rotation between firings, but the compromise in exhaust pulse locations lead to a very uneven tone where you can hear that every rotation has 3 cylinders on one side and 1 on the other firing. Even on a DOHC v8 like the Ford Mustangs and Ford GT etc have.
Point is, there's good reason it sounds like a Ferrari. You're not imagining it.
Dave auf dem BMW I always thought these kinda sounded like Porsche's flat 6
Dave Sawyer - Do you really feel that the Bandit is superior, or is it just the quarter century of advancement that makes it? To whit - were they both designed on equal terms technology wise, would you prefer the Suzuki with the four banger or the Honda's six?
(I am not looking to annoy or incite anyone, I own bikes from three of the big four.)
That CBX was my dream bike as a teen!
The early 80's slick clad Hondas with Comstar rims were such great looking bikes!
750, 900, Silverwings, Goldwings... Still look great. Miss my 750C Full Dresser a lot.
Thanks for the memories Jay!!
Jay Leno is an historian to all things motorized! where would we be without him!? thank God he is still around too educate us!
Beautiful bike Jay! Inline 6 is the smoothest and best sounding engine. Love my KZ1300.
Honda should do another CBX in the same way they did the CB1100. Honda actually had a hell of a time bringing back the air-cooler 4cyl, but they did it, and I'm sure adding two cylinders at the same level of tune would yield good power.
+turbo311 The power on the CBX is good, but you gotta consider that the engine is a fair bit more weight. It is also so forward that it really is an odd bike to ride. I would love a new one as well, but the F6B Valkyrie really is like the CBX. Probably better in fact with the better positioned weight. Yeah, it doesn't have the same engine feel and sound though. But end of day, even a new version of a CBX wouldn't be a nice bike.
CBX is an experience more than anything.
Worlds greatest fan of cars and motorcycles...Jay Leno !...what some of us might be if we had those bucks. So wonderful he shares his passion with the world makes him better than the rest in my opinion....Thanks Jay !.....I dig that bike too must be the size and those pipes.
I had an '81 too and was always impressed by the by the smooth power of it.It wasn't a race bike but those outside cylinders kept your legs warm on a chilly ride home.Sold it too a good friend of mine and he still likes me.Must be a good bike.
Oh come on, you ring up for parts yesterday you get them today! They're sending them to Jay Leno!! I'm surprised they weren't delivered by unicorn with a brass band!😂
Lol
Right
Nice, amazing Jay has been a collector for that long...must be nice to have $$..
App Man he earned it
Money can't buy class, decency or intelligence. Too many people with money that have none of the above.
So awesome! Blast from the past! I took small engine in high school in Pa. We had two CBX’s to work on, and we is absolutely right about the complexity of them. Awesome!
I was in high school when it came out. Honda put one thru Cycle World’s test and the bike did phenomenal. All my friends read the article, writing down notes and opinions throughout the pages. By the time we were done with it, it looked like a rag.
Now, 41+ years later, I still have that magazine. I read through it, every now and again. Thanks Jay for another great video post. Best of luck 🍀👍🏻
you never forget your first
yeah, I just bought my first bike over the summer, It was $600, but I hope l don't ever sell it.
I know. She gave me herpes. Hard to forget that one
lol
Btw, which bike did you get?
a 1981 kawaski KZ250 LTD. it's essentially a single cylinder honda rebel
Always been a Honda guy had 2 Nitehawk 750s and now a Honda Shadow Sabre 1100 can't go wrong with Honda anything they're bullet proof
I had a 750 Sabre. For many years it was my sole means of transportation. I rode it rain or shine summer and winter. It had a Rooster fairing with a cassette player. I thought I was the Real Road Warrior- AND I WAS !
I remember the white 1979 model when it first came out. That was my favorite for sure.
Years ago, I spent an afternoon with Jay at the Rock Store. He brought a unique bike, believe it was a Honda NR500. He is a humble man. All he wanted to chat about was the CBX. I was riding my 1982 model, purchased new.
He was surprised, I told him I had TWO, an 81 and an 82. This was in 83 or 84, if I recall. He was so proud of his 81.
Rewatching this video, I see something both Jay and I had done. There's a Voevodsky Cyber Light under the license plate! This light was innovative, it had two lenses, one red, and one amber. The harder you decelerated, the faster it flashed. There is a series of mercury switches in that housing, at various inclines.
By the way, that high idle after service. Honda fitted these with a remote idle adjuster screw, it uses a flexible cable.
"Look at these six carburetors"
Holds up five carburetors
Take a look again
@@onnyt60 5, one is on the bench, mate.
The first car I bought was a used 1965 mustang. I paid $675 for it and my hand shook when I wrote the check because that was a huge amount of money to me. It's great to hear someone a story about keeping your first car or bike.
jay has such good taste, i recently fell in love with this bike and i want one so badly, it hurts to see how much they cost now after hearing jay say how honda was basically giving them away
Man Jay would watch these motorcycle walk-around and ride videos all day if I had time.. Would be awesome to see you make more
Thanks jay love seeing your cars and bikes only wish I wasn't dying and could afford even one nice ride like a wrangler or old school chopper love you very much gonna really miss you on late night tonight show fallon is too goofy
Will say a prayer for you!!
I owned one of the first ever CBX that came out in south africa , with 120ps. The one that Jay owns , the ones with the fairings were detuned to 100ps. Awesome bikes, i took mine to 230kph, which in those days was a crazy speed. I also wished i had the kawasaki 1300. both beautiful and to look at and beautiful to listen to. Jays one is stunning and i wonder how much mileage he has on it.
12000+
I had that one too!! Was awesome to hear the engine again, thanks Jay!!
Thanks Jay. That was sweet. In 78 I was busy starting a family and this bike blew right past me. The first one I have ever seen and it looked good as new was just last week at KW Honda in Ontario.
I count myself very lucky to have owned one. Mine was a 1979 silver one with 105 hp. They detuned them (black box) the next year to 100 to get them into Germany which had a hp limit. When I had it, I was still new to motorcycling, and to be honest, it scared me a bit. So I sold it after only a year and bought something smaller.
I remember it used to weave a bit around corners, and was told that they used plastic swing arm bushings instead of bearings. The spindly little front forks didn't help either, but the engine was nothing short of superb. That I miss.
cause its a Honda Jay I'm still rockin my 84 goldwing with 60k on it runs like new
Why so few miles??
I had an identical CBX like yours but I didn’t have the saddlebags. The other color option was white w/blue stripes. Yours is beautiful still, my very first new vehicle in 1981. Brings back memories. I remember winding it out to 140 miles an hour on the 111 to Palm Springs one day. So smooth.
1981? I'm absolutely flabbergasted with how Japan is way ahead of their time, that looks like a machine designed today plus it last forever! Let's go!!!!!
Jay you still impress me.
Hard to believe 37 years old
I bought a 67 harley and a 67 triumph when I was 19 in 1981 ...Rode the bikes my dad got me since I was about 6 years old . I love Jays Garage ..and Jay
Had a 1980 CBX for 20 years, finally had to let it go. Now it lives in Finland. Best bike I ever had, miss it still
FYI...
I put about 50 000 miles on my 1982 CBX-1000 Prolink without replacing the alternator brushes.
Good luck, or maybe they used other type of brushes on the 1982 model.
Just to be safe, I do carry spare brushes with me all the time.
I used to carry condoms... but that is a long time ago :-)
Ok, who makes a helmet big enough for Jay Leno?
Arai
I had an 81 CBX as well... And you're right... Still one of the sexiest engines built. Super smooth. They did have bit of a problem with the alternators but enthusiests around the world seem to have come up with other options.
The camshafts are an interesting item too... They are actually 4 camshafts joined by oldhams couplings. Because the warpage was so great in the heads that they couldn't use a one piece camshaft. It was also interesting with the carb setup in a kind of a "V" configuration to help with fuel/air mixtures etc... Still an awesome motorcycle... Followed for me by the NR750 engine...
Jay reminds me of my father-in-law. He keeps everything and keeps all his toys in working order. Nice bike Jay! 👍🏾
**Valves look like GOLF TEES**
And the Goldwing comment...the GW is NOT a motorcycle, it's a windy car!
There's an '83 Nighthawk 550SC in my garage, I need to pull out and get running.
Nice bike in this video, thanks for sharing.
Jay these are so beautiful. a fiend of mine had the first CBX 6 and his last one was this model and the same colour, I love them. Another friend brought a CBX 6 without the fairing and I hear him roar past my home.