CBX550

[SteveD CB500K0]

How can they compare a CBX550 up against a CBR 600.

They’re MCN Graham.


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[Laverda Dave]

I saw a Triton with the CBX550 front brake fitted. It had been modified to take spokes laced to an alloy rim. The brake itself had been polished to remove any sign of the original black colour. It really did look nice and actually period looking like a drum brake.

[mike the bike]

I think it more a case of,  the discs can't be seen so we may as well make them from cast iron because they're cheaper.  The fact that they brake better is of secondary importance.

[K2-K6]

"The weird thing for me was that the engine ran backwards, most rotors go anti clockwise but that engine ran clockwise."

This gets rid of a countershaft like the sohc  500 etc has, quite advanced thinking for that time as it's often seen in MotoGP now.  Also the gyro effect is opposite to the wheels,  if you like that sort of thing.

This and the 750 are more CBX  in terms of engine design (innovation not exact copy ) than is argued, I believe. The three of them seem to stand alone even compared to the CB 900 which is more SOHC  750 with a twin cam head than the true CBX DNA.

[K2-K6]

Are you sure it's that one that runs backwards?  The schematic suggests the drive is "normal"

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As top gear direct driven is straight through from clutch basket to output sprocket,  unless all ratios were through the intermediate shaft to alter rotation on the whole set including top.

[K2-K6]

Like the CBX six, it does look like a sixties Honda grand prix engine when you see it like this

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Looks like one of those pictures taken in the pits years ago.

[Johnwebley]

  I would love one of these,

  smallish,

 light.

  slightly unusual

[Laverda Dave]

I've always liked them. I remember reading the launch in MCN, MCM, Bike, Which Bike and MCW (I used to get them all back then and read them cover to cover!). I really wanted the F2 with the nose fairing. To me they were a mini RCB1100 with the paint scheme. Only problem I had was I didn't earn enough to buy one, even on HP, apprentice money was poor back then and any spare money I had was poured into my CB400/4 and 2 Valve Jawa speedway bike!

[K2-K6]

Yeah I’m almost certain I watched one run backward, the diagram does though contradict my memory

It may be the 400 (super four) as that seems to be geared straight from crankshaft to clutch,  but can't find a decent schematic for that one.

[robvangulik]

Yeah I’m almost certain I watched one run backward, the diagram does though contradict my memory

Take a good look at that drawing, the axle with the front chain sprocket isn't centered in the clutch basket, the other axle is behind there, so when the clutch turns anti clockwise the rear gear axle turns the right way. And remember, it's just a drawing......

[Athame57]

My flatmate had one in 1983, the nudie one, the bike I mean. Endless trouble with the cam chain tensioner but when all was running well I'm sure it had a top end well above the 117mph given here. I was on the back with her on a trip to Margate from London, the clock hit nearly 130 mph a few times. Maybe the one tested here was just showing age, or did that fairing take a lot off? 

[K2-K6]

Yeah I’m almost certain I watched one run backward, the diagram does though contradict my memory

Take a good look at that drawing, the axle with the front chain sprocket isn't centered in the clutch basket, the other axle is behind there, so when the clutch turns anti clockwise the rear gear axle turns the right way. And remember, it's just a drawing......

I can see your view,  yes it does look slightly unresolved from their illustration. It's usual though that most gearbox have top gear as direct drive to avoid gear train losses in potentially the most long term use gear, otherwise it would always be running through both shafts for every ratio. Not impossible,  but they normally don't do that on bikes.

Intriguing details though, wonder if anyone knows for certain.

If Honda had run the 750 SOHC crankshaft backwards, then they could have deleted the sprocket "jackshaft" from the design and made the engine smaller  but guess they had quite a lot to consider at that point.

[andy_c101]

I restored one 2 years ago to a very high standard. Had 25k miles, 2 previous owners. A great midsized sports tourer, is how I describe it, a great free reving engine. The rear shock was quite "dull" despite full refurbishment. Yes the brakes were "novel" but were better than a cb550sohc front disk (not difficult!). New cast vented disks are like hens teeth, cast with 3 perimeter lugs, must've costed a fortune. I did have an oem Honda 4-2 set of pipes, looked spectacular as well as a good deep sound.
Shame I had to have a clear out & sold it to a guy in Gloucestershire....


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