|
|
1980 - Model
"A"
Who? they asked,
was the CBX rider? - A man
experienced in the foibles and
eccentricities of lesser
motorcycles, a man looking for
the exceptional bike - who has
probably ridden several good ones
without being wholly satisfied,
until now..
The 'A' model CBX
was released in the U.S. in 1980.
It featured incremental
improvements in a number of
areas, mostly handling-related,
but lost some horsepower. The
1979 'A' model was identical to
the 'Z' except that it was red.
Both 'Z' and 'A' models proved
reliable machines, the only
reported problem being that the
left hand carburetor could flood.
This was rectified on the later
'B' model which was fitted with a
vacuum fuel tap. In 1980 the CBX
(in black livery) hit American
shores and in so doing lost some
of its fire.
Bikes tested in the States were
producing 98 bhp at 9000 rpm.
Tighter emission controls had
meant redesigned silencers which
stifled some power but internally
the main change was the use of
different camshafts. However,
this slight loss of power seems
to have been a little academic
and midrange power was reported
to be as good as ever. Handling
was improved over early models by
changing the plastic swinging arm
bushes for a double end-thrust
ball and needle roller assembly
mounted on a larger swinging arm
pivot and stiffer swinging
arm.
The 35 mm fork legs were retained
but now featured air pressure
valves at the top to vary
stiffness and preload. The
sliders also ran on new style
bushes of a Teflon-lead-bronze
alloy (as used on Honda's moto
cross machines) to improve
suspension movement. The final
drive chain was also changed to a
530 size which was said to make
the drive less noisy.
Page 6
(Contd.)
|
|
