Newbie to the bike scene, looking at a cbx400

[Jase W]

Hey guys,
I'm a new guy to these forums, and I dont have a bike at the moment, but im in the market for something cheap.... which brings me to the next question:

I've found an 84 CBX400 that the owner wants $250 for. 37xxx Ks.
-Rego on hold
-Needs exhaust work
-Loose electrical connection causing the bike to cut out/not start
-Smokey (thinks it might be rings)

The bike is down in welly, i'm in levin, so I'm going to have a look at it on sunday morning. My first priority would be fixing the exhaust & electrics and getting it roadworthy, then at some stage down the track, get the engine reconned (any idea what that would be worth?).

What do you people think? Worth the hassle?

Thanks in advance

[magnum]

sounds like more trouble than its worth unless you/mates are mechanically minded.should be able to find a good clean older bike for about a grand.good luck anyways.

[Jackrat]

Don't do it mate.
Those things were grenades when they were new.
Honda's made some very good bikes,that things not one of them.
IMHO

[What?]

Sounds like it will quickly owe you over 3 grand. Reboring ain't cheap when you consider the cost of pistons, rings, gaskets, maybe new valves, valve guides & seals, cam chains, tensioners and about 16 hours labour on top of the machining. Then the electrical fault might cost another few hundred to sort out, and the exhaust (if it's original) will be toast, so there goes another 6 or 700 pesos...

[Bonez]

Don't do it mate.
Those things were grenades when they were new.
Honda's made some very good bikes,that things not one of them.
IMHO

Seconded. The internal disk caliper design was a stupid idea and could be a cause of trouble. Unless you where using it as a parts bike I wouldn't touch it with a barge pole. (But please feel free to ignor this advice, as I've just bought another dunger apperently )

[FROSTY:Me]

Wadda you'se jokers on about? The CBX400/550 and the VF series hondas were great bikes.
Yep Us mechanics loved em--they kept a whole generation of us employed. .
wot wih cam chain tensioners. cam lobes etc wearing out lol

[Jase W]

Ok I think i'll give it a miss then. time to get the latest t&e methinks

[Pwalo]

Ok I think i'll give it a miss then. time to get the latest t&e methinks

A wise decision young man. Eighties Hondas were a very mixed bag, and the smaller CBXs, and the VFs were not engineering masterpieces.

[SPORK]

Well anyways, not sure if you have stated this, but what lisence do you have? Full? Coz anything less than that you can't ride over a 250 (stating the obvious).

However, I heard that they may be thinking of changing that to 400cc on restricted... I hope this is true!

[What?]

Ok I think i'll give it a miss then. time to get the latest t&e methinks

There is no such thing as a free lunch, or, there's no such thing as a cheap vehicle...
Get someone knowledgable to help you look and take the time to buy as wisely as possible.