This Mind-Blowing 1981 Honda CBX1000 Is the Embodiment of Custom Perfection

Back in the late seventies, Japanese liter-bikes were really giving each other a run for their money. The competition was particularly fierce in 1978 when Herculean machines like the Kawasaki Z1-R or Suzuki’s GS1000 first saw the light of day. As you might already know, these bad boys – along with Yamaha’s XS1100 – sported the tried and tested four-cylinder engine configuration that had been popularized by the groundbreaking CB750.

On the other hand, the House of Tokyo intended to bring something a little more special to the table; a six-cylinder colossus featuring 24 valves, dual overhead cams, and no less than 105 wild ponies on tap. As such, the first iteration of their mighty CBX1000 was born, and it looked absolutely phenomenal on paper.

Although its acclaimed 1,047cc powerplant was nothing less than a marvel of Japanese engineering, the same can’t be said for the suspension, which consisted of teeny-weeny 35 mm (1.4 inches) forks and humdrum dual shocks. Oh, and don’t you even get me started on those skinny tires! Ultimately, this state of affairs meant that Honda’s CBX was exceptional for straight-line acceleration but less than ideal in terms of handling.

These shortcomings were addressed when Honda transformed it into a full-blown sport tourer for the 1981 model-year, installing 39 mm (1.5 inches) air-assisted forks, a Pro-Link rear suspension setup, and higher-spec brakes. Despite the improvements, sales remained below the manufacturer’s expectations, so the CBX1000 was eventually given the ax in 1982.

As time went by, many of these creatures were preserved in their original condition, while others were reborn as custom masterpieces. One such entity hails from Tom Gilroy’s Purpose Built Moto – an Australian enterprise whose portfolio we’ve visited on several occasions. Without further ado, let’s see how they’ve managed to turn a fatigued ‘81 MY CBX into a sight to behold.

Tom and his crew began by discarding just about any piece of standard bodywork they could find, except for the gas tank. Next, they busied themselves with outsourcing an Aprilia RSV4’s shock linkage and double-sided swingarm, followed by a premium set of inverted forks from a second-gen Suzuki Hayabusa. The repurposed swingarm – which enabled PBM to fit a wider rear hoop – is gripped by a modern Ohlins TTX monoshock, thus solving the donor’s lackluster handling once and for all.

Since they didn’t fit the desired aesthetic, the stock hoops were promptly deleted, making room for a pair of multi-spoked JoNich M9 alternatives. The new shoes come equipped with top-grade aftermarket brake discs on both ends, while the rear unit also sports a bespoke aluminum sprocket. At the front, you will find a one-off triple clamp holding the Busa forks in place, as well as a ProTaper Contour handlebar, fresh switches, and a state-of-the-art headlight from Flashpoint’s range.

Glancing rearward, we spot a reworked subframe that’s been fabricated in-house, along with an alluring solo saddle and a cafe racer-style tail section flaunting integrated LED lighting. The Purpose-Built pros fitted youthful Keihin FCR carbs, DNA air filters, a six-into-six exhaust system with reverse megaphone mufflers in the powertrain department.

To top it all off, Gilroy’s specialists manufactured a tiny fender for the front end, while a duplet of daytime running lights has been installed just above the bike’s slanted inline-six engine. Last but not least, the whole shebang was concluded with a magnificent color scheme, which incorporates a matte grey base and orange accents. Thanks to PBM’s startling overhaul, this unique CBX1000 will tip the scales at a mere 502 pounds (228 kg) on an empty stomach, making it considerably lighter than a factory-spec variant from Honda’s lineup.