This One-Off Honda CBX1000 Is a Hungry Six-Cylinder Speed Demon

Despite the fact that Honda ceased its production run after just four short-lived years, we can probably all agree on one thing; the CBX1000 was a genuine superstar among large-displacement machines during the ‘80s. Let’s take a second to remind ourselves about this beast’s main specs and features, shall we?

The 1982 model from the Japanese manufacturer’s lineup is put in motion by a monstrous DOHC inline-six colossus, with four valves per cylinder head and a displacement of 1,047cc. From the factory, this air-cooled four-stroke predator is more than happy to supply as much as 98 hp at 9,000 rpm and crushing torque output of up to 62 pound-feet (84 Nm) at 7,500 rpm.

A five-speed transmission is tasked with feeding the engine’s ungodly force to the rear wheel via a chain final drive. Ultimately, this whole ordeal enables the CBX to run the quarter-mile in 12.4 seconds at 108 mph (174 kph), while the top speed is rated at a whopping 127 mph (204 kph).

All things considered, it’s not hard to see why Honda’s two-wheeled bull won’t be forgotten anytime soon. Sure, its design language is painfully outdated, but who’s to say this thing doesn’t make for one hell of a starting point when seeking to craft a custom masterpiece? The bike you see here is a bespoke love affair between a 1982 CBX and a fellow named Michael Kopec.

Having owned as many as five CBX1000s since getting his driving license, it’s quite safe to say that Kopec knows his way around this fascinating creature. To kick the transformation off, he went about replacing the standard air-assisted forks with those of a 1979 sibling from the CBX family. At the rear, suspension duties are taken good care of by dual shock absorbers and a 1980 CB1100R’s double-sided swingarm.

As soon as work on the bike’s suspension setup ended, the moto surgeon turned his attention to its gargantuan six-cylinder powerplant. Besides receiving a fresh piston kit that increases the mill’s displacement to a humungous 1,150cc, the inline-six was also honored with a selection of top-shelf internals for refined performance.

To round out the powertrain upgrades, Kopec fitted a set of pod filters onto the retuned Keihin carburetors. Oh, and don’t you even get me started on that downright bonkers exhaust system, alright? Its graceful stainless-steel pipes look ready to propel this bad boy straight into outer space.

Furthermore, Kopec went as far as fabricating an assortment of unique bodywork items that keep it classy. The original subframe was cut to make way for a loop-style counterpart, which supports a stealthy leather saddle and a cafe racer-style fiberglass tail section. For a clutter-free aesthetic, the wiring harness has been tweaked and relocated to the new tail, where you’ll also find the lithium-ion battery.

The finishing touches come in the form of a 3D-printed gauge housing that adorns the cockpit, as well as a top clamp cover with integrated warning lights. Honestly, I think I might’ve fallen in love with this CBX; what’s your take on Michael Kopec’s custom wizardry?