The Japanese domestic market (JDM) seems to have gotten a lot of – perhaps solely? – 400cc twisted twins due to vehicle laws there relating to engine capacity. Here’s an example of a late ’81 GL400 Wing, as the CX was known there – it doesn’t seem that the CX name plate made an appearance at all in the home country.
This particular example was found by Hiroki Fuse Masuda at a Japanese noodle shop outside Kobe, Japan. He was kind enough to allow us to use the photos to showcase the model.
Things we can tell about the bike looking at the photos:
- Manual cam chain tensioner (evident by bolt being present above inspection cover)
- Transistorised ignition (see here)
- 10,500rpm max tachometer (some earlier models showed 12k)
- Dual piston, dual calipers up front
- Reverse Comstars – 19″ front, 18″ rear
- Tank decals match the 500E Sports appearance rather than ’82 Shadow
- Boxier tank as found on the Standard/Deluxe/Shadow
- Standard/Shadow side covers
- “Wing” on side covers
- GL400 engine badges
- Single spine frame, same as the ’78-82 CX500 but different to the USA GL500’s triple backbone
- 33mm front forks with drain bolts
The sign underneath says “Don’t touch” or something to that extent, apparently!
The red indicator lamp in the center of the gauge cluster is apparently a speed warning lamp common to that era of Japanese vehicles, and the sticker above it says “Speed Warning”.
The gauge cluster shows a little under 6,000km – or is it 106,000km? Hard to tell with these bikes, they sure do age well if looked after properly.
Nice lines:
The cafe:
Thanks again Hiroki Fuse Masuda! For other models in the CX and GL range check out the model differences page.