Before using this site please read the site disclaimer. Also please note that any links provided may be part of an affiliate programme (viz. eBay, Amazon) which helps support the site as I will earn a commission when visitors make a qualifying purchase.
Today's featured build "CXon Valdez" comes from Niagara Park on the Central Coast of NSW, Australia and has been done by a fellow named Graham:
There's been a tonne of work done to this bike; an incomplete list:
Graham was drawn to the CX line due to it's instantly recognisable engine and frame shape. He had caught some of the (many) custom CX builds coming through, and was looking for something with a bit more power to finish his provisional license time on.
Graham is a light vehicle mechanic by day with a passion for American muscle cars - though his garage space doesn't allow for a muscle car build. About 2.5 years ago a mate gave him a CT110 that he tinkered with and found that he really enjoyed working on a vehicle that he could fit into his garage and didn't require a whole workshop full of tools and equipment. The CT110 ended up with a Jawa CZ125 tank and a cafe hump and Graham was hooked.
A 1984 CM250 was next up - bobber style - with a CB200 tank (eBay US, eBay AU>), followed by a 1992 XJ600 cafe build (unusual!) - which unfortunately got destroyed on it's 3rd outing when Graham was hit by a 4x4. The CX then arrived to him in a bunch of crates on the back of a ute - purchased for a dollar a CC and a schooner of beer. Several months later it got some attention and Graham started assembling the motor from the boxes of bits - he compared it to a jigsaw puzzle. The bike ended up being on the road for the Distinguished Gentleman's Ride of 2016.
Graham's favourite part was solving a problem he thought was unsolvable - that and hearing the motor for a first time! The most challenging parts were the engine jigsaw puzzle and sourcing every little O-ring and seal for the rebuild.
He did suffer one setback not long after it went back together, and his first piece of advice for anyone wanting to build their own is to "assume nothing". After the motor went back together Graham assumed that the radiator was OK and tested the motor before installing the temp sensor, resulting in an overheated the motor and a spun bearing.
His second piece of advice is to ditch the stock Keihin carbs - as he feels that once you modify the intake and exhaust they will hold you back in terms of performance - and to ensure that your cooling system is on point.
What's with the name, you ask? Graham called it that due to the amount of oil it leaves behind! All in all Graham is very pleased with the build and he has taken great pleasure in doing the work himself rather than sending parts out to be worked on. As he says:
"Anyone can build a trophy winner with enough money but I want a bike that I can ride every day, makes a lot of noise and turns heads. To know I can do that right here in my garage is the best part."
Photography by Ross Moorhouse - The Art Of Wheeled Motion and used with permission.
Looking for more inspiration? Check out the Honda CX500 Build List for more cafe racers, bobbers, choppers and more!
In 2019 the server has had to double in capacity to support the growing site... please consider dropping the site a donation to help cover the costs! Check out our Patreon for support options, buy a shirt, buy our apps, use my NordVPN affiliate link to sign up to their service or donate via Paypal:
| Paypal $5 link ->> | |
| Paypal $10 link ->> |