1979 Honda CBX1000 CRSS #4

Mention the Honda CBX1000 to any motorcycling enthusiast and you will instantly see a sparkle in their eyes. Produced between 1978 and 1982 and derived directly from Honda's Grand Prix racing experience, the CBX1000 is the only production motorcycle ever built around a 1,047 cc transverse inline six-cylinder engine with 24 valves and dual overhead camshafts, producing 105 hp at 9,000 rpm. When Cafe Racer SSpirit in San Sebastian got hold of a mint 1979 example with low mileage, the result was CRSS #4: the cleanest, most refined custom CBX ever built.

The Honda CBX1000: Why It Still Matters

Honda engineer Soichiro Irimajiri drew directly from the legendary RC165 250cc six-cylinder Grand Prix race motor when designing the CBX1000 engine. At launch in 1978, it was the fastest and most powerful production road bike on earth, with Cycle Guide calling it "the Vincent Black Shadow of 1979." A standing quarter mile in 11.36 seconds, a top speed north of 200 km/h, and a six-cylinder soundtrack unlike anything before or since: the CBX1000 earned its legend through engineering, not marketing. Its production run lasted only three years, which makes low-mileage survivors extremely rare.

Cafe Racer SSpirit CRSS #4: The Build

Cafe Racer SSpirit had a clear philosophy when approaching this build: refine and improve the CBX1000 without erasing what makes it special. The goal was a clean, subtle upgrade rather than a heavy customization. Every modification serves the motorcycle's original purpose as a high-performance touring machine.

All wiring and electronics were routed out of sight to preserve the motorcycle's clean silhouette. The cockpit uses Biltwell grips on Rizoma handlebars, a Bates headlight and a Motogadget instrument cluster, producing one of the tidiest front-ends ever fitted to a CBX. The subframe was shortened and replaced with a shortened U-section, topped by a handmade CRSS seat. Refurbished original Comstar wheels complete the factory-authentic aesthetic.

Engine, Exhaust and Suspension

The six-cylinder engine remains mechanically untouched, preserving the original silky power delivery and the famous six-exhaust soundtrack. Custom-made filters replace the stock units to suit the slimmer visual profile of the build. At the rear, a handmade GR exhaust channels the engine's sound through a system that complements the original note without overwhelming it. Suspension has been reworked comprehensively: Ohlins high-performance shock absorbers replace the rear units, and an upside-down front fork sourced from Suzuki has been fitted with Tokico calipers to deliver braking confidence and handling precision worthy of the CBX engine's output.

Available on TheArsenale

The CRSS #4 is available for purchase through TheArsenale. Explore the CRSS #4 1979 Honda CBX1000 product page for full details. For more Cafe Racer SSpirit builds, see the CRSS #9 Yamaha XV750 Cafe Racer. Browse the full TheArsenale motorcycles collection, spanning 142 custom, electric and cafe racer builds, including the Honda CBX1050 Streetfighter #36.

Sources

For the full history and engineering background of the Honda CBX1000, see Motorcycle Classics' deep dive on the CBX 1000. Technical specifications for the 1979 model are documented on AutoEvolution.