Maybe of interest to some.

I had a CBX for a few years. I loved downshifting to third at around 60 in the dark and listening to the howl. Also since it fired two cylinders every 120 degrees it started instantly. One of only two bikes I regret selling.

This is my Commando right after Sandy . The Atlantic Ocean was up to about the Norton script on the timing cover. Life got in the way for a bit - after a thorough fresh water rinse and pulling of drain plugs which thankfully revealed no water in the internals , it would be 5 years to the day before I was able to return to working on it.

When I did get back to work on it I discovered that seawater had gotten into the frame through a weld perforation where the tab for the side stand met the frame . I cut the offending area away bit by bit thinking I could have a piece welded in but it was too little , too late . The salt water had eaten the tubing from the inside out and the frame could no longer be trusted .

Anyone contemplating restoring a bike that has had a salt water dunking should be aware of the
possibility of this sort of corrosion to the tubing - it was only a small patch visible from the outside.
Fortunately I was able to get a brand new main frame from AN for what would likely have been approaching the cost of repair and refinish of the original and it was on my doorstep in little more than a week .
And here is where it stands today after 2 years effort and many $$..

Was thinking salt in frame myself.... My BIL had a CBX back then and I thought it the most frightening thing ever conceived on 2-wheels.... They would have been far more interesting I think had they been set up like a Henderson rather than the transverse config.

You might think about an 18" pedestal for the bike bench, give it a slightly higher chance of survival "next time" (there will ALWAYS be a next time)

jbruney said:

Once long ago took one off the line then saw only tail lights pulling away. First time I ever laid eyes on one too.... Thought it was a Honda 750 in the dark. Lesson learned.

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Apparently it was originally a 750, but Honda beat Kaw to the punch, so they went back and punched the Z out to 900 pre-production.

grandpaul said:

You might think about an 18" pedestal for the bike bench, give it a slightly higher chance of survival "next time" (there will ALWAYS be a next time)

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Yes - “ the next time “ is always on my mind every time we have an extreme high tide - and that seems to be happening more often these days . I now have lifts for all my bikes except for the Honda ST 1300 which is too cumbersome for me to put on the lift anyway and it can go in the trailer when needed. I have lived on this island all of my life - 66 years - and have had to leave several times and sit and wonder what might be left when I return . I am growing weary of all this but it’s home .... (sigh)