• Number '12' of 41 pre-production models built
• Delivered new to the Benelux countries
• Restored to original condition
• Registered in Belgium

"The CBX was quite simply a marvellous revelation which has genuinely elevated the status of motorcycling. Few people will be able to afford to run one, but then the best is never cheap. Above all, such a motorcycle should not be condemned because it's an excess." - Bike magazine, December 1978.

Just as it had in the preceding decade with the four-cylinder CB750, Honda stunned the world again in the 1970s, introducing the Gold Wing super-tourer and the outrageous six-cylinder CBX1000. Launched in 1978, the latter was not the first six of the modern era, Benelli's 750 Sei having beaten it by a couple of years, but it was by far the biggest and fastest. Launched in 'naked', twin-shock form, the CBX was revamped for 1981, gaining Pro-Link mono-shock rear suspension, a half fairing and ventilated front disc brakes. Weighing around 550lbs and with 105bhp on tap, the CBX was good for over 130mph and scorched through the standing quarter-mile in around 12 seconds. For most owners though, it was not the CBX's performance so much as its on-road presence that mattered. Even today, few bikes can match it for charisma, visual appeal and, above all, sound.

Towards the end of CBX development, Honda hand built 41 pre-production prototypes for testing, press and display duties around the world. These models were used for the CBX's debut in November 1977 at Suzuka in front of the international motorcycling press, and then sent to various Honda importers around the world.

These motorcycles have frame numbers 'CB1-2000001' to 'CB1-2000041'. The engine numbers exactly match the frame number, except '22' which has engine '2000011'. However, it appears that not all of these 41 frames and engines were assembled.

Manufacture of the production CBX began with frame number 'CB1-2000042' and engine 'CB1E-2000060'. Honda ordered the destruction of all machines with preceding frame and engine numbers because they could not guarantee to supply spares for these hand-built prototypes, which differ in many ways from the series-production version, their sand-cast crankcases being the most obvious difference.

These pre-production CBXs, of which it is estimated that only six complete examples survive, are scattered all over the world. Almost all are listed in The CBX Book (volumes I and II) by Ian Foster. Number '12', the machine offered here, was discovered in Belgium and probably was intended for testing and promotion in the Benelux countries. It formerly belonged to a collector of Indian motorcycles, who had purchased it in 1983 as part of a 'job lot' of Indians. The CBX remained garaged for six years without being ridden. It currently belongs to a Belgian enthusiast.

Number '12' has been partially dismantled, restored and reassembled (except for the engine) with the original parts reused in the interests of originality (even the paintwork is original). The Honda has been featured in CBXPress magazine and on the cover of the CBX Club de France's Salon Moto Légende 2018 programme (copies on file).

An absolute 'must have' for the serious Honda collector, this wonderful pre-production CBX is offered with its original Benelux registration document and current Belgian registration papers.
Offered with key