After being introduced in 1979, the Honda CBX actually sold rather poorly. Nevertheless, Honda noticed that some buyers accessorized their motorcycles with aftermarket fairings and bags, so for 1981 the CBX lost its nakedness and was reborn as a sport-touring bike. The most obvious change was the three-quarter fairing, which was beautifully integrated in a tidy design. Its lower section was carefully placed to ensure that the engine, which was now mostly black, remained plainly visible. “Super Sport” lettering moved to the fairing’s flank, reminding everyone of the 1981 Honda CBX’s performance potential.

Along with the re-sculpted tank and saddle, there were trim-looking hard saddlebags for a purposeful look. That purposefulness was reinforced with key changes throughout the chassis and suspension. Making the fork stouter meant slightly revising front suspension geometry, and the rear suspension benefited by the incorporation of a Pro-Link single-shock setup with a boxy aluminum swingarm. Wheelbase stretched from 58.9 inches to 60.4 inches. The Comstar wheels—19-inch front diameter and 18-inch rear—were wider, and the brakes were uprated. The mighty air-cooled DOHC 1,047cc inline six-cylinder engine, which tilted forward by 33 degrees,now offered increased mid-range and roll-on power after subtle changes to the valvetrain, carburetion and exhaust system. Even the clutch was revised.

Weighing in at 633 pounds, the bike could nevertheless hit 138 mph. With room to expand the instrument cluster, a clock, altimeter and temperature display became available. Magnum Silver was the only color, and elegant black accents and orange-red pinstriping swept over the bodywork.

While the CBX isn’t exactly the kind of bike that a young mechanic would normally learn the ropes on, Honda actually donated hundreds of 1981 CBXs to American high school shop programs. Some were wrenched on by students, some were dismantled and some were stored with various levels of care. Some of these “school bikes” have been found and scooped up by enthusiasts and collectors, but there can’t be very many more left out there.