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Gordon Gooch's Incredible road legal CBX outfit.
Gordon's description
The CBX Formula 1 road going outfit idea was conceived by Geoff Smale from Liverpool England. Three years, thousands of hours and over a five figure sum in pounds sterling later it emerged just prior to the Isle of Man TT in 1998. The bike obtained it's Ministry of Transport inspection (necessary for all road vehicles in the U.K.) without problem due to the professional and very high standard of engineering used throughout. Then it was straight to the Isle of Man where it caused a real stir. So much of stir that Geoff was told by the Police that he must not come into Douglas (the islands capital) because crowds were blocking the streets to get pictures and video of it!! A Japanese delegation appeared, cheque books in hand, asking Geoff to name his price as they wanted to take it back to Japan!! However having just completed the three year project Geoff wanted to experience the joy of riding it. That was a real experience also, he was clocked by the police on the Mountain circuit at over 150 mph (no speed limits apply) and despite adherence to limits in towns managed to lap the circuit in a time that would have just allowed him qualify for the actual sidecar race!! I met Geoff at the European CBX rally in Ashbourne England where he gave me a whirl in the outfit...Wow!....I was sold on it!! A year on I met Geoff at the World famous Classic bike show at Stafford in England where he had previously displayed the outfit and won awards. At that time the engine and some other parts were back on his donor CBX and the outfit was not being used. A long chat and visit to Geoff's garage and I bought the outfit less engine. Over the summer I obtained a good CBX engine from Mel Watkins, UK CBX club Director. The engine has pretty low miles and has now been stripped and professionally rebuilt with valves, cam chains etc done. The engine has now been shoe horned into the outfit (The front crankcase mountings are also used) for rigidity, all the electrics connected and was fired up for the first time last month. Rejetting of the carbs is currently taking place and a set of nice polished alloy bell mouths from Japan have just arrived. The hope is that over the winter things can be completed with a view to getting it out on the road in spring. I would love to get over to Europe on it if possible. The construction is basically a CBX engine and frame married to a Tony Baker Formula 1 outfit CBX electrics throughout. Special bodywork based on the CBX tank and seat unit was made by Geoff as a one off. Fully sorted brakes and suspension coupled to a lot of rubber on the road make for an excellent handling machine. Roll on the better weather, which is of course unusual here in Scotland!!
Gordon's other CBX (1170 Moto Martin).
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