During the acronym-laden early '80s each of the big four entered into the turbo race, viewed by many as a thinly veiled pissing contest. While none of the manufacturers were overly successful in delivering the promised vision of a middleweight package with the punch of a liter bike, the 1982 CX500 - which was enlarged to a 650 in 1983 - showed that Honda employed the most creative designers with a twisted sense of humor. Not only did they base their turbo on a slow, fat, pushrod V-twin, but the 650 variant actually turned out to be quite the rapid tourer. But we believe turbos should be about the outrageous, the crass and the excessive, so we've brought it back. Not as a bike to laugh at, but to laugh from. A street sleeping, KTM Superduke and Ducati Streetfighter bully. Now that would be funny.
Engine
While the 1983 674cc CX650 made a respectable 100 HP, it's nowhere near enough in 2010. Our remixed CX boasts an upped 750cc capacity, increased maximum boost to 20 psi and lightened everything from pistons to engine cases. Using a stolen blueprint from HRC, 21st century fuel injection and ram-air, our CX pumps out 150 HP and the tire-bothering torque curve you'd expect from a big V-twin. To ensure no power is lost, we've thrown away the heavyweight shaft drive and shed 40 pounds in the process. This baby will rip your arms from their sockets at low revs and induce laughter at high rpm.
Chassis
Using both steel tubes and box-section aluminium, the CX is a quirky fusion of new and old technology, much like Ducati's latest designs. Wheels and forks are modified 2007 R1 items; completely over-the-top and possibly unnecessary, just as we like it. Front brakes are 2009 CBR1000-spec; swingarm is R1-based while the rearsets are SV650 items we won on eBay.
Bodywork
There's no escaping the fact that the original CX was a little painful on the eyes, and although we've tempered the desire to retch on sight, we wanted the CX to retain that unique look. You know, the one that makes passers-by say: "What the fu..."
With a top cowl and air intakes inspired by the Honda Xaxis concept bike of 2002, a CBR1000 mudguard, tweaked Z1000 screen and a modified Kawasaki ER-6n tank and VFR800 tail unit, the CX cylinder heads are still proudly on display. The 'OBRUT' sticker on the screen is present and correct.