Every year somewhere in Europe an event called 'CBX Euromeeting' is organized. This year it was Germany's turn. Obviously the focus is on the CBX six cylinder. There was also something to celebrate: the CBX celebrated its thirtieth anniversary. As it says on this cover: 'CBX and nothing else'.

It took place in one of my favorite parts of Germany: the race track 'Nurburgring' in the Eifel.

When I arrived on Friday, after a trip of about 250 km, it was already pretty busy. Bert Vonderman from Six Center had a lot of visitors at his stand.

Like every year he had painted his CBX in the colors of the host.

It may look like a pile of junk but there's no other bike running as smooth al Bert's. His business card.

Of course there were the original models. The CBX I owned sixteen years ago looked exactly like this one.

And there was the Pro-link, its successor. Technically better but optically less brutal.

Some bikes were transformed in 'German style': small front, high ass. Not exactly my cup of tea, but the more variety the better.

I liked this Spondon-CBX very much.

Look at those welds. Expensive but great.

This Swedish turbocharged rat-CBX makes a lot of miles each year.

An impressive sidecar, made for long trips, all year long.

The wheel powers a generator.

Some bikes were overloaded with luggage. Even tables and stools came along.

A lot of CBXs was blatantly put on the trailer. Very practical: take the van, saving fuel costs, loaded with local beers, tent, fridge, the full monty. But no, I do not understand it.

Many Englishmen thought it important that their bike is in a permanent shiny state.

The result of intensive polishing with cloths and toothbrushes.

A beautiful specimen: a Martin frame with the cockpit of a Yamaha R7. A classic engine in a modern suit.

Talking about classics: Egli-CBX.

In England you can buy and sell registrations. Real nice to have 'BIG CBX' on your number plate.

Stefan Jung had built a very special CBX: fully tuned, with compressor, intercooler and water injection with 172 horsepower at the rear. Without losing the typical classic look. Great project.

My bike was noticed as well.

Once a while I showed it to visitors. On the right you see Michael a.k.a. 'Agnomic', friend of my good friend Sabine Welte.

Picture: Sabine Welte

Sabine gave me a recent issue of the Australian motor magazine TwoWheels. In it is an article on my bike. CBX-icon Bert Aarts passes it.

Wanna read the article? Click here.

Picture: Sabine Welte

Too bad I did not hear this kart run. What an impressive monster.

Nice detail: they constructed the rear brake from the original hand brake. The lever is operated by a cable that is attached to the foot pedal.

On Saturday we made a trip around the Eifel. I do not know how many CBX joined in but there were many. I am not a supporter of massive trips but this one was really good: fast but not foolish. Very 'German', so to speak.

The 150 km trip was very varied. Beautiful clean twisty asphalt roads ...

... which actually looked more than a road circuit. Whether you want it or not, you'll just speed up.

However, you were regularly shaken (literally) by very poor roads, even unpaved ones. Not really nice when you sit on a steel plate.

I met Wilco Vonk, chairman of the Dutch Kawasaki Z1300 Club, with his pal Frenk.

At the service station Wilco attempted to abduct my CBX. Can't blame him ;-)

After the trip all bikes gathered at the Nürburgring.

Because the Eifel is so centrally located, there were CBX-riders present from all around Europe. Never before have I seen so many CBXs together.

Then Wolfgang arrived on his naked CB1300, after some 560 km and a lot of traffic jam. I got to know him last year at the Trommelslagertreffen in Hoogeveen.

And I met Irishman Ian Foster. I had been in contact with him via e-mail. He writes a book on the history of the thirtiest CBX anniversary, and wanted my bike in it as well.

In a flyer he made an appeal to other CBX owners to show their bike.

Click the picture for an enlarged view of the flyers outside.

Click the picture for an enlarged view of the flyers outside.

In the evening Ian presented his book-to-be on stage. With a Powerpoint presentation, and with passion.

Picture: Sabine Welte

The organizing German CBX-club asked me whether I wanted to translate his English into German. Quite strange to ask a Dutchman to do so. But it was fun to do, and for a good cause.

Picture: Sabine Welte

Friday night a real good live band played. Saturday night there was not much going on in the marquee. On the screen a live boxing match was projected which did not attract many viewers. Reason is probably that many foreign visitors had a long drive ahead the next day.

Close to Berts van was a small camp fire. We had some beers until about 03.00 h.

Next morning especially the Englishmen were up early.

The unspoilt nature and the sunrise in the Eifel was beautiful.

Slightly less unspoilt but likewise beautiful was the motorcycle training which started 08.00 h. Especially the sound of the big twins is like music.

The first one hundred kilometers I drove home with Wolfgang. If you look closely, you see him (except me and the reflection of the camera) sitting on his CB1300.

I almost took the exit to Melderlo to pause at d'n Toerstop.

But the weather got worse ...

... and I thought 2.118 kilometers in just two weeks was good enough.