Author Topic: owning a cb 650 (Read 3812 times)

cyclocrossfool · « **on:** January 26, 2012, 05:45:40 PM »

hello everyone and i hope maybe someone can help, there is a cb 650 custom up the road for sale for $150. its in good shape. org paint, stock except for a new seat, 16,000 miles, looks oil tight. its been sitting awhile which isnt the problem. the problem is the current owner says it used to run but the last time it was run the ign. key was left on and because of this the 2- "module ign. control "units burned up. has anybody herd of this? the parts are avalible (part # 30400-ma4-601 they are also used on the cb 750 79-82 models (all). and even the 81-82 gold wing and sup. the 82 cx 500). is it worth the $150? thanks to anybody for some help. tom (future 650 oener?)

CBGhia · « **Reply #1 on:** January 26, 2012, 05:48:00 PM »

It could easily be worth that much and more. You can find used coils all over the place. I would pick it up if it were me.

chewbacca5000 · « **Reply #2 on:** January 26, 2012, 08:11:17 PM »

It could be worth $150. I would only consider 81 or 82 as the carbs are slightly easier to work on and the 81/82 has the big cam that makes more power. They are fun bikes that pull hard, but can be a bear as far as cold starting. Pro bally the toughest. The spark units from gold wings, cb750/900 all will work. For the time and energy I would rather have an older cb550. Not sure it has the top end of the cb650 with the free flowing head and huge cv carbs, but it will probably start much better.

trueblue · « **Reply #3 on:** January 27, 2012, 01:22:44 AM »

Quote from: chewbacca5000 on January 26, 2012, 08:11:17 PM

It could be worth $150. I would only consider 81 or 82 as the carbs are slightly easier to work on and the 81/82 has the big cam that makes more power. They are fun bikes that pull hard, but can be a bear as far as cold starting. Pro bally the toughest. The spark units from gold wings, cb750/900 all will work. For the time and energy I would rather have an older cb550. Not sure it has the top end of the cb650 with the free flowing head and huge cv carbs, but it will probably start much better.

The 79 has the big cam, after that they were watered down. The 550 has a different head to the 650, the 650 head will bolt onto the 550 but the 550 head won't go onto the 650, the bolt patern is the same but the pistons will foul with the head. But for $150 I wouldn't even be thinking about it, I would just buy it. The spark units may not be fried, the ones on my 650 have oozed black goo everywhere but still work fine. My 650 isn't that hard to start, I just pull on the choke, pump the throttle a couple of times and it starts first time everytime. But as a bike they are great, I've had mine on the road for about 6 months, and I've done over 6000km on it with no major troubles, and plenty of go for an old bike.

andrewk · « **Reply #4 on:** January 27, 2012, 01:30:32 AM »

yep, 79 is the "big cam" but the later ones run pretty well too.

150 is a good price, just about anything can be wrong with it and you're not doing too bad on price, but this one sounds like it doesn't need a whole lot to get going down the road again.

Scott S · « **Reply #5 on:** January 27, 2012, 05:49:48 AM »

In all of my research, I haven't been able to confirm that there's any difference between the '79 and later cams, EXCEPT for the German market low HP cam.

wardenerd · « **Reply #6 on:** January 27, 2012, 06:03:38 AM »

Chewbacca is right on track . I own a 77 550F and an 81 650C. The 550 starts easier when cold and the battery will crank much longer even on a new battery and starter. Hot starting is another issue. Remember the 550F is old tech. Lights not as bright,carbs more sluggish has points which can be problematic. The 650 hasCDI ignition.The 550 is not nearly as fast but it is nimble and easier to ride. It is much more forgiving when you do something stupid like lock it down on wet pavement. The 650C is much faster and the part about the carbs is spot on. My 550 carbs are much more touchy and the 650 has no issues. You probqably will need a new ignition switch . I had to replace them on both bikes. Get both

cyclocrossfool · « **Reply #7 on:** January 27, 2012, 06:21:12 AM »

Quote from: wardenerd on January 27, 2012, 06:03:38 AM

You probqably will need a new ignition switch . I had to replace them on both bikes. Get both

besides the ign. control module you suggest i also replace the ignition switch? thanks for your imput

chewbacca5000 · « **Reply #8 on:** January 27, 2012, 06:27:29 AM »

Quote from: Scott S on January 27, 2012, 05:49:48 AM

In all of my research, I haven't been able to confirm that there's any difference between the '79 and later cams, EXCEPT for the German market low HP cam.

Scott you might be right about the cam with the German or European having the lower HP cam. I can't remember for sure I read something a while back on Hondacb650.com about the difference cams and HP.

trueblue · « **Reply #9 on:** January 27, 2012, 09:11:08 PM »

http://www.myhonda650.com/cb650graphs.htm Here is a link to dyno graphs comparing the 79 to the 80 model, the 79 is the higher hp model. The reason the 650 is so cold blooded compared to the 550 is it runs leaner mixtures for the later emission regulations. My 650 isn't hard to start by any means, if I crank it for long enough that I can hear the starter there is something wrong, it always starts on the first hit, but it is very cold blooded and takes a little while before I can ride away. In the european markets they also released a 50hp (reduced effect) model alongside the 63hp model.

dave500 · « **Reply #10 on:** January 27, 2012, 09:21:24 PM »

you could richen the jets anyway,they dont have a cdi ignition its electronic switching.

Doggie · « **Reply #11 on:** January 28, 2012, 09:34:30 AM »

If you don't buy it , I will. I'm down on Long Island and will make the trip up there for that deal. I have (2) '81's. One I mounted behind a JR Dragster and the other needs head work from sitting outside. Good luck with the build.
Doug

cyclocrossfool · « **Reply #12 on:** January 29, 2012, 02:02:43 PM »

picked her up a little while ago,shell be nice and warm in the basement. she needs some parts(ign.control mod, battery, rear tire) the windscreen/rear rack/crash bars/seat will have to go, going to go for some lower bars.ive got a $100 in her.

Doggie · « **Reply #13 on:** January 29, 2012, 08:39:14 PM »

Good luck with the new bike. If you need parts, let me know. I'm down on Long Island. Get it running by June and we can all meet at Rinebeck. We all met there for the "World Tour" last year and plan on meeting again this year.
Doug

trueblue · « **Reply #14 on:** January 30, 2012, 12:51:51 AM »

Give it a crank, and check the spark, you may not need to replace the spark units, if you have spark, they are working fine, it is quite common to see them ooze black goo everywhere and still work fine

cyclocrossfool · « **Reply #15 on:** January 30, 2012, 04:11:27 AM »

i have to get them reguardless because the guy removed/lost them.

wardenerd · « **Reply #16 on:** January 30, 2012, 04:38:45 AM »

Got an AGM battery Saturday. My old one bit the dust so I upgraded. The difference is amazing. My start problems appear to have been mostly a weak battery. I will replace the 550 battery soon I am sure.

cyclocrossfool · « **Reply #17 on:** January 30, 2012, 05:24:37 AM »

im planing on fitting a stock seat. any interest in the one thats pictured on it???, tom

OrganDonor · « **Reply #18 on:** January 30, 2012, 05:23:32 PM »

I've got a stock seat you can have for the price of shipping. Don't want what you've got!

cyclocrossfool · « **Reply #19 on:** January 30, 2012, 06:42:46 PM »

if the condition is good id be happy to pay it. pm me for meth. of payment (paypal etc.) thanks, tom

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Author Topic: owning a cb 650 (Read 3812 times)