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Author Topic: New 1981 CB 650 Mod/Resto Thread  (Read 3181 times)

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Offline carlsonjw

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New 1981 CB 650 Mod/Resto Thread
« on: March 06, 2012, 06:54:30 PM »
Hi. New to the scene and just picked up a 1981 CB 650 with 15,000 original miles, and clean title.

Looking forward to a nice little cafe racer build. Want this to be something I can ride with pride. Plan on taking my time and doing it right. Previous experience with modifications on newer bikes, but this is my first classic.

Questions, comments, and tips are expected and appreciated.

Keep trying to post pics, but it keeps giving me errors. Will tinker with it a while and see what happens.

Also, after reading, figured out that I have the "Red Headed Step Child" of the CB world in my garage now.
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Offline carlsonjw

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Re: New 1981 CB 650 Mod/Resto Thread
« Reply #1 on: March 06, 2012, 06:55:24 PM »
Condition of bike when purchased.
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Offline carlsonjw

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Re: New 1981 CB 650 Mod/Resto Thread
« Reply #2 on: March 06, 2012, 07:09:55 PM »
Breakdown pics.
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Offline carlsonjw

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Re: New 1981 CB 650 Mod/Resto Thread
« Reply #3 on: March 06, 2012, 07:10:26 PM »
Breakdown pics.
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Offline carlsonjw

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Re: New 1981 CB 650 Mod/Resto Thread
« Reply #4 on: March 06, 2012, 07:11:15 PM »
Breakdown pics.
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Offline carlsonjw

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Re: New 1981 CB 650 Mod/Resto Thread
« Reply #5 on: March 06, 2012, 07:12:13 PM »
Breakdown pics.
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Offline carlsonjw

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Re: New 1981 CB 650 Mod/Resto Thread
« Reply #6 on: March 06, 2012, 07:12:55 PM »
Breakdown pics.
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Offline carlsonjw

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Re: New 1981 CB 650 Mod/Resto Thread
« Reply #7 on: March 06, 2012, 07:13:51 PM »
Breakdown pics.
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Offline cb650

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Re: New 1981 CB 650 Mod/Resto Thread
« Reply #8 on: March 06, 2012, 11:54:42 PM »
Still interested in that tank when u decide to get rid of it.
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18 grand and 18 miles dont make you a biker

Offline nitroeagle

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Re: New 1981 CB 650 Mod/Resto Thread
« Reply #9 on: March 07, 2012, 08:41:27 PM »
Good piece to start with, not a red headed step child. One place I found that has a lot of parts is dime city cyles. They have bobber & cafe parts. Good luck with it.
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Offline carlsonjw

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Re: New 1981 CB 650 Mod/Resto Thread
« Reply #10 on: March 08, 2012, 08:57:10 PM »
Quote from: nitroeagle on March 07, 2012, 08:41:27 PM
Good piece to start with, not a red headed step child. One place I found that has a lot of parts is dime city cyles. They have bobber & cafe parts. Good luck with it.

Thanks, haven't heard of them. Will check it out. Having trouble finding a new choke cable. Prefer NOS but may be hard to find.
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Offline 65Ch3v3LL3

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Re: New 1981 CB 650 Mod/Resto Thread
« Reply #11 on: March 09, 2012, 12:16:36 PM »
Looks like you started with a fairly clean bike. You won't find much specific aftermarket parts for the 650 but you can adapt most parts fairly easy. Since you are planning a cafe bike you might want to see if you can come across a 79 frame. It's more similar to the 550 frames and the cafe seat pans are a bit easier to adapt to it.
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1979 CB650
2011 Harley Road King
2008 Harley V-Rod VRSC DX
2012 Sierra Denali 2500HD
1965 Chevelle Malibu SS
1922 Ford T-Model

Offline carlsonjw

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Re: New 1981 CB 650 Mod/Resto Thread
« Reply #12 on: March 10, 2012, 05:28:32 AM »
Quote from: 65Ch3v3LL3 on March 09, 2012, 12:16:36 PM
Looks like you started with a fairly clean bike. You won't find much specific aftermarket parts for the 650 but you can adapt most parts fairly easy. Since you are planning a cafe bike you might want to see if you can come across a 79 frame. It's more similar to the 550 frames and the cafe seat pans are a bit easier to adapt to it.

What specifically are the issues with doing a seat pan on the 81 650 frame?  Looks like you can cut at the back and weld in a U for a seat pan with little difficulty, unless there is something going on with width or length that I am not aware of.
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Offline 65Ch3v3LL3

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Re: New 1981 CB 650 Mod/Resto Thread
« Reply #13 on: March 10, 2012, 07:14:11 AM »
The later frames dip down for a lower seat height. The 79 frame is like the 550 and 750 in regards to having a flat frame to mount the seat pan. If you have the skills and means to cut and weld then it's  not an issue for you. Looking forward to seeing it come together.
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1979 CB650
2011 Harley Road King
2008 Harley V-Rod VRSC DX
2012 Sierra Denali 2500HD
1965 Chevelle Malibu SS
1922 Ford T-Model

Offline carlsonjw

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Re: New 1981 CB 650 Mod/Resto Thread
« Reply #14 on: March 12, 2012, 06:31:42 AM »
Wanted to see if anyone has ideas for new wheels. It has the stock laced wheels on it and they are in good shape, but thought I might go with something more modern, lighter, and better looking.

Ideas?  Sizes I would need, and source to get them?  Thanks.
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