Topic: "Hi" from a new member; 1979 CB650 owner

[nickjtc]

Hi all. Nick here from Kamloops, BC. I bought my first sohc4 in May (a '79 CB650) to be my commuter bike from here to the north of the province. I have put 5,000km on her and apart from replacing consumerables (air cut-off valves, chain/sprockets + Scottoiler, rear tyre) she has performed very well.

I had originally planned on riding her 'til the end of the season and then selling her on, but I admit I am smitten and may end up keeping her and doing a cosmetic restoration.

I got a Honda workshop manual as part of the deal, and with it, and this forum, I am looking forward to tearing in to the carbs to deal with the jetting. She takes a loooong time to warm up and seems to run lean all of the time. I get between 45-50 mp(imperial)g on the highway.....not sure if this is good, bad or indifferent.

I haven't had a chance to really get to grips with the archives, but it seems at first glance that there are not many standard CB650's out there. I'd like to here from anyone with the same bike.

Keep safe, and watch out for wild life!

[Bob Wessner]

I don't own a 650, but welcome to the group. Do you have a pic of your bike?

[nickjtc]

I put a pic in the members gallery. She has a non-standard silver/grey paint job.

[cb650]

The 79s where a different animal from the other 650s.  There was only the z model and most people think they are customs cause they have comstar wheels. They where lean from factory.




                  Terry

[Pinhead]

I've got a '79 650 and I agree that they're lean from the factory. If you do any intake or exhaust mods, be prepaired to jet up. I've heard that people put in 98 mains with the stock airbox and exhaust just for good measure. If anything else is changed, you'll go bigger.

If your battery charges, you're lucky. A lot of times the rotor will short out, which also takes the R/R with it. Other than that, I haven't had any trouble with mine. Good luck and have fun!

[nickjtc]

No problems with the charging system yet. I've done the 'measure the voltage at the battery and rev 'er up' thing. Voltage goes up to 14 or so. She fires up every time, too.

The biggest issue is that I have not one whit of a clue as to how many miles she's done. The previous owner bought her with an inoperable odometer, and so replaced the whole clock. It showed 58,800km when I took ownership, but whether this is high or low would be anyones guess.

Everything is original on the bike. The pipes are good but the mufflers are rusty at the ends and on top under the footrests. There is some surface rust on the swingarm. Everything is in great shape.

[Pinhead]

Judging by the picture, you got a heck of a deal!

[JSGAuto]

Hi Nick,
Cool bike!  I just bought a CB650 as well.  This form is excellent, with great people!  I am sure you will find a lot of info to help with your projects. 

The new form is also great!  I havent been around since the ols set up. 

Jim