Topic: very first bike proj. cb650 c

[inferno]

A little background...I am by no means mechanically inclined(righty tighty-lefty loosey). That being said Built and raced tuners for the past 15 yrs. Mostly learning as I went. As for motorcycles I have 0 experience, no permit and dont know how to ride but, I have always wanted to build/ride one. I do have help from my uncle who has worked on bikes for probably his entire life. Decent welder too. So he will definitely be "helping" me along the way. My other tag-along is my son (4) loves tractors and anything with a motor that requires hitting with a wrench. So between the 2 adults we'll have 1 babysitter.
   Here is the idea and input is always welcome. I have an 81 cb650c. Currently working on the carbs which were pouring gas. Bike sat since 2008. 3 of those years outside in New England weather. I will be bobbing and lowering this bike approx. 4". I thought about looking for 10" shocks for the rear just so the ride wouldnt be so hard yet getting the drop i am looking for but, I was afraid the fender would be slapping the seat pan over bumps. am I wrong?  The other was just lowering it and locking the swing arm. Do they make a hard tail kit? If I have to lock it out what are my options to make it not so terrible on my back? mono shock, seat springs? Next is the IMO ugly comstars. Is my only option to get spokes a complete front swap out and from what years and models would i be looking for?   I have many more questions but think thats enough for now.  heres some pics so far after day one. only have sun and mon to work on.

 

[Bankerdanny]

I don't think it's possible to drop the suspension 4" and still have a suspension. But beyond that have fun with your build and post lots of pictures.

[rb550four]

I think that I like the 81 's about the best, I have even gotten used to those Comstock wheels, I found that once you get tired of hating them.....they start to grow on you.
  You may have troubles switching to a dual disc spoke front rim, rear spoke rims you can get pretty easily.
Is this going to be another flat black , cut all to hell type, pull off the front fender kind of a machine, or do your plans include making it pretty?
  Besides plenty of pics, There are other guys out here with 81's that may be interested in the parts you don't use (hint hint) please let us know if you decide you don't need something.

[inferno]

Boy im hoping its not a cut up hack job but, this is my very firsy bike. So either way a good learning experience and I get to build it with my son so its really a win win for me. Dont want to reveal to much for paint or lack there of ideas. Im hoping those pics will be coming in spring.  Carbs are all straightend out and running smooth.  I do want this bike to be very minimalistic so I need to figure out what im going to do about the air box....and I guess your right maybe the com's will grow on me. Drop is still going to be around 4" overal maybe get some pics this weekend

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[rb550four]

What's up with the airbox? Missing? Hey, are you planning to go sidecoverless?
I haven't tried pods on a 650, doesn't mean it can't be done,I usually play with 550's and have found there is more fooling around with carbs from 77-on and in some cases I have been assured that certain carbs with pod filters will just never run right even with jet changes, so I haven't run pods on 650's. I'd be interested to see if anyone else has and if there was a positive result.

[inferno]

From everything I have read ive the past week. Pods without replacing the jets is really just a waste of time and money but, I am dumb enough to give it a try anyway. So yes im hoping to run no sidr covers. I do have the air box but it takes up a ton of space and its much easier to fiddle with the carbs when its off. Hoping they come in tomorrow.  Its running smooth right now. After sitting since 08

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[MiGhost]

Not sure how I missed this one.

So you want to drop the bike 4". Here is what you can plan on.
Front suspension travel: 5.6" stock, 1.6" modified
Rear suspension travel: 3.6" stock, -0.4" modified
Ground clearance: 5.9" stock, 1.9" modified

You can forget trying to use any type of telescoping front suspension. The limited travel will bottom out on everything. Your only option will be to use a springer, or girder front end to get any reasonable travel. You will also need to come up with wheels, and a brake system that works with the front end.

The rear will already be past travel limit. Plan on doing a full hardtail treatment, and figuring out how to take care of the chain grinding on the sprocket cover.

With the limited ground clearance. You can send me that 4-1 as you will not be able to use it. A full custom exhaust is the only way you will be able to go. You can also plan on having the frame, and bottom of the engine drag on every speed bump, and driveway curb that you come across. That aluminum oil pan hanging below the frame will grind away quickly.

If you thought that you were going to do this on a budget. You can plan on $5K+ just to do what you need to drop the bike 4". By the time you get that far into it. You might as well spend the other $10-15K and go the full custom route. I am already $3k into a $300 project bike, and I have not even started on the frame yet.

Do not get me wrong. I am not saying that it can't be done. I am saying that it will not be cheap, or easy. Study every build up that you can read to find out what worked, and why something didn't work. Learn to ride while you are developing a plan on how to build the bike in your head.

[fmctm1sw]

I don't have an experience lowering/bobbing, etc but I do have two of these bikes.  I like that it sits lower than my other Honda fours because I'm real short.  It's odd the carbs overflowed, the float needles are rubber tipped.  You don't usually see much trouble out of them (at least I haven't).  Make sure it wasn't pouring out that vacuum petcock.  The Customs had the comstar wheels but the non custom models had spokes (but no dual disk).  I didn't care much for mine at first, it was practically given to me but it's grown on me.