Topic: Possible 650 find

[brooze72]

I just came across an '81 650 for a pretty good price.  I am not familiar with this model, in fact I can't recall seeing one except for pictures, so I'm going to lean on you guys for info & advice here.

I emailed the guy & asked for pics but he replied that he's not too technologically savvy and asked me to call.  I did & he seems a pretty straight shooter but doesn't seem to know a lot about the bike either.  He stated it was a 650C and was black and had 4/4 pipes, has had it about 9 years & there may be charging issues.  I asked about the exhaust & he said there has always been some silver metal tape on one of the pipes.   I looked at our model guide for "81 but it's not clear if a "C" came in black or had 4/4 pipes?

He claims it is in good shape, last started about six months ago, but I would really like to see a few pics before I commit to an 8 hour round trip with a borrowed van with a 100 litre tank ( & it would probably use 2 tanks!)

Give me some advice guys, the 650 seems to be kind of a bit of a black sheep in the family, no offence to current owners, cause I'm pretty interested in this one.  Is this worth checking out?
Any common or expensive issues from that year?

[cb650]

No black pipes stock.  Charging is a problem.  I seem to have been lucky and never had any on mine.   81 is a custom or standard.  Custom 4-4 with comstars.  Standard 4-2 with wire wheels.    More diffs to but thats the noticeable ones.  Check the tank they are getting harder to find.  Here is a few of mine.

[tomkimberly]

Here is mine:



As has been said, check the fuel tank, these seem to rust out much more frequently than other Honda models.

Tom

[brooze72]

Thanks cb650, your model explanation is good.  I guess I confused you, I meant the paint was black and the 4/4 pipes were chrome according to what I understand from the owner.  Seems like he has a custom, think I'll send him tomkimberly's pic to confirm.

Thanks for the pic, tomkimberly, nice bike!  By "other Hondas" are you including other SOHC4 models?

[tomkimberly]

Yes, most other Honda models fuel tanks seem to last much longer than the 650's.

Tom

[brooze72]

Our photo gallery shows some 650's & there seems to be two very different tank styles.  Is it by year?

[LesterPiglet]

I only see 2 different bikes. The custom and the Z. Maybe I'm not looking close enough.

[Scott S]

 I can tell you that with very minimal work you can bolt that engine into your CB500.

[cb650]

Really there are 5 diff models.   US Z  79 only   The rest of the world got a Z also but a little diff until 81 or 2.
In 80 they went with standard and custom.  same in 81 with a few changes.
Then in 82 the nitehawk replaced the custom.
Pics of all in the gallery.

[brooze72]

I can tell you that with very minimal work you can bolt that engine into your CB500.

Yes Scott, that was in the back of my mind and I remembered following your build.  Love the way yours came out, very tasty.  If I end up going down that road, you'll be getting PMs from me for advice

[brooze72]

Hey guys, quick questions, does the 650 engine have a kicker? and dual front disks on the custom?

[FunJimmy]

I just came across an '81 650 for a pretty good price.

What do you consider a "pretty good price"?

Have you read this thread?  http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=133533.0

[cb650]

Hey guys, quick questions, does the 650 engine have a kicker? and dual front disks on the custom?

No kick starter.  Only thing I hate about it.  Always starts though.   81 custom and 82 nitehawk got dual disks.  And Euro Z models.  All others are single.

[BIGGS]

YES GET IT.. depending on what your good price is.

I now have three... my only three roadbikes right now..No shame  with this black sheep..

When I got mine I expected more of a cruiser style bike , but these inline 4's are nothing too underestimate

Also parts aren't really a problem, and most users will be able too hook you up.

Heres two of mine, Kind of outdated they both look a lot different and a 4-1 on these guys sound so mean...

[fmctm1sw]

I have an '81 Custom and an '81 Standard.  A lot of people didn't like the Custom's handlebars.  I found a stock one and put it back on the bike.  The vacuum fuel petcock is notorious on these bikes.  I haven't had a lot of trouble with mine, but my cam chain is getting noisy on my Custom and there doesn't seem to be much availability for the tensioner.  I don't think black was a stock color for the '81s.  They were blue and the color in BIGGS's post I think. 

EDIT:  Here's mine.  An '81 Standard model with Custom body parts and an '81 Custom with '80 model Standard body parts (It's complicated....)  If you need to swap tanks, watch out for the petcocks, the fuel nipple size varied.  Last picture is the '81 Custom stock handlebars.  If you put different handlebars on it, your brake reservoir may not sit level...

[jamesbekman]

Side covers are the biggest thing on this bike, make sure he has them.

[fmctm1sw]

Side covers are the biggest thing on this bike, make sure he has them.

Good point.  One of them is especially hard to find without broken tabs...

[cb650]

Side covers are the biggest thing on this bike, make sure he has them.

Actually side covers are around.  Every time I go to steels I see several.  Would buy them but have many myself.   Now the Z and nitehawk are hard to find.

[750K]

http://www.myhonda650.com/cb650problems.htm

Give this site a look see.

[brooze72]

Thanks guys, I have been checking out those links, good info there.

[brooze72]

I just came across an '81 650 for a pretty good price.

What do you consider a "pretty good price"?

Have you read this thread?  http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=133533.0

$300, sound OK?

[750K]

If the pics look half decent and it ran a couple months ago, for $300 I'd make the trip. Especially if ithas a title.

[FunJimmy]

$300, sound OK?

Sounds great.
Can't go wrong.

[brooze72]

If the pics look half decent and it ran a couple months ago, for $300 I'd make the trip. Especially if ithas a title.

My thoughts too,I am hoping the guy can get a family member to send pictures & if it looks decent I'll make the drive.  Never asked about the title, but if he ran it up to last year I don't think it would be an issue.

[MiGhost]

For $300 I would not waste time waiting for pics. It may not be around long enough. If the seller has a title. The bike is well worth it.

FYI: 81 650 Custom
Dual front disk on Comstar Wheels (MT2.50X19 front)
Lead axle 35mm forks
CV carbs (VB44A)(rebuild kits readily available)(pressed in slow jet)
4-4 exhaust
Chrome headlight housing w/ H4 bulb.

[brooze72]

Update - Sent him tomkimberly's photo of the black 650.  Guy said it was a dead ringer for his.  I asked about tank rust & exhaust, he says tank perfect & exhaust has the aluminum metal tape on it to pass certification, so I'm not sure how bad they are.  Has an ownership so I took MiGhost's advice & told him it's sold.  He agreed to hold it until March until I can get up there as he's not available in Feb.  Whoohoo, I got it!!

[cb650]

Very cool.  FYI as it is a 81 custom.  It should have a 2tone paint.  dont matter sounds like a good score.   For that money I would have jumped on it.   Also I have 2 sets of "OK" 4-4 if you go that route.

[tomkimberly]

Update - Sent him tomkimberly's photo of the black 650.  Guy said it was a dead ringer for his.  I asked about tank rust & exhaust, he says tank perfect & exhaust has the aluminum metal tape on it to pass certification, so I'm not sure how bad they are.  Has an ownership so I took MiGhost's advice & told him it's sold.  He agreed to hold it until March until I can get up there as he's not available in Feb.  Whoohoo, I got it!!

FYI, that bike I purchased for $150.00, and spent 3K plus toget it road worthy. Sadly, I sold it last weekend to a young man who has much more time to ride than I do. His first question was, will it start? I told him, it's a Honda, put in a new battery. I saw him last night, he reported yep, with a new battery, it started right up!

I gave him all the spares I had for this bike and several manuals. I'm always glad when one of my bikes ends up in a real riders hands.

BTW, I did upgrade the carbs to VB44B's with screw in pilot jets.

Tom

[brooze72]

Very cool.  FYI as it is a 81 custom.  It should have a 2tone paint.  dont matter sounds like a good score.   For that money I would have jumped on it.   Also I have 2 sets of "OK" 4-4 if you go that route.

Thanks cb650, I'm looking forward to seeing how good (or bad) it is.  As for the pipes, I will keep that in mind, thanks for the offer & I will PM you if needed.

[brooze72]

FYI, that bike I purchased for $150.00, and spent 3K plus toget it road worthy. Sadly, I sold it last weekend to a young man who has much more time to ride than I do. His first question was, will it start? I told him, it's a Honda, put in a new battery. I saw him last night, he reported yep, with a new battery, it started right up!

I gave him all the spares I had for this bike and several manuals. I'm always glad when one of my bikes ends up in a real riders hands.

BTW, I did upgrade the carbs to VB44B's with screw in pilot jets.

Tom

Thanks, Tom, you're right, it's a Honda, it will start!
Hope this one does't cost me as much as yours did or
even as much as I spent restoring the 500.
Those carbs you mentioned, are the originals crappy or do the 44's
make it run way better? Just curious.

[tomkimberly]

FYI, that bike I purchased for $150.00, and spent 3K plus toget it road worthy. Sadly, I sold it last weekend to a young man who has much more time to ride than I do. His first question was, will it start? I told him, it's a Honda, put in a new battery. I saw him last night, he reported yep, with a new battery, it started right up!

I gave him all the spares I had for this bike and several manuals. I'm always glad when one of my bikes ends up in a real riders hands.

BTW, I did upgrade the carbs to VB44B's with screw in pilot jets.

Tom

Thanks, Tom, you're right, it's a Honda, it will start!
Hope this one does't cost me as much as yours did or
even as much as I spent restoring the 500.
Those carbs you mentioned, are the originals crappy or do the 44's
make it run way better? Just curious.

VB44 carbs are stock, but there are 3 different versions.

The VB44 A's have press in slow jets. If you have the chance, upgrade to VB 44 B's or C's, the later carbs have screw in pilot jets., much easier to get clean. Clean carbs mean a good running bike!

[750cafe]

Happy to hear that you got it for that good price with title.
I will be looking forward to seeing what you make of it on this site come March. 

Eric

[brooze72]

Thanks Eric, I'll post pics when I pick it up.  I hope I am pleasantly surprised!