Topic: hey guys first post! opinions needed on cb650c

[REVKEV6]

well, here goes my first post. I have the oportunity to pick up a 1979 cb650 custom from a guy I work with for free. I believe the bike has in the neighborhood of 20k miles on it. He is the second owner of the bike, his father being the first. He put an aftermarket seat cover on it when he got it which is falling apart. He also told me he was "pretty sure" it needed new tires. He took it off the road five years ago and stored it under an overhang next to a barn. I haven't gone to look at it yet so I don't know what kind of condition it is in other than that. he said it was in running condition when he put it away.


I was wondering what you guys thought of picking this bike up? is it worth putting the time and effort into? If I did get it I would like to do it up as a cafe style since I have to pull the seat off anyway. get a set of lower bars for it and try to strip down a bit. this would be my first motorcycle, but I am quite familiar with motorcycle engines. I raced minisprints which used gsxr engines for 8 years or so. I would like this bike to be a daily rider to work and back. any estimates on things that should be replaced after sitting for 5 years? thanks for the help!

sincerely

Kevin

[rob]

Free?  Definately take it.   You'll be hard pressed to find a better deal than that.  Most bikes for a low price have been sitting for quite a while and need a bunch of new parts anyway.  I have an 81 CB650 Custom, and I love it, its my daily rider.   When I got the bike, it needed some work as well, and a lot is going to have to do with the environment it was stored in.   

New tires, probably
new chain + new sprockets
new spark plugs
new battery
clean the carbs, etc
clean the gas tank
possibly replace fuel filter
new oil filter + oil change
rebuild brake calipers if seized + new brake fluid, possibly master cylinder rebuild if necessary
polish all the chrome so it looks awesome

There are a lot of threads on this forum about starting up a bike that has been sitting.

Post some pics if you get a chance,

Rob

[Vatch]

Yeah, pick it up!  I got a '79 650 with 25k miles on it.  I did not have to replace the tires, but I did do the rest of the stuff Rob mentioned.  That stuff cost me about $300 US and some time.  She runs nice now.  Pick it up, get some tastey beer and some good tunes, and go to it.

[rob]

Vatch, is that the one in your forum pic?

Rob

[cb650]

Do we all know that there was no custom in 79. All models where the same. It did have reverse comstars.  For free yes.  For a cafe bike maybe no. It is a little diff from all othe 650s and had a larger tank that wont interchange.  Do flush out tank and clean carbs.  Clean electical connection to the alt.



                    Terry

[Vatch]

Rob, yeah that's my '79.  It's pretty much stock.  Just picked it up last September.