Author Topic: Greetings from western maryland  (Read 1089 times)

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Offline madsinST

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Greetings from western maryland
« on: June 05, 2015, 01:36:33 PM »
Hello everyone! I recently purchased my very first motorcycle. A 1980 cb650 custom. So to help me learn about the motorcycle I just purchased, I went on the internet to find a forum and here I am! I've learned a lot from reading on here so far. Anyways Ive always been interested in motorcycles and decided it was time to get one. I found her on craigslist and when I contacted the guy about the bike it turned out he actually lives down the road from me! So after checking it out and a little negotiating here I am with my first bike. After researching it I think these sohc bikes are awesome machines! The bike is a 1980 with 22,000 miles and seems to be in good running condition. The previous owner painted it flat black and bobbed the rear fender. Its not my dream bike, but I absolutely love it and am happy I bought it. To me it has a bobber\cafe racer look to it. Unfortunately I can't get my license till august so I won't be taking it out on the road yet. I know I should of waited to get a bike but I couldn't pass up the deal! Im excited to be here and make some friends, learn new things and maybe help some people out!


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Offline calj737

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Re: Greetings from western maryland
« Reply #1 on: June 05, 2015, 02:24:47 PM »
Interesting mounting of the clubmans.... I think your rear brake actuator is installed upside down. Does the rear pedal function properly?
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"Of all tyrannies, a tyranny sincerely exercised for the good of it's victim may be the most oppressive. It may be better to live under robber barons than under omnipotent moral busybodies. The robber baron's cruelty may sometimes sleep, his cupidity may at some point be satiated, but those who torment us for our own good will torment us without end for they do so with the approval of their own conscience." - C.S. Lewis

Offline madsinST

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Re: Greetings from western maryland
« Reply #2 on: June 06, 2015, 11:17:28 AM »
Thanks, I bought the bike with the bars and brake like that. The brake works fine

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Offline dusterdude

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Re: Greetings from western maryland
« Reply #3 on: June 06, 2015, 03:05:59 PM »
Damn cal,you could have said welcome first,geez.welcome madsin
mark
1972 k1 750
1949 fl panhead
1 1/2 gl1100 goldwings
1998 cbr600 f3

Offline calj737

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Re: Greetings from western maryland
« Reply #4 on: June 06, 2015, 04:15:05 PM »
It was a friendly observation about what may be, an unsafe installation of his rear brake. I fully suspected the PO made the alteration, I just can't see why it was done, and it's not ideal. What's more friendly than expressing concern for a strangers safety, Duster?  :D
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"Of all tyrannies, a tyranny sincerely exercised for the good of it's victim may be the most oppressive. It may be better to live under robber barons than under omnipotent moral busybodies. The robber baron's cruelty may sometimes sleep, his cupidity may at some point be satiated, but those who torment us for our own good will torment us without end for they do so with the approval of their own conscience." - C.S. Lewis

Offline madsinST

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Re: Greetings from western maryland
« Reply #5 on: June 06, 2015, 09:00:31 PM »
Damn cal,you could have said welcome first,geez.welcome madsin
Thanks for the welcome dusterdude!

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Offline madsinST

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Re: Greetings from western maryland
« Reply #6 on: June 06, 2015, 09:04:41 PM »
It was a friendly observation about what may be, an unsafe installation of his rear brake. I fully suspected the PO made the alteration, I just can't see why it was done, and it's not ideal. What's more friendly than expressing concern for a strangers safety, Duster?  :D
Cal, I got where you're going with your comment. As I am new to these bikes and motorcycles in general I appreciate your concern and thoughts.
 I didn't even realize about the brake till you said anything. I'm going to take the bike to a shop down the road from me soon and have them give it a once over to make sure everything on it is safe.

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Offline calj737

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Re: Greetings from western maryland
« Reply #7 on: June 07, 2015, 04:31:02 AM »
Mad - take it to a she if you wish, however, I will not be the first or last person on this forum to encourage you to save that money, and do the work yourself! You can download a manual on this site, and whatever money you might spend on service, purchase a simple tool set (if you don't have one already) and do the 3,000 mile service interval listed in the manual.

I'm not knocking shops, as there are some top ones out there. But, I and many others have been gang-raped by shops when we thought it best to have a "professional" look over our work. What I've come to learn is that there is nothing on these bikes someone with medium intelligence (me), a tool set, and a manual, can't perform. It's just not the hard...

Okay, it can be intimidating at first. But it's just nuts, screws, and bolts. And a battery. Everything you want to know, that needs to be done, is documented somewhere in this forum. It's already been done by at least a dozen people, and there's ample experienced folks who are very willing to share their knowledge with you.

It is your bike and your choice, but I'd strongly urge you to give it a second thought before whisking it off to a shop and have them tell you things, charge you $$$, for simple things that aren't quite that difficult.

Should you embark on self-reliance, there are a few tools you'll need, and some tiny tricks. Those "Philips" screws, aren't Phillips. They're JIS (Japanese Industrial Standard) and they get buggered up by previous owners because they didn't use the correct tool. Buy a set of JIS bits (member Gordon sells them in the Parts/Service for Sale section) and get yourself an impact driver (he sells those too). Using those two tools will allow you to safely and simply remove every dang screw on that bike. Replace with new fastener of your choice.

Buy a digital multimeter. They cost between $25-$150 depending upon your appetite. A decent auto ranging unit runs about $50 at your local home center. Everything else is metric on that bike. So get a simple set of 5mm-18mm wrenches and sockets. There's a few larger nuts, but those you can deal with individually.

Any way you go, good luck and ask questions if you have them-
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"Of all tyrannies, a tyranny sincerely exercised for the good of it's victim may be the most oppressive. It may be better to live under robber barons than under omnipotent moral busybodies. The robber baron's cruelty may sometimes sleep, his cupidity may at some point be satiated, but those who torment us for our own good will torment us without end for they do so with the approval of their own conscience." - C.S. Lewis

Offline dusterdude

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Re: Greetings from western maryland
« Reply #8 on: June 07, 2015, 05:11:18 AM »
Good advice cal
mark
1972 k1 750
1949 fl panhead
1 1/2 gl1100 goldwings
1998 cbr600 f3

Offline calj737

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Re: Greetings from western maryland
« Reply #9 on: June 07, 2015, 05:12:19 AM »
Good advice cal
Was I friendly enough there for you, Dusty?  ::) I'll stop by the shop later and have a peek at your carbs-
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"Of all tyrannies, a tyranny sincerely exercised for the good of it's victim may be the most oppressive. It may be better to live under robber barons than under omnipotent moral busybodies. The robber baron's cruelty may sometimes sleep, his cupidity may at some point be satiated, but those who torment us for our own good will torment us without end for they do so with the approval of their own conscience." - C.S. Lewis

Offline madsinST

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Re: Greetings from western maryland
« Reply #10 on: June 07, 2015, 06:35:48 AM »
Thanks for the advice sir. I have tools and I just ordered a manual for the bike. I agree with you about getting ripped off by a shop. I try to do most simple maintenance on my car myself. I do feel a little intimidated but you're right, it is just nuts bolts and a battery

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Offline 70CB750

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Re: Greetings from western maryland
« Reply #11 on: June 07, 2015, 08:04:15 AM »
Welcome from VA.
Prokop
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Pure Gas - find ethanol free gas station near you

I love it when parts come together.

Dorothy - my CB750
CB750K3F - The Red
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2006 KLR650

Offline madsinST

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Re: Greetings from western maryland
« Reply #12 on: June 07, 2015, 08:08:58 AM »
Welcome from VA.
Thanks!

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