Topic: Commute bike...would you use your cb for it?

[Brunow]

When I was in high school, I was out riding my dirt bike right after a 12" snowfall. There was a layer of ice under the new snow, and it was a blast skidding and sidesliding around town. A policeman stopped me, dumbfounded that I'd be riding in those conditions. There was no law against it, so he let me go. He seemed almost disappointed that he couldn't charge me with anything...

Yeah i'm driving it everyday now. Unless it's really really really cold & snow.

[derekd]

Ive been commuting on a 350f for two years 40 miles a day as long as the tempurature will permit.I will ride in the rain but I try not to let the bike just sit in the rain during work hours.I clean it weekly and the rust has not been a real problem,nothing thet isnt normal for a 34 year old bike.The storm and snow days would be a big problem if it was my only transportation though.     

[GroovieGhoulie]

I commute all the time on my 400.  About 75% bike, 25% car.  Car only when the weather is foul, or I can't get into the proper riding uniform (long story).

Were it up to me, I would ride it 100% of the time.  The best part?  The bike would do it, no problem, even being 30 years old.

[SohcCBs]

You need a second sohc4 so you can switch out....less miles on each.  I've got my 76 SuperSport and a 77 Goldwing.

[angeldeville]

I commute on my 76F mostly, but I do rotate once in a while, if you follow your maintainence schedule, you should do fine.

[ofreen]

Running up the milage on a CB can be done, and they will always be as reliable as a stone axe (that's VERY reliable!),

Actually, stone axes aren't that reliable.  They're susceptible to chipping and the handles loosen up all the time.  That's why they got away from them.

[tsp37]

Weather permitting, I commute on my bike.  With any sign or forcast of rain, I take four wheels.  I have pinched too many holes in my seat on wet roads and I don't tolerate getting soaked to the skin like I did when I was eighteen years old.  Having said that, I recently took a new job and I have a 123 mile round trip commute and she-who-knows-best  refuses to let me ride to work.  And my rear tire is slick and has gotten squirrely.  And October has been cold and wet.  Maybe it's time to hang up the helmet and resign myself to winter maintenance.   

[ic455]

Just like 750K4 said: "That's what I bought it for"  It'll be a little while until I can actually commute with it, but that was the idea....seems that the endeavor has taken on a bit more substance now

[Wrenchless]

I'm a rank beginner here, so not sure how valuable my input is. I bought my bike specifically to commute ten miles each way to work. I was going to buy a scooter, but for any scooter of at least 250cc the price way about 4,000$. I just happened to find a one owner 78 750K that had been meticulously cared for, for 1600$.

It seemed too big and has hardly any rain protectiion (does have a clear windsheild), but I'm getting used to it and it runs really well, smooth, plenty of power. I did have to spend a bunch of money to get outfitted for dryness, warmth, and enhanced visibility.

I've had to ride a few times in the rain, and it wasn't bad. I have had some problems when we are socked in with fog; windshield, mirrors, facesheild on helmet, and glasses all totally fogged over. I'm on the Pacific Northwest Coast.

My 750K is probably far from a perfect commuter, but it's reliable, plenty powerful for the highway at 60-70mph, and for passing. One thing that i think would make it better would be for more, larger, and brighter running lights.

My bike is in very good shape and I figure I just should just use it, it should go for many more miles. If it was in mint condition, I don't think I would do this but probably try and sell it to someone who could appreciate it as a classic bike and get something else to use to commute with. But buying something else in the price range I can afford is probably a real crap shoot. I've got a great bike, might as well just use it.

[HITMAN]

Despite the care I put in my bikes, I commute to and from work regulary on one or the other.  When the weather gets crappy and there is possible forcast of frost or snow, I take my CM250C out no matter what.  So far over 10-years I have ground 46K on the OD, I can't say I have ever ridden a bike as much as this one.  I keep it pluged into a Battery Tender when I park it since I plug my Widder gear into it.

Thought about selling it many times, but I would never know what it took to kill it.  Plus all my friends would fail their MC tests without it.

[tsp37]

Hitman!  Have you got a picture of the 250?  I put about 5500 happy miles on my new '82 before I imbedded it into the side of a left-turning van.  It was the temptation of buying another early last year that lead me to my present 650.  I have yet to find a descent picture on the web of my fond memory.  The 250's seem to be few and far between.

Regards

[jabbadeznuts]

I live here in rainy Oregon. In the winter, it's rare for us to get more than about two weeks worth of dry days. I commute with my CB550 with no problems. Just make sure your points cover is sealed up tight and all your electrics are in good shape. As for clothing, make sure you're warm and dry!

[ieism]

UPDATE:

I gave it some more thought and told my boss to rethink his plans, there's no way i'm commuting to work period. Not on a bike, not in a train or car, no way in hell that i'm spending an hour a day driving to some retarded village to go to work.
He already rented a workshop and everything, but I told him if I had to move I'd quit and start my own business. He didn't think that was a good option either, so problem solved. 

I was amazed to get so many replies, and that his tread is still alive. Thanks for all the info, i'm not scared to put some miles on my 550 anymore. In fact I've driven 16.000 km just this summer!

[spitfire]

In my younger days I only had my bike so come rain, snow, sleet, fog whatever the UK weather could do I would be out on it (CB750K0, K1, K2, F1), all I did was at the start of winter cover all the shiny bits (chrome and polished alloy) with either grease or WD40. The bike would stay like this until I couldn't stand the sight of it any more, then I would clean it all off and re apply the coatings. The bike used to live under a car port out in the open. Never had a problem, had a few exciting slides in the snow and ice though, never actually dropped a bike because of the weather but I did fit some fairly hefty crash bars around the engine just in case. In those days the CB750 was fairly allergic to rain but some waterproofing in the coil area fixed that.

Cheers

Den

[tramp]

i drive 100 miles a day
unless its raining or below 45 degrees i ride my bike

[HITMAN]

tsp37,

I'll post one up this weekend, it's now friggin dark when I get home and the garage is full of bikes (this one closest to the door now).  Mine is also an 82', the only issues I have ever had with this CM250 was a weak casted shifter fork (broke about 8-yr ago) and now another carb rebuild and lastly this fall the seat is finally de-stitching. 

You wouldn't happen to have a spare Rt side cover for this bike?

[angeldeville]

on my way home from work today (while riding my 76F) I went past a rather nice looking 78K

[Jv550]

Sometimes riding the bike is the only thing that makes going to work seem worth it.

[tsp37]

Hitman - Sorry, I have nothing to show for having owned a 250 except a goofy look if the subject is brought up in conversation.  If I had a side cover, I might be looking for a bike to fit it.

[Leino]

I've allways thought bikes are made to be ridden, no matter what the weather is.
Though winter here is something you don't want to experience on a CB