Topic: CB650 owner in SW Washington

[Joshua650]

Hey there. My name is Josh and I live in the tiny town of Yacolt, Washington which is not quite an hour N-NE of Portland, Oregon. Anyhow, just picked up this '80 CB650 so I can get back into riding. Dad owned a couple Honda bikes since I was born so that's what I've had. In order they've been a 1980 CB400T Hawk, 1985 CB750SC Nighthawk, 1992 XR250L, 1971 CB350 and now the 1980 CB650. The 650 has about 32k miles and leaks from the head gasket area and elsewhere. It needs fork seals, chain and rear tire which are all on order. I'm hoping to pick up some tips on fixing the head gasket oil leak, rejetting the carbs to eliminate the off-idle flat spot and also how to R&R the fork seals. After all that is done I hope to get out and enjoy the ride.

[scunny]

hi Josh, welcome aboard especially with the 650. are yours slider carbs or CV(round tops)   leaking oil seems to be a common problem, only fixable by tearing into the motor.

[cb650]

Being a 80 and from what I could see in his pic they are sliders.  81/82 got the cv's.

Going to bigger jets seems to get rid if the hesitation.  Fork seals are fairly easy.   The head you just have dive in and replace the gaskets.


                  Terry

[Joshua650]

I have an update for those that care. 

I pulled the back wheel and had the tire dismounted so I could work on the rusty wheel. I painted the rim black and had a new Dunlop D404 mounted with a new tube and rim strip. There was much sanding involved to remove loose chrome and scuff the remaining chrome. I would like to thank the inventor of the abrasive flap wheel, my angled die grinder and SpeedAire compressor. After picking up my newly mounted tire yesterday and driving half way home I realized the shop forgot to balance the tire so it goes back tomorrow. It's not really delaying the project since I'm waiting on new sprockets and of course can't install the rear wheel without it's sprocket. After 32k miles and running with a worn chain the original sprockets are kaput.

The money is adding up. $60 plus shipping for the tire, $40 for tire mounting/tube/rim strip, $90 for an EK o-ring chain, $62 for sprockets, plus primer, paint, etc. My $600 motorcycle is rapidly approaching $900. Actually, if you count the $135 I spent for title transfer, registration and tax I'm right at a kilo-buck. I guess I'm going to have to ride the heck out of the bike and recoup my money in gas savings. The pleasure of riding will be the icing on the cake. That and riding circles around my neighbors Sportster. 

[Bob Wessner]

People refer to their boats as "holes in the water into which you pour money."  Someone needs to coin a similar phrase for vintage motorcycles.  Sounds like you're moving right along on your project.

[cb650]

Well thats a first no one on this list spends money on their bikes .




                       Terry

[Joshua650]

I was reading the board at 3 AM this morn' (damn rotating shift work) and found some intersting info on wheels. Long made short I've already found myself a good used GL1000 front wheel to replace the rusty steelie on the front of the bike you see in my avatar. The front wheel will be painted black to match the rear. Once the side covers and tank are black I'll have it looking semi-respectable. Then I get to tackle a noisy cam chain and at least one oil leak. Please, please let the chain tensioner be ok. Please?