Topic: HashtagBLEST 1981 CB650c

[HashtagBLEST]

Hey, everyone. I thought I would show off my new to me bike. I found it on my local Craigslist and I couldn't pass it up. The previous owner swapped the stock bars for a lower (scrambler?) style. I think they're in a great position for me.

Four days after bringing the bike home, I had a package sitting on my front porch. It was my MAC 4 into 1 canister exhaust!

I wasn't too impressed with the new exhaust's sound, so I pulled out the baffle and HOLYCRAPTOOLOUD!
I ordered the MAC competition baffle and I plan on wrapping it with fiberglass. Hopefully, that will get me to a sound that I will enjoy.

I ordered a new front brake reservoir because the current one is sun-baked and ready to crack. I'm thinking that since I have to bleed the brakes, anyway... maybe I should order a stainless brake line kit as well?

The mirrors were rusting and pitted pretty bad so I ordered a pair of CRG Lanesplitter bar-ends.

I noticed the stock horn has gotten pretty wimpy in its old age. Maybe they were wimpy from the factory? I ordered a pair of Hella horns to keep texting teens from swerving into my lane.

I'm keeping all the stock parts in case I ever want to restore it to its factory glory but for now, I can't help but tinker.

Well, that's all I have so far. I look forward to updating this with future progress.

Thanks for looking!

[HashtagBLEST]

I forgot to read the fine print (no pictures until 5 posts).
Hopefully I will hit the post minimum before my next parts come in!

[CBGhia]

or just reply here again.

What exhaust did you have on it before?

[Stev-o]

Welcome.  Not sure how you tried to post the pic, but that might be your issue.

Try it as an attachment.

[HashtagBLEST]

I had the stock 4 into 4 chrome pipes.  I took them off and shook them. It sounded like they were full of rocks.

[HashtagBLEST]

I was trying to embed the pictures in my post. I need to practice my hotlinking, apparently. 

[HashtagBLEST]

I gave up on hotlinking and just attached the photos.  Thanks for the recommendation!

[SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan]

Another option to the MAC competition can (if you don't like it) is a simple aftermarket can from Cone Engineering. 

[SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan]

How does it run?

[HashtagBLEST]

Another option to the MAC competition can (if you don't like it) is a simple aftermarket can from Cone Engineering. 

I'll keep that in mind, thanks!

How does it run?

It starts on the first try and idles very smoothly.  I haven't had a chance to ride it yet.
My test rider said it had good throttle response and shifted through all the gears nicely.
The previous owner said it topped out at around 75MPH. This seems low to me.  I'm going to put in a new air filter and some new plugs to go with the opened-up exhaust to see if I can find some of the horsepower that has gone missing at some point in the last 36 years. 

[Stev-o]

[quot. e author=SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan link=topic=167163.msg1934067#msg1934067 date=1500393098]
Another option to the MAC competition can (if you don't like it) is a simple aftermarket can from Cone Engineering. 

I'll keep that in mind, thanks!

How does it run?

The previous owner said it topped out at around 75MPH.

There is either an issue or the PO changed out the sprockets. It should easily do 100mph...

[SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan]

How does it run?

The previous owner said it topped out at around 75MPH.

There is either an issue or the PO changed out the sprockets. It should easily do 100mph...
[/quote]

Agreed! A stock 650 without mods to the sprockets and without any performance issues should break 100.  Not a huge amount more.

[HashtagBLEST]

I only had one package waiting for me today. Beeeeep beeeeeep! The old horn was pretty tired. I'm not sure how I feel about the red surround, though.  I may pull it off and hit it with a couple coats of satin black.

[HashtagBLEST]

There is either an issue or the PO changed out the sprockets. It should easily do 100mph...

When I think of it, I'll count the sprocket "teeth?" and do some searching to see what the deal is. Thanks for the heads up.

[SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan]

I only had one package waiting for me today. Beeeeep beeeeeep! The old horn was pretty tired. I'm not sure how I feel about the red surround, though.  I may pull it off and hit it with a couple coats of satin black.

I think Tsunami did the same thing -- with dual Hella horns.

[scunny]

my 650 goes to 180 kph no problems, eeks out a few more if you have the space.
16 tooth front, 39 rear sprocket.
may pay to check if the advancer is advancing. should be able to rotate the advancer around by hand a bit and when let go, it should go back to it's own position under spring tension.

[HashtagBLEST]

Soooo, the bike developed a charging problem (charging at 12.5 Volts at 4000 RPM). After going over everything with a multimeter, I found my rotor in less than ideal condition. I ordered a new one from Rick's Motorsports. While I'm waiting for it to show up, I decided to do a couple things. First, I pulled my Hella horn off and Plasti-dipped the surround black. The red wasn't really doing it for me. I also pulled off my giant chrome mirrors and added some CRG Lanesplitter bar-ends. Lastly, I took the big rear turn signals off and replaced them with a smaller option. I like the direction this project is going. I have more parts on the way, including a new seat coming from Vietnam. I can't wait to update this again. Happy riding, everyone!

[HashtagBLEST]

The new rotor showed up today. If I squint, I can tell the difference. I'm back on the road! More to come later this week. 

[CBGhia]

Looks very pretty.  What does the charging look like at 4000 rpm now?

What is the new seat going to look like?

[HashtagBLEST]

I'm going to pull the seat off today and check the voltage.  I bump started it yesterday and took it for a short ride.  Afterwards, I let it sit for an hour and then it started right up.  I ordered the seat from Texavina. I was looking for something a little flatter than the stock seat that will allow me to scoot back a little bit for some leg room.

[SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan]

That's not bad at all especially if it can use the stock mounts/hinges.

[HashtagBLEST]

I also replaced a melted plug "fix" the P.O. did. The multimeter said the connection was solid, but I couldn't let it stay like that.

[HashtagBLEST]

My new headlight and brackets came yesterday so I decided to take apart a perfectly good motorcycle. I ran out of daylight so I didn't get to finish. I did get the old light and signals off. I also got the new headlight brackets on and reassembled everything. I sent a picture of everything taken apart to my girlfriend. She was thoroughly freaked out. I wish I had the use of a garage. Instead, I got to put on a show for the neighbors.

[HashtagBLEST]

Finished my headlight and turn signal install. An LED H4 bulb replaced the old halogen. The turn signals are single filament. I may replace them with a dual-filament option. Maybe I'll find a set of flush-mount amber lights and mount them somewhere as running lights instead. In any case, I really like the new look compared to the giant lollipops hanging off the side before. It started to get dark before I finished so I couldn't get a good final picture but here's what I got.

[HashtagBLEST]

A package came from Slingshot Cycles today! The dog is intrigued. Can't wait to get these installed. 

[HashtagBLEST]

I had some free time today so I decided to rip off the old brake fluid reservoir and replace it with a shiny new one. I also replaced my brake lines with some stainless lines from Slingshot Cycles. 
My new seat has made it through customs in New York! I can't wait to get it on. That's all for now.
Thanks for looking! 

[CBGhia]

Making great progress!

[HashtagBLEST]

Thanks!
I've been having an issue that seems pretty common after reading a bunch of threads.  The bike feels like it's bouncing off a rev limiter at 5500 RPM. This probably explains why the P.O. said the top speed was around  75 MPH. I took the right side cover off to inspect the advancer. There are 3 Phillips screws  holding the pulse assembly that will not budge without being stripped. I think I need to get an impact driver. I twisted the advancer's "cam lobe thing?" and it took quite a bit of force to get the sprung pieces to pivot. I sprayed PB Blaster on the areas of the advancer I could get to while twisting the lobe and I felt it begin to move more freely. I wiped everything down and used the dipstick to oil the 3 pivot points. I used a wrench to turn the crank bolt so I could access the pivot points.
The air filter was pretty dirty so I ordered a K&N drop in replacement. It started raining as I finished so I haven't gotten to ride it yet. I really hope cleaning and lubing the advancer takes care of the issue.
On a brighter note, my new seat arrives today!

[HashtagBLEST]

THE SEAT CAME! 
I think I need to cool it on the purchases for a bit.  Tires will be the next upgrade.

[scunny]

the seat looks a good fit. any mods needed or use the stock fittings ?

[HashtagBLEST]

I pulled the rubber ring piece off the old seat hook and transferred it to the new one. I had to push down pretty hard to get the  new seat's mounting brackets to align with the bolt holes on the frame. Other than that it was a simple swap.

[HashtagBLEST]

Also - my half-arsed attempt at cleaning and lubing the advancer did not remedy the inability to rev past 5500RPM. The new air filter comes Wednesday. If that doesn't solve the problem, I'll go pick up an impact driver to properly remove and clean the advancer. I'm hoping the carbs aren't the problem. 

[HashtagBLEST]

I bobbed the rear fender and installed a new taillight/ license plate bracket. Progress!

[HashtagBLEST]

The hesitation issue seems to have been fixed.  I installed a K&N air filter and throttle response was a little better. I pulled the cover off the air box and added washers to hold the filter in. Now I have full access to the entire rev range. This thing really comes to life around 6000rpm! This forum has been super helpful.