Topic: Spare Change- First Bike

[Dads Toy]

For years I have wanted to get a bike. One to commute to work on and save some gas. The other to socialize with my friends that have bikes and ride on the weekends trips. So the opportunity came. Had a co-worker that had this 1981 Honda CB 650C in a barn. Been sitting for over 4-5 years. So I made the deal and was able to purchase it for $100. Complete bike with all the parts and even threw in an extra carb set. Now I wasn't going to buy this unless I had enough spare change set back to get it. So I cash in my money jar and had a little over $122 in coins. Sold some other stuff to help fund this project so the wife wouldn't get mad at me for using our regular funds. Didn't matter, she is still mad at me.  Was enough to buy the bike and rent the motorcycle trailer. Win for me. First bike paid for. Stop on the way home at a hand car wash and wash off years of barn crap off. Bike hasn't ran in a long time so need to go over it pretty good. Gas tank is rusted thru and can't be saved. Carbs might need rebuild. Needs battery. Battery looks new, but doesn't have any acid in it. So don't know if adding more acid and charging it would work.
Goal; to get it running to make sure there is no major engine problems. Once it is running then onto Brakes, battery, tires, chain and then the seat. After that is all done I'll register the bike and drive it awhile. If it all pans out I just might keep it original and do a complete frame off rebuild. Other thought would be to make it a Cafe-a-Racer. The bike only has 5700 miles and those are true mileage!
So here we go on an adventure, first bike, "Spare Change"

[FuZZie]

Welcome!

First bike paid for

<-- Cool a realist how many you figure you can fit in your space.... 

[BobbyR]

It is complete so that is a good thing. My 750K cost me $100 to buy and $2k spread over 15 years. If you are not in a hurry you can do this on the cheap. I put some Marvel oil in each cylinder and let it sit while I puttered with other things. This way the first start was not a dry start. Good luck and post pics of your restoration.

[Stev-o]

Good story...subscribed.

[Dads Toy]

Yep for sure for the Marvel oil. I put 5cc in #1 and 4 cylinders. I couldn't get #2 and 3 spark plugs out. I don't have a thin enough socket to get down into the walls. Will have to order one. I changed the oil and hand turned the crank over by hand. Still don't have a battery. I've got a gift card on Amazon for filling out a survey. So budgeting for a battery for less than $40. So the only thing I have purchase is oil and filter.

Major problem with a project like this. The excitement of getting the bike to run plus the excitement of riding the bike is killing me. For some of you reading this, you probably already have a running bike and have years of driving behind you. For me this is all new and can't contain myself in keeping patience and not be in a hurry to get it running. So today I downloaded the service manual and printed it off. Made a note binder to house it in. So I can keep records of the build and receipts. Nice to have without relying of a computer all the time out in the shop. I am old school and like to have paper in hand. Good thing I got the manual. Already found my first mistake. Not really a mistake though. I just put it back the way I found it. When I replace the oil filter I put the spring in first and then the spacer then the filter. The manual shows spring, filter and then spacer. So have to go back out and fix it. Please let me know if you think this is right or wrong. When I drained the oil it was mostly water and gas. So good thing I didn't start it up. This is a lesson in buying a bike like this. You must go thru everything. You don't know what the previous owners did to this bike. This will save you from disasters and major problems as you progress through the project.   

[754]

Hate to tell you, but water in the oil is usually bad. Tends to be hard on bearings and other stuff..
 Hope its ok, but be careful.

[Dads Toy]

Thanks for the input. Hopefully its ok and got it in time. I'll see about running a bore scope to check things out.

[754]

There is an 82 650 being parted out in for sale , it's in Michigan.
 The carbs you have , check spacing, the early carbs were spaced different.

In your case I would pull off the engine side covers to see if there are moisture issues.

[SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan]

There is an 82 650 being parted out in for sale , it's in Michigan.
 The carbs you have , check spacing, the early carbs were spaced different.

In your case I would pull off the engine side covers to see if there are moisture issues.

81 and 82 are identical.  The 79-80 years have different spacing on the head and carburetors.

[Dads Toy]

Thanks nice to know. I wasn't going to pull the carbs off. But after I watch another video I think it would be good to pull them and clean them out. I am just excited about getting it to run that I find myself wanting to short cut it to just to hear it turn over. Bad idea.

So been researching batteries. OMG that is going to be the hardest purchase. Prices are all over the place. You only have a limited amount of space to work with. So its hard to find a cheap battery for the limited space. Once things check out I'll look into upgrade the battery to something better. For now I trying to show you can do this on the cheap, Spare Change.

[SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan]

Thanks nice to know. I wasn't going to pull the carbs off. But after I watch another video I think it would be good to pull them and clean them out. I am just excited about getting it to run that I find myself wanting to short cut it to just to hear it turn over. Bad idea.

So been researching batteries. OMG that is going to be the hardest purchase. Prices are all over the place. You only have a limited amount of space to work with. So its hard to find a cheap battery for the limited space. Once things check out I'll look into upgrade the battery to something better. For now I trying to show you can do this on the cheap, Spare Change.

Just buy a AGM or a gel battery.  You don't need to go as far as a lithium-based battery.  The AGM or gel will be maintenance free and lighter than the old lead-water-acid battery.

[Dads Toy]

I hear what you are saying about getting an AGM Battery. But its hard to find one that will fit. I did find one I really like that comes with a digital readout on top. But I would have to mode the battery compartment. Plus price is a little more. I need a YB12A-A 12n12v battery with 160CCA. So I am going on the cheap just to have something to crank it over and check things out electrical wise. So I was able to complete an online survey which came with an Amazon gift certificate. So this will cover the cost of the battery.
Here is the battery I going to try and use. Think it will work?

https://www.amazon.com/GS-Battery-subsidiary-Manufacturer-Powersports/dp/B01CTBPFJI/ref=sr_1_3?s=automotive&ie=UTF8&qid=1515022111&sr=1-3&keywords=yb12a-a+battery

[SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan]

I hear what you are saying about getting an AGM Battery. But its hard to find one that will fit. I did find one I really like that comes with a digital readout on top. But I would have to mode the battery compartment. Plus price is a little more. I need a YB12A-A 12n12v battery with 160CCA. So I am going on the cheap just to have something to crank it over and check things out electrical wise. So I was able to complete an online survey which came with an Amazon gift certificate. So this will cover the cost of the battery.
Here is the battery I going to try and use. Think it will work?

https://www.amazon.com/GS-Battery-subsidiary-Manufacturer-Powersports/dp/B01CTBPFJI/ref=sr_1_3?s=automotive&ie=UTF8&qid=1515022111&sr=1-3&keywords=yb12a-a+battery

AGM or gel batteries using the stock size are widely available and not too pricey either.

[Dads Toy]

I hear what you are saying about getting an AGM Battery. But its hard to find one that will fit. I did find one I really like that comes with a digital readout on top. But I would have to mode the battery compartment. Plus price is a little more. I need a YB12A-A 12n12v battery with 160CCA. So I am going on the cheap just to have something to crank it over and check things out electrical wise. So I was able to complete an online survey which came with an Amazon gift certificate. So this will cover the cost of the battery.
Here is the battery I going to try and use. Think it will work?

https://www.amazon.com/GS-Battery-subsidiary-Manufacturer-Powersports/dp/B01CTBPFJI/ref=sr_1_3?s=automotive&ie=UTF8&qid=1515022111&sr=1-3&keywords=yb12a-a+battery

I must have spent over 2 hours looking for one that would fit. Just need a battery that can hand out 160+cca and 12 amps. Battery case has 12n12V stamp on it. Most battery reference white papers said it takes a YB12A-A battery. This is the battery I would like to get, but I think it is going to be about 1/4 to wide and an inch to long. Price is right and its a sealed unit. And its rated at 180cca.
 
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00IUWLZMW/_encoding=UTF8?coliid=I19OICXW1EVJ6E&colid=3QJN8A66V13BD&psc=0
If you can help find one that would be great.

AGM or gel batteries using the stock size are widely available and not too pricey either.

[SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan]

Motoblat MB12U

http://www.motobatt.com/index.php?route=product/product&product_id=106&year=79-82&cc=650&manufacturer_id=16&category_id=63&model_id=300

About $77 from Amazon https://www.amazon.com/MotoBatt-MB12U-Factory-Activated-QuadFlex/dp/B003YMSDJQ

[Dads Toy]

So on to the project.
The Choke cable is rusted and will not move. Tried to save it by pouring liquid wrench down the cable. I did get it to move, but still will not work right. But someone had did some creative engineering to try and save it. All I can say is Wow...with the price of the clamps they could have bought a replacement. So I have a new cable coming this week. Project is still free. Cable cost me $9 free shipping. So with my gift card from Amazon I still have money for the battery. Now I need to sell my spare reel push mower (new condition) that I don't use any more. Oh and the Wife is still piss off for me getting this. So as long as I fund this project with stuff I sell off I'll be good to go. At least not in the dog house. Its too cold out 

[Dads Toy]

Motoblat MB12U

http://www.motobatt.com/index.php?route=product/product&product_id=106&year=79-82&cc=650&manufacturer_id=16&category_id=63&model_id=300

About $77 from Amazon https://www.amazon.com/MotoBatt-MB12U-Factory-Activated-QuadFlex/dp/B003YMSDJQ

HEY Thanks you the man. That is one kick A battery. Like the fact it has dual battery terminals which could be use for other items later.

[MoMo]

Spring, washer, filter and then spacer.  Good luck with the build...Larry

[Dads Toy]

Spring, washer, filter and then spacer.  Good luck with the build...Larry

Thanks for piping in. I was wondering if anyone was going to answer that. I am missing the washer. Do you have to have it? If so I'll have to order one. But they only have it listed as a spring not a washer. Cheers

[MoMo]

Spring, washer, filter and then spacer.  Good luck with the build...Larry

Thanks for piping in. I was wondering if anyone was going to answer that. I am missing the washer. Do you have to have it? If so I'll have to order one. But they only have it listed as a spring not a washer. Cheers

Most likely half the vintage Honda's in the world are missing that washer, which sticks to the filter when it is removed and gets thrown out with the filter."Back In The Day" (how many decades ago I don't remember) majority of the bikes that came in for repair seemed to be missing the washer..Larry

[Stev-o]

Oh and the Wife is still piss off for me getting this.

I wouldnt worry 'bout that.

Years ago when I bought my first vintage motorcycle after being married, my wife was mad and said it was going to cause a divorce.
Now there are 8 motorcycles in the garage and she likes showing them to her friends!

I dont use "family money" on them and never use credit cards when buying parts. The same cannot be said of her purse and shoe collection!

[Dads Toy]

Oh and the Wife is still piss off for me getting this.

I wouldnt worry 'bout that.

Years ago when I bought my first vintage motorcycle after being married, my wife was mad and said it was going to cause a divorce.
Now there are 8 motorcycles in the garage and she likes showing them to her friends!

I dont use "family money" on them and never use credit cards when buying parts. The same cannot be said of her purse and shoe collection!

Thanks for the encouragement.
I feel the same way with this project and trying to do the same. Don't touch the "family Money" and I don't use credit cards. Its what ever I can find to sell to fund this project. Couldn't believe I had that much change money in this old jar. So I hope I can MacGyver the bike back to life.

[Dads Toy]

Spring, washer, filter and then spacer.  Good luck with the build...Larry

Thanks for piping in. I was wondering if anyone was going to answer that. I am missing the washer. Do you have to have it? If so I'll have to order one. But they only have it listed as a spring not a washer. Cheers

Wonder what kind of damage it did with the spacer in the wrong location. Do you think it a must to have the washer put back in place? Safe to run it without it?



Most likely half the vintage Honda's in the world are missing that washer, which sticks to the filter when it is removed and gets thrown out with the filter."Back In The Day" (how many decades ago I don't remember) majority of the bikes that came in for repair seemed to be missing the washer..Larry

[SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan]

I get the budget-aspect of the build, but I don't think there's a need for a go-fund-me fundraiser (the link doesn't work anyway, so I'm not sure if it was sarcasm) -- unless it's a build to sell and raise funds for charity. 

Almost all of us have to earn coin to fund builds/maintain/upgrade our bikes.  We don't mind giving advice or even donating some spare parts to a good cause.  Even then, the hope is that the recipient pays the good favor forward.  All that said, there are some great low-budget builds on this forum.

[754]

The spring washer is least of the problems you can have get a few engine covers off the crankcase and see what you have, ?... till then don't buy a battery ..
 I have had a Nighthawk that I gave the motor away from, once I realized it had water in it, the damage was done,