Topic: Slowly modifying my '82 CB650Z

[grcamna2]

Spring has finally returned to Sweden!

The only thing I did to the bike during the winter was to replace the brake lines to braided ones. I would have preferred new rubber ones for the looks, but didn't find a model specific complete kit, but that was available if I went for braided ones and I am a lazy person. Didn't make much of a difference to the looks so I'm pleased as they seem to work fine too.

For some reason that I don't know, I felt a need to install a couple of fog lights, just to see if I'd like them on the bike. Used a clamp type bracket to the frame so they are easy to remove if I change my mind. I like what they add to the overall appearance so they will stay on for now.

I had filled the tank up with fresh fuel and stabilizer in november, charged the battery a few times during the winter and kept the bike raised on stands front and rear to protect the tires. First startup a couple of weeks ago went fine and first ride felt really great, both the bike and me inside. Never been waiting for spring so much as I did now, owning this little Honda.

Looking forward to a long riding season!

Here are a few pics from before I drove home from work today:

20220426_190343 by Jim Gahnfelt, on Flickr

20220426_190359 by Jim Gahnfelt, on Flickr

20220426_190424 by Jim Gahnfelt, on Flickr

20220426_190443 by Jim Gahnfelt, on Flickr

20220426_190519 by Jim Gahnfelt, on Flickr


/Jim

I know you Must be ready for plenty of rides !
The bike looks good 

[Jimcg]

I know you Must be ready for plenty of rides !
The bike looks good 

Thanks! I am, just hoping for lots of good bike riding weather. ☀️

/Jim

[Jimcg]

A few minor changes done to the bike since last post. I bought a small flyscreen (Pruig, Spanish brand) with somewhat the size and shape I had in mind, to see if ot would cover the gap between the headlight and gauges. I have lowered the headlight as far as stock cables would allow but the gauges weren't possible to go as low, which creacted the gap. I think it looks rather okay so I'll keep it for now.

Also made a new tail piece in aluminium as the previous one, but this one is just polished, not painted. Wanted to see how a longer tail would look. I think I like it better than the shorter version.

20220807_124201 by Jim Gahnfelt, on Flickr

I made my own baffles to the aftermarket mufflers I put on last year. The ones I bought had, as I thought a few test rides, the perfect sound level. However, this year I noticed I would like to have just a little more noticeble (to me) sound while driving at country roads. And they are only mounted with 3 easily accessible screws at the back, so I gave it a try. I might be chasing an impossible level, my wish to hear how the engine runs, and has to be louder than wind noise, along with my bad hearing. And finally preferribly not exceed legal levels. The ones I made (see below) sounds good to me but still have to measure at work if they exceed 103 dB at 6000 rpm. If they turn out to be to loud, I think I just have to settle with the ones that came with the mufflers most of the time and switch to my noisier version for special occasions 😎.

20220814_192259 by Jim Gahnfelt, on Flickr

/Jim

[Jimcg]

Not much done to the bike since last update, other than used and enjoyed riding it.

I bought and modified a set of YSS rear shocks during the winter. I put a 6 mm and very wide washer under the spring and one on top of the inner rod as well, to make the shocks a bit taller. YSS had many lengths to chose from, but not the length I wanted on their cheapest model.

20230621_134928 by Jim Gahnfelt, on Flickr
20230621_135145 by Jim Gahnfelt, on Flickr

I watched several youtube clips showing how to dissasemble motorcycle shocks without special tools but they all seemed more or less insecure or would for sure damage the coating on the spring. So I did this simple setup and it worked perfectly!

20230420_092118 by Jim Gahnfelt, on Flickr

And today I remeberred that I had forgotten I had a Honda stencil laying around, that I had I planned to user to paint the rear of my home made seat. So I did just that.

20230621_134607 by Jim Gahnfelt, on Flickr


By the way - the place I bought the washers from had a very useful web shop, very easy to select different materials, inner and/or outer diameters, thickness and such, until you find what you want. And you can buy single pieces without paying a fortune! Have a look:

https://www.accu.co.uk/