Topic: Nature of the beast?

[Ace Blackwell]

Do these bikes need constant tweaking to keep on the road?  Is that the nature of these older bikes?

 It seems nothing is ever really done.  I have to keep going back and repairing a previous repair.  Granted some of that is due to my inexperience with motorcycle repair.  I'm trying to determine if part of the fun of these bikes for some is the constant adjusting and the periodic replacing.  I do get a since of accomplishment when I get something to work, but the fact that it "never really quite done" is getting frustrating.   

In short, I'm just trying to get a feel for what to expect going forward.  Is the bike going to be a constant project or will I eventually get to the point where I just hop on and ride like a newer bike. 

[ekpent]

 I can't remember when I really needed to do anything to my K4 750 other then tires and oil in a very long time. Maybe just lucky.

[robvangulik]

The same for me, tyres, a chain/sprockets, brake pads and some new oil/filters at the right time and just keep riding.

[desertrefugee]

Constant attention suggests lack of detail, basic service requirements going unsatisfied, or inadequate execution on service performed.

A properly maintained a Honda is among the most reliable mechanical vehicles on the road. And that proper maintenance takes far less time and effort than responding to breakdowns that result from taking shortcuts or doing it incorrectly.

[TwoTired]

Is it going to be like a new bike?  No.  Just look at the routine maintenance schedule for comparison.

These are still quite reliable bikes that in their day would ride coast to coast to coat with just oil changes and the routine tune up schedule.

Aftermarket parts aren't made to be reliable, just make you happily part with your money.  And "cheap" has a dual meaning for cost and quality.

If you are restoring to "good enough for now", then don't be surprise when "for now" is a short term solution.

By the way, if you are customizing and re-engineering bits, don't blame the bike for not working like a stock one.  No machine is any better than it's mechanic.  And a "custom" machine frequently does need "custom" attention. Hot rods are generally in a constant state of attention, especially newly made ones.

Cheers,

[seanbarney41]

tt has it right 100 percent.  In over 100 thousand miles on various cb's, I have never been stranded anywhere.  Even brand new bikes require maintenance.

[bryanj]

Its the way of mechanical things that at least one of every part will fail BUT the average life of most Honda parts apears to be many decades IF the scheduled maintenance is carried out--- thats why its called SCHEDULED

[gmoss]

In an attempt to be a bit more helpful, what are some specific repairs that you've attempted that you've had to come back to? Can you find anything in common between the causes of the incidents of failure?

[newday777]

Do these bikes need constant tweaking to keep on the road?  Is that the nature of these older bikes?

 It seems nothing is ever really done.  I have to keep going back and repairing a previous repair.  Granted some of that is due to my inexperience with motorcycle repair.  I'm trying to determine if part of the fun of these bikes for some is the constant adjusting and the periodic replacing.  I do get a since of accomplishment when I get something to work, but the fact that it "never really quite done" is getting frustrating.   

In short, I'm just trying to get a feel for what to expect going forward.  Is the bike going to be a constant project or will I eventually get to the point where I just hop on and ride like a newer bike.

To quote you from an earlier post....
"Unfortunately, since i was knee high, I've been known for mechanical stuff falling apart in my hands, especially borrowed stuff, just my luck."
Sounds like a lack of training or comprehension??

[Ace Blackwell]

Thanks for the insight.  Sounds like my problems are self inflicted.  This lets me know that there will come a point eventually where normal maint is all that will be needed.  That's what I was looking for. 

[jonda500]

   A mistreated by PO or neglected for decades example may require a LOT of catch up work for a period of time, but any Honda gone over thoroughly by a competent mechanic/enthusiast and then regularly serviced will give decades of trouble free riding.

   In 35 years of riding hondas I have had to pull off to the side a total of 4 times. Two of those times I couldn't ride the bike home - one was a dead flat tyre, the other was when I ran out of gas while I was broke and had to push the bike several miles home.
  Of the other two times one was a broken throttle cable - I raised the idle speed as high as it would go and rode slowly home in second/third gear, and the other was a nearly completely flat battery caused by a stupid wiring mistake I made in the headlight - I got it to start and ride home by disconnecting lots of things at the side of the road but not the ignition!
John