Topic: Can you help ID?

[BigAl]

Says its a 1979, so I'm thinking CB750?

Looks like it's missing the airbox, electronics, other stuff.  My 1978 CB550 was just so complete (and under 5,000 miles), that it has been hard to bring myself to hack it up for a cafe racer.  This one would be a bit easier to cut, add, weld, modify, go aftermarket, maybe build my own seat, etc without my brain wincing.  Yeah, I'm weird, I know. 

The price is definitely right.  I'm worried about a CB addiction (a CBBD - CB Buying Disorder) taking root.

[denward17]

Maybe a CB650 ?

[BigAl]

Yeah, you could be right.  Exhaust looks like a 650 based on internet searches, but it's hard to tell.

[jlh3rd]

1979 cb 650...comstar wheels. 4 into 2 exhaust

[BigAl]

Thanks jlh3rd.  I think you nailed it.

I had my heart set on a 750, but my heart can be somewhat arbitrary.  Any reason to avoid a 650 over a 750?  Pros / cons?

[grcamna2]

I hope to catch CBBD soon 

[scunny]

650 has a better  power to weight ratio than a 750.

[grcamna2]

650 has a better  power to weight ratio than a 750.

+1 

[bryanj]

Wasnt about for a long timme some parts are difficult, 2 different heads and carbs

[PeWe]

Lots of parts to CB750, stock, aftermarket stock, go faster parts, personal look parts, look better parts and finally back to the shiny original look parts

A too cheap bike can cost more to restore/repair when most of it  must be replaced.

Replace most if it seems the way for my builds

This forum a fantastic place where to find ideas how to restore a bike and let your wallet work hard!

[BigAl]

PeWe, there is no doubt about that!  I talk myself into buying a bike with "well, I should only need to replace just this and this, so it's worth it" and then I replace everything.

The aftermarket availability was what I was thinking.  The "too cheap" part is what I may need in order to get over my fear of really digging into a project that would involve a lot of modification.  If I screw it up I'm not out all that much.

[bryanj]

There may be more stuff available in US but here in UK the only less loved sohc 4 was the 550 K3

[calj737]

The frame on a 650 is pretty awkward to convert the bike into something “sporty” and custom. The backbone slopes down below the seat line and makes the tank look like it’s “leaning backwards”.

I’d stick with a 550 frame or a 750 bike. You could pop that 650 motor into another donor 550 frame and have a rather sporty little bike that’s more customized a bit easier. The 550/650 motor is also a bit more “straightforward” in my opinion.

[BigAl]

Well, my wife officially dislikes everyone on the forum.  I have spent the morning talking about sticking a 650 engine in a 550 frame with suspension upgrades, custom seat builds, tank shapes, electrical upgrades; all while using sweeping hand gestures that look very expensive to her.

I think if she hears "it's the aesthetics of THE LINE" come out of my mouth one more time she will cut off my coffee supply and unsubscribe me from SOHC / 4 

[denward17]

Well, my wife officially dislikes everyone on the forum.  I have spent the morning talking about sticking a 650 engine in a 550 frame with suspension upgrades, custom seat builds, tank shapes, electrical upgrades; all while using sweeping hand gestures that look very expensive to her.

I think if she hears "it's the aesthetics of THE LINE" come out of my mouth one more time she will cut off my coffee supply and unsubscribe me from SOHC / 4 

I can relate.... LOL....

I've heard a few times this week "He's out of control"... She sees how many parts I am ordering...

[calj737]

Two aspects of a 650 motor that you need to be aware of: no kickstarter and basically a CDI ignition. There are aftermarket remedies for the ignition if you go that route and have issues. Otherwise, a good solid motor.