Author Topic: CB650 POSSIBLE ISSUES  (Read 2692 times)

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Offline Rider39

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CB650 POSSIBLE ISSUES
« on: October 10, 2024, 07:45:35 AM »
I have a Barn Find of a 1981 CB650 with 615.3 miles on it.  Cosmetically a disaster.  Not left outside, but in an enclosed truck.  Condensation has corroded all the chrome & aluminum.  It is not seized & compression is good.

My question is, is there any particular mechanical issue with this model that has reared it's ugly head and should be looked into?  I'm not looking for: "flush hydraulics", "Lube controls", "change oil & filter" etc., but mechanical issues that have risen over the years that need altering/upgrading, like poor rockers or shift drum, etc..

Thanks - - - Josh

Offline calj737

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Re: CB650 POSSIBLE ISSUES
« Reply #1 on: October 10, 2024, 07:51:17 AM »
Probably the biggest issue I’ve heard of is the igniters can go bad. If that happens, there are aftermarket non-OEM options.
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"Of all tyrannies, a tyranny sincerely exercised for the good of it's victim may be the most oppressive. It may be better to live under robber barons than under omnipotent moral busybodies. The robber baron's cruelty may sometimes sleep, his cupidity may at some point be satiated, but those who torment us for our own good will torment us without end for they do so with the approval of their own conscience." - C.S. Lewis

Offline Rider39

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Re: CB650 POSSIBLE ISSUES
« Reply #2 on: October 10, 2024, 08:10:30 AM »
Thanks calj737.

Is the cam chain tensioner ever an issue on this bike, like they are on some others?

Offline calj737

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Re: CB650 POSSIBLE ISSUES
« Reply #3 on: October 10, 2024, 09:24:52 AM »
Not really. And not with 600 miles…
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"Of all tyrannies, a tyranny sincerely exercised for the good of it's victim may be the most oppressive. It may be better to live under robber barons than under omnipotent moral busybodies. The robber baron's cruelty may sometimes sleep, his cupidity may at some point be satiated, but those who torment us for our own good will torment us without end for they do so with the approval of their own conscience." - C.S. Lewis

Offline fizzlebottom

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Re: CB650 POSSIBLE ISSUES
« Reply #4 on: October 10, 2024, 01:54:48 PM »
The charging system has a tendency to take a dump at the most inopportune time. Insulation on rotor's internal windings breaks down and creates a short. Stators are usually pretty rock solid. Regulator / rectifiers can sometimes go, too. There are some testing procedures using a multimeter in the FSM for each of these components. Rick's Motorsport Electrics sells quality replacements for all of these.

More folks have had issues with the starting system in the last few years, but that's not to say they're all problematic. Age will do anything in. Battery, starter solenoid, and starter can either all be easily replaced or rebuilt as needed. Fresh cables and clean grounds are never bad to look at.

Ignition is relatively rock solid, but as mentioned the ignitors (CDI, TCI, whatever) can fail and simply need to be replaced. Aftermarket options are available. Coils are 3ohm pieces, and aftermarket units are also readily available. I wouldn't consider making some new spark plug wires too.

There is nothing inherently wrong with the cam chain tensioner, but replacements no longer exist. Use what you have while it works.

Carbs are the big thing here. You can get parts just fine, but a lot of folks complain about how hard they are to work on. They're not. Just have patience and use quality parts where needed.

1982 CB650SC Nighthawk

Offline kerryb

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Re: CB650 POSSIBLE ISSUES
« Reply #5 on: October 10, 2024, 02:20:01 PM »
I had the screws fall out of the starter clutch on mime at 20k miles.  So you have time yet on that problem.
82 cb650sc
intrigued by the wail...seduced by the scream.

Offline Rider39

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Re: CB650 POSSIBLE ISSUES
« Reply #6 on: October 10, 2024, 02:55:41 PM »
Thanks all ! ! !

Much appreciated.

Josh

Offline newday777

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Re: CB650 POSSIBLE ISSUES
« Reply #7 on: October 11, 2024, 03:22:06 AM »
Welcome aboard the forum Josh from southern NH.
WOW 615 miles! There shouldn't be any mechanical issues with it other than rusted parts outside the motor.
I have friends that have had a 650 and they had high praise of the 650.
As a FYI
Shifter parts failures(on all Hondas) have usually been brought on by lazy shifting by operators not doing full shift strokes with their foot, not parts faults.

Are you really 85 as you have in your profile??
Stu
Honda Parts manager in the mid 1970s Nashua Honda
My current rides
1975 K5 Planet Blue my summer ride, it was a friend's bike I worked with at the Honda shop in 76, lots of fun to be on it again
1976 K6 Anteres Red rebuilding project, was originally my brother's that I set up from the crate, it'll breath again soon!
Project 750s, 2 K4, 2 K6, 1 K8
2008 GL1800 my daily ride and cross country runner

Prior bikes....
1972 Suzuki GT380 I had charge of it for a year in 1973 while my friend was deployed and learned to love street riding....
New CB450 K7 after my friend returned...
New CB750 K5 Planet Blue, demise by ex cousin in law at 9,000 miles...
New CB750 K6 Anteres Red, to replace the totaled K5, I sold this K6 at 45k in 1983, I had heavily modified it, many great memories on it and have missed it greatly.....
1983 GL1100A, 1999 GL1500 SE, 1999 GL1500A

Offline fizzlebottom

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Re: CB650 POSSIBLE ISSUES
« Reply #8 on: October 11, 2024, 08:17:57 AM »
I had the screws fall out of the starter clutch on mime at 20k miles.  So you have time yet on that problem.
82 cb650sc

Forgot about this! Yes, the starter clutch is a point of concern. The screws wallow out their respective holes and prevent the starter clutch from operating consistently, if at all. The job is a real bear apparently, but can be done with patience from the bottom without taking the motor out. Folks discovered a while ago that the starter clutch from a used ATC 125 is the same part and they're supposedly immaculate.

But if yours is working for now, then worry not. Just tuck that knowledge away for future possibilities.
1982 CB650SC Nighthawk

Offline Rider39

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Re: CB650 POSSIBLE ISSUES
« Reply #9 on: October 12, 2024, 05:59:48 AM »

newday777 Asked:     "Are you really 85 as you have in your profile??"

I' m afraid so.

Offline newday777

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Re: CB650 POSSIBLE ISSUES
« Reply #10 on: October 12, 2024, 06:26:19 AM »

newday777 Asked:     "Are you really 85 as you have in your profile??"

I' m afraid so.
That's great! Congrats
I hope to be riding into my 90s, Lord willing
Stu
Honda Parts manager in the mid 1970s Nashua Honda
My current rides
1975 K5 Planet Blue my summer ride, it was a friend's bike I worked with at the Honda shop in 76, lots of fun to be on it again
1976 K6 Anteres Red rebuilding project, was originally my brother's that I set up from the crate, it'll breath again soon!
Project 750s, 2 K4, 2 K6, 1 K8
2008 GL1800 my daily ride and cross country runner

Prior bikes....
1972 Suzuki GT380 I had charge of it for a year in 1973 while my friend was deployed and learned to love street riding....
New CB450 K7 after my friend returned...
New CB750 K5 Planet Blue, demise by ex cousin in law at 9,000 miles...
New CB750 K6 Anteres Red, to replace the totaled K5, I sold this K6 at 45k in 1983, I had heavily modified it, many great memories on it and have missed it greatly.....
1983 GL1100A, 1999 GL1500 SE, 1999 GL1500A