Topic: Would any of you recommend doing distance on your CB's?

[liaudio]

Being that these bikes are 30 years old or older, I would be a little apprehensive to do a trip longer than about 100 miles. 

Have any of you done trips on your CB's? 

My K5 750 is in tip-top shape but I would be reluctant to do a long distance trip on a bike that is over 30 years old!

[GroovieGhoulie]

Did a 400-miler on my 400F and it never missed a beat.

[okie]

It's a Honda.  I rode a CL350 from El Paso, Texas to Tulsa, Oklahoma (a little over 900 miles).  I can think of a lot of more comfortable bikes to ride, but I am sure my CB350 Four would take me to either coast and back with no problems.  What do you think there is about the bike that can't handle a long trip?  Whatever it is,, fix it.  Then go.  Like I said in the first place; it's a Honda.  They didn't get the success they have by making self-destructing  junk.

[mick750F]

  Ask andy750 about long trips. Or read about one of them here...http://www.hondarestoration.com/stories.htm

Mike

[Rocker]

I did a 250 day trip a few weekends ago on my 75 cb750 and it ran like a top. I would recommend taking some spair fuses with you at all times. But other then that, these things like to cruise.

[martini]

Did 600 miles on my 72 350 twin. No problems whatsoever. As mentioned, there Hondas, they are bulid to last. Go for it.

[DammitDan]

I average about 250 miles a weekend on my CB650, all the way up to 400 miles ones weekend (cruising between 50 - 80mph).  Performed beautifully, no mechanical problems whatsoever.

[Slapguts]

Why not? It's the same bike it was 30 years ago. I'm planning a 2,600 mile trip on mine in June for a friends wedding. Don't see why it wouldn't make it. I've put 1,200 on it in the last three weeks.

[andy750]

Id recommend you ride at least a 2000 mile trip on your Honda  Anything less than 200 miles/day for an outing must mean you are not riding enough :-) These bikes are very reliable and will go on and on and on......even on 3-cylinders (rode a 1000 miles home like this, just not very fast  ). See my signature links for more info on my long distance trips or check out the TRIP REPORT section of this forum for other peoples account of their trips.

cheers
Andy

[jaknight]

 

     Yes, I did 1,500 miles on one trip with my '74 cb750 K4.......... it purred like a kitten all the way.......... and I loved every minute of it!

     ~ ~ ~ jaknight ~ ~ ~

[kghost]

Since you had to ask this question, Will you survive the trip?

The Honda wil be fine.l

[Jonesy]

Took my bike all the way from Detroit to Baldwin, MI and back (across the state) in 2 days. Took along extra sparkplugs and points, which I didn't need.

[merc2dogs]

100 miles? no sweat, that's just a short afternoon ride!

 grand rapids to the sault locks is a decent ride, harder on my butt than it is on the bike.
 these bikes became popular because they were so well suited to long distance runs.

  Besides, if it's gonna break, it will break on a short run as easily as on a long run.

Plan to hit Richmond Va this summer on mine.

Ken

[tsp37]

I did 1000+ miles on a trip with my 250 Custom.  I was much younger and the bike still smelled like fresh rice.  I was sunburned and soaked and saddle sore like a bad night in prison.  Don't worry about the motorcycle - it is tougher than you are.

[rhinoracer]

I haven't done any riding on my project CB but that's what I dream of. Long rides down memory lane.

[liaudio]

From all of the responses, I've concluded that the answer is a resounding "YES!!!!!!!!!!!!!"   

I've posted a few more questions for you guys.

[Soos]

Last year, I would regularly use my cb650 with 30 year old coils, shocks, bearings, etc for 200-300 mile day trips without a hitch once.

ride like you stole it.

 

l8r

[DrMark]

Many weekend group rides of 150-250 miles per day on a 1978 CB550K without a problem. Spare fuses is a good idea, I've lost one fuse in 5 yrs. Then again, I change mine every spring. Local hardware store has them for 4/$1.  Have FUN!!!!!

[scott_cb650]

My wife and I (her as a passenger) made a 600, 2-day, round trip through Arkansas last summer.
I had to add about a quart of oil along the way and adjusted the chain after I got back, but we had no troubles on the ride.

It was a blast!

[snoop]

I am doing a trip from Philadelphia to Montreal for the formula 1 race on my cb550, I am riding with a beamer so I feel like the weak link in the chain.  I am very scared of breaking down.  I have about 2 months to get mine running in tip top shape.

[gregimotis]

Since we're listing our trips:

I did 2500 miles in three days last summer from 4000-8000 feet elevation, 50-100 degrees temp, and 20-105mph.



Wore a chain out, and needed a tune-up afterwards; Otherwise perfect.

[andy750]

Hey Snoop as long as your CB550 is in good shape then will be fine. When we did the SOHC Easy Rider Trip there were 10 CB750s and 1 CB550. The 550 performed perfectly across deserts, up mountains, at altitude etc etc...from LA to Grand Canyon and for the CB550 back via New Mexico to LA.....dont worry about it. Its a Honda :-)

good luck,
Andy

[OldSchool_IsCool]

I am doing a trip from Philadelphia to Montreal for the formula 1 race on my cb550, I am riding with a beamer so I feel like the weak link in the chain.  I am very scared of breaking down.  I have about 2 months to get mine running in tip top shape.

Riding with a beamer, eh?  Sounds a bit "Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance" ish!

Your concerns beg a few questions:
- What parts/tools/supplies to bring on a long trip? 
- What should be done before I leave? 
- What should I do each day after a ride?

Lets help Snoop out y'all!  I'll start a list, please feel free to add to it.

Tools
- plug wrench
- screw drivers (straight & cross)
- wrenches & sockets (6mm thru 19mm)
- adjustable wrench (up to 25mm+)
- feeler gages for points and for valves
- tire pressure gauge
- tire leavers
- points file
- ruler/tape measure
- spoke tool
- knife
- pliers, needle nose and regular
- shop manual
- string/rope/bungee cords
- tape
- cell phone
- Visa/Master card

Parts
- chain
- points
- fuses
- tube patch kit
- clutch cable (you could ram gears WITHOUT a clutch if you had to, but it isn't easy and stops are a #$%*!)
- throttle cable (realize that you have two, in a pinch, your "push"cable could be connected as a pull, reversing throttle direction)
- fresh set of plugs
- fuel line

Supplies
- oil
- oil filter
- brake fluid
- tube patch kit
- 2-3 cans of SeaFoam

Things to do before leaving (do these things yourself or watch closely so you can do these things yourself on the road!)
- change your chain, sprockets, cables, fuses, points, condensers (then pack the old ones as spares)
- tune up
  - set valve gap
  - inspect points
  - set points gap
  - set timing
  - adjust cam chain tension
  - balance carbs
- change oil
- brakes
  - inspect
  - bleed
  - adjust front & back
- change fork oil
- tires
  - check for ware
  - align
  - set tire pressure
  - check spoke tension
- adjust clutch
- inspect throttle cables
- inspect clutch cable
- lube cables
- inspect drive chain and sprockets
- tension drive chain

What should I do each day after a ride?
- check oil
- check brake fluid
- check chain tension
- check tires
- check tire pressure
- check spoke tension
- inspect plugs for good color

[liaudio]

Oldskool,

That's what I'm afraid of.  If it is recommended to carry all those parts, I'd rather do my trip on a newer bike.  I understand that always being prepared should be the motto, but I'd need an extra bag just for the tools and spares!

[littlebronco]

11,000 miles riding every day for 2.5 months on a 75 CB750F a few summers ago.  Nothing major went wrong, just some tuneups and tinkering along the way.  PLUS there're alot of Honda shops across the US with parts for these bikes.  My riding buddy's 2000 Ducati was a little harder to track down dealers for.