Author Topic: 1980 CB650c Rest-o by a crabby "old-timer" (Read 318618 times)

Frankenkit · « **Reply #300 on:** March 21, 2009, 12:18:37 PM »

so I went and bought LEDs for the idiot lights, because they're more efficient. I'm wondering, though what size bulbs backlight the clocks and how to replace them just because I'm doin' the idiot lights.

Considering the front indicator lights, too, because they stay on as daytime running lights.

mlinder · « **Reply #301 on:** March 21, 2009, 04:32:12 PM »

Yeah, the tensioner didn't look anything like any of my other bikes, so thought there was something wrong with it, but should be ok, now that kit sent me the schematic on it.

Hush · « **Reply #302 on:** March 21, 2009, 06:46:34 PM »

You described retentioning the cam change perfectly Kit, I warm the bike up first then off with the points cover and slacken the tensioner bolt but not all the way so it falls off as I'm sure the Honda Gods would put some sort of rebuild curse on me and the whole thing would fall to bits.
One thing I did learn early on is don't ever turn the motor using the wee nut in the middle--use the big sucker, I have found just one of my sockets that fits it perfectly.
The books says remove plugs to help turn the motor over but as that is a PITA on my bike it doesn't happen.
The book does say rotate the motor in a clockwise direction which I understand but then it says to tighten the tensioner nut as you rotate?
I think that's only for octopuses who own 650's! try it on your own....impossible springs to mind.

I don't torque wrench the cam adjuster nut just tighten without stripping is good as I know I will have to do it again in a few months time, have fun........

Frankenkit · « **Reply #303 on:** March 21, 2009, 08:00:19 PM »

um... you're supposed to do it while the motor's dead cold, Hush...

Hush · « **Reply #304 on:** March 21, 2009, 08:39:52 PM »

Damn, missed that bit.....better try again.

Frankenkit · « **Reply #305 on:** March 26, 2009, 04:38:03 PM »

Finally said 'f*ck this!" and bought a pair of spark plug wrenches from Honda. $7. Their tool kits are $50 (?!?!?!!!?

) for these bikes, but really all that I'm worried about is a d*mn spark plug wrench that doesn't suck, get stuck, get lost, blah blah blah. I'm considering a $39 tool kit from "Cruz Tools", their OEM replacement kit, or possibly an ebay'd kit. As far as I've seen, most have been pretty much completely interchangeable with the exception of that stupid spark plug tool. After HOURS of dinking around, I'm done. Buying the spark plug tool and slowly pawing through ebay for a kit that's affordable and doesn't completely suck. I'm still considering the cruz tools kit just because their tool quality might be better. Nothin like rounding your bolts right off with the crappy OEM wrenches...

Thoughts are appreciated. I mostly just want to be able to do basic emergency stuff if I have to- check the plugs/replace one, take the headlight bucket off and replace the bulb/change cables if I need to on a trip/ etc. most maintenance is going to be done at home if I can help it at all.

Hush · « **Reply #306 on:** March 26, 2009, 07:25:09 PM »

Hey Clymer manual doesn't specify hot or cold for cam chain tensioning?
Where did that idea come from!

Frankenkit · « **Reply #307 on:** March 26, 2009, 07:31:38 PM »

My honda manual says to do it the way I said, but then again, we tightened it up while the bike was running, so who knows?

Hush · « **Reply #308 on:** March 27, 2009, 01:56:26 AM »

Pardon, you did what? tightened it up while the engine was running!

Did it fly to pieces?

I read that part of the manual as hand crank it and tighten as you crank.
Was tightening while to motor was running suggested by someone on here? is it a trick they have found works well?
Are you pulling my nether regions?

Grumpol · « **Reply #309 on:** March 27, 2009, 02:01:31 AM »

I read a post on here ages ago by one of our pommie mates that he would do it that way,
cant remember who but he said he would use a stubby screw driver and gently press while it was idling and then tighten the lock nut back up

mlinder · « **Reply #310 on:** March 27, 2009, 07:41:03 AM »

I did it while it was running.

I do it on lots of bikes. Works fine, and can tell it's tight enough by the noise (or lack thereof) of the cam chain while doing it.

Frankenkit · « **Reply #311 on:** March 27, 2009, 07:44:12 AM »

yeah, had the noise again yesterday. just touched it maybe 1/8-1/4 of a turn and it stopped.

mlinder · « **Reply #312 on:** March 27, 2009, 07:55:45 AM »

Quote from: Kit on March 27, 2009, 07:44:12 AM

yeah, had the noise again yesterday. just touched it maybe 1/8-1/4 of a turn and it stopped.

Good. I'm not in love with the 500/550/650 tensioners. Kinda wacky, IMO.

Frankenkit · « **Reply #313 on:** March 27, 2009, 07:59:42 AM »

I'm not in love with a lot of the 500-550-650 family. some poor guy was having the same issues with his 550. (searched under 'hot start') still no answer for him, either.

Frankenkit · « **Reply #314 on:** March 27, 2009, 11:08:44 AM »

well, installed the LED idiot lights from superbrightleds.com. They're a little taller than stock. I smeared 'em with dielectic grease before installation. The original bulbs were all melted at the base; so I'm guessing they'd about had it. The lights are quite bright and look really good. I'm pleased with my relatively cheap investment.

Bought an aftermarket starter solenoid that's set up the same as an '83 nighthawk's. Went to Honda and checked the parts numbers for both, and the nighthawk's solenoid superseded mine, so I'm expecting full compatibility. It probably wasn't completely necessary, but at $25 to replace a 30 year old solenoid and have the reliability (and replacability) of a bladed main fuse, I just couldn't refuse. (no pun intended).

Sounds like Sunday my charging system will be inspected, probably more thoroughly than I can manage.

Hush · « **Reply #315 on:** March 28, 2009, 02:50:03 AM »

Hey good point Mlinder, might have a wee look at mine and retighten while engine running.
Got to agree that the can chain tensioner doesn't give you much feedback when you adjust them, very basic system for such an important part of the bike.
Y ou need to report back as soon as you fit that new solenoid girl, I just lashed you in your other posting.

Frankenkit · « **Reply #316 on:** March 28, 2009, 09:12:25 AM »

I saw. There's a lot of flagellation going on in that thread. I'm going to do what I can today, but will probably still take the bike to mlinder's friend's garage to have them have a good fiddle, too.

Hush · « **Reply #317 on:** March 29, 2009, 03:15:20 AM »

Yeah, saw the message about the fallen biker, my thoughts go to them all.

Frankenkit · « **Reply #318 on:** March 29, 2009, 09:50:41 AM »

seems odd how just when I really start being able to enjoy my riding, there should be such a reminder of just why riding can be as scary, dangerous sort of freedom.

I could be wrong, but when last I heard, bicycling and motorcycling carried the same amount of casualties in the area... $:-\$ Idiot drivers + big SUVs = unsafe conditions for everyone else.

I suppose you can still say that he died quickly (it seems) and doing what he loved, and what more can we ask for than that?

Frankenkit · « **Reply #319 on:** March 29, 2009, 09:55:21 AM »

I'm going to change the subject here...

I'm watching a couple hard bags on ebay. They're a little battered, but (like everything else) I think I can do a really good job of fixing them up... so here we go.

Don't Effing Bid on Them.

I'll be doing a mini-thread in this thread on how I go about fixing up those bags. Being black with the gold pinstripe, they'll match my tank beautifully.

750goes · « **Reply #320 on:** March 29, 2009, 01:25:26 PM »

I might just bid on them then just to piss you off lol

Would be an easy fix... and including the hardware - pretty cheap at $14.95 with 3 hours to go..

Hope you get them ( watch out for snipers)

Hush · « **Reply #321 on:** March 29, 2009, 03:08:59 PM »

As per usual the shipping is twice the price of the actual item.

As you know Kit my bike has panniers and for holding tools, wallet, cellphone, spares, wet weather gear they are invaluable.
The do tend to alter your dinamics and it takes just a wee while to get used to the idea that your backside is a tad wider and therefore heavier on corners, with wind resistance also a factor but if you win em you'll soon figure those bits out.

Frankenkit · « **Reply #322 on:** March 29, 2009, 04:06:07 PM »

I ride pretty ...er... conservatively anyway.

No knee draggin' here... but is all that weight in your back end why you ended up wheelieing at that light?

Hush · « **Reply #323 on:** March 29, 2009, 04:52:40 PM »

No, wheelie was result of bike actually running right after 12 months of running like a 250cc hobbitt mobile.

Now your bike is running alot better maybe you too will experience the thrill of crossing an intersection while saving rubber on your front tire!

It's not the weight so much of the bags it's their alteration to your aerodynamic shape and where the wind travels as it passes you, not that these bikes are aerodynamic by any stretch of the imagination or we wouldn't fit screens to them!
The Cafe street racers are as close as the SOHC bikes get to road legal aerodynamics, for me and you who like to sit upright and see the world go past us at a sedate speed it's not much thinking about.

Frankenkit · « **Reply #324 on:** March 29, 2009, 05:09:53 PM »

a sedate speed? speak for yourself! 40mph still feels like the speed of sound! (Back when I hit 40 on my bicycle flying downhill, it was just as much of a thrill, but now I can do it uphill, too!)

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Author Topic: 1980 CB650c Rest-o by a crabby "old-timer" (Read 318618 times)