Topic: 1980 CB650c Rest-o by a crabby "old-timer"

[strangedaze39]

Sorry to hear about your kreem experiance, but as a representive of kreem I would like to say it was not our fault.....  Na, just kidding. Anyways good luck with your build and I hope you get it back on the rode soon.

SD

[Hush]

I'm having same non arrival of petrol at sparkplug problem you had, how do you think you cured it in the end.
I got frustariated and pulled my 4 carbs off the motor so I could glare at them on my workbench, note: glaring does not work!
So would be very interested to know exactly what you did to get the petrol through?
Piccy is not my bike but one same model some lucky stiff has in the south island of NZ, one day mine will look as good and actually "go".
                  cheers...Hush

[Frankenkit]

Honestly, I partially unracked them (left the two center ones on, took the end two off) and sprayed out every conceivable passage.  Turned out I was missing a tiny o-ring on the throttle pump (the round hole with the square brass fitting separating it into 4 smaller holes)  and my throttle pump passages were clogged.  Also, not sure if your bike has air cutoff valves on the (I think?) left hand side, but it might be worth blasting out those passages, too, and cleaning w/ a fine copper wire.

I used non-chlorinated brake clean because it doesn't leave a residue and doesn't seem as harsh on the rubber bits. 

Another thing I learned about 650s is that they need the choke operating completely to start.  They're fine once they're running, and mine even started to start w/o the choke, but... yeah.

Hope that helps.

If you had that nasty green varnish in yours, I'd actually recommend doing a carb dip if you're really familiar with these racks of four and how they go back together- the re-assembly's a pain...

If you're not that familiar with reassembly, just take the float bowls off and blast out passages that way, remove the jets and clean individually, etc. 

[Frankenkit]

Tank is off at the radiator shop.  Settled on a gloss black for the side covers and powdercoat for the tank.  Easiest to match that way.  going with the blue cobalt graphics from cyclegraphics.com.  the appeal most to me because they're 'temporary' so I can move them around as I like.  great for the indecisive.

here's a pic we sent to the insurance co. w/ the old colors etc.  badges are off the tank.

[Hush]

Have carbs off at present so will do some investigating before putting them back on, your scooter looking damn fine Miss.

[Frankenkit]

Today, a journey began.

I went to Napa and got assorted painting stuff.  I've decided I'll leave a 'real' decent paint job for later (although if this turns out looking really nice, I'll be thrilled) today so far I've used naval jelly to get rid of the surface rust on the tank, metal prep to clean it up the rest of the way, then started with an etching primer.  Being a novice (and impatient) I have some drips to sand out.   

Next at bat is the filler primer for the little divots and pits in the metal.  I'm frankly surprised  at how smooth it looks after the etching primer (er... sans drips and divots) so maybe this won't be a total nightmare after all.  ... I will live to regret that statement.

Final coat I've planned is a black acrylic lacquer.  I figure this will get me through the summer with a reasonable amount of durability and gas resistance.  Depending on my results, I may go for catalyzed paint next go-round (if I need to) or I may just get a 2nd, NOS tank off ebay or somewhere and have a really nice paintjob done- reserve this one for emergencies.

[MJL]

Another thing I learned about 650s is that they need the choke operating completely to start.  They're fine once they're running, and mine even started to start w/o the choke, but... yeah.

Maybe I'm a mechanical magician but I rarely need the choke to start my 650.  I have a K&N, 4-1, and jet kit.  A couple twists of the throttle and she's going.  Although... the first start of the year is always a fight. After that, it's like she can't wait to go somewhere.

:edit: I've got CV carbs on mine, might make a difference.

[Hush]

Ah long time no see Kitsune84, found my problem with carbs, error by assembler (me) put spring on wrong side of accelerator pump.
My 650 fires up easy with full choke and half a fistfull of throttle.
I'm of the same mind as you about finishing touches, am getting some major stuff like tank and front guard resprayed then I'm just gonna ride it and get some time in the saddle and maybe tear her down again after our summer.
Your spray paint skills are amazing, I'm getting mine done by an in-law, I admit I know nothing about paint.....Hush.

[MosquitoJones]

When I bought my 650, it was pretty much the same color as yours - that ugly maroon.  I took the tanks and sidecovers to Maaco, of all places, and the guy quoted me 80 bucks for the whole job of stripping, sanding, and painting the tank and sidecovers, with enamel on the tank to withstand gasoline. 

Unfortunately, the fellow who was going to do the work went on vacation and when I picked up the tank they had painted it, but neglected to blast the tank (you could still see the line of the old pinstriping)    After lots of yelling, I got the whole thing for 40 bucks.  Amazingly 8 years later the paint is still holding up.

I went with black too, and the bike looks pretty good, though I've misplaced my tank badges and at some point the left sidecover has gone bye-bye.

[Frankenkit]

Tank turned out great, got the bike running and I think she's ready for the final touches of carb adjustment (she won't take throttle, is running rich atm) and a new choke cable (on order)  but running her, I noticed the pipes don't have any clamps where the mufflers meet the header pipes.  (i.e. there're no clamps to squeeze the slitted, expandable muffler's extension down around the header pipe)  I believe this is the 4-into-2 muffler system stock on the standard 650 not the custom. 

...didn't really get a close look at those pipes on anyone else's bike to see if it even *has* the clamps I *think?* should be there.  Any confirmation or ideas?

[Buber]

Just an FYI for all CV carbs users regarding choke and difficult starting - especially in the winter. Since there is a accelerator pump, you can use it as "tickler" like in the old carbs. Simply before cranking twist energatically throttle few times - this will squirt raw fuel into carb manifolds - and she'll start much easier. I found it VERY helpful on really cold mornings....

[Hush]

Probably why my 650 likes at least half a fistfull of throttle before she will start, choke helps but she just loves that big twist of the right wrist at the same time.

[Frankenkit]

fwiw, the 1980's mechanical slide carbs have accelerator pumps, too.

[martino1972]

any progress on the bike..

[Hush]

She's in paint mode I think Marti?
I'm following this ressurection too as she has hit a few of the same problem as me with the 650.

[martino1972]

there's always time for your fellow sohc'er...
so,your leaving that poor cb just sitting there,and be busy with other less important things,huh?
i love reading your diary,hope you find time soon...

[Hush]

OK you are forgiven your slackness Kitsune but we at least want updated pictures.

[Frankenkit]

Dammit! "Pictures, we want pictures!"
... next you'll want movies and audio and a ride or something! 

Went to the shop tonight and messed with the exhaust headers, got them to seal right, ended up changing the plug wire to #2 and fired 'er right up.  Still tweaking the carbs, considering adjusting the throttle pump tab (er, I messed with it thinking I was putting it more in 'spec' but maybe pulled it out of spec...)  My mechanic buddy is saying he thinks there'll just be a break-in period for a bit, after which we'll check her valves etc...

Considering her long hiatus, he may be right in saying there may be break-in required... I probably should have deglazed the cylinders while I was in there, but honestly was so confident it'd be a 'reassemble-and-go' sort of process that I didn't want to bother.  Yay.

The electrical system is a little weak... probably something I'll need to chase down...

Otherwise, she sounds good, and better the more she runs... going in tomorrow to do more tweaking.  Might ride her home tomorrow, if all goes well. 

...
I'm being told I'm out of my mind, but...
I have this seriously "Moby Dick" feeling going on that after pursuing this bike for so long, somehow, after she's running and everything, "something bad" will happen out of sheer cosmic irony; e.g. a 'bad' accident learning to ride or ...?  Am I completely losing it?  It feels like I've been working on this bike forever and to now be at the (relative) end of one journey and the (relative) beginning of another (actually riding my antecedent paperweight) I'm just nervous (and a little scared)  and grasping at reasons 'why'.  probably one of the reasons is having recently started working at a hospital, smack in the middle of the "trauma season" dubbed such because of bikers and cyclists...  but I dunno... any ideas on wtf this is all about and how I can get over it? 

[Hush]

Yup get out there and ride as much as possible, the nerve thing goes and the balls thing comes back pretty fast, I've been through this a couple of times when I stopped riding then rebuilt a bike and had to get past the butterflies.
Pick a really really nice blue sky day for your first decent ride and go somewhere way cool.
Hook up to some other riders you know, just remind them that you are the newbie and will be a bit throttle shy.
If they are good mates they will understand and be supportive.
I'm in exactly the same boat, haven't had a road bike to ride for a few years and am quite daunted by the prospect of mixing it again with the tin tops on the motorways.
I even have to go shopping for a new helmet, that's how long it's been for me!
You probably got as much chance of a bad prang driving a car, my theory is that because bikes are a third of the size of cars that I have that much more road to play with before I get hit.
My second rule (and one I never ever break) is treat everyone you meet on the road as if they are nuts, not to be trusted and likely to do the most outrageously dangerous maneuvers.
And count your blessings that we live in a world where we can enjoy the simple pleasure of doing what we love doing..riding yeeehaaa............

[troppo]

Yup get out there and ride as much as possible, the nerve thing goes and the balls thing comes back pretty fast, I've been through this a couple of times when I stopped riding then rebuilt a bike and had to get past the butterflies.
Pick a really really nice blue sky day for your first decent ride and go somewhere way cool.
Hook up to some other riders you know, just remind them that you are the newbie and will be a bit throttle shy.
If they are good mates they will understand and be supportive.
I'm in exactly the same boat, haven't had a road bike to ride for a few years and am quite daunted by the prospect of mixing it again with the tin tops on the motorways.
I even have to go shopping for a new helmet, that's how long it's been for me!
You probably got as much chance of a bad prang driving a car, my theory is that because bikes are a third of the size of cars that I have that much more road to play with before I get hit.
My second rule (and one I never ever break) is treat everyone you meet on the road as if they are nuts, not to be trusted and likely to do the most outrageously dangerous maneuvers.
And count your blessings that we live in a world where we can enjoy the simple pleasure of doing what we love doing..riding yeeehaaa............

Great philosophy hush, and a great post......

[martino1972]

Dammit! "Pictures, we want pictures!"
... next you'll want movies and audio and a ride or something! 

I'm being told I'm out of my mind, but...
I have this seriously "Moby Dick" feeling going on that after pursuing this bike for so long, somehow, after she's running and everything, "something bad" will happen out of sheer cosmic irony; e.g. a 'bad' accident learning to ride or ...?  Am I completely losing it?  It feels like I've been working on this bike forever and to now be at the (relative) end of one journey and the (relative) beginning of another (actually riding my antecedent paperweight) I'm just nervous (and a little scared)  and grasping at reasons 'why'.  probably one of the reasons is having recently started working at a hospital, smack in the middle of the "trauma season" dubbed such because of bikers and cyclists...  but I dunno... any ideas on wtf this is all about and how I can get over it? 

yes,we want video,take a camera along on your first ride,we want to share that great moment with you....

for the moby dick feeling.....absolutly normal,that means your human......
i totally understand,i tranferd my 650 into a bobber,jockey shift and all,and its been sitting in my shop,ready to ride for 2 days now....but im scared and nervous....oh,what if i fall,or someone plows into me,then all my work is down the drain...
but you just have to bite the bullet and take that puppy out on the road(with a video camera,lol)and enjoy riding the machine you put so much love and work into....
like hush said,take a nice sunny day,on a road with low traffic,and go for it....you will feel like a million bucks,the world is yours to take...

[Frankenkit]

Pics to come, but not tonight because I got trashed in celebration... or... you know what I mean.

So!  We got to the shop as soon as my mech. buddy was there, and started her up.  She idled a little rough until we tweaked the carbs, then he said "Ok, Going for a test ride" donned helmet and was off.  She gets smoother the longer she runs so I suspect some of it is just residual... er... residue?  ha! so anyway, he came back beeming and said that besides my #$%*ed throttle cable (pull is munched) my starter needs rebuilt (ree ree ree... RUUMMMMM!) it has a flat spot in it or some sutch, but beyond that, she's running great! My other half ran out and got clamps for the exhaust b/c of the aforementioned missing clamps connecting header to muff/pipe, then took the bike for a test drive and also concluded that I have a #$%*in' ride.   

She rode 'er home (uh, I haven't been on the street with any sort of bike yet so was hesitant, esp with a sticky throttle cable) and we parked 'er next to the OH's savage.     

Looking into throttle cables (just getting both new so I have all new cables) and a starter rebuild (unless I find any brighter ideas here...)  tomorrow, as well as finishing painting my side covers (plastic paint orange peels way too easily...)  and applying my static cling vinyl decals...

I'm freakin thrilled!!!! pics to come, I swear to god.  ...now more run 'm coke.   'n one fer everyone at teh bar, too!

[martino1972]

that's good news........and that headache will pass...
i'll have a rum coke for your victory overhere,cheers...
but now the big question(will you ma.....j/k) if this one is all done,are you gonne start another project.

[Frankenkit]

Can't sleep... too excited. 

Not going to start another project... this is my first bike, I felt I needed to know how to repair it and know all about the internals etc before I 'deserved' to be able to ride... and that's what I've done.  Now I'm just going to ride and maintain, I think, as far into the oregonian winter as I feel safe doing.  Then into the shop to maybe look at the electrics... or whatever.

[Hush]

Good girl, wise choice, enjoy your ride and safe roads....Hush.