Author Topic: Where's all the 650's??  (Read 2278 times)

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BigDaddyP77

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Where's all the 650's??
« on: August 08, 2008, 04:39:14 PM »
I've noticed that there isn't much talk about the 650s.  other than they weren't the most popular.  I've got a 1981 cb650c that i'm planning on toying with over the winter.  This is my first bike and have never worked on one.  I do know cars though, and I work for Napa Ato parts so i'm not an idiot.  just inexperienced with bikes.  I know its not a small job but i was thinking of tearing the thing apart over the winter and restoring it.  My question is.....should i even be thinking about taking on a project of this magnitude?  I've got access to all sorts of tools, have a neighbour that knows alot about old bikes, and will have about 6 months.   What I'd like to do is repaint the frame, clean and paint or polish the engine (i'm not getting into a rebuild) clean everything up, put it back together, add some custom parts and voila!  a "new" bike.  I've found some good websites... www.oldbikebarn.com is good for basic things.  Any ideas on where to get "cheap" bullet style turn signals?  How bout a "sportier" seat?  I've always mixed and matched crap with my cars (mustang injectors in a topaz kinda stuff). 

Offline scunny

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Re: Where's all the 650's??
« Reply #1 on: August 08, 2008, 04:50:27 PM »
what do you mean "not the most popular"  ;D
in answer to the should I could I do this, well yes...oh and post pics, we like pics
past-cb100,ts250,cb500,cb500,gs1000,gs650g.phillips traveller
present-CB 650 retro
            VTR1000F3
           XL250S riverbed rocket
           TS250[sold]
           TS185[sold]
           XL125S[sold]
           MT50 (white)
           MT50 (red)[sold]
           KN250/XS400 project
           XR/XL250 bitsa under construction
           SL100[sold]
           XL250R
           pedal(pub bike) leaks oil
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Offline CBJoe

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Re: Where's all the 650's??
« Reply #2 on: August 08, 2008, 06:26:26 PM »
I've got three in my garage  ::)  It's just that none of them are in one piece  :'(



Many of us haven't had such good luck with old bike barn.  There are plenty of other places. Mike's XS is great for universal parts such as headlight mounts etc...

www.partsnmore.com
http://mikesxs.com/
www.z1enterprises.com

cheers...Joe
'07 Bonneville Black
'15 Moto Guzzi California 1400
CB750K2 Hot Rod Revival http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php/topic,171693.0.html
'65 CB77
'66 CM91 (C90'ish)

Offline cb650

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Re: Where's all the 650's??
« Reply #3 on: August 08, 2008, 07:29:17 PM »
Honda made a 650?
18 grand and 18 miles dont make you a biker

martino1972

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Re: Where's all the 650's??
« Reply #4 on: August 08, 2008, 11:14:22 PM »
i got 2 cb 650's both from 1980...
one i made into a sort of "bobber" ,see>http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=36933.0
the other one i just bought for 400 bucks,and is probably waiting the same like faith,not excacly the same but same style...

if you have room,tools and time on your hands you could for sure make it your project..
its a great way of getting to know your bike and make it your own,with some mod's and so..
technical advise and help you can find on this forum on every single detail of the bike,just drop a line and you get all the answers...

you do have to realize that by taking your bike apart,that you might end up with some cost and problems on the way...   be prepared or willing to spend a few bucks here and there..

they are not a complicated bike to work on and victory and bragging rights will be yours as you drive your new project over the road the next spring...

i would say,go for it........

Offline Hush

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Re: Where's all the 650's??
« Reply #5 on: August 09, 2008, 02:21:43 AM »
Raises hand, 1979 CB650PZ in reconstruct, the rarity of these bikes make them even more sought after.
I love sitting in on a conversation with bike guys and then casually mention that I'm redoing a CB650, their eyes bug ha ha even when you go to pick up parts from the Honda shops the team there are waiting to ask you what model, how many miles, can they see it, will you please bring it in when it's finished ha ha.
CB650's rock man......... ;D
I think the thing I most like about motorcycling is the speed at which my brain must process information at to avoid the numb skulls who are eating pies, playing the ukulele, applying make-up etc in the comfort of their airconditioned armchairs as they make random attempts to kill me!!!!!!!

BigDaddyP77

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Re: Where's all the 650's??
« Reply #6 on: August 09, 2008, 03:47:57 PM »
well, i dumped my bike this morning so it looks like i'll be replacing the bars, grips, levers, and mirrors sooner than i thought.  found grips and levers @ Old Bike Barn for under $50 and mirrors and a euro handle bar from Z1 for about $40.  If anyone had any advice on replaceing the handle bar and installing the grips (the throttle stuff is my concern)  I'd really appreciate it.

Offline Hush

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Re: Where's all the 650's??
« Reply #7 on: August 10, 2008, 04:40:52 AM »
Fairly basic stuff, can't think of any problems you would run into but if you do you know where to ask for advice. ;D
I think the thing I most like about motorcycling is the speed at which my brain must process information at to avoid the numb skulls who are eating pies, playing the ukulele, applying make-up etc in the comfort of their airconditioned armchairs as they make random attempts to kill me!!!!!!!

Offline MosquitoJones

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Re: Where's all the 650's??
« Reply #8 on: August 10, 2008, 10:56:42 AM »
well, i dumped my bike this morning so it looks like i'll be replacing the bars, grips, levers, and mirrors sooner than i thought.  found grips and levers @ Old Bike Barn for under $50 and mirrors and a euro handle bar from Z1 for about $40.  If anyone had any advice on replaceing the handle bar and installing the grips (the throttle stuff is my concern)  I'd really appreciate it.

Replacing the handlebars is ridiculously easy.  For the grips, you may have to cut off the old ones, but you just remove the old ones and slide the new ones on.  The throttle sleeve is the concern, sometimes it can disintegrate if it's really trashed.  But if it's in good shape like mine, you undo the screws, slide it off the old handlebars, slide it back onto the new ones, and you're done.  I'm not one to give any mechanical advice (always the one needing it) and I did this to my bike with no problems whatsoever.
'82 CB650, 65 CP77 Superhawk in chunks