Author Topic: is it worth it: 1982 cb650sc (Read 6408 times)

ba55kas3 · « **on:** February 07, 2009, 05:18:36 PM »

i am currently looking at an '82 honda nighthawk, cb650sc, and i'm trying to decide whether or not it is worth buying.

the only thing that is out of order is the charging system. it's a low miles bike, runs great, not even any cam chain slapping that i can hear, original exhaust looks and sounds great, all the parts, minus a cover or so, are there and working. the signals, horn, lights all work, but the owner says he can't drive it more than 45 minutes because the battery dies.

researching, i'm wondering if this could be a simple fix, like brushes, or is it very likely that i'll have to put a possible hundreds into what it may be, like the alternator rotor, stator ring, or regulator/rectifier...

granted, i'm probably going to chop/bob/rat this bike, and the price will be 300 or under USD.

any input would be GREAT.
thanks- josh

Shenanigans · « **Reply #1 on:** February 07, 2009, 05:30:14 PM »

300 for a nice low miles running bike? Worth it.

It maybe a simple fix, but keep in mind you might have to spend a couple hundred fixing the charging system.

I would say way worth it.

ba55kas3 · « **Reply #2 on:** February 07, 2009, 05:34:37 PM »

hey, thanks for the reply.

the only qualm i have, is that the last bike i had didn't get on the road because it needed work, granted it was different work... but this 650 will feel like nothing compared to the v65 i had... that i learned to drive with only a front brake...

tsp37 · « **Reply #3 on:** February 07, 2009, 05:48:51 PM »

With a rebuilt rotor, a tool to take the old rotor off, and new R&R, I spent close to $250. The rotors have a bad rep for these bikes, and when the rotor goes, the R&R goes.

I also had to cut a fin off of the aftermarket R&R to make it fit, but I was able to get that done where I worked. I think (hope) that the replacement R&R has a circuit to protect it from a faulty rotor or stator.

Spanner 1 · « **Reply #4 on:** February 07, 2009, 05:49:54 PM »

My guess is the stator winding in the alt. is shot. The guy who re-wound the rotor of my
'81 cb750 ( he has re-wound 100's ) told me that the early 80's Honda rotors and stators were notorious for failing due to lower grade copper wire they used in the windings.. get a 70's S.O.H.C. instead !!

ba55kas3 · « **Reply #5 on:** February 07, 2009, 06:03:10 PM »

is it possible at all to rewind my own rotor?

ba55kas3 · « **Reply #6 on:** February 07, 2009, 06:06:37 PM »

if i replace the R/R, and the rotor, if it isn't just a wire to begin with (wishful thinking), should the stator need replacing too? and what is a good source for less expensive parts? ebay? or a parts bike with equivalent parts?
also, has anyone ever run some other kind or charging system, like a generator off of the chain or rear wheel? or is there any way to retrofit a magneto for ignition? instead of electronic?

NPHLYT · « **Reply #7 on:** February 07, 2009, 08:18:06 PM »

There is a guy that re-winds them, I don't have his contact info but I will send an email to the guy who bought my 1982 NightChicken, he got a re-wound rotor.

Hush · « **Reply #8 on:** February 08, 2009, 03:20:52 AM »

Jezz I thought for a moment Kit had given up on her charging problem and sold her bike!
Apparently some of these 650's have a charging problem, I own a 79 CB650PZ and an 82 650 Custom, neither has this fault.
There is a heap of info on these troubles in the FAQs section or check out KIT and her threads on tracking her charging fault on the same model bike.

KingCustomCycles.com · « **Reply #9 on:** February 08, 2009, 03:32:25 AM »

Buy it, persevere with any repairs needed, ride it, sell it for a profit. Any Questions?

ba55kas3 · « **Reply #10 on:** February 08, 2009, 04:04:42 AM »

"Buy it, persevere with any repairs needed, ride it, sell it for a profit. Any Questions? "

good plan. however, say i spend 300 on the bike, and somewhere 300 or less on the charging system... i know i could sell a $600 inspectable bike, but i plan on chopping or bobbing it, is the market still as east for resale when it's been customized, but still in road-worthy condition?

BTW, Thanks for all the help on this thread, it's the most i think i've gotten out of any forum i've joined.

KingCustomCycles.com · « **Reply #11 on:** February 08, 2009, 05:00:35 AM »

A cool bobber, or even light custom, will bring $1400 + on eBay. A vintage Honda that runs smoothly will sell for $1000 even locally, more on eBay. Check out my website for past and current projects I am doing. It is nothing special but it does add some credibility to my dollar quotes.

http://kingcustomcycles.com/home.html

ba55kas3 · « **Reply #12 on:** February 08, 2009, 05:49:27 AM »

i guess those projects give you some credibility, lol. thanks for the advice.

still open for more input, though.

WFO · « **Reply #13 on:** February 08, 2009, 08:45:37 AM »

Quote from: KingCustomCycles.com on February 08, 2009, 03:32:25 AM

Buy it, persevere with any repairs needed, ride it, sell it for a profit. Any Questions?

ya what he said but don't chop it you do realize that bike was only made for one year and was the last SOHC made.

Duke McDukiedook · « **Reply #14 on:** February 08, 2009, 08:52:53 AM »

If you fix the charging problem, you could probably turn it around for a grand like King said (if it is fairly low mileage). If you chop it you could be limiting your market to sell to (not everyone wants a chopped bike), however if is chopped well you could potentially get more money for it. How much it goes for depends on how much you chop it.

Gordon · « **Reply #15 on:** February 08, 2009, 08:57:34 AM »

Quote from: WFO on February 08, 2009, 08:45:37 AM

Quote from: KingCustomCycles.com on February 08, 2009, 03:32:25 AM
Buy it, persevere with any repairs needed, ride it, sell it for a profit. Any Questions?

ya what he said but don't chop it you do realize that bike was only made for one year and was the last SOHC made.

It's a rare person who can buy and sell sohc4's for a profit. With the exception of the 750 K0, the demand/collectibility just isn't there (yet). In my experience, the most you can expect is to break even on the total cost of purchase and repairs. That's one of the reasons why I still like these bikes so much, though. I can buy, rebuild, ride, maintain and enjoy them with a minimum of monetary investment, without the market being taken over by people who are just in it for the money.

WFO · « **Reply #16 on:** February 08, 2009, 09:01:49 AM »

I missed the profit part

and i agree gordon iam more less saying keep/buy the bike for 300 bucks ( great deal) and chop something else up.

NPHLYT · « **Reply #17 on:** February 08, 2009, 10:59:32 AM »

I had my NightChicken for a year and a half, rode the crap out of it, and then sold it. I made no money off of it, I did not expect to, the bike itself paid me back for taking it in and caring for it.
If you chop it then, as was said, you are limiting your sale to someone who likes what you did, this is a bit risky, especially if it is the first one you have done. If you do go this route then take care when pulling off the old parts as there is someone who does like the one they have, but may need your old parts, like that exhaust.
The 1982 CB650SC NightHawk was a single year production, the 83 went to shaft drive and 4 into 2 exhaust. I, personally, prefer the look and sound of the 4 pipes.

My advice is to give that old girl a fighting chance, fix her and drive the crap out of her while you figure out what changes you want to make

KingCustomCycles.com · « **Reply #18 on:** February 08, 2009, 11:23:54 AM »

By the grace of Jesus Christ, I sold 33k worth of bikes in 08 and my profit was 23K. I do love people that say it can't be done. It keeps them away from the projects I will be buying. By the way, that "profit" was what I made on my labor before anyone gets any ideas that this is a get rich quick scheme

(I have never flipped one for much money)

NPHLYT · « **Reply #19 on:** February 08, 2009, 11:27:42 AM »

Quote from: KingCustomCycles.com on February 08, 2009, 11:23:54 AM

By the grace of Jesus Christ, I sold 33k worth of bikes in 08 and my profit was 23K. I do love people that say it can't be done. It keeps them away from the projects I will be buying.

If it sounded like I was saying that it can't be done then that was not my intention. I have checked out your web site and I love what you do. I think think the SOHC4 looks better and meaner on a bobber than a poxie 2 cylinder that sounds like it is missing a cylinder (or 2). All I meant that if his intention is to bob it and hope to sell it that his options are limited when it comes to sales, especially if this is his first chop.

ba55kas3 · « **Reply #20 on:** February 08, 2009, 11:44:23 AM »

i don't intend to sell for a profit, or for that matter, sell quickly. i'm looking for something that is worth getting on the road, breaking even on resale is just a plus. and as far as chopping or bobbing, i don't have the facilities to stretch or rake it, or make it rigid.
i'm looking along the lines of making it suit my style better, maybe shorter shocks in the back to lower it, and fabricate a rear fender instead of the plastic tail section, and those kinds of things, but low budget, like a rat, but not so ratty?

NPHLYT · « **Reply #21 on:** February 08, 2009, 11:56:42 AM »

In my opinion you should buy it, do what needs to be done to it, drive it while you look for another project and then sell it. You will, at least, break even. If you are patient you will find something more ratworthy, like a CB750k. The tail section on the NightHawk wraps around the seat and blends into the side covers, if you remove the tail piece then it looks like something is missing. I picked up my 1980 CB750k for $300, and it runs great. Granted it has one too many cams, but I could not beat the price. I have a line on a 77 k, I will go see when I get home and see what the guy wants for it. I am also trying to get a guy I know to unload his 1970 (I think he is the original owner) on me, I will try to trade my 80 for it.

They are all over the place: http://houston.craigslist.org/mcy/1026162442.html

Gordon · « **Reply #22 on:** February 08, 2009, 12:26:34 PM »

Quote from: KingCustomCycles.com on February 08, 2009, 11:23:54 AM

By the grace of Jesus Christ, I sold 33k worth of bikes in 08 and my profit was 23K. I do love people that say it can't be done.

Who said it can't be done?

leekellerking · « **Reply #23 on:** February 08, 2009, 05:25:02 PM »

Quote from: NPHLYT on February 07, 2009, 08:18:06 PM

There is a guy that re-winds them, I don't have his contact info but I will send an email to the guy who bought my 1982 NightChicken, he got a re-wound rotor.

I'm the guy that bought the Night Chicken (rechristened "Bikey"). If I were looking for another rotor (or stator) I would go back to Gary at Custom Rewind (http://customrewind.com). My CB650SC has run like a top since I replaced the rotor with one he rewound. (800) 798-7282

I would suggest calling Gary and not trying to contact him through his web site. I'm not sure how computer literate he is, but he does great work on motorcycle electrics.

Lee

ba55kas3 · « **Reply #24 on:** February 08, 2009, 05:36:14 PM »

two of the bigger selling points on this bike, are that i know this guy somewhat, he deals with alot of vehicles, and i've bought a car off him in the past, which he was straightforward about, and he seems to be as such about this bike. also, he was driving this bike last season, he just never went more than a half hour to 45 minutes on it due to the charging issue.

about the riding until i find another worthy project, i'm not really in the market for that. i kind of have to stick with one thing until something else falls in my lap. i mean, i have some seasonal friends that i'll be seeing in a few months that have hookups with bikes, but being an in-the-moment kind of person, this seems like the project for a while. resale for a profit isn't my goal, even if i get a little less than i put out after a decent time of riding. i just consider it a "rental bike."

ba55kas3 · « **Reply #25 on:** February 08, 2009, 05:39:44 PM »

thanks for the info. how much did yours run, and core charge etc.

ba55kas3 · « **Reply #26 on:** February 08, 2009, 06:47:06 PM »

i was also thinking, would it be at all possible to mount a 12v generator somewhere with a sprocket on it, somewhere mid-chain? and run this or some other alternate source of power for charging if i got extremely desperate on the stock charging system...?

leekellerking · « **Reply #27 on:** February 09, 2009, 07:16:21 AM »

Quote from: ba55kas3 on February 08, 2009, 05:39:44 PM

thanks for the info. how much did yours run, and core charge etc.

I think it was $120.00 and I sent my old core back on the same day he shipped the rebuilt core to me. About $9.00 shipping on my end and he paid shipping on his.

He was recommended to me by Tony at www.Oregonmotorcycleparts.com, who helped me with other electrical issues.

Lee

ba55kas3 · « **Reply #28 on:** February 10, 2009, 08:04:00 AM »

thanks for all the help guys, i've decide that i'll be getting the bike if the seller still has in in a couple weeks, but to the dismay of some of you, i'll probably be bobbing it. and a low budget bob at that. something along to lines of martino's cb650 project.

http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=36933.0

the deal i've got worked out, is the bike, and a '98 escort zx2, both for $400 cash. i figure it's a decent deal, almost like getting the bike free, or i could sell the car towards parts for the bike, it looks like it shouldn't cost me more than 200 to fix the charging system. if i'm lucky, since this is a low miles bike, the wiring may have gone bad before the rotor, so that i can fix the wiring, and get a little more life out of the rotor. seen here: http://dudesgarage.com/page5.html

if i end up with the bike, i'll keep you guys posted in the project section.

thanks, and keep it shiny side up!

leekellerking · « **Reply #29 on:** February 10, 2009, 09:11:00 AM »

FYI, that looks nothing like the setup on my 1982 CB650SC. Be forewarned.

Personally, I would buy the bike in a heartbeat. It is worth more than $400 in parts and should not be hard to fix. Before you start burning cash (like I did) make sure you check the rotor and rectifier/regulator out thoroughly.

You may want to check out my thread on Adventure Rider regarding the problems I had on my 650 (for an example of how NOT to do it).

http://advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?t=403009&highlight=sugar+land

and my Two Wheeled Texans thread:

http://www.twtex.com/forums/showthread.php?t=32255

If I had LISTENED to the guy I bought it from, and to Tony Weeks from Oregonmotorcycleparts.com, I would have saved time, money and frustration.

Unless you live near the Houston area, in which case you should PM me with the seller's phone number so I can call and cuss him out for trying to sell you such crap! Yea, that's the ticket.

Lee

Quote from: ba55kas3 link=topic=46339.msg486969#msg4FYi86969 date=1234281840

thanks for all the help guys, i've decide that i'll be getting the bike if the seller still has in in a couple weeks, but to the dismay of some of you, i'll probably be bobbing it. and a low budget bob at that. something along to lines of martino's cb650 project.

http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=36933.0

the deal i've got worked out, is the bike, and a '98 escort zx2, both for $400 cash. i figure it's a decent deal, almost like getting the bike free, or i could sell the car towards parts for the bike, it looks like it shouldn't cost me more than 200 to fix the charging system. if i'm lucky, since this is a low miles bike, the wiring may have gone bad before the rotor, so that i can fix the wiring, and get a little more life out of the rotor. seen here: http://dudesgarage.com/page5.html

if i end up with the bike, i'll keep you guys posted in the project section.

thanks, and keep it shiny side up!

ba55kas3 · « **Reply #30 on:** February 10, 2009, 09:59:43 AM »

as a matter-of-fact, i read both of those forums while researching the bike, but didn't put 2 and 2 together that it was you.

haha, and i don't think cussing the seller out will do any good

, he doesn't seem to know much about the bike... and what did the r/r setup on your bike look like... because when i was under the seat putting the battery in for the guy (terrible salesmen, even made me dig it out from under the snow/tarp.) it doesn't look like the oem replacements i've seen? but sort of similar to the cb750 i posted the link to? i think?
i'm a jack of all trades, master of none, type guy, well, master of a couple? maybe? so bear with me.

leekellerking · « **Reply #31 on:** February 10, 2009, 11:36:34 AM »

Quote from: ba55kas3 on February 10, 2009, 09:59:43 AM

as a matter-of-fact, i read both of those forums while researching the bike, but didn't put 2 and 2 together that it was you.

haha, and i don't think cussing the seller out will do any good , he doesn't seem to know much about the bike... and what did the r/r setup on your bike look like... because when i was under the seat putting the battery in for the guy (terrible salesmen, even made me dig it out from under the snow/tarp.) it doesn't look like the oem replacements i've seen? but sort of similar to the cb750 i posted the link to? i think?
i'm a jack of all trades, master of none, type guy, well, master of a couple? maybe? so bear with me.

The regulator/rectifier that my bike came with may not have been the OEM unit. I'm afraid I don't have any photos of it. It looked like the one on the fiche at www.hondaparts-direct.com, though.

I got the replacement from Tony Weeks at www.oregonmotorcycleparts.com, who came highly recommended on Adventure Rider. I can second the recommendation. He is a good guy who will help you troubleshoot your bike, if you need it.

The part on the web page you linked to looks like a regulator for a 1969-1978 SOHC 4 Honda, not the combined unit used in the '82 CB650SC.

Lee

WFO · « **Reply #32 on:** February 10, 2009, 12:38:36 PM »

Quote from: leekellerking on February 10, 2009, 09:11:00 AM

FYI, that looks nothing like the setup on my 1982 CB650SC. Be forewarned.

Personally, I would buy the bike in a heartbeat. It is worth more than $400 in parts and should not be hard to fix. Before you start burning cash (like I did) make sure you check the rotor and rectifier/regulator out thoroughly.

You may want to check out my thread on Adventure Rider regarding the problems I had on my 650 (for an example of how NOT to do it).

http://advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?t=403009&highlight=sugar+land

and my Two Wheeled Texans thread:

http://www.twtex.com/forums/showthread.php?t=32255

If I had LISTENED to the guy I bought it from, and to Tony Weeks from Oregonmotorcycleparts.com, I would have saved time, money and frustration.

Unless you live near the Houston area, in which case you should PM me with the seller's phone number so I can call and cuss him out for trying to sell you such crap! Yea, that's the ticket.

Lee

This idea was funny..

ba55kas3 · « **Reply #33 on:** February 10, 2009, 01:31:09 PM »

if i end up with the bike, i'll go pick up a test meter, and a test light... or make a test light.and if it comes down to the rotor, i'll think i'll be giving CR a call or email.

ba55kas3 · « **Reply #34 on:** February 10, 2009, 04:11:31 PM »

Quote from: Weird Beard Canuck on February 10, 2009, 02:36:35 PM

I can hook you up with some used electrics off an '82 650 nighthawk. I don't have much left (no rotor) but I do have a few voltage regulators.

thanks, i'll keep it in mind, i'll pm you if i need something in the near future?

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Author Topic: is it worth it: 1982 cb650sc (Read 6408 times)

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