Author Topic: 1980 cb 650c customization (Read 5900 times)

cormier1989 · « **on:** March 14, 2009, 06:49:21 PM »

I will hopefully be getting a 1980 cb 650 soon and the first things I want to do are get mini apes, change the tank, and mak a solo seat. looking for a bobbed look eventually. My question is does it matter what kind of tank I get ( do i need to worry about most tanks being too small to fit on the backbone of the bike) and are the handlebars pretty much universal? ( will i have to get new risers or what?) Im not sure where to look for these part so any help would be appreciated. I dont have the bike yet and I am looking forward to seeing it. From what I understand its in pretty good condition and has around 7000 original miles.

Frankenkit · « **Reply #1 on:** March 14, 2009, 09:39:44 PM »

Whatever you do, please keep the original handlebars/tank/seat so when you're tired of what once was a nice looking stock bike, others can try to bring it back to its former glory.

Pete T · « **Reply #2 on:** March 15, 2009, 12:18:09 AM »

heres some guys cb650: http://rides.webshots.com/album/510598551EXYftW
would look pretty cool if it had a sportster tank on ther, maybe different wheels, but you can get a general sense of what the rear of the frame looks like and what you want to cut off i guess. good luck on the project i would love to see how it turns out.. I think i may be picking up another bike this week, an xs650 that i would like to turn into a bobber aswell

Pete T · « **Reply #3 on:** March 15, 2009, 12:22:13 AM »

Quote from: Kit on March 14, 2009, 09:39:44 PM

Whatever you do, please keep the original handlebars/tank/seat so when you're tired of what once was a nice looking stock bike, others can try to bring it back to its former glory.

ouch, hah, to each his own i guess

Pete T · « **Reply #4 on:** March 15, 2009, 12:29:08 AM »

this one is wayy badass:

Hush · « **Reply #5 on:** March 15, 2009, 02:15:06 AM »

I'd keep the parts too but for resale, there's always someone looking for bits for their restore project.
Might be able to fund your obsession on those sales.
Tanks vary from year to year, 650's from 79 to 81 are the Z model and are squarish after that they went for the chopper look (CL,CS, Custom etc) and the tanks fit competely differently.
I'd wait until you have the bike then work forwards, we can give you tons of advice on here once we see what you are working on so we need good pictures, take a camera.

BT650 · « **Reply #6 on:** March 15, 2009, 04:16:53 AM »

Went through that with mine. The problem I found with other tanks is the clearance for the petcock was never enough to clear the top of the heads so the tank has to be mounted higher on the frame to compensate (unless you're a good welder and can relocate the petcock to the rear of the tank.)

manjisann · « **Reply #7 on:** March 15, 2009, 05:46:43 AM »

Quote

Whatever you do, please keep the original handlebars/tank/seat so when you're tired of what once was a nice looking stock bike, others can try to bring it back to its former glory.

Kit is a purist, as are most on this forum. There is nothing wrong with this, as there is definately something beautiful about a stock vintage bike.

That being said, BT650's cb650 bobber looks great so I'm sure he has some good advice. As far as welding on the tank,

personally I'd be iffy, unless it's brand spanking new and never had gas in it. Otherwise we'll probably be reading about you in the morning news.

Definately post pics, a bobber is a beautiful bike too!

Brandon

cormier1989 · « **Reply #8 on:** March 15, 2009, 07:00:38 AM »

i would definetly sell parts that could be used on someone elses bike to fund my project further, but depending on its condition I might even resell the bike and use the sale profits to buy a different bike to chop. I love the bobber look, my step dad chopped a harley into an indian larry tribute bike.

martino1972 · « **Reply #9 on:** March 17, 2009, 12:48:39 AM »

that's my 1980 cb650...might give ya some ideas......
used stock tank but raised the front mounts of it......
if interested,here's the build thread>>>>

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

Hush · « **Reply #10 on:** March 17, 2009, 02:50:51 AM »

Dang Marti for the L.O.G. mow your lawns, if ya bike is rusted in that one spot mow around it!

cormier1989 · « **Reply #11 on:** March 17, 2009, 12:32:14 PM »

thats a pretty kickass bike martino. I actually saw your video on youtube. sweet suicide shifter too. Was it hard to install a suicide shifter on it? I also would want to put mini apes on the bike too which would mean new throttle, brake, and clutch cables. I need to get the freakin bike first though...so many ideas! Oh and I work in my family owned hardware store so getting bolts and pieces will cost nothing or very little. I was looking at the rubber boots on the carbs and it looks exactly like a rubber coupling.

martino1972 · « **Reply #12 on:** March 17, 2009, 07:02:21 PM »

making the shifter and putting it on was very very easy.....RIDING it this way,that's a different story....

in my build thread theres some close up pictures of the shifter and how i did it.....

martino1972 · « **Reply #13 on:** March 17, 2009, 07:02:59 PM »

and that's enough about my bike,now back to yours,.......

cormier1989 · « **Reply #14 on:** March 19, 2009, 12:05:11 PM »

well when i started this thread i didnt have a bike but im ahppy to say that I now have a 1980 cb 650 with less than 7000 original miles, new tires with bearing, and a rebuilt carbs that were synchronized too. all for $800 I think its kind of a steal. The bike is good condition. As far as I can see i onlty need to bleed the front brake, and give the chrome some elbow grease to polish it back up. I also need to fix a small hole in the tank. The first thing I want to do is put a solo seat on it and move on from there.

BT650 · « **Reply #15 on:** March 22, 2009, 07:20:58 AM »

Let's see some pics.

cormier1989 · « **Reply #16 on:** March 22, 2009, 06:53:44 PM »

i need to get a hold of a digital camera I know where i can though.

martino1972 · « **Reply #17 on:** May 06, 2009, 02:59:44 PM »

any progress on the bike...

cormier1989 · « **Reply #18 on:** May 07, 2009, 11:13:39 AM »

yea i tried to retore the old tank but to no avail. I have painted the front fender and side covers. I made a solo seat replaced the master cylinder and im currently awaiting a mustang tank to come in to mount on the bike. I want to change the tail light and rear fender next.

MMICAFE · « **Reply #19 on:** May 07, 2009, 02:54:36 PM »

Quote from: Pete T on March 15, 2009, 12:29:08 AM

this one is wayy badass:

whose bike is that it is badass simple but awesome get a springer seat paint the tank put a piece of diamond plate over the expsed area under the seat and it would be what i wanna do to my bike(((martino i think this is what im gonna do to my bike)))

cormier1989 · « **Reply #20 on:** May 08, 2009, 10:40:14 AM »

thats pretty much the image i want from my bike but i ordered a mustang instead of a peanut tank

Hush · « **Reply #21 on:** May 11, 2009, 12:58:09 AM »

OK we await photos of tank.

cormier1989 · « **Reply #22 on:** May 12, 2009, 03:02:33 PM »

the tank is still not at my door step so the waiting game continues.

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Author Topic: 1980 cb 650c customization (Read 5900 times)

BT650

BT650