Topic: Mo the 80 CB650 Custom: "As the Spanner Turns..."

[Hush]

You musclebound mutt!

[manjisann]

You musclebound mutt!

Nice pity there Hush 

So, I spent part of yesterday and most of today fixing my tach. I had a spare one from the parts bike but the needle on it was warped up and touching the glass. That one shattered, apparently it was pretty brittle due to sun rot. The other one broke as it came off. There was a difference in how they mounted to the spindle, one is an aluminum thingy (the one I have pics of) the other was a plastic thingy and it was mounted to a brass knurled thingy that would go over the spindle. Unfortunately the plastic one I popped off the brass thingy and it broke the plastic base that went over it. The aluminum one had the sun rotted needle. After thinking about it for a while and surfing eBay and finding any that specifically fit the 650 were at least $50, which is more than I was hoping to pay. I used a razor knife to cut the needle off the plastic one and  the aluminum one and glue the whole needle onto the aluminum spindle.

Getting the ring off was a nuisance, putting it back on was even more fun. It's pretty obvious I was in there, but oh well, it will function (I hope) and at this point that's all that matters. I'll have to start watching eBay for replacement gauges, just in case I need them. I did determine that any of the 650's and the 80's 750's will work for the tach ( I compared bike bandit part numbers.)

I will also likely need to get the front tire replaced as the sidewalls are cracking, any suggestions or recommendations?

Here's some pics.

Brandon

[Zaipai]

I will also likely need to get the front tire replaced as the sidewalls are cracking, any suggestions or recommendations?

I like Bridgestones personally, they have soft sides for cornering and a harder center for longer life.. But thats just me.. Glad the needle worked out until you find a good replacement.

.: Scott :.

[Frankenkit]

the spitfires are pretty sweet, yeah.

[Doctor_D]

Personally, I'm a big fan of Pirelli Sport Demons and Avon Super Venoms.

[manjisann]

Thanks for the suggestions guys, I'll have to see which ones the shop has when I get a chance to replace it. I wish I had written it down when Soos told me, but what size is the front tire? the one I have on there now is too big which explains some of the problems I was having with my speedometer (it's off like 5 or 7mph at low speeds).

I stuck the tach back on and started her up and the tach seems to be functioning just fine. I'll have to try tuning the bike over the next few days, with what Soos suggested I don't think it would be too difficult to get it running a lot better. I just wish the stupid valves would remain adjusted. Does anyone have any suggestions on how to get the stupid things to stay adjusted? Soos said since it hadn't ran for so long it could take several adjustements to get them to stick.

Brandon

[manjisann]

After school I decided to go ahead and work on my bike. I adjusted the valves again (for the third time), I really hope they stay. I bought a regular set of feeler guages instead of the specialized angled ones I've been using, I think I'll go back to the angled ones they are easier to get under the rockers and cam in my opinion. I just wish I could find a really good deal on them, $5 a pop is kinda hard to swallow. Heh, the thought just occured to me, I can just cut up the one off the set I just bought and rivet it onto the little handle I have, we'll see if that works, that could be a good way to save some cash.

I put the new clamps on the carb boots, I don't know how much of a difference it made, but it's nice to know I can cinch it down as tight as I need. I also replaced the exhaust seal donuts on the left two since I think those may have been the ones leaking. She started right up and idled like a champ so I took her around the neighborhood to warm her up. After she warmed up she started to have problems idleing. As Soos suggested I fiddled with the ignition and ended up advancing (I think it was advanced, I turned it clockwise) as far as it would go. Once I did that she idles great when she's hot, but is pretty cold blooded now. I went to the local AutoZone to get a replacement bulb for the front turn signal. I went in, spent 5 or 10 mins getting it and by the time I got back I had to hold the throttle to warm her up. I think I may need to fiddle with the advancer some more, but it was progress and lets me know I'm on the right track I think.

Brandon

[Frankenkit]

why not fiddle with your idle knob a little? bring the idle up a touch while warming her up?

[manjisann]

why not fiddle with your idle knob a little? bring the idle up a touch while warming her up?

Cause then when it warms up it would idle too high. "But Brandon, you can adjust the knob again!" eh, I'll just use the throttle to keep it adling properly while it warms up, that's what I did on my 500 and it worked pretty well. I also plan on getting a "cruise control" on this bike, so I'll be able to use that to warm it up.

For now I need to ride her and see how she reacts more and then start working on tuning the carbs and dialing in a few other things.

Soos also said my rear shocks were shot, no surprise. He has Emgos on his and says he likes them, anyone have any other suggestions? I'll probably have to shell out $100 or so for a new front tire before I can get the safety done, but other than that, I think I'm there. I'm in the home stretch I think!

Brandon

[Frankenkit]

I have the Cyclex 11.75" shocks and they're alright. I picked them more for their height than for their performance though.  I have no idea who made them, though.  As far as your ft. tire goes, spitfires are usually closer to $60 each.

[manjisann]

$60's even better than $100 

What size is the front stock. Soos told me but I was foolish and didn't write it down. I know he said the one that is on there now as the wrong size, and I'd like to get the correct size put on there so that my speedometer is correct.

Thanks,

Brandon

[Hush]

As Kit said, get used to finding your idle adjuster by feel,  I can find "Blondie's" even wearing gloves!
OK enough inuendo, these bikes are cold blooded Brandon, start-reset the idle a bit higher-put your riding gear on-now rest the idle back to about 1000-1200.
It's just a habit you need to learn like turning your gas tap off when you stop riding, it's a quirk of the older Honda.

[Frankenkit]

oh Hush, I never put my idle that low.  Mine always hovers at 1500... slightly lower (1300) when cold and higher (1600? 1700?) when hot, but I adjust a little now and then to get it where it needs to be.  When warming up with the choke out, I just start 'er up full choke and bump it in every once in awhile to keep it at 2k.

[Hush]

Hmm maybe the ole Z model idles lower?
They have slightly different carbs and air boxes so there could be a reason for this!
"Blondie" always starts on only 3 cylinders and the 4th only cuts in after a few minutes of idling, probably something minor I haven't found to fix yet but it don't worry me.
When the 4th chimes in I have to cut back the idle as it runs up to about 5k.
OK I just figured out my own problem, the bike idles low cos it's initially only running 3 cylinders.

[razor02097]

With progressive springs in the front and shock and springs in back I can say that there is an unbelievable difference in handling.  I guess that is no surprise though.  Where good shocks and springs shine is riding 2 up.

BTW I have dunlop tires and they grip just fine rain or shine.

[Frankenkit]

nah hush, they're supposed to idle at 1100, I just like having it idle a bit higher so my starts at lights transition a little smoother.

[razor02097]

oh Hush, I never put my idle that low.  Mine always hovers at 1500... slightly lower (1300) when cold and higher (1600? 1700?) when hot, but I adjust a little now and then to get it where it needs to be.  When warming up with the choke out, I just start 'er up full choke and bump it in every once in awhile to keep it at 2k.

same here.  Rina is quiet enough not to be obnoxious with the idle up at 1.5k - 2k.  The temps also swing radically here in Cinci so it helps to smooth out of general cold blooded nature of these old girls.

[manjisann]

Does anyone know if Honda had a good reason for using phillips screws to hold the timing plate in with?  I'm thinking of changing them to either hex bolts or the little hex socket screws because lets face it, phillips head screw + heat = #$%^*ng @#$ch to remove. I had to take a dremel and cross cut mine and them use the flathead on my impact driver to get them out.

Well, after next Thursday I'm out of school so I'll have more time to fiddle with the ol girl. All in all I think she's just about where I want her, then it's just a matter of replaceing a few bits here and there as money permits.

Brandon

[Frankenkit]

I've switched almost everything out to hex socket screws.

[Hush]

I've only swapped out the wee fiddly PITA screws from the float bowls to hex screws.

[Soos]

Does anyone know if Honda had a good reason for using phillips screws to hold the timing plate in with?  I'm thinking of changing them to either hex bolts or the little hex socket screws because lets face it, phillips head screw + heat = #$%^*ng @#$ch to remove. I had to take a dremel and cross cut mine and them use the flathead on my impact driver to get them out.

Well, after next Thursday I'm out of school so I'll have more time to fiddle with the ol girl. All in all I think she's just about where I want her, then it's just a matter of replaceing a few bits here and there as money permits.

Brandon

I replaced mine with new (nearly) identical bolts.
AFTER re-tapping the holes and applying some anti-seize to the holes.
Allen heads would do fine however.
Just easier to over torque them when tightening up I think.




l8r

[Soos]

$60's even better than $100 

What size is the front stock. Soos told me but I was foolish and didn't write it down. I know he said the one that is on there now as the wrong size, and I'd like to get the correct size put on there so that my speedometer is correct.

Thanks,

Brandon

100/90/19


l8r

[Soos]

I think yours is the equivalent of 110/90/19.
about 10mm taller than yours is.





l8r

[manjisann]

Is there anywhere to get relatively decent rear shocks for less than $100? All I can find are progressives or others that are at least $250.

I'm seriously toying with the idea of just using regular bolts to replace the screws as I think I already have some. I'll have to see what I have in my box of fasteners. Monday or Tuesday I'm hoping to get the front tire replaced. The weather is supposed to rain three or four days straight next week... where's that Global Warming we've been promised? I've been increasing my carbon footprint to bring it on!!! I'VE BEEN LIED TOO!!!

Brandon

[Zaipai]

Yes, here...
http://www.crc2onlinecatalog.com/Index_Main_Frame.htm

Click on Chassis, then Suspension Parts then Rear Shocks, the first one listed are brand new shocks (black) that will fit 79' to 82' CB650 and are $89, they have others I believe will fit yours in chrome etc. I buy from this place all the time, good service fast delivery..

.: Scott :.