Topic: New guy from Maine

[Money]

     How's it going?  I just picked up a 1980 CB650, and she's in rough shape.  I just look at it and see the potential.  I rode for 2 years over in Japan while I was in the military.  Unfortunately, I just rode, never really worked on my bike.  I'm a little bit discouraged at the moment, but I'm anxious to see what I can do.  I'm pretty clueless on maintenance and repairs, but this site seems to be a wealth of knowledge.  I've spent the last few days reading, and trying to learn as much as I can.  I've been a year without a bike, and it's been torture.  I'm still struggling to get on my feet, as I was medically pushed out of the Air Force.  I have a wife and 2 little boys, and couldn't responsibly buy a bike.  
     I ended up getting this bike for pretty much free.  It seems like it needs a ton of work, and I don't know what I'm doing.  Hopefully everyone can help me get her back on the road, because I can't wait to have 2 wheels under me again.  I'm not even sure where to begin.  I got the bike in pieces.  It seems like most of it is there.  I know it would be smarter to start with something running, or at least complete.  Just can't afford it, so I'll work on this bike slowly.  The carbs were off the bike, and came with no air box or anything after the carbs.  I was told at least one of the coils was bad, so I'm working on getting replacements.  Seems like all the wiring is there and good.  I was told the bike ran about a month ago.  The brakes don't seem to be working, and the throttle and levers are stuck.  There are some dry rotted pieces on the bike, and it needs new tires.  I took the carbs apart today, and I have no experience with carbs.  I cleaned them up some, wasn't really sure what I could take apart without causing damage.  I took the big jet in the middle out and cleaned all the holes and everything.  There are some broken pieces, not really sure what they are.  They are threaded and in front of the floats.  One of the carbs has one of the small brass tubes missing, not sure how big a deal that is.  
     I guess that is enough for now.  I was feeling defeated earlier, like there was no way I could get her on the road.  I'm feeling better about it now, and just gonna do my best.  I don't have another option, and I 'll do anything to get back out on a bike.  If anyone can help me out with tips or words of wisdom, I really appreciate it. Thanks for any help.
                                                                     Chris  

[Money]

So I've been reading more.  I'm beginning to think this may be a bad idea.  I don't have the money now, but maybe I should try and save if I can, to buy something that's in better shape.  It would be nice to have something that ran.  I'm worried that this may be never ending.  I'm worried that if I put all my time, and the little money that I have, in to this bike, it still may have problems.  Any advice guys?

[scottly]

First of all, welcome!!!
It does seem you have chosen a rough candidate for your first resurrection. Then again, maybe it chose you! You might consider parting it out, and use the proceeds to buy something else.
Again, welcome to the forum!

[HondaMan]

Welcome to the madness!
What Scottly said: the 650 owners are always looking for the odd pieces, because they are not as common as the others SOHC Fours. So, parting one of those out could net you a reasonable 500/550 or even 750 of the same genre.

Either way, you've come to the right place. Put up some pix of the carbs: the "broken brass tube" sounds like a broken jet. Whole sets of carbs on eBay are typically about $50.

[ChortlingSandcaster]

Hi, Welcome to the board!

Money outlay you say is a concern for you, so here is my recent experience getting a free non-running
bike and what it cost to get it going.

Last year I saw an ad on Craigslist here locally -- a guy was giving away a late-1970s Kaw kz1000 and
I got to his place first.

I spent many hundred$ getting the bike roadworthy.  This kz1000 was 100% complete and nothing had
been removed except the stock handlebars and the passenger grab bar -- and it was completely together when I got it.

I started spending $$ right away.

New battery, spark plugs, oil filter, air filter element, oil, new jets and gaskets for the carbs (he had modded the bike's
intake and exhaust and left the jetting stock), new gas lines, inline gas filters,
seat cover, some chemicals to clean out the gas tank (had been sitting for 12 years).

The front brake and rear brake master cylinders were so bad, and the rebuild kits not cheap, I just scavenged two used
but fully functional master cylinders.  Had high bars, bought some used stock bars on eBay.  Similar type of
bars like on your cb650 were on it when I got it.   

Some of the engine covers were custom ones that had corroded real bad and I had to replace those.  Had to buy a factory shop manual of course to do the work.  Valve cover gasket, new valve shims to adjust almost every valve because the prior owner never did a valve adjustment.  Bought a special tool so I could swap out the valve shims and adjust the valves without pulling the cams.  New gaskets for the engine case covers I replaced.
Etc.

Now I have close to $1000 in this 'free' kz1000.  And cosmetically it is not good looking.  It will cost me at
least $500 or more to fix the cosmetics (painting and new decals mostly). 

So I'm $1500 or more into a 'free' bike.  Ha ha jokes on me.
When I finish with the cosmetics I will be break-even were I to sell it in this economy, but if I keep it I might make a profit.
SOMEDAY.

Now the ONLY reason I lay this out is -- you specifically mentioned you are concerned about your cost outlay.

That bike is in even worse shape than my kz1000.  I think you should part it out and find a bike that is at least running.
Because getting a dormant bike running again will push you right up to the full value or worse.

Now, most of us like variety and we buy a bike, keep it in the sandbox a couple-few years then fall in love with another.
And sell it.  I just wanted to give you my recent experience so that you dont get that 'bummer' feel about
all the money you put into it.  If you buy a runner and only has a cosmetic issue, with low enough miles,
you should be fine.

Good luck and welcome.

[Money]

Thanks for the input guys.  I'm leaning towards finding another bike.  It just seems that everything on this bike needs to be repaired or replaced.  I'd rather try and find something that is running.  I'll let you guys know what I decide. 

[Kurlon]

Ooofh, and I thought MY freebie 1980 CB650 was rough.  As much as I love reviving/improving old underdogs, the others are correct, this is not the CHEAP way to get back into riding.  It's amazing how much you can spend on little stupid things and still end up with a very rough machine.