Topic: Noob Finally getting my CB going

[mkramer1121]

I'm sure a few of you have already noticed a couple of my misguided posts here in the forums, but I just wanted to introduce myself fully.  My name's Mike, and I have become an old Honda Addict.  I bought a '75 CB550F from my cousin about a year ago, got my license in September, and finally have the bike registered and insured.  I appreciate all the help I have found on here in the last few days as it helped me troubleshoot a front brake problem I was having.  This bike was sold to me with the intention that I would tinker with it and learn the ropes of  the care and matinence of a motorcycle.  Let's just say that I will now never part with this bike.  Its a bit of a mutt, having K forks and K sidecovers, as well as having a twist open valve instead of a standard petcock (The person who my cousin bought the tank from had tapped the nut for the petcock out to a larger size) but I love it.  I look forward to the tips, advice, and help that I will likely receive in the future.  Thanks in adavnce!

[csendker]

I'm running just ahead of you.  Got my license (MSF course) last summer, and the bike right after that; '75 550K.  It's probably been since the '70's since I worked on anything, and it sure is satisfying to actually get something acomplished on your own again.  Or as 'on your own' as can be with all the help from the guys here.  The old technology is pretty straighforward, once you dig in somewhat it all starts to make sense somehow.

[cbjunkie]

very true - welcome to the boards - i'm another noob here, basically... i got my liscense last summer too - been working on the 750 all winter, almost have it back together and then this weekend i tore into the forks! oh well looks like i'll be rebuilding those - i was nervous about working on the bike at first - i've never been much of a mechanic, just doing what i had too under duress, but csendker is right, the older bikes are really straightforward - don't be shy about tearing it down.

best of luck - keep us posted,
junkie out...

[mkramer1121]

I just found out that the slight knock I hear is due to a valve needing adjustment.  This looks like a fun weekend...I'm sooo nervous about tearing into the engine but as long as I follow the directions (I have the Clymer and Haynes manuals, as well as these forums) I should be ok.....right?  I'm glad to see that I'm not the only newb at this, and at least have people on here that have gone through this before.  Thanks for the welcome and the kind words!

[dusterdude]

welcome mike,dig in,get your hands dirty and have fun.

[6pkrunner]

Glad you're having fun and you have already discovered it is an addiction. But it has large payback for effort expended.

[gasguzler]

Along your line, and without opening a new string to say the same stuff, I am a nubeee too, who just got licenced last October. I'm from Toronto.

The bike I stumbled upon is a '79 CB650 for a buck a horse.... seems my bike doesn't get the props it deserves IMO as I love this machine, all partiality aside, if thats possible - but thats cool, its a personal thing, am I right?

I've cleaned up the carbs and adjusted them (I'm learning that the adjusting part is an ongoing thing), replaced my starter clutch which had exploded somehow, creamed the gas tank, changed out my tires and chain, adjusted my valves... etc. etc. all of which isn't amazing unless you knew me, all this done with only Clymers and some much valued help from this forum and the seemingly now-defunkt CB650 forum.

Thanks for the help and enjoy the riding season.   

[promisedave]

Hey, i'm from toronto too, and am just getting my various licenses and insurance and all right now. I should have my new 1980 cb 650 on the road in a couple of days and it's my first bike. I repair bicycles for a living, but have never touched internal combustion. I'm nowhere near knowing where to start. I did get a manual from the guy i bought it from.

I paid 1100 for it and am paying about 500 for some gaskets and a new master cylinder and a safety and all that. Love to talk to you more about this type and era of bike. My email is mdave@sympatico.ca. How many kms have you put on yours? I can't wait to ride it, I think i'll get props from a lot of people, but i personally love classic machines and this one is cherry red with spoke wheels and lot's of chrome.

cheers, dave

Along your line, and without opening a new string to say the same stuff, I am a nubeee too, who just got licenced last October. I'm from Toronto.

The bike I stumbled upon is a '79 CB650 for a buck a horse.... seems my bike doesn't get the props it deserves IMO as I love this machine, all partiality aside, if thats possible - but thats cool, its a personal thing, am I right?

I've cleaned up the carbs and adjusted them (I'm learning that the adjusting part is an ongoing thing), replaced my starter clutch which had exploded somehow, creamed the gas tank, changed out my tires and chain, adjusted my valves... etc. etc. all of which isn't amazing unless you knew me, all this done with only Clymers and some much valued help from this forum and the seemingly now-defunkt CB650 forum.

Thanks for the help and enjoy the riding season.   

[mkramer1121]

I know why I got my bike, but I'm just curious as to why a lot of other new enthusiasts get into the older Honda's?  I don't like the new bikes, and I wanted something great to learn on.  My cousin was moving and had a great CB550F with under 1000 original miles on it that he wanted to get rid of.  $500 and it was sold.  So far, I've found with what I have done on it that these bikes are extremely easy to work on and user friendly.  I would just like to hear everyone else's opinion on this.

[techy5025]

Interesting.....I have owned my K0 since 1970 so I guess I have always
had a love for it.  A lot of your love for a bike has to do with the fact
that you maintain it yourself (with help).  It is a great and personal thing
to see your effort pay off.....especially if you are bringing one back from
a near death experience.

As for the love of earlier bikes, I go to a bike show almost every week and
invariably have the oldest bike.  When you show up on a crotch rocket you
are one amongst many......not so with the earlier bikes.  Just be prepared to
talk to a lot of 50ish and 60ish year old people (like myself) who want to tell
you their experience with the early Honda's. It's really a ego trip....I had two
guys last week who just wanted to set on it.  The younger ones are amazed
at the kick starter (what's that thing  )

Call it a second childhood maybe...but aren't we having fun. 

Jim

[csendker]

When I got all legal last year, my wife wanted me to get a brand, new Harley.  I said that I'm not learning to ride on a $15,000, 800# monster.  If I were ever to drop it, I'd slit my wrists before getting the hernia picking it up.  And the fact that I don't have a spare $15k lying around kinda figured in too. 

So I looked for cheap starter bikes, and breaking every rule in the book, I bought the first one I looked at, my 550 ($0.64/cc).  It needed a battery, tune-up and air in the tires.  What a deal!  And what foreshadowing.  Last year I dropped something in my driveway and bent down to pick it up.  Leaned too far and down she went, albeit slooooowly.  Cracked the lens on the rear turn signal and hurt my pride (I survived the major split I performed).  I looked around real quick - no one in sight - and picked it up again.

But it seems no one else in Buffalo runs these classics.  2/3 - 3/4 of the bikes I see are Harleys, 1/4 are crotchrockets with a couple of miscellaneous whatevers thrown in.  I almost never see a SOHC4.  They're great to learn on, easy to ride, simple to maintain.  I doubt I'll ever get rid of it, no matter what else finds it's way in my garage.

[USN20]

Hi Mike, I'm a 51 year old total noob and right behind you. I purchased a stock '74 CB750 last week and have so much to learn. This is my second CB750 as my first one was a brand new '76 CB750 which was stolen just two weeks later. I never bothered to replace it until now, some 30 years later? I have been riding on and off since '71 and look forward to enjoying my old Honda. The SOHC forums and members are a valuable resource and I'm glad they are here. Thanks to the forums I've already located the genuine Honda service and parts manual and a spare set of keys. I don't mind starting from scratch as it's part of the fun. Now, if I can just locate that original owners manual ....  John 

[csendker]

Downloadable owner's manuals --> http://www.honda4fun.com/libretti/libretti.html

Downloadable parts lists --> http://www.honda4fun.com/spaccati/spaccati.html

Downloadable service manuals --> http://www.honda4fun.com/man_officina/man_officina.html

[gasguzler]

my own quote: "The bike I stumbled upon is a '79 CB650 for a buck a horse.... "

correction a buck a cc (a buck a horse would have been much sweeter still... I feel I did OK on the purchase)

Hey Dave: cheers fellow T.O.er ....I'm in Parkdale... I'll send you an email shortly.

In the city of Toronto I see a ton of older bikes, I see quite a few cb750's around town, I think alot of people are like me - there's alot to be said about that old school no-nonsense, plastic-free styling. Given that you can pick these bikes up pretty cheap - people spend way more on vespa scooters - its a no-brainer.

I also concur that once you've found yourself elbows deep into the guts of your machine, you've bonded with it in a way most riders can't relate to (without trying to sound TOO weird about it ). There's much more pride in riding a bike you've put your own sweat into.

[glendaler]

i'm a noob to the site but have been around bikes since i was little, the first of which being an early 80's XR80, i think thats one of the reasons i was into the older honda's. another reason being availability, found it in the paper, went to look at it, took her home for a little over a buck a cc, if you don't mind me stealing your line gasguzler. mine is also a 79 CB650 and i agree about these bikes not getting the props it deserves, it gets me up to 100 quick as a whip and cruising at 130 is no problem (Kph). i'm glad to have something different because as with alot of places the only bikes around here are crotch rockets or harleys, i get alot of comments on the year "holy crap thats a 79??!!" the all black paint job, custom fairing, custom bars and loud rusted out pipes help get some attention too. of course by custom i mean i built it in my garage out of an old road sign or some scrap metal, custom sounds better though.