Author Topic: How did your bike perform during the Rally? (Read 14623 times)

climbingaz · « **on:** April 26, 2011, 06:54:42 AM »

All things considered, mine did GREAT!

I bought my bike for a $100. It was an absolute mess. I literally pulled it out of the weeds where at sat in the previous owners backyard abandoned for 15+ years. It's a '78 750k. Aside from the basic maintenance like changing the oil, checking the valve clearances and timing, I've done absolutely nothing to the engine.

Up until this past Sunday, the longest I had ridden it in a day was about 50 miles. In fact I only had about 300 total miles on it since getting it registered.

Well anyways...you can imagine my surprise when I got home late Sunday night after flogging it for 7 straight hours, averaging about 65 miles per hour for 274 miles! By the time I got home, I had only three minor problems:

1) small oil leak out of the tach housing on the valve cover
2) tail light went out
3) developed a stumble under 4k rpm

Not too shabby for a 40 year old motorcycle! A true testament to the Honda SOHC4!

Gordon · « **Reply #1 on:** April 26, 2011, 07:13:53 AM »

I could not have asked my K1 to perform any better. Not one single problem with her the whole 630 miles, and didn't even complain after being wrung out all day and then having to sit in bumper-to-bumper rush hour traffic on 75 in Dallas. I ran her at 6000rpm for hours on end, didn't burn a drop of oil, and got about 45mpg.

On two separate occasions during the trip a "helpful" onlooker at a gas station looked at the pool of oil I had parked on top of and told me my bike is leaking.

I just smiled and went about my business.

The only change I think I'll make before the next long ride is either a sheepskin seat cover or some of those riding underwear with the gel pads in them. The whole set-up and riding position geometry was perfect. I didn't get the least bit sore anywhere other than my ass. And, no, nothing funny happened at the campsite!

super pasty white guy · « **Reply #2 on:** April 26, 2011, 07:32:02 AM »

This is a bit of a sidetrack...

regarding the seat and butt soreness... these work great: http://www.beadrider.com/

I bought one for a 1,500 mi tour a few years ago. if you get one, buy the ultimate. I've seen the wooden ones wear out fairly quickly.

But to get back to the subject, it does seem that a SOHC does best when run hard.

spwg

drones76 · « **Reply #3 on:** April 26, 2011, 08:41:18 AM »

From the meeting point, all the way to place we had lunch. It performed almost flawlessly. I think I had a decel backfire at the light. By the the way, total trip, 2.5 miles. Weather sidetracked this leg, for me.

Radam · « **Reply #4 on:** April 26, 2011, 09:58:45 AM »

Mine ran great! I still have a little oil leak that I need to fix, but I only had to add a little more than a quart over 1158 miles. I also got 55-60mpg most of the time!

motocyconomad · « **Reply #5 on:** April 27, 2011, 10:53:18 AM »

ebay bike ran good nothing to say but that! I need to get the title in my name so "Holly" can get her own plate back. oh and Insured. ya know..

Tugboat · « **Reply #6 on:** April 28, 2011, 11:38:02 AM »

My KZ ran great. No problems whatsoever. The oil leak that it's had since I bought it 2 years ago hasn't gotten any worse... I bet I lost 1/32 of a quart in the 700+ miles I put in. And all out the gaskets - not burned up or anything. So glad I took the PO's pods off and reinstalled the airbox when I re-did the carbs last winter.. otherwise that ride to Birmingham in the rain would've been a total bummer!

bender01 · « **Reply #7 on:** April 28, 2011, 09:11:56 PM »

My 550 had a tiny miss at idle on the way home! But after the 300+ miles when i searched for it the #1 plug wire fell out of the boot as i touched it!

It ran great. Even got 44mpg on a tank of riding straight through! Usually I get 35-37.

scottly · « **Reply #8 on:** April 28, 2011, 09:57:41 PM »

Other than the lean overheating/hard kicking problem when I got to Tempe, it ran pretty damn good! It still needs some fine tuning, but the harder I pushed it, the better it ran! Always started first kick, hot or cold, except for the time I kicked it 3 times before realizing I forgot to turn the ignition switch on.

Got an average of over 55 MPG...

Greggo · « **Reply #9 on:** April 29, 2011, 01:11:21 PM »

My 500/4 performed flawlessly

Even through 35 mph wind gusts the whole way.

One of the guys asked me if my bike was a 500/4, and said 'whoa! those still exist?!' HA! Yes they do! And this one works great!

Mooshie · « **Reply #10 on:** April 29, 2011, 01:56:56 PM »

My 550 was flawless. I got 50 to the gallon the entire 500+ miles (wind and all). I can't tell you how much I love this bike. Now for an oil change and chain clean and lube...then to conquer the bugs that are plastered all over....

jtb · « **Reply #11 on:** April 29, 2011, 07:17:05 PM »

Had 2 problems. Tach cable came out of the valve cover after the screw vibrated out (stripped threads) and the spedometer cable came loose. Otherwise, it was great, flogged it all day between 80 & 90. The more I ride this bike, the more I love it.

Spanner 1 · « **Reply #12 on:** April 30, 2011, 08:59:49 AM »

That's one beautiful Super Sport when you see it in the flesh

... Well done John on a very long 1 day relay ride, wow!

mrbreeze · « **Reply #13 on:** April 30, 2011, 11:15:41 PM »

Mechanically..........my bike fo- king rocked but I did have a coupla minor screw-ups................please see my new thread.

dhall57 · « **Reply #14 on:** May 01, 2011, 06:26:05 AM »

Well mother nature didn't shine completely on my ride. On Sat. March 19th I think I rode to Rockingham Dragway from my home in Greensboro NC . It was just a straight shot down Hwy 220 south about 100 miles to the track. I cruise around 75 mph all the way. My CB750K6 ran great and got over 50 mpg

apex_seeking · « **Reply #15 on:** May 04, 2011, 07:10:08 PM »

My 550k did great too. Save 1 small issue. My ignition went to the farm to play with all the other ignitions. Nothing a little hotwiring can't fix though. Got about 50 mpg and other than the ignition and a mysterous sound from around the front fender (yet to be determined), she ran great.

Bluto · « **Reply #16 on:** May 08, 2011, 05:36:42 AM »

76 550K.......700 plus miles in 2 days. The 200 miles from Columbia S.C. to Atlanta all at 80 plus MPH hangin around 6000 rpm the whole stretch.

got about 40 mpg and...........

The old girl ran GREAT the whole way.

.....gotta luv it

theofam · « **Reply #17 on:** May 09, 2011, 10:33:36 AM »

Paddy was two days old (second day running since being parked in 1999 two POs ago). Provided his owner kept the petcock turned on, he ran flawlessly! I can't believe how attached I am to this scoot after riding it around three days with GeeZee. It's a blast!

TwoTired · « **Reply #18 on:** May 09, 2011, 10:55:36 AM »

Bike worked great! Held up better than me.
Keeping up with the 750s and 900s in the twisties, requires a lot of shifting with a 550. Got a charley horse in my left leg and had to stop to stretch it out.

Cheers,

Don R · « **Reply #19 on:** May 11, 2011, 08:40:26 PM »

F1 750 For this being it's maiden voyage since it's re-awakening pretty good, it ran at 5000+ rpm for an hour at a time. It only let me down when I tried to stretch the fuel stop and the reserve didn't work. Thank goodness the chase car was there with fuel. (the reason I took the chance). I can drive through the clutch almost at will but if ridden properly it goes pretty good.
K4 750, the brass fuel tube fell out of the petcock causing the loss of all the fuel. It was on the trailer being the back-up bike at the time!

follow-up, the F1 petcock issue should have been repaired earlier and the clutch was my own fault. The adjustment uner the cover was screwed in too far and probably was when I got it.
I really got attached to this bike over the 1275 miles we rode. I still want a softer seat though.

Pinhead · « **Reply #20 on:** May 11, 2011, 11:03:38 PM »

My '79 CB650 ran without a hitch for the entire 1036 miles! Even verified that it'll happily sip on 87 octane in 100°F weather and 11:1 CR running 85 mph.

Bankerdanny · « **Reply #21 on:** May 17, 2011, 08:26:05 PM »

Unfortunately not very well. But as it turned out it was totally operator error. When I checked the static timing a couple weeks before the ride I didn't properly re-tighten the nut that holds the lead from the points to the condenser for 1-4. It worked itself loose during the 300 test miles and by the day of the ride the intermittent connection severely reduced power and limited revs.

blue72beetle · « **Reply #22 on:** May 18, 2011, 01:29:16 PM »

My '80 CB650 ran great! Somewhere between West Lafayette and Indianapolis, my speedo cable broke. Then, on 465 around Indy, my neutral light came on, due to all the rain. It intermittently flashed on and off while riding in the rain the whole way home.

cb650 · « **Reply #23 on:** June 19, 2011, 05:35:22 AM »

No one has posted here for a few so I'll revive a old thread to piss some people off.

My current ride a 80 650 custom did great. 2 legs totaling 1800 or so miles with no problems. 2 up on the last one. Averaged 55-60 mpg.
My new 650 a 82 nitehawk Jerry rode and it did good minus a fuel delivery issue I still havent worked on. Wasnt a big deal if you didnt push it to hard before a fuel stop. He did 2200 or so miles.

Bankerdanny · « **Reply #24 on:** June 20, 2011, 02:47:02 PM »

Andy, everytime I see the profile picture I think you really should have left the fairing on for the trip to Chicago and back. Between the rain and the 40 something temps some wind protection would have been very nice.

skamagedon · « **Reply #25 on:** August 01, 2011, 06:00:47 PM »

My Bike did great. one stoplight it randomly shut off? on the way to pick up GZ my speedo conked out, but a battery corrected that issue

OldSchool_IsCool · « **Reply #26 on:** August 01, 2011, 06:51:02 PM »

Michigan Day 1:

My 550 ran GREAT on the Kzoo-Detroit-Kzoo run (Michigan Day 1). We did get into a downpour just outside Saline, MI that caused dampness in the points chamber and one set of points would cut out occasionally. It prolly wouldn't have happened at all were it not for the Hondaman Module I have installed. The module passes such little amperage thru the points, that it doesn't take much to block all current flow. A quick drying with a slip of paper and I'm back to all 4 juggs! The Hondaman module is still worth the $$ to not have to mess with burned up points. But you do need to watch for anything that might block the wee bit of current passing thru the points faces.

Michigan Day 2:

On my GL1100 w/ sidecar now. Sidecar loaded with camping gear & passenger. Rig is pulling a bit to the right. Hmmmm. Continue on down the road and the pulling is getting worse (or maybe I'm just getting fatigued from trying to hold a straight line). At one stop, I adjust the sidecar struts. Better, but not for long. At another stop, several riders assist with adjusting the sidecar toe-in by shortening the front heim joint. Again better but not for long.

Michigan Day 3:

I'm too beat up from wrestling with the sidecar all day yesterday, it wouldn't be wise or safe for me to continue on. I send off the other riders to continue the planned route and I rest some more. Come mid day, I pack up and head for home. I get only 20 miles down the road. I can't go further. I pull into a gas station and start pulling things apart to find out what's REALLY going on. Didn't take long to find it. The rear heim joint had come loose. The car wasn't in danger of separating, but it was causing the car to sag and thus change the car's tire to toe OUT thus making it pull hard to the right! I spent the next 6 hours with a borrowed jack removing the car, rearranging the joints and struts and remounting the car. Now she's riding straight!! Take a few days to leisurely return to Kalamazoo.

So to answer the question, yes the bike(s) ran GREAT! It was the operator/installer that caused me to miss a HUGE chunk of what I had planned to ride!

db22 · « **Reply #27 on:** August 03, 2011, 06:59:10 PM »

My 1975 CB550K ran just fine, except in the rain. About a month ago, I installed a Dyna-S ignition, which corrected my goofy timing issue instantly. It does, however, require a source of 12v power, which is tapped off at the line leading into the coil, a rather exposed spot under the tank. I had not ridden in rain since installing the unit. As soon as light rain caused a mist in the air, I'd lose power and eventually stall, or sputter on and off, depending on the amount of water kicked up by the front tire. The engine resumed normal running as soon as the wiring dried out. My fellow rider ZanVooden suggested simply wrapping the exposed connection with plastic from a grocery bag, which I did at our lunch stop. We didn't encounter any more rain, but I bet that simple fix will work next time I'm caught out in wet weather.

This was the bike's first long day trip, and it handled 60mph cruising on state highways like a champ. My best mileage was almost 55mpg, running ethanol-free 91 octane.

mjstone · « **Reply #28 on:** August 04, 2011, 08:30:42 AM »

While my bike does not run flawlessly, it ran just as well at the end of my run as it did before I started. It has a carb issue that I didn't address before hand because I didn't want to chance missing being part of this Rally. The only problems I had on the 2195 miles that I ran was all operator error. I entered a turn on M119, called Devil's Elbow, wrong and new I was going down. I elected to lay it down on the shoulder and grass instead of the pavement. I got scrapped up a little and the Vetter fairing and saddlebags saved the bike from any serious damage, probably me too. The fairing mount got tweaked a bit pushing the top of the fairing lower on the left side to dent my fuel tank and emblem a little. Other than some minor scrapes on me and the Vetter stuff, everything still worked just fine.

MJ

Old Scrambler · « **Reply #29 on:** August 04, 2011, 09:40:29 AM »

My 595 Relay miles were trouble-free for the completely stock 750K3 with about 70xxx miles. We did some freeway miles at 75+ and used a little oil like usual. We rode in the rain and wind without issue. We rode in 90+ degrees on city streets and endured. I led 3 other riders through the Kettle Moraine Drive twisties without incident. Yes, the motor has a ticking sound but its not valve lash.........been there for more than 5,000 miles........but its runs smoothly and with good power. Its likely in need of a cam-chain and tensioner replacement..........someday.

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Author Topic: How did your bike perform during the Rally? (Read 14623 times)