Topic: Considering this '79 CB650

[Cevan]

30k on it.  Owner currently rides it.  Asking $1000.  What should I look for?  My CB360 seems a little small for me.

[Grizzly]

Check that it starts easily from cold. Let it warm up, you are looking for blue smoke from the pipes once warm, this might be rings or guides etc. Don't be put off if the clutch rattles a bit, pull in the lever and the rattle should go. Once its warm switch it off and make sure it re starts ok. The rest is just usual used bike checks.
The bike looks good, standard pipes, no tears in the seat and chrome looks good. In the UK if that price was £ instead of $ by what I can see in the picture it looks like a good buy.

[curemode2002]

Definately get her up to temperature and then try to start her up. I actually had to rebuild the starter and replace the charging rotor. Other than that my '80 has been bullet proof plus you get the better looking tank on the '79.

[Pinhead]

Check to see if the pipes are rusted through where the mufflers meet the headers.

Verify that the alternator is working. If not, you'll probably have to put in a regulator/rectifier and a rotor.

Besides those two CB650 specific problems, all else is typical bike issues (smoking, etc).

[coldwave007]

Also find out if/when the carbs were last gone through.  Or if it's sat for a few years/extended period of time.  The PD carbs on the 79/80 can be a pain of they've sat for a few years.  I've got the PDs on mine and once cleaned up and rebuilt, they've worked pretty good.

OR take it for a test run if you can.  See how the bike feels on accel/decel.  These can be fairly cold blooded, so may have to partial choke for the first mile or two.  But once warmed up, should pull pretty damn good!  I love cranking mine open...

[grasscutter]

I second these motions!

They all hit it right on.  Charging stator is a weak spot.  The 1979 tank is the best looking out of all the CB650's, + its got bigger capacity too.

Still got my 1982 CB50 since 1995, and its been bullet proof.  Replacing the charging stator is the only thing I've done (besides normal maintenance, brakes, oil, etc.).

Great bike for sure!

[Pinhead]

I second these motions!

They all hit it right on.  Charging stator is a weak spot.  The 1979 tank is the best looking out of all the CB650's, + its got bigger capacity too.

Still got my 1982 CB50 since 1995, and its been bullet proof.  Replacing the charging stator is the only thing I've done (besides normal maintenance, brakes, oil, etc.).

Great bike for sure!

I believe you mean the rotor.

[ABikeNamedTrouble]

+1 on the test drive is possible.  Also, although I'm sure it will annoy the seller a bit, make sure you check the voltage across the battery terminals throughout the RPM range when the bike is BOTH hot and cold.  Should be > 14V at 4k and above, and ≤ 15V at 5k and above.  If it's consistent when it's cold and when it's warmed up, I'd say it's a good deal!

If the carbs are in decent shape, pretty much everything on the bike except the charging system can be repaired for fairly cheap!

Good luck!