Author Topic: Hello from Canada, eh! (Read 1276 times)

d9canada · « **on:** October 03, 2011, 03:46:17 PM »

Hi, I'm Brian (d9canada) new to this site, just finishing two Honda CB900Cs, now planning for a 550 (or two) next year. I'm retired, raced motocross years ago, been riding and wrenching since 1968.

I'm active on some Yahoo groups and DOHC Customs, do what I can to help out others online. After all, my successes are due in no small part to the generosity of others. I've heard great things about this site so I look forward to this!

cookindaddy · « **Reply #1 on:** October 03, 2011, 05:17:43 PM »

Hello Brian from near Toronto.
You will find many helpful folks here who really know these machines. I have benefited greatly from following the advice I got here and I hope that you will also.
My own is a CB750K8 but the 550 seems to be a popular bike here.
Good luck with your projects and welcome! Enjoy your stay.

d1000rr · « **Reply #2 on:** October 03, 2011, 05:24:20 PM »

Hello from another Canadian

Tom in Newcastle......Ontario · « **Reply #3 on:** October 04, 2011, 06:08:07 AM »

Hi from one more..........east of Toronto

brooze72 · « **Reply #4 on:** October 04, 2011, 06:27:48 AM »

Welcome Brian......from another one east of TO. Please post pics as your projects take shape, we love them photos here!

HondanutRider · « **Reply #5 on:** October 04, 2011, 10:30:48 AM »

Welcome Brian...from another easterner! (Those other two previous youngsters

are pretty cool guys that I've met from around here.)

What years are your CB900C's? They may be similar to one of my bikes, a 1981 CB750K, but I'm not too familiar with the 900C.

d9canada · « **Reply #6 on:** October 04, 2011, 11:25:40 AM »

Hey Everyone, thanks for your notes!
I had an 81 CB900C given to me after sitting 9 years in blackberry bushes. Front end mashed when it hit a horse.

While waiting for parts I found a complete 80, same model, sat 7 years after PO had minor wipeout, swore off riding. I did electrolysis on tank, rebuilt the carbs, fresh gas & battery, maybe a week's work and a month later, Vrooom!

So I got a frontend complete, new steering head bearings and fixed the 81 (surprising the frame was still straight), did the carbs etc and it runs too. Too easy! But I am methodical, clean up all the electrical, etc.

CB900C was built 80-82, morphed from EU 750 DOHC, using right side GW shaft drive of those years, so to move from chain drive on left they put in a jackshaft and some genius put a gear on it. So they have a 5 speed main 2 speed auxiliary. Air over hydraulic suspension, very nice ride. Due to length of trans, the wheelbase is one of the longest of that era, yet the things turn smoother, more steady and tighter than my Sportster.

So I'll finish them up in the spring, sell one, then hit a pair of 550s. I hope to build a nice collection over time. I have also done a major wooden boat restoration - wish I could put FB or photobucket links here.

brooze72 · « **Reply #7 on:** October 04, 2011, 01:29:15 PM »

Nice report. Can I buy a 900C?

You can use photobucket when you get over 5 posts (helps keep the spammers out)

d9canada · « **Reply #8 on:** October 04, 2011, 01:38:56 PM »

Thanks Brooze72, I did read that 5 posts.. yeah well I better post some more stuff fast!

I have a few pictures of my soda blaster and my electrolysis process for cleaning tanks that some may like to see.

You want a 900C ? Maybe I'll drive it to you! Always wanted to ride cross Canada, take the train back.

stevenwr · « **Reply #9 on:** October 04, 2011, 03:01:40 PM »

Hello from Alberta.

brooze72 · « **Reply #10 on:** October 04, 2011, 04:15:19 PM »

Quote from: d9canada on October 04, 2011, 01:38:56 PM

Thanks Brooze72, I did read that 5 posts.. yeah well I better post some more stuff fast!

I have a few pictures of my soda blaster and my electrolysis process for cleaning tanks that some may like to see.

You want a 900C ? Maybe I'll drive it to you! Always wanted to ride cross Canada, take the train back.

Aww, that'll just ruin my plan to fly out & drive back! But then again, don't know what the range is on the 900 but mine will only do 200 km, & it sure seemed like way more between some gas stations on the Superior shore during my last drive (by car).

d9canada · « **Reply #11 on:** October 04, 2011, 04:43:59 PM »

Well, I haven't licenced either yet, but the guys on the Yahoo group say 35 to 40 mpg is normal.

The tank is 16 litres, though it looks much larger - there's a huge tunnel, and how much of that is useable.. I know if you try to drain it, there's close to a 1/2 litre still in there..

Based on 40 mpg is 14 kilos per litre.. 16 litre capacity it works out to 224 kilometer range. Almost need panier tanks on saddlebag mounts. Guess I (not you) would have to pack a jerry can at least.

brooze72 · « **Reply #12 on:** October 04, 2011, 04:47:10 PM »

Yep, for sure.

d9canada · « **Reply #13 on:** October 04, 2011, 05:07:58 PM »

Here's a pic of the 80, same one I sent before with different tank and sidecovers.. Surprising how it makes the bike look quite different.

brooze72 · « **Reply #14 on:** October 04, 2011, 05:12:28 PM »

Yea, the two tone paint scheme makes it look more vintage, IMO. Do they have small oil coolers under the steering head?

d9canada · « **Reply #15 on:** October 04, 2011, 05:27:10 PM »

Yup they have the oil cooler. The only thing I don't like about all of this series is that between oil cooler lines and exhaust headers, there's a lot of interuption of cooling air.

Some guys have even added a second one or the larger 1000c cooler. These bikes have a tendancy to run hotter than other aircooled bikes. I've been thinking about either moving the cooler or perhaps running hardpipes directly in front of the downtubes to get a bit more air through.

They also use the Honda TPI (transistorized pointless ignition) which is often mislabelled as CDI. Even Haynes manuals call it CDI, even though they show a schematic of the circuit board, with a bunch of transistors and no capacitors! Go figure.. I hate Haynes and Clymer manuals not what they used to be.

Another picture, my 81 as I first saw it, about 4 years before I actually got it. The dates on some of my pictures are not accurate because I don't always remember to set the date when changing batteries.

brooze72 · « **Reply #16 on:** October 04, 2011, 06:53:45 PM »

Wow, you really did rescue it out of a bush! Is the 900C the Honda with a 10 speed tranny? Gotta wonder about a pointless ignition, I mean what's the...nevermind.

d9canada · « **Reply #17 on:** October 04, 2011, 07:28:45 PM »

Yeah, well look at my first post, that's the bike when I finally got it about 4 years later. By then the tarp had perforated and the blackberries were entwined up through the bike and out holes in the tarp. There was a corner triangle about 10X10X10 about 4 feet high in blackberries. I stripped the remnants of the Hondaline fairing off, and the old frontend, then shoehorned it into a Dodge Caravan. It was just about in when the legs of the portohoist hit the trailer hitch underneath. A couple bystanders were helping a bit but at that point they kinda shrugged and walked away. I got the jack out and cranked up the back of the van and shoved the thing home. I was sure apprehensive lowering the jack, wondering if I'd still have any suspension, but it was all good.

Oh hey, gotta try embedding pictures now..
900C in the Caravan:
http://i1222.photobucket.com/albums/dd484/d9canada/1981%20CB900C/PB81_900c3.jpg
Homemade 'sandblast box' I use with baking soda to do carb cleanup after soaking in Pine Sol. It does a great job of little brass parts.
http://i1222.photobucket.com/albums/dd484/d9canada/Blaster%20Box/SUNP0039.jpg
and pushing the envelope, electrolysis cleaning a tank:
http://i1222.photobucket.com/albums/dd484/d9canada/Electrolysis%20tank%20cleaning/SUNP0037.jpg

brooze72 · « **Reply #18 on:** October 04, 2011, 07:54:37 PM »

Hey Brian, great stuff. You should post them on "Tips & Tricks'. The guys will love it.

HondanutRider · « **Reply #19 on:** October 04, 2011, 08:25:34 PM »

Brian, you brought up a couple of items: The Honda pointless ignition is also on my DOHC 750. Also, Ive got the air suspension on the front. It seems both those features were being used on several models of that era.

The other thing you mentioned about mileage is about right. I currently have three Hondas licensed on the road, and they all get about the same mileage - around 50 mpg (imperial). They are: 1974 CB350F, 1981 CB750K, 2003 GL1800. Interestingly they range in size from 350cc to 1800cc. I once had a 1978 Civic and it got 50 mpg also.

BTW looks like a really good restoration from the original state of find.

News:

Author Topic: Hello from Canada, eh! (Read 1276 times)