Topic: 1980 CB650C - Tank and seat time!

[DV2000NJ]

Anybody have any sources where I might be able to find a cam chain tensioner?  I'm having no luck finding one.

[trueblue]

Have you tried Dave Silvers?  They used to have them.

[nate85]

you have a pm

[DV2000NJ]

Just realized I haven't been updating this.  I wound up reusing the chain tensioner and just replacing the bolt.  Here's how everything looked when I pulled it apart:



After cleaning, and the new bolt in the chain tensioner.










I've put about 250 miles on it so far, and no issues.  After clearing the slow jets out with a #80 drill bit it runs a LOT better too.  Still not perfect, but getting there.

On to the fun things.

I want the seat I build to look very similar to this:



And I just picked up a '79 CB650 tank, completely changes the look of the bike.  This will be painted something in the family of British Racing Green, possibly a couple of shades lighter.





Dent in the front, going to try to pull that as much as I can, then hit it with some filler.



Someone started sanding on the top, and there are a few small dents there too.


Overall, the tank is in great shape, the inside is almost immaculate.  The plan is to figure out how to mount it, make the seat, strip the tank, do all the body work, and paint it.  I'll be making some sort of new side covers as well, since I'm trying to keep the stock tins as they are.

Now I just have to find the time...

[DV2000NJ]

Small update, my tires came in, as did my 17" rear Comstar ($37 shipped on ebay).  Painted the wheels last night.

Tires are 130/80/17 and 100/90/19 Dunlop Trailmax TR91.




Primed:




Painted, not great, but painting Comstars sucks, and I don't really like these wheels anyway.

[DV2000NJ]

Got the front tire mounted tonight, and got the new bars mocked up.  Good news, they clear the new tank without risers!

This tire looks freaking mean on the bike.  I was a little worried it would look kinda mild, but it's absolutely perfect.






Bars.



And a #$%*ty phone shot of the whole thing (didn't have the wide lens on the camera).




The black wheel, aggressive tire, and superbike bars completely change the look of the bike, and I absolutely love it.

Hopefully I can get the rear tire and tank mounted after work tomorrow or on Sunday, and go for a ride.

[DV2000NJ]

I keep forgetting to update this thread...

A few weeks ago I actually got the new tank mounted, and started work on the seat pan.

Started off by cutting out the rough shape out of some .080 aluminum.


Started bending.


Rough shape finished, the bends still need to be perfected and the pan itself is still way too big.





Here you can see the super hi-tech tank mount (made from an old power steering bracket from my Miata that I happened to find on the floor :lol:), and how I'm using the original front seat mount slot.



Front of the pan.



Covered up the tank mount.







And reinforced the front pan mount.



I layered a neoprene yoga mat and some 3M Super 77 spray to hold it all together and shaped it with a sanding disk on a die grinder.  Still have to upholster it, but you can see the bike finally starting to take shape.


1980 Honda CB650 by Dan Valanzola, on Flickr


1980 Honda CB650 by Dan Valanzola, on Flickr


1980 Honda CB650 by Dan Valanzola, on Flickr


1980 Honda CB650 by Dan Valanzola, on Flickr

Next up is side covers, paint, and some longer rear shocks.

[65Ch3v3LL3]

Looking good!

[davis96]

I like the progress so far and it seems like you have a pretty good idea of the aesthetic youre going for, thats more and more rare these days. My only suggestion that would make for a huge improvement in the overall look would be to lower that front end! Most bikes from that particular era (80s) seem to have front forks that are--in my opinion--entirely took long/tall. Looks like you don't have much space over the top triple tree to just slide the fork tubes up through the clamps...I can't speak to your specific model but for most bikes there is some cheap/free method for lowering the front end, and just an inch or two would level out the front with the rear and make the stance just right. Keep up the good work

[sander]

Good idea to use a yoga mat! I really like the look of the tank the way it is now, it adds character to the bike. I have to agree on the frontend though.

[DV2000NJ]

Thanks for the kind words, guys! I'm really happy with how things are turning out for my first time doing all of this.

As far as the front end goes, I'm hesitant to lower it since the bike gets bombed down dirt roads fairly often, and I do plan on some eventual light off-roading on fire roads and such. Yeah, this bike wasn't meant for that whatsoever, but my 4wd pickup wasn't meant for drag racing either and that's been a lot of fun, so why not. :lol:

I do have some longer shocks from Progressive coming in tomorrow which will raise the rear end about 3/4"-1", which should get rid of the rearward slope that the bike still has a bit of (not to mention ride 10x better). But who knows, maybe the front end will come down an inch or so eventually.

[DV2000NJ]

Well the shocks actually showed up a day early!  Installation was a breeze, as expected.

Old vs. New (Progressive 12 series, 14")




Before:



After:


I'm much happier with the stance, leveled the bike out just about perfectly.  I'll probably ride the bike to work tomorrow, and I'll report back on ride/handling.

[apetersonboy]

Did you rattle can the wheels? They look like they turned out great! Inspirational.

[DV2000NJ]

Did you rattle can the wheels? They look like they turned out great! Inspirational.

Yup, just cleaned them well, hit them with primer, and a couple costs of gloss black Rustoleum enamel. They're not perfect like they look in pictures, but they look good from more than 2 feet away.

Rode the bike to work this morning, and the new shocks are awesome. Rides much better than before, and with the ass end up a little higher the riding position is even more comfortable. I'm happy!

[davis96]

Did you rattle can the wheels? They look like they turned out great! Inspirational.

Yup, just cleaned them well, hit them with primer, and a couple costs of gloss black Rustoleum enamel. They're not perfect like they look in pictures, but they look good from more than 2 feet away.

Rode the bike to work this morning, and the new shocks are awesome. Rides much better than before, and with the ass end up a little higher the riding position is even more comfortable. I'm happy!

Love the new shocks, raising the rear really changes the look, like you said evens it out. Everything looks better once its been lowered