My stepson's girlfriend bought this bike today. 1981 CB650. Starts (with jumpers) and idles fairly well, even though the carbs look horrible. Tires are ten years old, the forks seem soft, and there's lots of cosmetic issues, but it looks pretty solid overall. I think it will be a good starter bike for her... More to come!
"I have no special talent. I am only passionately curious." - Albert Einstein
"He that is good with a hammer tends to think everything is a nail" - Abraham Maslow
"If you can't take the time to do it right the first time, how are you ever going to find the time to do it over?" -Unknown
In The Shed:
'81 gl1100I barn find aka "Josie, the farmer's daughter." (almost comatose build)
'77 gl1000, roller parts bike.
'82 gl1100I, 'Old Crusty' titled roller parts bike (free!)
'82 gl1100I, My first 'Wing, and an expensive lesson! New2U Bike? Read Me.
Looks like a great project and a nice starter bike too with enough oomph to keep a new rider happy for a long time. Pretty complete too which helps the pocket book vs when too many pieces are missing from them.
Current Bikes:
1966 CL77 - Honda 305cc - Dual purpose - "Gentleman's Scrambler" was a period moniker.
1967 CL175K0 - Low production number with #802 engine serial- winter 2019/2020 full restoration.
1972 CB350F - Baby Four with low mileage - Cosmetic refresh to the next level 2021/2022.
1978 CB550K - Very original bike with only 7499 Km. from new - light cleanup and refresh done.
1983 CB1100F - Canadian model - DOHC Supersport in pristine low kilometre condition from new.
1984 GL1200 - Standard model in showroom condition - two owner bike from new.
1984 CX650E - Restored summer 2017 - a rare Eurosport model - excellent one owner bike.
I forgot which one, back in the day, one of the Motorcycle mag's of the time in there review said....
This is the "Chevy Nova" of motorcycles, it does everything well and no one will notice.....
Looks like solid bones, great starting place, best of luck
82 GL1100 Interstate-Oldewing October 23 BOTM
06 GL1800 Road bike, as in Rode alot...
Sometimes I wrestle with my inner demons.........
Other times we just hug.......
Team 898
Team LTD 993
Team 76 R2B3
And always remember: beer has some food value--but food has NO beer value...
When I was in Memphis going through Aviation Electronics training in 79 my Best friend had a 79 model. He and I would race everywhere. I had a 78 750F. I could outrun him in the straights but he was much quicker through the corners. We had great fun together. Nice bikes for sure!
"Agreement is not a requirement for Respect" CDR Michael Smith USN (Ret) 2017
"The book is wrong, this whole Conclusion is Fallacious" River Tam
"Yea I do dance awkwardly, and I am having more fun than you" Taylor Swift
2008 GL1800 IIIA "TH3DOG"
1984 GL1200 Standard
1975/6/7/8/9 Arthur Fulmer Dressed Road bike
1975 Naked Noisy and Nasty in town bike
Psst. oh and by the way CHANGE YOUR BELTS!!!!
Thanks for the encouraging replies! I think the bike will suit her needs for quite some time.
Of course a new battery is first on their list. I strongly urged them to put new tires as a high priority, but Josh is waffling on that 'expense.' I'm keeping a 'hands off' approach unless asked (or something goes terribly wrong...).
Any suggestions on carb kits? They are Kehin's, and look very similar to the 1100's.
"I have no special talent. I am only passionately curious." - Albert Einstein
"He that is good with a hammer tends to think everything is a nail" - Abraham Maslow
"If you can't take the time to do it right the first time, how are you ever going to find the time to do it over?" -Unknown
In The Shed:
'81 gl1100I barn find aka "Josie, the farmer's daughter." (almost comatose build)
'77 gl1000, roller parts bike.
'82 gl1100I, 'Old Crusty' titled roller parts bike (free!)
'82 gl1100I, My first 'Wing, and an expensive lesson! New2U Bike? Read Me.
Track They are possibly the VB series which are relatively easy to work on and just like most carbs the brass can be carefully cleaned and reused. A gasket/O ring kit maybe available aftermarket, or Honda will have one for sure.
Make sure you get the pilot jets and the accelerator pump circuits clean and working well and you will be fine.
Current Bikes:
1966 CL77 - Honda 305cc - Dual purpose - "Gentleman's Scrambler" was a period moniker.
1967 CL175K0 - Low production number with #802 engine serial- winter 2019/2020 full restoration.
1972 CB350F - Baby Four with low mileage - Cosmetic refresh to the next level 2021/2022.
1978 CB550K - Very original bike with only 7499 Km. from new - light cleanup and refresh done.
1983 CB1100F - Canadian model - DOHC Supersport in pristine low kilometre condition from new.
1984 GL1200 - Standard model in showroom condition - two owner bike from new.
1984 CX650E - Restored summer 2017 - a rare Eurosport model - excellent one owner bike.
awesome. always love hearing about another new rider.
sorta bulldogged custom 1978 GL1000 - "geekster"
full Vetter dress 1979 GL1000 - "Barge" (currently down)
1986 1200 Aspencade - "Heart of Gold" - daily rider
1990 1500 Aspencade - It's ALIVE! but very, very naked. not in a good way.
1978 for $100 - project in worx
1978 from a previous member here - taking up space
my original '79 bought in '91 - replacing engine (eventually, maybe someday)
H2G2=42
A competent and self-confident person is incapable of jealousy in anything. Jealousy is invariably a symptom of neurotic insecurity. ~ Robert A. Heinlein
The good thing about science is that it's true whether or not you believe in it. ~ Neil deGrasse Tyson
A quick wash cleaned up a lot of the dust and grime, and even most of the fuel strains on the engine. There's some pitting on the wheels that probably can't be fully removed, one side cover is cracked, and the rear fender is pretty dented up. Haven't dug into the electrics yet, but I'm sure there will be a few issues.
The crankcase is over full, and smells of fuel, which isn't surprising looking at the carbs. The gas tank looks pretty rusty, so that has to be addressed as well.
"I have no special talent. I am only passionately curious." - Albert Einstein
"He that is good with a hammer tends to think everything is a nail" - Abraham Maslow
"If you can't take the time to do it right the first time, how are you ever going to find the time to do it over?" -Unknown
In The Shed:
'81 gl1100I barn find aka "Josie, the farmer's daughter." (almost comatose build)
'77 gl1000, roller parts bike.
'82 gl1100I, 'Old Crusty' titled roller parts bike (free!)
'82 gl1100I, My first 'Wing, and an expensive lesson! New2U Bike? Read Me.
Pulled and drained the gas tank, and removed a carb cap just for fun. I was surprised by how clean (relatively speaking) the slide and cap was. The slide needle had a green tinge to it, as did the gas that piddled out when I cracked open the float bowl drain screw.
The ignition is much like the 1100's, and of course the potting material in the spark units on this bike have melted just like the 1100's do. The bike didn't seem to exhibit any ignition issues during the few minutes we've had it running, so I'm hoping to clean up and fill the spark units with epoxy as others here have done.
I've joined the SOHC4 forum, and found quite a bit of info, like links to service manuals and such. I've never owned a bike with a drive chain/ sprockets for more than a few months, so all that is new to me, as well.
"I have no special talent. I am only passionately curious." - Albert Einstein
"He that is good with a hammer tends to think everything is a nail" - Abraham Maslow
"If you can't take the time to do it right the first time, how are you ever going to find the time to do it over?" -Unknown
In The Shed:
'81 gl1100I barn find aka "Josie, the farmer's daughter." (almost comatose build)
'77 gl1000, roller parts bike.
'82 gl1100I, 'Old Crusty' titled roller parts bike (free!)
'82 gl1100I, My first 'Wing, and an expensive lesson! New2U Bike? Read Me.
Track if they are the VB series carbs I probably have the Oring sets for the fuel rails and the accelerator pump rails and the pilot screws. If your going to break them down completely and take them off the rack you will need these ORings. The float bowl formed gaskets are available off E bay sellers in a kit, or 4 into 1 an online seller.
I can send you them in the mail, as I have lots left from the DOHC carb sets I used to rebuild.
Send me a PM if you need them with your details.
Current Bikes:
1966 CL77 - Honda 305cc - Dual purpose - "Gentleman's Scrambler" was a period moniker.
1967 CL175K0 - Low production number with #802 engine serial- winter 2019/2020 full restoration.
1972 CB350F - Baby Four with low mileage - Cosmetic refresh to the next level 2021/2022.
1978 CB550K - Very original bike with only 7499 Km. from new - light cleanup and refresh done.
1983 CB1100F - Canadian model - DOHC Supersport in pristine low kilometre condition from new.
1984 GL1200 - Standard model in showroom condition - two owner bike from new.
1984 CX650E - Restored summer 2017 - a rare Eurosport model - excellent one owner bike.