70's era Honda CB as a first bike?

[drnickriviera]

Anyone have experience with these bikes? I was thinking the CB350F to CB550F range. I heard the fours are smooth engines. What about the 2 cylinder CB350? Fuel economy?
I have quite a bit of experience working on sports cars of that era, so syncing carbs and old ignitions systems shouldn't be too hard for me.

Update 12/13 Finally bought a bike. I has not been fun dealing with craigslist sellers. I missed out on a 70's CB450 for $1000, but I think I got a good first bike. 06' Suzuki GS500 20k miles. Needs some TLC, but seems to be in good mechanical shape. Someone did a horrible respray, so i'll be repainting it. Now it's time to find some racks and luggage for it

 

[monkeydelmagico]

Very user friendly. Fairly reliable for the vintage. Cult following. Easy for a beginner. Only downside is if a new rider drops it and breaks stuff. The parts are getting more expensive lately.

 

[Zenmervolt]

Very user friendly. Fairly reliable for the vintage. Cult following. Easy for a beginner. Only downside is if a new rider drops it and breaks stuff. The parts are getting more expensive lately.

This pretty much says it all. They were great bikes in their day, and generally still are if they've been taken care of, but if you drop it (and a new rider will drop the bike, even if only at < 5 mph) it can be hard to find parts for anything you scratch up. I'd stick with a 450 or 550 if you planned on keeping the bike for any amount of time, but a 350 would be just fine to start with too.

ZV

 

[MiataNC]

Great bikes. My first bike was a 1978 Kawasaki KZ650, and my second bike was a Honda 1977 CB750K. I have been kicking myself for decades for selling the Honda.

'70s CBs have so much character. There is a certain smell (no joke) that you get from a fully warmed up air-cooled bike of that era. The buzz in the grips and pegs, the "springy" frame and forks, and the antiquated brakes make the ride unique and unlike any modern bike in a good way. Only imagination limits how far you can customize and make one of these bikes your own.

 

[unokitty]

Anyone have experience with these bikes? I was thinking the CB350F to CB550F range. I heard the fours are smooth engines. What about the 2 cylinder CB350? Fuel economy?
I have quite a bit of experience working on sports cars of that era, so syncing carbs and old ignitions systems shouldn't be too hard for me.

When I lived on Okinawa, I had a 71 CL-450 that I later imported to the US.

It was a wonderful bike. If you are looking for around town transportation, you could do a lot worse.

Though, I have no idea concerning the difficulty of finding a clean 40 year old bike...

Best of luck,
Uno

 

[JulesMaximus]

When I lived on Okinawa, I had a 71 CL-450 that I later imported to the US.

It was a wonderful bike. If you are looking for around town transportation, you could do a lot worse.

Though, I have no idea concerning the difficulty of finding a clean 40 year old bike...

Best of luck,
Uno

Therein lies the problem. If they are clean and in good working order owners want a small fortune for them. If it's a project bike it probably doesn't run and is missing parts or if it runs it probably runs poorly and needs parts replaced.

The motors are pretty bulletproof as long as it hasn't been overly neglected. They don't like to sit for long periods of time and if they do the carbs gum up easily and need to be disassembled and cleaned which can be a bit of a pain in the ass.

They are fun to ride though and easy to work on which is nice. The brakes will always be mediocre at best and downright abysmal compared to a modern motorcycle.

 

[unokitty]

Anyone have experience with these bikes? I was thinking the CB350F to CB550F range. I heard the fours are smooth engines. What about the 2 cylinder CB350? Fuel economy?
I have quite a bit of experience working on sports cars of that era, so syncing carbs and old ignitions systems shouldn't be too hard for me.

Just a thought. If you like Honda's CB 4 cylinder, you might want to consider the Nighthawks.

They're a little newer than the '70's. But I suspect that it would be much easier to find an unmolested Nighthawk.

Best of luck.
Uno

 

[JulesMaximus]

Just a thought. If you like Honda's CB 4 cylinder, you might want to consider the Nighthawks.

They're a little newer than the '70's. But I suspect that it would be much easier to find an unmolested Nighthawk.

Best of luck.
Uno

Could just buy a used FZ6 or Suzuki Bandit and have a much better all around motorcycle.

 

[olds]

I wish I still had my 1979 CB750F-SS.

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[drnickriviera]

Yeah probably just wishful thinking. I liked the looks of the older bikes and the fact that they are lower power. It would probably be better to get something newer.

How about this? GS500 http://littlerock.craigslist.org/mcy/4065456422.html
I've seen others recommend the sv650, duc 626 and honda 599. I think those would have too much power for me to cut my teeth on, but then again, i not some 19 yr old kid.

 

[MiataNC]

If you like the look of classic bikes, why not look at Triumph. Their "Modern Classics" are great bikes.

 

[drnickriviera]

If you like the look of classic bikes, why not look at Triumph. Their "Modern Classics" are great bikes.

I actually do like their classic bikes and the street triple, but I'm still concerned about the power. The don't seem to have anything below 675cc. Also having a few british roadsters, i'm concerned about british engineering.

I guess my train of thought now is to get something with lower power and cheap. Then when I have some riding skills, move up to the bigger and nicer bikes.

Only problem now is convincing the wife

 

[Zenmervolt]

Yeah probably just wishful thinking. I liked the looks of the older bikes and the fact that they are lower power. It would probably be better to get something newer.

How about this? GS500 http://littlerock.craigslist.org/mcy/4065456422.html
I've seen others recommend the sv650, duc 626 and honda 599. I think those would have too much power for me to cut my teeth on, but then again, i not some 19 yr old kid.

Don't know about that one in particular, but the GS500 is a great bike to start on. The idea of a "new flywheel" makes me wonder since I can't think of many reasons why a bike that wasn't crashed or abused would have the flywheel go bad.

ZV

 

[monkeydelmagico]

GS 500 in general is a good start. Many dualsport cycles are also good choices. Ride in the dirt. Learn without cars. Then put some halfway decent road rubber on it and go everywhere. Cheap, easy to fix, durable, the list goes on....

I've owned both SV650 and 599. They've got some juice. Better go easy at first if you go that route.

 

[olds]

Don't know about that one in particular, but the GS500 is a great bike to start on. The idea of a "new flywheel" makes me wonder since I can't think of many reasons why a bike that wasn't crashed or abused would have the flywheel go bad.

ZV

I thought the same thing. But I'd pass on the bike because of the seller's grammar and spelling.

 

[foghorn67]

Hipsters adopting this bike are making it difficult to find a decent one that isn't expensive around here.
I love this bike though. And I still want one.

 

[MiataNC]

I actually do like their classic bikes and the street triple, but I'm still concerned about the power. The don't seem to have anything below 675cc. Also having a few british roadsters, i'm concerned about british engineering.

I guess my train of thought now is to get something with lower power and cheap. Then when I have some riding skills, move up to the bigger and nicer bikes.

Only problem now is convincing the wife

Modern Triumph bikes are very reliable. They are well built, and when parked next to a Japanese bike, generally have a better fit and finish.

Size does and doesn't matter.

Power is tricky...
2013 Triumph Bonneville = 865cc:67hp/60lbs
2009 GS500F = 487cc47hp/30lbs
2003+ SV650 = 645cc:73hp/47lbs
2013 Triumph Street Triple = 675cc:106hp/50lbs

The above doesn't take into account gearing, or where in the RPM range the power is made. The Street Triple is a middleweight sport bike with no plastics, and performs accordingly.

The Triumph "Modern Classics", and the recently introduced Honda CB1100 are as close as you can get to the '70s CB experience with a newer bike.

 

[JulesMaximus]

Modern Triumph bikes are very reliable. They are well built, and when parked next to a Japanese bike, generally have a better fit and finish.

Size does and doesn't matter.

Power is tricky...
2013 Triumph Bonneville = 865cc:67hp/60lbs
2009 GS500F = 487cc47hp/30lbs
2003+ SV650 = 645cc:73hp/47lbs
2013 Triumph Street Triple = 675cc:106hp/50lbs

The above doesn't take into account gearing, or where in the RPM range the power is made. The Street Triple is a middleweight sport bike with no plastics, and performs accordingly.

The Triumph "Modern Classics", and the recently introduced Honda CB1100 are as close as you can get to the '70s CB experience with a newer bike.

A good friend of mine has a Triumph Daytona 955i he bought new in 2002 or 2003 (I can't remember what year his bike is exactly) and he has over 55,000 miles on it and he has had relatively little trouble with it.

I think the Street Triple is a horrible choice for a new rider.

 

[CuriousMike]

If you're mature, the SV650 would be a great platform.
They're plentiful, they're upgradeable and they work.

The later models are FI.

For a new rider, I'd recommend against an older 70's bike for a few reasons... well, one reason really.
Unless your mechanically inclined, you're not going to be happy.
Having a gummed up carb or crunchy clutch cables or crapped out head bearings or rusted fuel petcock or questionable plug wires is going to make smooth take offs unpossible. Having a nicely carbureted bike with a good feeling clutch makes a huge difference when you're starting.

When looking at used bikes, inspect the above plus tires and chain.

When checking head bearings, straddle the bike, hold the front brake on full stop, and gently rock the bike forward and back. If you feel a clunk or a click, it will most likely mean the bearings need tightening or replacing.
If, while doing this test, the front end dives faster than a hooker, the fork oil is probably shot.
Wait, scratch that. Any used bike, assume the fork oil needs replacing. In terms of safety, good tires, good brakes and a front end that doesn't dive if you fart on it are necessary.


Higher mileage = wheel bearings.

Brake pads on bikes are pretty easy to inspect.. and brake fluid too.

 

[cardiac]

I sold a CB350F (4cyl) this spring and got a VERY healthy price for it. Kind of a cult-like following the CB350 4cyl. The 1979 CB750 had a major engine overhaul. Went from a SOHC to a DOHC, and a little different clutch design. Great bikes. Loads of fun, and fast enough to keep you interested...

 

[olds]

I sold a CB350F (4cyl) this spring and got a VERY healthy price for it. Kind of a cult-like following the CB350 4cyl. The 1979 CB750 had a major engine overhaul. Went from a SOHC to a DOHC, and a little different clutch design. Great bikes. Loads of fun, and fast enough to keep you interested...

This looks exactly like mine, wonder if it was. :'( They came with round mirrors but I liked the Suzuki mirrors better so I put those on. My license plate was; "HESONA"

1979 CB750

 

[Harabec]

A GS500 would be a great start. Good power, but not too much - and the frame and brakes are worlds better than the 70's ancient tech.

 

[drnickriviera]

A GS500 would be a great start. Good power, but not too much - and the frame and brakes are worlds better than the 70's ancient tech.

Pics in OP

I agree! MSF class this weekend, it's going to be chilly

 

[unokitty]

Congrats!

Excellent choice!

Uno

 

[MiataNC]

Great choice!

Enjoy and keep the rubber side down!

<- Holds up left hand with 2-finger salute