new to this much displacement

Posted: Sun Mar 30, 2008 12:31 am

Ok first I have been riding 1968 CT90 for about 4years
I love this littel bike ,but getting passed by grannie in her tempo giving you the bird can be unerving
so I got a bigger bike
1973 cl175/200 frankenbike that I cafed( I'll tell you the story if you want to here it later)
much faster but no good for the hightway
and then it turns out that I'm too old and and broken to ride on rearsets and clubman bars 20 min. and my wrist is killing me.
so I suck it up and face the fact that no mater how much I might like them sport bikes are out for me.
and Ireally want to be able to carry my tools and lunch youKnow actully comute on it.
so I go on line looking for a standerd bike older honda (budget you know)
and I'm thinking 350-400cc
and I come across a 1980 CB900 coustom $500
so I go and check it out
cosmaticaly it looks good
runs ruff but I know whattoo rich sounds and smells like
and the guy tells me that the carbs or propleple gumed up from sitting
then I turn around and sell him my littel cafe and a basket cass cb 350
laying in my garage for $200
net lay out $300
This hapend tonight
so If any body who knows about this 10 speed monster sitting in my garage has any advice about potetial proplems and tuning tips I would be very gratefull for any nuggets of Knolegd passed my my way.
I'm good with old Hondas but each bike is an indevidual
but bad at spelling
Thanks and hello

Posted: Sun Mar 30, 2008 1:18 am

Welcome to the asylum.. I mean site!
You'll want to go through the bike top to bottom but once you get the fuel tank and carbs cleaned and checked out I would get a Big Crank battery and make sure the charging system is functioning. These bikes are notorious for having issues that will leave you stranded at the worst times.
There is lots more before you hit the road but just a heads up on that one.
Good luck!

Posted: Sun Mar 30, 2008 8:02 am

welcome BlackSamBonney. you will find alot of help here for that 900 of yours and you won't have to worry about anny grandmas saluting you once you get your bike running right

Posted: Sun Mar 30, 2008 8:17 am

Change the oil - stick new plugs in - clean the carbs and take it from there Razz

And take some time to get used to the size , weight and power before yankin the throttle too hard !!!!!!!!!
The other thing if its been standing for a long time - make sure the tyres are OK - no sidewall cracks and are the treads OK and not hardened off and lost their grip - these are heavy bikes to keep pickin up off the highway Twisted Evil

Posted: Sun Mar 30, 2008 9:03 am

Thanks
well Its morning and it still looks as big as it did last night.
Thanks Pointdiver that warning about the charging system was just the sort of thing I was hoping to get here.
The tires look ok nocracks just worn but ok for now
I'm not looking forward to tire changing with a shaft drive
well I'm geting ready to go out in to the garage but it up on the center stand (IF I can get it up on the center stand)
and get intimate with my new ride.
then I'm going out to get some Depends becouse when I get it running right I think it's going to scare the shit out of me(at first)
I'm bad about pictures but I'll try to get some posted today
Thanks
Pointdiver, detdbuzzed and vyxxn
for the warm welcome

Posted: Sun Mar 30, 2008 9:31 am

In addition to looking for cracks on tires, check out the DOT code. The last numbers reflect the week and year they were manufactured. For instance, 1605 is made the 16th week of 2005. I would be concerned about anything over 10 years old and somewhat concerned over 5 years old, no matter if I found cracks or not..

http://www.ama-cycle.org/roadride/tires.asp

Posted: Sun Mar 30, 2008 7:47 pm

I'm not sure I'm reading the DOT code right
the four number code ahead of the DOT stamp is 8804
the one after is 1653 niether of witch makes sense to me
the tires are Bridgestone Spitfire 11r and 11f and once I got the dirt and dust off they apear to be in better shape than I origanly thought
I fact I'm feeling better about the bike in genral having washed the dirt and grime off there seems to be only one oil leak right above the timing chain adj.on the valve cover
I've pulled the carbs and the air cleaner box wich was had oil type K&N filter in it.
I've inspected the carbs and don't see any that looks bad except varnish,dirt on the outside and an overwelming smell of old gas.
Then Iremoved the bowls taking care to keepeverything matched
and found what appers to be rust floating in the botoms of the bowls.
looks like I get to drain and clean the tank and petcock.
Tomarrow im going to get a shop manual.

Posted: Sun Mar 30, 2008 8:05 pm

BlackSamBonney wrote:

Tomarrow im going to get a shop manual.

Do you know we have one here?

http://www.cb750c.com/modules.php?name=Forums&file=viewtopic&t=6

Posted: Sun Mar 30, 2008 8:35 pm

Glad to have you on board Sam.

Everyone will be more than ready to jump in and lend a hand! After you get the carbs cleaned and the bike running good. Check your valve clearances, very important, then sync the carbs.

Change the fluids and check for battery voltage with engine at 3K rpm. Should have 14.5V when at that rpm. If you do, you will be good to go.

Take your time and get used to her, just like a new girlfriend, and she will make you a sweet machine.

8)

Posted: Sun Mar 30, 2008 11:55 pm

HELL YEA! THANKS D-Day
and thanks for finding and putting a copy of the service manual on the bord
I now have a copy saftly burned to a disc
and the reading has been facinating so far it makes the Clymer manual look sad .I finaly get to use my timing light I bought 20 years ago.

I sure hope so OLDTIMER but looking around on the Interwebb I've read nothing but positve stuff about this bike the only drawback for some seems to be a small tank, but that wont be a proplem for me as long interstate rides are not in my future .

Posted: Mon Mar 31, 2008 12:01 am

BlackSamBonney wrote:

HELL YEA! THANKS D-Day
and thanks for finding and putting a copy of the service manual on the bord
I now have a copy saftly burned to a disc
and the reading has been facinating so far it makes the Clymer manual look sad .I finaly get to use my timing light I bought 20 years ago.

Just passing on the efforts and wisdom of the many who have come before.

On thing that is wrong in both manuals is the valve gap setting. Should be .005 inch, NOT .002 inch. So, if you get around to setting your gaps, remember this one...

Posted: Mon Mar 31, 2008 12:31 am

I hope my valve clearences are good
I have no experiance with this kind of valve adjustment nor do I have the speacial tool that seams to be required to change the shims
I'm ok with the theary but the actual doing the adj. looks like experiance would be very helpfull
but I might be just be pairanoid to!?!
I should write that down somewhere .005 not.002

As an after thought the Choper shop I bought the bike from thought it would be a good idea to rip the baffel out of the 4into1 exsoust wich I now know is after market( a shame I liked the stock pipes)
do you have any recemondations on a replacement "muffeler/baffel"?
any one?

Posted: Mon Mar 31, 2008 12:40 am

BlackSamBonney wrote:

do you have any recemondations on a replacement "muffeler/baffel"?
any one?

What kind of exhaust is it? The Kerker, MAC & V&H baffles can be bought from:

http://www.crc2onlinecatalog.com/Index_Main_Frame.htm

Posted: Mon Mar 31, 2008 2:34 am

Welcome! I will not offer my advise as I'm still learning and haven't had much wrench time on her yet. You will find a lot of help here on the forums though. These guys are great.

Posted: Mon Mar 31, 2008 6:46 am

Sam, it is a good thing these tanks are not very big. You will want a break after about two hours riding. Sad

Posted: Mon Mar 31, 2008 8:31 am

Well Pintdiver I went to the site in your post
It looks like I have a V&H 4into1 but as there are no descernable markings
I cant be sure, I'll have to look at it morclosly
But it was nice to see that baffels are cheap
Thanks

Hi Theo
yes this fourm has been very helpfull

Posted: Mon Mar 31, 2008 9:12 am

Welcome to the site Sam ... Smile

Even tho you might prefer the little itty bitty million mile per gallon step above pedaling bikes , there is at least one consolation having a 900 and that being you'll actually be able to ride up to Lookout and maybe take a break at The Robin's Nest ( if it's still there ) .

I spent a couple years in Denver and Cheyenne . Did a lot of riding and rock climbing .

Anyway , You found the BEST place on the net so far as that 900 is concerned ... Very Happy

Posted: Mon Mar 31, 2008 9:28 am

Welcome to the site, the 900 isn't a wild bike, should be just fine for you.

Posted: Tue Apr 01, 2008 8:05 am

You Know pd750 I don't think it's so much I perfer small bikes as the CT was my first bike, it was the bike that I discoverd I really enjoy riding on.
First love thing sort of thing you know.
You got to admit though 80+ MPG. is a big selling point these days.

Thanks and hello Quakeholio

Posted: Tue Apr 01, 2008 9:59 am

I was ribbing you about the little bikes , Sam ... Wink

Doesn't really matter where the love starts , so long as we recognize it for what it is and follow through . Smile

And yep , 80 mpg is real good . You might get about half that with your 900 . I get a steady 45 mpg with my 750 .

Posted: Tue Apr 01, 2008 11:11 pm

No sweat PD 750 I did'nt take it in a bad way
You should see me though
I'm 6' and 250lbs.
I look like a major dork on the CT
I outweigh the bike it's only 180lbs.
and yet I still sometimes get the wave on it, so I dont care
There are people who understand the rest I dont worry about
One night one my way home from having coffe with some friends this guy pulls up next to me on a big Ducoti Monster looks over at me and say's
"cool what year is it? I wish I had one for runing arends on"
I grinned all the way home(damm the bugs).

An update ;I just finished cleaning and rassembiling the carbs
I found a lot of varnish and the excelerator pump valves where gumed shut.and It looks like I had dirt not rust in the bowls.
and I don't know if its normal to have old fuel in the diaphrams
but there was no aparent ware and once clean they all moved smothly
I was suprised at the ease that the carps went back on to the manifold and yes the air box was cleaned and installed first.
tomarrow I hop to drain and clean the tank and petcock.
and mabe start it but well see I dont want to rush it.

Posted: Wed Apr 02, 2008 9:56 am

Sam ,

If you haven't already you should install an in line filter like this one :

Don't bother with the screen type filters . They let a lot of fine stuff thru that ends up clogging the small holes in the jets .

Posted: Thu Apr 03, 2008 8:01 am

Turns out it was chips and small fine particals of paint.
and yes a fuel filter is definatly in order
Last night I got it put back together and got ready to start it when I noticed that there was no fuel in the bowls.
the pecock was open and fuel flowed out of the tank!?!
Then Looked at the eploded veiw of the carbs and realized I had put the floats in upsidedown (smack to forhead)
I pulled the carbs and got the floats turned around and put every thing back together (it goes faster the seconed time you do it)
and now I'm ready to start it tonight when I get home from work
whish me luck

Posted: Thu Apr 03, 2008 10:14 am

I'd install that inline filter before you start it again . or you'll be pulling the carbs for another cleaning .

Posted: Thu Apr 03, 2008 10:14 am

And , Good Luck ... Smile

Posted: Thu Apr 03, 2008 9:16 pm

IT LIVES
MY bike started right up
it ran ruff at first but it was cold and it was burning off the SEAFOAM
once it warmed up it seteled down idealed smothly and came right up with the throtell
I Was so happy I had to take it around the block
pissing off the misses in the prosess
no helmet no plates wet roads I can't blame her for being madd
but that wont happen agian I just had to know how it road
the power was really smooth I just eased off the clutch fed a littel throttel and she just rolled away
I never got over 30 but I never felt like she was going to just runaway from me she seemed happy what ever speed I wanted to go
I still have a lot to do befor I go for a real test ride but I feel really good about the motor now it was quiet with only the faintest of lifter noise

Posted: Thu Apr 03, 2008 10:55 pm

Giddy Up! 8)

Posted: Fri Apr 04, 2008 9:35 am

Welcome! Glad to see she runs for you, I had a 750C when I started with the DOHC Hondas, as far as getting use to a larger CC motor just take you time with her, you will know when you are ready to open her up and let her go like the wind, my current bike started life as a stock 750F, then I started to play with her first a 823cc, then a 900cc, to a 985cc, and now a 1100R motor all in the same frame

Posted: Fri Apr 04, 2008 11:53 am

Sam ,

I don't mean to beat a dead horse , but ...

The pic below shows the in line filter set up I use . You can see ( barely ) the sediment build up in filter 1 . About what I'd expect being as my tank has a fair amount of rust in it . Then look at filter 2 . The amount of sediment is about 1/4 to 1/3 of the 1st filter . All of the sediment in the filters would have ended up in my float bowls had I not used filters . And there is a screen in the tank .

These are 60 micron filters .

Posted: Fri Apr 04, 2008 11:03 pm

You have my atteintion pd750
I've stoped by an auto parts store they didn't have what I needed
So I went to Performance Cycel, you would think with a name like that they would have a good fuel filter
no luck only skreen filters and adumb look when I asked for a cartrege or fine filter.(aren't fuel injectors even more sensitive to dirt?)
They had about hunderd $100 sun glasses though
I was at least able to get an oil filter and some hipoid gear oil
tomarow I plan on motor oil , moly grease and hopfully an fuel filter
and A temp tag from the bike shop( I don't want to talk about it. sufice to say so far I've visited the DMV twice in one day and I still dont have plates)

Posted: Fri Apr 04, 2008 11:08 pm

Hey pd.....are you running 1/4" or 5/16" lines and filters? There's been some discussion of the best size in the past, where 1/4" are nice a snug but 5/16" are a bit easier to work with.

I ask because I used 1/4" last time and I think that there are more types of 5/16" filters available.

Just wondering....

Posted: Sat Apr 05, 2008 10:01 am

Sam ,

Have you tried a small engine repair shop for those filters ?

Briggs & Stratton uses these in their tune up kits .

Dave ,

I pretty sure I have 1/4" .

As for availability , I would think either should be .

And , we like things nice and snug . Smile

Posted: Sun Apr 06, 2008 9:10 am

No but I foundone yesterday at a different autopartsstore
In fact I found everything Iwas looking for yesterday

WOO! HOO!
Tuneup & maintance sofar done
Carbs, air box and airfilter cleaned and installed
Tank rinsed,petcock cleaned and fuelfilter installed
Oil,oilfilter changed, used Castrall GTX deiseal 15-40(yep I read Holysmokes post,should be required reading for all riders)
Installed 3 prong electronic flasher ( much better than the stock 2prong thermal, more regular flashing and the signal"pops" more)
Changed grear oil in both the sub tranmission and final drive.
greased the drive shaft
Replaced baffel in tail pipe( junkyard , paid too much but its done now.)
aired up tires, they look good but I'm going to be saving money for new ones
New plugs
lastnight I aired up the suspension Crossing my fiengers there is still air in it this morning
Then all thats left is to put thesidecovers and the seat back on mount the temptag
look the bike over
then go for a test ride

Posted: Sun Apr 06, 2008 9:24 am

WTG Sam ,

Sounds like ya got a pretty good grip on the sitcheeashun ... Very Happy

Posted: Sun Apr 06, 2008 1:21 pm

HEHEHEHEHHEHEHEHEHEHEHEHHEHEHEHEHEHEHEHEHEHEHEHEHEHEHEHEHE
HEHEHEHEHHEHEHEHEHEHEHEHHEHEHEHEHEHEHEHEHEHEHEHEHEHEHEHE
HEHEHEHEHEHHEHEHEHEHEHEHEHEHEHEHEHEHEHEHEHEH
HEHEHEHHEHEHEHEHHEHEHEHEHEHEHEHEHEHEHEHEHEHEHEHHEHEHEHEHE
HEHEHEHEHEHE
HEHEHEHEHEHEHHEEHEHEHEHEHEHEHEHEHEHEHEHEHEHEHHEHEHEHEHHEHEHE
HOLY SHIT!
OK I start at the START
There was 99% of the air still in the susspension that I put in last night
not bad for a 28 year old bike
so I put it back together started it got it warmed up(shes cold blooded)
a littel rod noise at first but that went away quikly ( remeber oil change)\
otherwise she sounded good
so I shut her off and went in to get my gear on, came back out hoped on turned the key would'nt start no spark
DEPRESSION
got to be a loose wire Ithoght
went in to look at the service manual
hhmm trouble shooting fist line engen stop switch
STOP SWITCH!?!
OH I"M AN IDIOT!
went back out hoped on the bike turned the stop swich to ON
and she started right up
In my defence this is the first bike I've owned that has had one of these.
eased her out of the drive way and procede to go on the best test ride I have ever been on
Displacement is COOL
I rode around the naborhood untill I felt comfortable enuff to face traffic
rode around the steets, filled her up with preameium
Then I thought I would hop on the highway
I now know what warpdrive feels like
Iwas at 60 inside a block,( this might be old news to the rest of you but to me it was a revalation) and she still had more
It wasent scary the bike was stable I was just going fast right NOW!
I was filled with a tremenduse sence of POWER
( you don't know the power of the darkside)
then once at a stop light I reved her up a littel ( I had been luging her pulling away from stops) and let the clutch out alittel too fast
and she broke the rear tire loose
IT was at toltal axedent I swear
IT was no big deal I just let off the throttel alittel and she pulled away
well I'm going to stop vomiting now
To All of you on the forum every body have been a huge help
THANKYOU!
and I'll give you a more technical report on my test ride when the adreanalen setelles down but for now very thing looks good only few minor issuesand adjustments.
Thanks again
BSB

Posted: Sun Apr 06, 2008 2:38 pm

Yeee Hawww !!! Very Happy

Posted: Sun Apr 06, 2008 3:41 pm

I drove some smaller cc's a couple years

THERE IS NO REPLACEMENT FOR DISPLACEMENT

you think that honda is a hoot, throw your leg over kawasaki 500 triple Rolling Eyes

Posted: Sun Apr 06, 2008 5:05 pm

That;s funny! Be careful, it can be addicting! Twisted Evil

Posted: Mon Apr 07, 2008 12:24 am

OK now that I've wound down I'm pleased to report that the motor is as quiet as a mouse aside from the exhoust note
only a soft tapping in the valve train and something I can only describe as slithering from what I belive is the timing chain
other than that no knocking ,pining
no visible vibration
once warm there is no hesitation or any detectible flat spot
( i havent had it wyed open though)
The brakes or ausome. I coud esaly throw my self off the bike with them
Having never been on a bike with good susspention I'm uncertain how to rate this one but it feels ok to me, more riding will tell
The transmission is a bit klunky but I had no Proplems except the shifter is too damm close to the(what are those bars around the motor called?)
The bike handeling was good more mass than I'm used to
Thou I had one issue
when I turn the bike at slow speeds I find myself pussing back like the front weel wants to turn farther it's the same in both directions
is this a funktion of the rake or should I be looking in to something?
Hears hoping to ride tomarrow

Posted: Mon Apr 07, 2008 12:36 am

and Holysmokes if money was no object I'd be siting on aDucati.
and waiting for my wrist sugery.
sorry guys I just love the sound those bikes make and the way they look
but I'd have to be rich and singel to have one
even if someone gave one to me.
having said that I'm very happy with my 900 ,you would have a hard time getting me to give it up right now. Laughing

Posted: Mon Apr 07, 2008 6:46 am

You will get use to the mass of the bike, then you will not notice the front end.

BTW, no footwear with shoe laces, or at least tucked in. If not, you will find them wrapped around the Hi-Lo shifter when you come to a stop and then . . . Evil or Very Mad

Posted: Mon Apr 07, 2008 6:52 am

Ducatis are v twinsm you would be dissapointed, you need to think cbr or vfr

Posted: Mon Apr 07, 2008 8:30 am

shhh. don't let the HD guys here you 'dissen' Vtwins.
Your probpebly right about Duc. vs CBR Smokes but
Having never ridden either I'm only going on asthetics and that guteral sound the DUC. Vtwin makes when they get on it.

So Oldtimer; that stearing thing is natual to the bike and not to worry about it?
It's been my experiance that laces on any bike ( I'm including bicycles)
are bad.
'make em short,tuck them in or better yet don't wear them'
I've been hung up befor it's no fun

Posted: Mon Apr 07, 2008 8:38 am

alot of the guys here on this site. in the warmer climates , wear open toed sandals, it make it so much easier to show off their fish net stockings

Posted: Mon Apr 07, 2008 8:46 am

LOL!

Posted: Mon Apr 07, 2008 8:55 am

Here In colorado we have two basic types of riders
The ones who only come out when its above 60f and sunny
and the ones who ride every day the roads permiting
Now I'm not going to be judgemental about this
different people ride for different reasons
But if I wanted advice on something motorcycle related I would tend to go to the people who ride every day.

Posted: Mon Apr 07, 2008 9:55 am

Good thinking , Sam ... Smile