Older Bikes? 81 CB900

**pRojekt02GT** · 04-04-2010, 02:31 PM

Anyone on here ride any older bike's? I'm going to check out a 81 Honda CB900 tomorrow, something to get me back and forth to work and to cruise every once in a while. Guy says it smokes a little bit on start up, but tapers off after being warmed up and/or riding. Any idea on this? I was thinking a set of rings would cure this problem..anyhow, let me know if anyone has any experience with these bikes.

**SonofaBish** · 04-04-2010, 06:31 PM

my first bike was my dad's '81 CB900 Custom.... good running bike... really, the only pain was that it had 4 individual carburetors... however, great bike overall... not sure about the smoking thing.... no matter what it needs, i wouldn't buy a bike that smokes... unless you're getting it for $200 or something......
Otherwise, its a great bike... shaft drive, so there's no maintenance there and its very reliable... its a great bike to begin on... plenty of power for a beginner... only problem i ever had with it was that it hurt my lower back a little... people say that sportbikes look so uncomfy, but no matter how comfy the seating position looks on the CB900, since its upright, you tend to slouch your back, and if you ride it for a couple hours you may end up with a sore back... but you're young, so i wouldnt worry about that

**pRojekt02GT** · 04-04-2010, 07:04 PM

Originally Posted by SonofaBish

my first bike was my dad's '81 CB900 Custom.... good running bike... really, the only pain was that it had 4 individual carburetors... however, great bike overall... not sure about the smoking thing.... no matter what it needs, i wouldn't buy a bike that smokes... unless you're getting it for $200 or something......
Otherwise, its a great bike... shaft drive, so there's no maintenance there and its very reliable... its a great bike to begin on... plenty of power for a beginner... only problem i ever had with it was that it hurt my lower back a little... people say that sportbikes look so uncomfy, but no matter how comfy the seating position looks on the CB900, since its upright, you tend to slouch your back, and if you ride it for a couple hours you may end up with a sore back... but you're young, so i wouldnt worry about that

I'm just worried about the little smoke on start up thats all..he said it burns a little bit of oil but not a whole lot..wasnt his bike hes selling it for his brother in law that died..im gonna take a look at it, see how much it smokes on a cold start up, and whether it smokes while riding or not..if it smokes too bad then ill jus keep on lookin but for the price it didnt seem like too bad of a bike, 28k miles..

**SonofaBish** · 04-04-2010, 08:51 PM

Where is the bike at??

Honestly, not too many bikes have that kinda miles, even ones that old... and when my dad sold his, it had just a little bit less than that.....

good luck... its definitely a good bike... 10 speed... 5 gears in high range, 5 in low... and it'll do like 110 mph or so

**pRojekt02GT** · 04-05-2010, 01:01 AM

Originally Posted by SonofaBish

Where is the bike at??

Honestly, not too many bikes have that kinda miles, even ones that old... and when my dad sold his, it had just a little bit less than that.....

good luck... its definitely a good bike... 10 speed... 5 gears in high range, 5 in low... and it'll do like 110 mph or so

It's in baldwin..like I said some guys brother in law died and has his sister selling it for him? Idk, guy says it smokes on start up but not so much afterwards..but we'll see in the am..hopefully its somewhat descent and ill have some pics up of it tomorrow.

**pRojekt02GT** · 04-05-2010, 01:04 PM

Update:

Went and saw the bike, took it for a ride down the street..runs pretty good, strong bike. Only thing is, when it does start up it does burn some oil..after running it does taper off but theres still a little smoke..the guy said it had sat a year including this winter. The front fairing would come off, but id have to rewire headlight and turn signals and WELD the turn signals back on because the other guy cut off the mounts pretty much..talked him down from 1000 to 800...

any guess at to what could cause this smoking? could use a set of rings?..I dont wanna buy something thats gonna blow up on me in a week..lol..lemme hear your thoughts everyone!!

**383taman** · 04-05-2010, 03:00 PM

Rings could be sticking in the pistons. Put some sea foam in it if you buy it and see what happens.My bike smoked when it sat for awhile did that and cleared up in about a week.

**pRojekt02GT** · 04-05-2010, 03:14 PM

Originally Posted by 383taman

Rings could be sticking in the pistons. Put some sea foam in it if you buy it and see what happens.My bike smoked when it sat for awhile did that and cleared up in about a week.

Talked to a guy at South Hills Cycles over here by me, he said the rings maybe worn out or the valve seals..quite an expensive job he said so..Idk, I may just wait it out and keep looking..plus..

theres a front fairing on it, which looks hideous IMo. I wanna take it off but the mounts for the original turn signals are CUT off..so id have to get aftermarkets and try to mount those up..just seems like more work than what its worth..dunnno yet, this workers comp place i been going to for my arm is screwing me now so I'm going to save my funds probably for now..

**SonofaBish** · 04-05-2010, 05:20 PM

i'd keep looking... but jmho

**pRojekt02GT** · 04-05-2010, 11:18 PM

Well, talked guy down from 1000 to 650...if I have the time I may go scoop it up tomorrow..decisions, decisions..

**97LaserRed** · 04-05-2010, 11:19 PM

Originally Posted by pRojekt02GT

Well, talked guy down from 1000 to 650...if I have the time I may go scoop it up tomorrow..decisions, decisions..

**pRojekt02GT** · 04-06-2010, 12:04 AM

Originally Posted by 97LaserRed

lol..think im jus gonna effin buy it..i havent had anything descent for myself in awhile, guess it can be a little project of mine..take of the front fairing, put some new turn signals on it, new headlight, delete the saddle bags..and detail the shit outta it!!..

it even has a heated seat! LOL.

**Inkdcountryboy** · 04-06-2010, 01:55 AM

i personally like older metric bikes.. but im more prone to metric bikes...but i own harleys lol

**pRojekt02GT** · 04-06-2010, 03:00 AM

Figured while I had a picture, id post it up..here she is

front fairing=off..saddle bags=off..not lookin too bad!! gotta' get it to my cleanliness liking before I take it out though, little dirty. Not too shabby after hassling the guy from a grand to 650!

**pRojekt02GT** · 04-06-2010, 03:53 PM

After my physical therapy appointment tomorrow am, she will be here!

**SonofaBish** · 04-06-2010, 05:55 PM

yea, gotta take the front bit off and the saddle bags off... it'll look like a whole new bike... and 10x better... here's what my dad's looked like when he sold it...

**cam303** · 04-06-2010, 06:14 PM

I would leave the bags.

**scott5** · 04-06-2010, 06:23 PM

not my style but if its what you want then go for it.

**pRojekt02GT** · 04-07-2010, 01:53 AM

Looks good bish, very clean. althought i'd do away with the windshield..do you have an extra headlight for that thing laying around by chance? any good parts? shot in the dark but...ill get some pics up this friday/sat when i clean er up if im not too busy riding it!! haha..picking it up tomorrow for sure at 11am. Gonna throw some sea foam in it, and ride til I gotta go to work. Then some after :)