83 650 New To Me

[Rebel13]

I have been scopeing this place for 2 weeks since I got this. Figured I might as well join now?

I got this new to me 83' CB650. It is a straight up fun hobby, play toy. I'm far from new on motorcycles.

Where to start, I guess how I got her. First off I live in the middle of know where in lower central Georgia. I have been on craigslist for a few weeks scoping bikes. One night, I decide to low ball about 6 different bikes, ranging new, old, beginner etc. I saw one for this one, an 83 650 nighthawk for $1,300. I low balled it at $700 not knowing anything about it and it was an hour and a half away. I got a reply about a day later. It was listed for $1300 and I said $700 firm now. They responded the next day saying $1100 min. So I ignored it and heard one more to low comment from another bike. Well 6 days later I get an e-mail saying, I relisted the price on craigslist at $900 and it is yours for $700 if you want it. I jumped on it but my bank was closed for the deal. Needless to say I found a way to pay for it the next day. So I got her and brought her home.

She needs alllloooootttt of work, but the original plan was to have a fun project bike to build and play with. So I got my play toy for kinda cheap.

Some of the problems I found. Fork seals bad, has an oil leak but is only coming from the drain pan nut, rear shocks are shot, head bearings bad, moister getting in gauges, gauge fuel level wrong, etc. Needs major TLC but has had it since I brought her home. Her name is "Elaine" now, and will live up to her name! I have only had her 2 weeks now, I have already changed a few things and a few things are on the way. It will be far from original when I am done with her. Nothing I own with stays original.

All in all, I think I got a hell of a deal, $700 for an operating bike 36k milage, spare set of rims and tires, complete exhaust and complete engine!

I have been keeping pic status with the bike, but only on face book. Here is some before pictures anyway. These are pics when I got her and unlike usual, these pics are much better then in person.

I have alot of plans and ideas for her and I'm only realeasing them to a few people before it is done and goes public. You may not like the out comes, but it sure will be different! "hence my screen name"

[jspringator]

They make a pretty decent lightweight sport tourer if that is what you are looking for.

[mattrowe19]

  to the forum! Nice looking bike. You should start a project log and keep us updated. Enjoy the bike!

[Rebel13]

Thanks, I don't like sport touring bikes. It will pretty much be a hobby of reworking and take out every now and then. I have another bike I use as a daily rider. I'm logging with pictures on face book. I keep finding things wrong with it though. It's going to keep me busy alright. Here is the face book album, I released it to the public so you all can see. Check back as I update pics as I go. http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.2163883293621.2103560.1142782623&type=1

[SirSeanSean]

By chance, do you have a color changing truck? First it's orange, then Red, and then orange again. 

[Rebel13]

Haha no. My truck is actually the white one, in fact the same year dakota too! The other one is my friends, his is red. Pictures where with 3 different phones that day, mine was probably the orange one, my phone sucks.

[SirSeanSean]

Out of curiosity, what type of starter solenoid are you using? It looks a tad bit different than the one on my 84.

[Rebel13]

I have no idea. I noticed it's not the original one too, does not fit in the cup at all and mounts another way.

[Rebel13]

I got a set of shocks for her today on order from the UK. I'm stoked, not only are they black like I wanted, but about 1/3 the price of any replacement shocks for this bike. All the work is slowly progressing...I still have about 5 other things on the way coming from around the world. More to come!

As Elaine sits now, naked!