1980 CB650

[Rob104254]

Hey guys I found a 1980 CB650 for sale for $850 with 35k miles on it and a couple cosmetic issues, Is this a fair price for the bike? I know this is not a nighthawk but I thought you would be the guy's to ask.
 Thanks,
           Rob

[Bumblebee]

Wow! A non SC CB650 besides mine for a change.

My 82 was $600. $1000 isn't out of the question if it's an 82 in good condition.

1981 is when they made several changes to the design.

[ariwhiteboy]

If you buy it I bet BB will be able to help you solve any problems you might have...he is the last of the CB650 dinosaurs. 

[Rob104254]

I may soon be a CB650 dinosaur too  even though I'm only 19  , the flaws I mentioned are repaired cuts in the seat and the headers are rusty, I was told it has not rotted through but I was considering giving him an offer of $750 for it so I can pick it up this coming thursday. Is this fair? I'm kinda new to motorcycles so I'm unsure as to what a reasonable offer would be. I've been told she runs great and it's a 1980

[NightHawked]

It's difficult to say without seeing it. Offer him $500., and explain to him it will take another $500. to make it descent.

[Rob104254]

That is true I priced a header around 350, and then whatever else comes up seeing that it is a 31 year old bike, and here is a pic not a very good one but its what I got from him.

[NightHawked]

Many question. Some are: Does it run? How are the tires? Brakes? Are you going to do the work or have a shop do it? I don't know if I would be planning on spending $350. on exhaust right form the start. Verify what seller is telling you. Has this bike been in service ridden regularly.

[Rob104254]

I have been told it does run, I was also told that it had a carb tune and an oil change last June said there was 300 miles on that oil change so it may have been sitting for a while, don't know squat about the brakes or tires I'll try and find out. Oh and i'll be doing the work myself I'm too cheap to let a shop take my money

[NightHawked]

What I am saying is, you have to add up what you will need to put into the bike to get out of it what you want. Then see if it is worth it. There is a checklist here on the forum for cases like yours. Good luck!

[Rob104254]

Thanks for the advice NightHawked I'll be sure to look that up

[NightHawked]

Here is the checklist I spoke of.

http://nighthawk-forums.com/index.php/topic,9609.0.html

[Rob104254]

That is the perfect link for someone in my situation New member Old bike 

[NightHawked]

They know their stuff around here, honest.

[Rob104254]

I believe it. I've been doing some looking around on here, I have an 84 700s i'm putting back into one piece which is what led me to this place. but that is going to take a long long time that's why I was looking at this bike.

[NightHawked]

You might be looking at another project, I don't know. Why not fix the 1 you have?

[Rob104254]

I'm working on fixing it but the guy before me stripped it down to powder coat the frame, then lost interest, all the nuts and bolts came to me wrapped in a towel and I'm missing some hard to find pieces. If I do get this bike I may end up selling it once the 700s is running. I drive a Jeep and it gets like 14 mpg on a good day which is why I was looking into motorcycles in the first place. Just received an email bike has been sold

[NightHawked]

What are the hard to find pieces for the 700? Sorry to hear you missed out on it, maybe it was for the best.

[Rob104254]

The swing arm bearings is what i'm on the hunt for now, but the biggest problem is finding the right bolt while re-assembling the bike, not only was I given 700s nuts and bolts but it appears some have been donated off of a Chevy.

[Bumblebee]

That is true I priced a header around 350, and then whatever else comes up seeing that it is a 31 year old bike, and here is a pic not a very good one but its what I got from him.

If you think you're going to find a drop in identical exhaust pipe for that (4-4 design), you're fooling yourself. There are aftermarket designs (4-1 and rumor of a 4-2) however they're not what is in that picture.

That's a cruddy picture however what is shown in a 80 CB650C not a 80 CB650. It's essentially the same motorcycle though.

Have you actually seen the motorcycle yet? Your posts indicate you haven't. If you haven't physically seen it and haven't rode it yet, don't go to pick it up. Don't get attached to it either. You need to inspect it and insure it's actually a useable motorcycle, not something destined for the junkyard.

New to riding?
Also add in at least $500 for crash gear. Full face helmet, gloves, jacket, pants, boots. Crash gear should always be considered part of the purchase price of a first motorcycle.
You'd be well advised to take the MSF course as well.

[Rob104254]

It has been sold Bumblebee I did not get a chance to see it. I have ridden on two wheels before, just not on road. MSF has a site close by i'll definately look into that.

[gammer]

What are the hard to find pieces for the 700? Sorry to hear you missed out on it, maybe it was for the best.

There are several parts that are discontinued on the Nighthawk S. Purchasing or having access to a parts bike is almost a must if you are restoring one that is not already complete.

Rob104254, shoot me a pm of some of the smaller bits you are after. I have two parts bikes and lots of nuts a bolts left over. I have dipped in to them myself on occasion, but still lots left.

[Rob104254]

Thanks gammer that is very generous, I do have a question though. the bolts that hold the oil cooler and flexable frame to engine lines on, are they kinda short with an allen head?

[NightHawked]

The gear thing, good advice. Good that you have riding experience, sometimes the problem on the road is not you but THEM, not your mistake but theirs. Woulda coulda shoulda is to late. Now back to the parts thing, maybe some are in the works. Might want to try and keep an eye on ebay, find someone selling parts to your bike and ask if they might have your parts, maybe it's not worth listing. Or someone that lists alot of parts for bikes in your year range, maybe it's in line to be striped and parted out. Just a start, put some time into research, might pay off. Maybe someone knows of a bike yard, and will share. Good luck!

[Mainerider]

I own a very low-mileage '80 CB650 Custom and it 's a decent bike but I do feel obligated to tell you that an '81 Custom is probably a better buy if you can find one.  After '80, they went to CV carbs and that was a big improvement over the '80s mechanical slide carbs; it's also nearly impossible to find a carb rebuild kit for the '80 model.  Additionally, the '81 Custom has dual discs upfront, which are a significant upgrade over the '80's single disc.  Lastly, the '81 has air assist forks so you can dial in a bit of preload; not an option on the '80.

I currently have an '81 Custom up on my lift that I am doing fork seals and caliper rebuilds on for a friend; for what it's worth, it's a very clean 18,000 mile bike with just the seals and caliper work needed, no rust and all the chrome is in great shape.  He paid $700.  Every deal is different, though.  Good luck.

[gammer]

Thanks gammer that is very generous, I do have a question though. the bolts that hold the oil cooler and flexable frame to engine lines on, are they kinda short with an allen head?

Yes...exactly like that.