1982 CB900f

[GS1150Pilot]

My brother just called to ask whether I wanted his forelorn CB900f. It took me about half a millisecond to say, "HELL YES!"

It needs a complete restoration, which it will get. I think it will be a wonderful stablemate to the GS1150, and I think it will become my sport-touring rig. That bike, a silver and blue beauty which my brother bought while going through a depressing divorce back in 1984, was THE motorcycle which made me move from dirt to street, and, in the summer of 1985, I bought my first streetbike, a 1982 GPz550. The 900f loomed in my awareness of motolust as a kind of signal beacon, and although I ultimately owned faster bikes (VF1000R, 750 Turbo, VMax, FZ1, the 1150), I have always loved its clean lines, purity, and elegance.

I'll update the brakes and suspension a bit, but I think I want to repaint it in the original colors.

[Guest]

A buddy gave me his 900F a few months ago. He bought it new in 1982. I just got it running this weekend, after sitting for many years. I won't do a complete resto, but I'm cleaning it up and repainting as I go. All the bodywork (except for tank) is ready for paint. Got the red paint off of the rear rim as well. I plan on putting a 1981 paint scheme on it. I always liked that better. I still have some things to go through before I can ride it. Turn signals and tail light not working. Tires are probably from around the time mullets were popular.

Good luck!

[dorkburger]

Pilot, that's cool. I think you've mentioned that bike in the past. Glad it's going to be saved.

[trevor]

http://www.kijiji.ca/v-sport-bikes/oshawa-durham-region/1982-cb900f-winter-project/1215538224?enableSearchNavigationFlag=true

[GS1150Pilot]

I'm pretty jazzed about it. It's 100% complete, low mileage (somewhere under 30K), and he took good care of it before his current wife guilted him into parking it out under a ramada in their backyard. It's heavily sun-rotted, so all the plastic and rubber will need replacing. I figure, since the 1150 will be ready, I can take my time and do this one up perfectly, from soup to nuts.

[hillsy]

Those DOHC CB's have an interesting camchain arrangement - 2 chains. One chain drives the intake cam off the crank then the 2nd chain runs from the intake to the exhaust cam.

Cant say I've worked on many in my time but the one modification I remember the guys in our shop saying was to use the 750 carbs on them - apparently the 900 carbs are too big and the smaller 750 carbs help the bike run better for the street.

[GS1150Pilot]

Yeah, they have a camchain weakness, too-but there is a fix via a Kawasaki chain tensioner. I'll look into the 750 carbs. I'd consider a set of 29 mm smoothbores, also. That said, they get better mpg than the 750's-up to 50 mpg on the highway, which equates to big miles on a tank.

[DohcBikes]

One of my favorite Hondas. Sounds like you have a great reasonable plan, so sick of the latest crazies chopping these bikes up. Can't wait to see the pics.

[GS1150Pilot]

It'll be a sad sight initially. He had it repainted in pearl white with no decals, and I never liked it that way. Now, twenty years later, ten of which have been sitting, it'll be tragic. But it will get sorted-and see lots of miles and smiles to come.

[steve murdoch]

Good luck with the new project. They are good bikes.
Starter clutches can be another area of concern. Usually an easy fix.
Cam chains themselves are not a huge problem but the adjusters can wear and not do the job.
If you haven't found it yet www.cb1100f.net is an excellent resources for the F line of Hondas.

[GS1150Pilot]

I've been on and off cb1100f.net over the years. Quite a bit today, as one might guess. I plan to do this bike up very nicely with only minor upgrades, all as close to period as I can make them. I really like the silver and blue paint scheme, so it will go back to stock there. I can't wait to start in on it.

[Vmass]

Great bikes. I've had a few over the years. The most enjoyable one for me had the factory Hondaline fairing. That fairing completely changed the riding experience. It seemed to make the bike far more stable and the noise reduction was incredible. The fairings pop up on eBay from time to time.

Good luck with the resurrection.

[Guest]

It'll be a sad sight initially. He had it repainted in pearl white with no decals, and I never liked it that way. Now, twenty years later, ten of which have been sitting, it'll be tragic. But it will get sorted-and see lots of miles and smiles to come.

I'm thinking of painting mine pearl white with red 1981 decals. Not sure though.

[GS1150Pilot]

It would probably have looked better with decals, but pearl white alone is just ... bland.

Side note: I plan to upgrade the brakes with braided lines and better pads. A question there: Has anyone used EBC rotors as a minor upgrade?

[GS1150Pilot]

It's in my garage now. Filthy, no hydraulics, rotted tires, but 100% whole. I was looking at the pearl white and I just may buff it and touch it up before getting red, white and blue versions of the original decals made. I will also investigate getting the Comstars redone in gold.