Help with classic bike restoration?

RicoChet

RicoChet

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I've recently obtained an 1982 Honda CB900F which had been perfectly dry stored since 1985. No rust in the tank, perfectly new and fresh oil still in the bike.

I've noticed a couple of small things that need immediate attention such as the back disc brake being seized and no brake fluid, fuel line missing (brittle)

I would like to have a real mechanic or someone with knowledge on how to get this bike well within safety levels for riding. For sure the tires are being replaced as well

Can a Honda dealer help me or is there another company or individual that I can look to for help?

Thanks!!
 
A Honda dealer can only help you out with parts. The 900 is what I consider a transitional bike, in between a true vintage and modern bike. It has an air-cooled motor and electronic ignition. If nothing has really been molested by some hack, it shouldn't take much to get it running. Get a manual and learn how about the bike. You'll save lots of money and gain lots of mechanical skill.
 
Try here http://www.cvmg.ca/, some of the members do specialize in restoring modern classic Japanese bikes.

If you join, you get a membership list that includes some people who like to help others into the hobby.
 
Thank you everyone! I am looking forward to learning more about these older bikes. I already have the 400 page manual but no experience in really taking older bikes apart. My other bike is a 2008 Suzuki so I've neer dealt with carbs or anything like that. Should be fun! I hope....
 
I bought a brand-new CB900F in 1981.
Still can't believe I traded in my 1980 CBX - what was I thinking?
The CBX had issues and its electrics weren't charging...
(But it turned out new carbon brushes fixed it right up.)
Anyway, the 900F was interesting. It was a stroked 750F; the motor is under-square (extremely unusual today).
There was good torque and it felt pretty well as fast as CBX...
Except with a passenger! Then I said "what the hell have I done?"
The bike evolved into CB1100F for 1983 - but nobody remembers, because that was the year the V45 Interceptor was unleashed.
Anyway, my beloved Joanne (big strong girl) bought a new Interceptor and we rode everywhere together, me on the 900F.
She was some kind of upset that her Interceptor was not faster than my 900!
The 900F is definitely unique, unusual model, two years only...
Be very careful sizing tires for it. I can help you if you wish - it's important to get exact sizes, not too-too big.
Today's Avon AM26 would be appropriate:
100/90-19 and
130/80-18 rear.
Do not put a 110 on the front.
Do not put a 140 on the rear,
If you have the stock black Comstar wheels with polished edges.
I had the carbs on-and-off that thing, I kid you not, 100 times.
I still have a jar full of 4 of each Keihin main jets... it's here somewhere.
Anyway, good luck!
You will probably have to replace all the soft-rubber parts on the bike...
Jesus, has it really been thirty years!?
LoL, heheh... and I'm STILL fast.
Regards
 
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Forgot to mention (gabbin' about myself)...
Robbie at Rocket Motorcycle in Downsview;
Junior at T.O. Motorcycle in south Etobicoke;
and Ted at Rosie Toes could all be extremely helpful to you.
Ted Rose was my mechanic (at the big Cycle World West store) at that time.
Rosie's still going, busier than ever, today!
A wonderful man with a kind and warm personality, even after all these years fixing other people's problems...
(Can wear you down, after decades and decades.)
Anyway, PM if you wish.
I still have shop manual, etc.
Might even come look-see, I know every nut and bolt!
L8R
 
Awesome find, I think they look great. Good luck with the restoration, I'd love to try a similar project one day.

Carbs aren't too bad once you get into them.
 
NICE! I'm so new to these older bikes I wouldn't even think of that old thing as a "Racing" bike... just looks cool to me! Can't wait to pick it up and play around :)
 
dotheton = GREAT reasource of people with lots of knowledge and its Toronto based.
Also http://fsmotorcycle.com/ Glen will help hunt down any parts you need and will also pass you on to a cheaper source if he knows someone.
 
I had a similar bike from 1980...a Honda 750supersport. Junior at TO cycle took care of rebuilding the motor (bored out to 900spec's) and it was great bike. Your 900F is
actually a great bike and you will hear a bit about racer guy Freddie Spencer and his accomplishments on that bike. Anyway Junior at TO cycle (bottom of Browns Line on Lakeshore) is very
familiar with that bike and others of that era so he's the guy to see. Yes Rosie Toes is also very good but his shop is a little too haphazard. Good luck.
 
Ugh! What a frustrating day. I went with a buddy of mine who's got a truck and that bike was way too long to fit on the bed of the truck with its toolbox on it. We weren't even able to get it on the ramp because the back wheel is siezed. I'm wondering if I should pick it up with another cargo can and just drop it off at a mechanic to get new tires and other stuff like brakes bled an filled before I take it home.
 
Hi RicoChet
I'm around - I'm a travelling salesman so not always home for days...
Very typical for brakes to sieze up.
Fluid pressure compresses pad(s) but only tension on rubber surrounding caliper pistons pulls pads back away from discs.
Pistons will mildly sieze easily and rubber parts are all gone anyway, brakes will need rebuild x 3.
Kid stuff...
But you must purchase a lot of rubber parts - I hope they are all still available, but you know I bet they are!
Between CB750F, K, and C - also CB900F and CB900C (10-speed!) there are a lot of common parts.
There is actually new exhaust system still in Parts Canada catalogue today.
See the "Number 34" bike in the photo there, those are the stock wheels.
But wait! Look at the front - that's not 19".
Have they used, I dunno, a rear comstar wheel there? It looks like 18"...?
Notice the big fork brace, and the CB1100F swingarm.
At least their remote resevoir shocks are mounted correctly (you see so many incorrectly mounted upside down).
The resevoir should never be unsprung, ie. going up & down with every bump in the road, heheh...
Wow - those are Ohlins!
I had red Marzocchi remote resevoirs back in the day.
Those bikes are SIMPLE.
Simple as can be compared to today - no black boxes/computers or radiators/water pumps.
Oh yeah, the one carb (I think #3) has an accelerator pump, a rubber diaphragm that squirted raw fuel when the throttle was suddenly wicked open.
This will definitely have to be replaced after ~30 years.
Actually, carb rebuild x 4 for you...
But what else?
Brakes, carbs, tires, chain - should be good-to-go!
Notice the top-quality gold chain on #34 there...
Also stock oil radiator has been replaced with enormous alloy cooler.
Take a look - yours is a small black one (quite effective though).
L8R
 
Can anyone recommend a local locksmith who is able to make a copy of my 1982 Honda? I've tried calling Honda dealerships and a bunch of motorcycle stores and canadian tire to get keys and no luck... The blanks are not a usual shape !
 
check the ignition switch for any numbers stamped in it. You might have to remove it to see if there is anything stamped in it. If there is a number it could be the key code for it. Then just check ebay or google the number and see if someone has that key. Also a used lock set could be cheaper then a locksmith
 
joed66 said:
This forum has much of the info you'll need to bring that bike back to life. Looking forward to seeing some pictures of that 900 :)

http://www.cb1100f.net/index.php
Click to expand...



I think there's a problem with that website... Everytime I try to register the website just goes blank after you fill out the form. Tried different browser and computers but no luck.

Pictures coming soon, it's all naked at the moment!
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