Home stretch on '81 CB650C restoration / brat build
I picked up someone's unfinished project and hoped it was an easy fix - you know, rebuild the carbs and fire it up. Well,, it had no compression so I pulled the motor and sure enough it was junk on the inside. Rings were seized. I replaced the jugs/pistons with new-used and threw it back together with some paint.
No stopping now! The deeper I dug, the deeper the hole got... Although everything was mostly original and untouched, it hadn't run since the mid 90s, judging by the production dates on the tires. Everything had to be rebuilt - brakes, forks, alternator, carbs... everything. And as some of you may know, 1981 and 1982 were the redheaded stepchilds of the SOHC CBs and the aftermarket is not as comprehensive as literally every other year and model of CB.
It's a never ending game of "let's wait for more parts!" and "let's see what we find next." But we're still making good progress!
I'm currently wiring the bike with a new-used harness. The previous owner really did a number on the wiring. I still have bodywork and paint for the tank and side covers, then she should be just about done with the fabwork. I'm going with candy cherry over gold basecoat, with gold pinstripes and Honda logo on the tank. I'm still undecided if I should do painted CB650 logo on the side covers. What do y'all think?
Anyway, the last pic is how she looks currently.