Honda CB 900 Custom

[Tripod_imp]

Hi All,

I have always wanted to try out the CB900 Custom. Shaft drive, Hi/Low transmission, etc.

I would be interested to hear opinions, comments, etc. from people who have owned them or ridden them.

Do they make a nice two-up, country backroads, kind of bike? Not going to be used for long distances or interstates.

Thanks!

[the Ferret]

Very nice bikes. interesting story about that sub trans. Honda had the chain drive cb 750s 900s with chain drive on one side, and they had the GL wing series with shaft drive on the other side. the switchable sub trans married the two.

They are just like any other inline 4 Honda of the time period, weak alternators after 30 years, but the rest of the bike is solid. Remember the newest one you can get is over 30 years old so they will have old rubber ( tires, seals, orings etc) old fuses, maybe old battery, maybe haven't ever had a valve inspection or carb clean. Id place value of a super clean running model at $1900 to $3500.

[Tripod_imp]

Ferret, do you know of any good shops or mechanics in Ohio that are familiar with these older Honda's? So many of the shops don't have any experience with synching 4 carbs, etc.

[the Ferret]

No not really but there is a forum for them and someone will know. Synching isnt that hard if you have a set of vacuum gauges and Im sure there will be youtube instructions on how to do it. There are mercury gauges and dial gauges. I know with the mercury you have to be careful not to suck the mercury back into the carbs. Doubt you can find mercury gauges anymore to buy with mercury being hazardous and all. Most bike shops don't want to mess with bikes older than 10 years old these days. maybe an independant shop?

[cbfan_imp]

I have several old CB's. If you know your way around a tool box you can do all maintenance yourself. Shop manuals are easy to find on the net, you can find most jobs on YouTube and a great forum is SOHC which is a good place to ask questions. Most parts and aftermarket stuff can be easily found.
This is what I don't understand, just about all Metric bike shops will not work on their product if it is over 10 years but a Harley shop will work on all Harley's.
If you find a good deal on a low mileage clean CB go for it and see how much fun it is.

[cb400four_imp]

Ferret and cbfan are right on all counts. I also have a couple old Honda CBs, specifically with the DOHC engine type in the CB900 Custom you asked about, so let me add:

I would suggest logging onto the CB900 Custom forum at [url=http://www.cb750c.com/]CB900 Custom and the sister forum for at [url=http://www.cb1100f.net/]CB750F/CB900F/CB1100F (you probably know this but the Custom and the F share a substantial majority of running gear, with the exception of the transmission as Ferret noted).

I don't own a Custom but my understanding from being a longtime member of the CB900 Custom forum is that they make great 2 up touring bikes as compared to other bikes of their vintage. The CB900 Custom is an antique (at least according to the RI DMV) and therefore if you are riding far from home, you might be advised to be prepared if a mechanical failure occurs.

[wildezt_imp]

very well kept bikes...!

[SanPete_imp]

Three different front tires design.

[rboe]

I used to sell them back in the day. Very hard to sell for touring when the Goldwing could be had for similar coin and was liquid cooled. The only bad thing I've heard about them over the years (and never when I sold them so I'm sure it's because our standards have changed) is that the handling is sub-par. It ain't no sportbike so why try it that way?

[CA200_imp]

We had many customers with these over the years. They made good touring bikes and had some women who liked them because of the
low seat.
I did see a couple with high miles that had a lot of drive line lash. The power came out one side of the motor and had to make big U-turn then back to the trans before it went to the shaft so if the bike was abused it would really clunk when you put it in gear.