New member, new rider

[Tweed]

Just wanted to say hello to all members, finally got off the fence and and picking up my baby Saturday morning, a 1990 CB1, blue in colour, and..... wait for it... under 4500Km, minor no-speed tip-over damage, otherwise mint, 3rd proud owner bringing her North to Timmins (should have a couple weeks riding before the snow flies LOL)
Still looking to insure, and get her ready for the road, hopefully by the middle of the month.
Look forward to getting tips, meeting fellow riders, and riding my M2 exit this fall.
Pics and more info to follow, before hopefully getting the time to take her apart this winter, get the frame and wheels powder coated, looking for a new louder exhaust system, re-paint black on black, fiberglass wrap headers/exhaust for a mild but not hard-core, shaved-down look, no badging etc..
Daniel

[ptlcb1]

Congrats!  Saturday will be a great day for you!     Welcome!

[Daveontheedge]

Congrats! You happen to pick that off of craigslist in Cali?

[Tweed]

Thanks for the reception! Actually seen the ad on Kijiji Ottawa, the previous owner brought her over from B.C. where she bought her unused from a guy that bought it for his wife but never got brave enough to get her license.
I was endlessly searching for a sub 600cc to get my feet wet on, since the insurance on my choice Buell Lightning City-X, not to mention lack of skills were not practical, this little screamer will fit the bill beautifully as I don't really consider myself a crotch-rocket or cruiser type of guy.
Looking forward to picking her up, not looking forward to the 17 hour round trip!

[clarkdw]

You made a great choice for a introductory bike. My CB-1 also came from BC, bought off ebay  with about 8,000 km on it. Hope you enjoy your's as much as I have mine over the past 4 plus years.

[Tweed]

Hi all, my new baby is safe and sound at her new home... turns out I was wrong about the mileage....only 2160Km bwaaahahahaha! took her out for a couple laps around the block, everything seems fine, a little oil on one of the forks assuming the old seals are tired.. pretty sure I need either heavier oil or stiffer springs in there anyways (220 lbs.. on a lil bike LOL)
Anybody have some suggestions? do I need progressive springs or will heavier oil do?
thanks
Dan

[91cb-1]

Hi all, my new baby is safe and sound at her new home... turns out I was wrong about the mileage....only 2160Km bwaaahahahaha! took her out for a couple laps around the block, everything seems fine, a little oil on one of the forks assuming the old seals are tired.. pretty sure I need either heavier oil or stiffer springs in there anyways (220 lbs.. on a lil bike LOL)
Anybody have some suggestions? do I need progressive springs or will heavier oil do?
thanks
Dan

You already have progressive springs in the front. you can go for better progressive springs, the likes of Hagon do a set for the -1. there are a number of alternatives however. a spacer on the top of the forks with 15W oil will make a huge difference to your riding. as it's your first bike though i suggest you install the heavier weight oil first and see what you make of that and then if you feel you stil need the extra stiffness install the spacers. spacers shouldn't be any thicker than 1mm as the fork nuts are alluminium and if you bottom out your forks with heavy weight oil and a huge spring compression you run the small risk of blowwing the fork nuts into your own face!!!!

[clarkdw]

I agree with 91cb-1 on the heavier oil first. If you feel that it is still too soft you can buy heavier springs or cut several coils off the soft end of the progressive springs (where the coils are closer together) and add a spacer equal to the amount removed. Measure the thickness of the spring wire, multiply by the number of turns removed and cut a PVC pipe spacer that length. This will stiffen the spring. PVC pipe is cheap, easy to cut and finish to a specific length and it is easy to remove the spring to cut it so you can start off with a small amount taken off and slowly work up to what you like in one turn removed from each spring steps.

[Tweed]

I'll go with the advice given, so all I should need is a seal kit for the forks (which I assume my local Honda dealer should have) and ask them to replace it with the heavier 15W oil when they install the kit right? (10 weight in there now?) (before anybody has a fit lol I have absolutely no time to try and attempt this myself as my riding season is quickly coming to an end and I'm scared to break something or have a spring kick me in the teeth, I work construction and just bringing her in to get the safety done and plates/insurance put on her is a major pain in the butt right now)
Again, thanks for the helpful advice clarkdw and 91cb-1.
With any luck I should be able to get her out this weekend and do a few laps and turns in a big empty parking lot nearby. Timmins drivers are terrible, I would much rather be down south to rack up a few miles, less volume here but... wow... not being originally from here it's insanity!
Dan