My new? CB-1

[weewazza17]

Hi there all, I recently purchased this little '89 number from a guy who I think didn't know what he was selling. Got it at a pretty good price from ebay as he wanted a quick sale. As to be expected it needs a little bit of work. I am going to respray the bike continuing the red/white/black pinstripe from the tail to the front fender in the hope that it makes it look a little bit neater than it does now. I also want to tidy up the engine block but having never done this before I am unsure of the best process. I'm guessing it's as with the respray, lots of sanding and then using high temperature paint. I'm also going to polish up all of the steel work and I really want to get the wheels sparkling. I'm guessing a similar polishing technique for the steel would work on them with a different compound. Got some chrome wingmirrors coming soon and I'm thinking of replacing the dial casing for a chrome one also. That's it for now on the tinkering. Currently I'm riding a CBR 125 until I get my test in 2 weeks (fingers crossed) and then I shall be cruising about on this bad boy.

[weewazza17]

One more

[weewazza17]

And the final one

[91cb-1]

Congrats on your buying a fantastic bike and welcome to the forum. much like you i bought my one for pennies from a guy who didn't know what he was selling, and like you mine's in red. one thing i will ay to you is respray everything red. it actually looks really well and you won't have to do the decals on the tank again if all you're spraying is the tail and front mudguard. I've just done the decals on my tank (was getting the bike ready to sell so resprayed everything, then decided to keep her cause she looked so good) and it was the scaryest thing i've done in my life, one tiny mistake and you've ruined the decals. plus the whole race stripe thing, ehhh you might like it but it won't have it's origional look or old school class about it. polishing up you're metal work is well worth doin and engine work is like you say just a matter of using high temp paint. anyway good luck with your test and whatever you decide to do with the pint work it'll always be a -1 and therefor it'll always look good

[weewazza17]

Cheers for the advice and the welcome. I may just keep it red and that way save myself a lot of extra work as well. I really can't wait to get to work on it. If only those parts were here now!

[stussels]

i agree with the above poster, respray the fender and tail all red.  the factory paint looks good on the tank.  polish the fork lowers and sidepanels but the rest is paint.  i guess id repaint those if i wasnt happy with the looks.  but more importantly make sure its mechanically correct and ride it!

[Daveontheedge]

Welcome and nice  ride! I like the drag bars on it, very cafe racerish

[weewazza17]

Cheers guys. Any ideas on the wheels?

[a_morti]

Cheers guys. Any ideas on the wheels?

If the paint is good, let them be. BT-45s are as much tyre as you will ever need, unless you ever fancy trackdays in which case BT92's or super-sticky BT090 will be good. That's if those flavours are even still being made? These are ace little bikes, just get it working nice and ride it. Keep changing the oil every 4-5k miles and you'll be golden. I would suggest fitting mirrors and a proper sized number plate unless you enjoy attention from the law!

[weewazza17]

I will be taking it to the track at some stage. I've been riding on and off since I was 16 (now 25) and have always wanted to get out on the track. First things first though. That bloomin test! why oh why didn't I do it when i was younger.