Tell me about the CB-1

[MiDAS]

Hey guys, my name is Midas and I'm from the P.I. While browsing through a Buy&Sell site here in our country I saw a CB-1 up for sale, and it caught my eye. I was wondering, (since I'm a noob biker and all) could you guys give me some insight, advice and tips as to what are the things that I should know about regarding this bike. What should I look out for? What are the notoriously easy to get worn out parts?

[ptlcb1]

P.I.  Whats that stand for?  I think the first question is, what kind of condition is the bike in?  Are there any pics of the bike for us to see?  How much are they asking for it?  Mileage?  Year?  Help us to help you.   

[xstreamcanadian]

tune up parts are still no issue, but other parts like some o rings and I think the radiator, side panels etc, are no longer made. depending where PI is, ebay is a pretty good source it seems. Is P.I where Magnum P.I was from?

[Samuichris]

I reckon it's the Phillipine Islands. . . .   Could be wrong tho'!!

[MiDAS]

Attached a pic of the bike. P.I. means Philippine Islands.  

Bike is selling at 120,000 (USD 2,664) but still very negotiable. As to the current mileage of the bike, I forgot to ask. But since its an 89 model, I'm expecting it to have ran at least 40,000kms.

Are there interchangeable parts from the Cb-1 similar to that of a CB400SF PB1 or any of its successors? I am still reaching out to CB-1 owners from my country via motorcyclephilippines.com, to tell me more about their personal experience with their -1s.

I was thinking, It's either this or a PB1 or a SteedVLX400 I'll opt for the bike which is easier, and cheaper to maintain. Actually parts can also be ordered from a shop located in Manila (which is atleast 300kms away from where I live), however my only issue is that since they are also ordered / imported from other countries (like buying in ebay) the parts are definitely very expensive.

For an old bike, what are the usual / unusual issues have you encountered with your bike, and how did you get to resolve these problems? Can you give me tips as to what to check out first? and lastly, what parts are easily worn out?

[Daveontheedge]

Welcome to the site and it looks like a nice bike.

 I think you will find here most of the guys love their -1's, many of them have had the misfortune of selling theirs only to end up buying another one later on! I personally enjoy mine quite a bit and use it as my daily commuter and for weekend rides.

 As for what to expect...a great handling bike with a virtually indestructible engine that has the same glitches as any other 20 year old bike. Many if not all of the problems have been experienced by one or more of the members on this site, and all here are eager to help you solve any problems you may encounter with yours.

 Most common parts, filters, plugs etc.. are easily obtainable others you will have to dig around for on ebay and the like. There are a few parts that are interchangeable with other models but I could never hope to list them.

 As for a fair price on the bike, if it runs like it looks and doesn't have any major problems that the current owner is willing to tell you about...then it is up to you as to if it is worth it. I have seen them sell for less, while at the same time I personally paid more for mine. Either way, as soon as you get it on the road and open up the throttle you will think you stole the bike as it is worth nearly every penny.

Hope that helps

Dave

[MiDAS]

Dave

It's a good thing you get to ride your bike as much you want, I envy you.  Here in the P.I., owning and driving a BB is already considered as a luxury because of the ever fluctuating prices of the fuel, and of course the limited shops that sell parts (OEMs here are like gold, hehe). Thats one of the reasons why I am hesitant in buying old / used BBs, its because of the limited availability of parts, most shops who sell OEMs has tendencies of increasing the price. And, when you order parts online, it'll take you atleast a month (at best) of waiting before you receive the package and have it installed.

I've had the chance of riding a friends -1 once, and i drove it for about 2kms. Handling is quite good, but not as relaxed as the CB400SFs. Honestly, the reason I want to get myself a -1 is because I want to convert it to a street fighter. I'm thinking of modifying the tail and the headlight, I want it to look like my avatar.

Btw, how far does your -1 bring you for every liter or gallon of petrol? Based from what I've read from old threads / forums it falls around the 15~16kpl (at best)? Am i right? Fuel here costs more than a dollar a liter, 15kpl is already considered as a gas guzzler (for a 400cc bike). But nevertheless, the performance, hype and excitement you'll get from riding this baby will overshadow fear of excessive expenses. hehe.

Btw, heres another pic of the bike. Man, how cool is that. It already has Vance & Hines exhaust pipe.

[Daveontheedge]

Well...if you think 15 km/l is a gas guzzler you wouldn't want mine! I have yet to figure out why (actually haven't put much effort into it at all   ) mine is not so good on gas, but I can live with it. I am currently paying about $1.17 per liter for 87 octane and it costs me about $10 to fill it up every week to week and a half. I get about 120 - 140 kms before reserve depending on how much hwy riding I do. Fortunately I only commute about 12kms per day for work!

I have been doing a bit of street fighter conversions to mine as well. I have changed the headlights over to a dual HID and the turn signals to LEDs. I have some bar end mirrors I have yet to install and a Buell Lightening windscreen I want to throw on as well. My front wheel has the polished rim like that one does, I am going to do the rear when I pull it off to change the sprockets and chain this winter. I have been considering jetting it and pulling the baffles out of the exhaust, but am not 100% sure I want to do that to a hard to find factory stainless system.

 I try not to buy to many parts through (d)stealers as they tend to be way over priced, but there are plenty of online shops you can get good after market or even OEM parts from at decent prices. Samuichris is out in your part of the world, he might have some connections for where you can get parts, and many guys here have parts to sell and will ship just about anywhere.

Your Avatar looks familiar....

Here's a pic of mine, sorry for the quality...I took it when I got home from work one night. It still has the original turn signals on here and I haven't painted/polished the wheel at this point.

BTW...what is a BB?

[Samuichris]

Now that is niiice!!
I like the green paint, never seen it on a-1 before.
The bike looks like it has been cared for too, appears to be in good condition.
Quite pricey tho' at 120,000, knock them down a bit

I've not had my one very long, but have put 4,000kms on it already with no problems apart from the speedo widget ( a small plastic thing that mmakes the speedo work).
The engines are near bullet proof. A few people have had rectifier problems, but it's easily remedied, (buy a replacement).
There's always plenty of help at hand on here too. All in all, a great bike

Go for it, & enjoy!

BB= Big bike

[a_morti]

I am one of those that sold a CB-1 and regrets it now, I will have one again before I die.

Your fuel mileage unit is strange to me! I used to get 53 miles per UK gallon, which is 5.3l / 100km. Quick maths says that's better than 18km / litre.

That is actually an original exhaust system, but it's stainless all through and sounds quite fair from stock, so don't be put off. If you "need" an aftermarket pipe, best to get a secondary link pipe and add any-old silencer you can lay your hands on. It's what I did. You can use CBR900 92-99 rear pegs to raise ground clearance, else it may deck out. You can readily fit the NC29 swingarm, with just a few spacers made up. In the UK, used rear shocks are getting hard to find, but apparently a CB900 Hornet shock is a straight fit - to be confirmed by Fresh Al. A 95 CBR900 shock fits, but the spring rate is incorrect so it doesn't ride nicely. You can fit later Honda dual brakes, eg. by getting fork lowers from NC29, NC30 or firestorm and matching brakes and wheel. Rear wheel, you can use NC29 with a couple of spacers, easier if you use the NC29 swingarm.

I think the CB-1 is nice enough to look at with very classic lines, it's why I left the bodywork alone on my bike.

I would spend all day telling you the CB-1 is better than the 400SF! It is better handling, slightly more powerful, has cam gear not chain so zero maintenance or fail chance there, it is just all-round better. the SVX will be comparatively very slow.


more pictures:
http://s74.photobucket.com/albums/i264/a_morti/CB1%20for%20sale/
http://s74.photobucket.com/albums/i264/a_morti/Aaron%20CB-1/

[MiDAS]

Dave

I've also read a review somewhere that some -1s consumes around 10~12kpl, but of course it depends upon the owners driving habits and the driving environment. Theres also this one disadvantage of driving a Big Bike in the major cities here, most streets are traffic plagued and crowded with too many people (specially children). So tendency is,you've got to stop and go most of the time. Which pretty much consumes hella amount of petrol. Try to imagine driving a heavy bike and getting stuck in traffic for 2 ~ 2.5 hrs, sweaty because of the hot weather temp and sometimes bearing rains which starts in the middle of the day and lasts until night time. What a nightmare. Hehe. But, when we talk about traveling to provinces here, that's a different story.

But RE: Gas Consumption, I'm pretty optimistic, since I'm not that much of a speed freak, maybe the bike wouldn't go below the 15kpl mark. Gunning for 20+ like the SF-VerS. Didn't know gas was a little cheaper here, 1 liter of 95 RON falls around Php48 ($1.06).

Nice bike btw. If ever I get to continue my fighter project, I would like to install the same head light assembly and LED turn lights, and have a Givi Wind Shield installed as well. We pretty much have the same concept, except of course for the tail part, I want it to look like the tail of a fighterized CBR600F2 (I attached a pic).

For now, I'm still thinking of getting me a CB-1, a SF-PB1 (or Ver.S) or a Steed VLX400 and turn it into a bobber. Will decide as soon as I complete my budget.

Thanks, I'll try to PM him one of these days.

[a_morti]

Oh, in the UK we're paying £1.139 for 97RON now (but our RON is not the same as USA RON). That's (right now) 1.75US$ per litre.

My CB-1 always got about 53mpg (UK) my current ride is a 98 955i Daytona and that gets 38-40mpg. Meh, I think of it as a kind of fun tax.

[MiDAS]

SamuiChris

Needs more haggling I could probably get the bike for as low as 100t. (I hope the owners not a forumer here.) Hehehe. I've back read previous threads about CB-1s here in the Phils, the most common problems encountered here is the Rectifier (which as you said can be easily remedied, by replacing it), the faulty Fuel Pumps, the erratic idling of the carbs and lastly the Thermo-thingy (I forgot the name, hehe) I'm still asking them as to where I can source parts for the -1 here and of course a good & experienced mechanic. Thanks for the feedback.

A_Morti
Nice bike, the age isn't showing. Hehe. We use KPL here, but most countries use MPG. KPH here, MPH there. Thanks for the heads up about the pipe, and the idea about custom fitting of the NC29 arm. Buying and installing a NC29 wheels & swingarm will definitely cost a lot of moolahs. Hopefully, when I drop by surplus shops I can easily find those parts you mentioned. Luckily, I can get them at half the price or less.

[Samuichris]

Here's the latest mod on mine.
The end can was bought locally for about 120USD & got a local stainless workshop to make the link pipe.

[a_morti]

Looking good! The fireblade pegs do squish up a passenger's legs slightly but they really help with one of the few bits of a CB-1 that show its age. That and the tank badge, though I understand some folk like them.