Greetings from Liverpool UK!

[philharrow]

Hello everybody. Yesterday I bought a 1989 CB1 88000km, and it is a dream to ride, I can't believe that a 400 has so much power!
My last bike was a Yamaha YBR125 so there really is no comparison, but I bought that new, and seeing as the CB1 is 21 years old, and quite high mileage, even though it's been very well maintained I thought I'd better source some extra assistance as it will be required at some point I'm sure as I have very limited mechanical knowledge. Ive ordered a workshop manual on CD from ebay too.
I started her up earlier to ride home from work and left her ticking over to save riding home cold, and when I came back to her, she was very hot and spewing her coolant out, doh!, she soon cooled down again when on the move so thats my first lesson learned.
I guess the first job will be topping the reservoir up tomorrow then, when I bought it, the previous owner showed me how to remove the seat, there is a knack because the catch is bent so you have to press down in the right place but I had no luck before so theres a challenge for morning too.
Must go, just wanted to say hi!

[a_morti]

Hi Phil,
welcome aboard!
The seats are all hard to get off, you eventually get the nack of it. Worth putting a little grease on the middle catches and definitely keep the latch lubed.
Perhaps the coolant had previously been overfilled? Don't fill over the max mark or it will spue like that. Otherwise I would guess at a duff radiator thermostat. It's in the little unit under the front of the fuel tank.
The manual has been uploaded by a few folk including me, do a search.
Greets,
Aaron

[Drewski]

The seats are all hard to get off,

Very true, opening the seat on a CB-1 is a bit like starting up - a definate knack is required

                      Make sure the helmet lock is unlocked first, and while the key is turned, hold down the latch. You have to push down with your left thumb. The seat should "pop" up ever so slightly. Now comes the tricky bit The way I do mine is to punch the seat down and back where the middle part is on the seat, ie, where it raises slightly. Underneath here, fastened to the bottom of the seat, are two hooks, these hook into two loops on the frame, hence the "down and backwards" momement required to un-hook it. This is made more difficult by the fact that you have to do all this.... while holding the helmet lock latch down with your other hand

               Cold starting can be performed without choke, at least on mine, when it's really cold, I start it without choke then add it slowly as the bike fires up. Having said all that, it's always started straight away. It's worth fitting a new set of plugs if you're not sure how old the ones in the bike are. I'd say you need to keep an eye on that coolant - and your temp gauge.

            Welcome to the forum, you've bought a great classic and an original machine.

[philharrow]

Thanks for your suggestions, I'll try the seat again in the morning. The plugs I'm sure are fairly new, she starts ok, but it has been very cold, and I'm used to a nearly new 125 with fuel injection, going back to a carb and choke is going to take some getting used to, even our family car's a diesel, you press a button, it preheats the plugs and starts when it's ready, I just need to remember how an old petrol engine works.
I'm going to take her to see my brother, hopefully over the weekend at some point, he's been a biker for 20+ yrs, currently riding a Hayabusa, so a crash course in maintenance to be had there in that patronising way only a big brother can deliver properly!
I'll keep you posted, and thanks for the welcomes.

[Daveontheedge]

Welcome to the site! You have picked up a great little bike as I am sure anyone here will attest too! Make sure to post some pics of your bike when you get a chance, everyone likes to see a new ride

[philharrow]

Thanks for all the advice thus far, the seat came off easily now I know how, and she started up without too much hassle using hardly any choke at all. I've topped up the coolant, and just lubed the chain, she's been stood for a while and that wasn't in the best shape so I'll let that soak in for a bit but it might need removing completely and soaking, I'll see how it looks. Ive polished the tank (our car's blue too so used the same polish) and that's all shiny, need to find a decent alloy cleaner now. I'll post some pictures when I've had a chance to take some decent ones.

[a_morti]

Thanks for all the advice thus far, the seat came off easily now I know how, and she started up without too much hassle using hardly any choke at all. I've topped up the coolant, and just lubed the chain, she's been stood for a while and that wasn't in the best shape so I'll let that soak in for a bit but it might need removing completely and soaking, I'll see how it looks. Ive polished the tank (our car's blue too so used the same polish) and that's all shiny, need to find a decent alloy cleaner now. I'll post some pictures when I've had a chance to take some decent ones.

The alloy panels can't really be cleaned, water gets under the lacquer and spoils it.

In the past I have polished these panels, looks good but takes some upkeep, especially in winter. I eventually painted them black. I was considering alloy wheel paint this time.

[philharrow]

We've just been out for a short ride, it's due to snow tomorrow so can't see her being used for a few days so thought we'd shoot out. I think she's got me! For those who are even vaguely interested, she now has a name. She is now called Holly (as in Holly the Honda) partly because it rhymes, and I got her just before Christmas. I know it's kinda sad, but all my bikes have had names!

[philharrow]

Well we had about 9 inches of snow here last night, it's currently -6c outside. She's out in the open just under a waterproof cover, which I tore this morning brushing off some snow I took the cover off just now to gaffer tape up the tear and she started up first go.....what a bike!

[91cb-1]

They are a fantastic bike man. welcome to the site. I had mine under cover and unstarted for 2 weeks in the snow and bellow freezing temperatures we got here. and even with dud spark plugs (santa's bringin a new set) she started first time no shit, bit o choke press the button and hey presto and i mean it was freezin! welcome, enjoy the site, and more importantly enjoy the bike... safely!