Possibly buying a CB-1 Advice

[Kurly154]

Hello all. Im new here and would like yalls opinion on a 1990 CB-1 that I am looking at. I have lurked on the site for the past week trying to learn everything I can about these little beasts. Right now I own a 2001 Kawasaki Ninja 250. I love the little thing but I'm looking to move up alittle. I found this CB-1 for $1300. From the pics it looks to be in good shape. I emailed the guy and he sent me three more pics. The odometer reads 29,xxx miles and not the 25,xxx the ad states. Right now I am out of town so im not able to go take a look at it. I hopefully will be able to look at it at the end of the month if its not sold. Anyways what do y'all think? http://atlanta.craigslist.org/eat/mcy/2828249890.html

[speedysmurf]

Well, I just bought a CB-1 in "ok" condition, long distance, but I've bought and sold lots of bikes, so here goes (my opinion):

1.  Why is the odometer 4K miles off from what the ad says?  That doesn't make sense, ask him.
2.  New fork seals, not a problem, you can do that yourself or have it done fairly cheap, parts available.
3.  Obviously, it has been down and repainted.  Not necesarily any problems.  Could be bent forks or tweaked frame, ask him when it was repainted.
4.  It's a Honda, engine is fine and mileage ok, no worries.  Unless it was raced by someone competent, this thing will go forever, like most all Honda engines.  Gear driven cams!
5.  Meet the seller, most of buying used is trust in the seller, if you get a bad feeling then walk away.
-Brad

[Drewski]

Personaly, I'd look for one a little less "molested" and in stock trim.

[assquatch20]

I saw that one not long ago. For $1300, it's decent, and I understand they're hard to come by in our area. I'd say you just need to go have a look when you have time. Mine was on craigslist for well over a month and waited for me to buy it. I'd say that one isn't going anywhere too awfully fast either.

[Kurly154]

Thanks for the opinions guys. Were these bikes not available in yellow? And about how long do these engines last? I do realize its a honda and will last a long time. I thought 30,000 miles was alot for a bike.
Drewski, what do you mean in stock trim? Is this bike not stock?
Assquatch20, I hope it stays on craigslist until I have time to go home at the end of the month. Right now I live in Nashville for college.
Thanks for the opinions. Glad I found this site cause I have never heard of the cb-1 so thanks for all the information.

[assquatch20]

Thanks for the opinions guys. Were these bikes not available in yellow? And about how long do these engines last? I do realize its a honda and will last a long time. I thought 30,000 miles was alot for a bike.
Drewski, what do you mean in stock trim? Is this bike not stock?
Assquatch20, I hope it stays on craigslist until I have time to go home at the end of the month. Right now I live in Nashville for college.
Thanks for the opinions. Glad I found this site cause I have never heard of the cb-1 so thanks for all the information.

See, I snagged the one on the Nashville CL a couple weeks ago. Blue was the only stock color in the United States. Black decal on the tank for '89 models and red decal on '90 models. The 1990 ones didn't have a center stand. That one looks to have been painted up at some point, and it's probably got some scrapes here and there, but I'd buy it for that kinda money. Given the oil has been changed regularly and coolant topped off at all times, I'd say you can bring the motor up to +- 45k miles before worrying about tearing into it. That's optimal, though.

[Kurly154]

Well it looks like I didn't get to it in time. Hopefully I can find another one. Thanks guys.