New Owner, Need Help

[Lyrad]

I am from Windsor Ontario Canada, and I just got a 1990 CB-1 with 76000km, I don't have any manual or any specs, I don't know how much the tank holds, oil, What coolant to buy, how to drain the rad etc. Any help would be appreciated, I am looking for the haynes manual but have had no luck!!! Love the bike, grew up with my cousin having a 400CBR RR Fireblade, and this is as close to it as I can get here in Canada. Keep the rubber on the road, is there any kits for a double brake for the front???
Cheers
Daryl

[clarkdw]

Hi Daryl
Clark from London ON. here. You will love the bike. It is really a lot of fun to ride. Last question first. You can use a complete front end from a CBR 600 f2/3 to get dual disc but it is a total waste of money unless your front end is junked. The single disc set up is much lighter and when in good shape provides more than enough braking for even the fastest CB-1 used on track or the street. Way more disadvantages than pluses.

Send me an email or pm with your email address and we can help out in the manual dept, service and owners. If you are wanting a hard copy, there are always several on ebay at any given time. Never seen a Haynes version, just the Honda factory one.

Tank holds 11litres, 8 till reserve and 3 on reserve. If running good, you should get about 160km till reserve when riding sanely as we must now in Ontario with the 50 over laws.

Enjoy your new bike!

Clark

[ptlcb1]

In agreement with clarkdw.  The front brake is plenty strong!  A dual brake front end is only going to add weight.  I have raced my "1" for many years, and I still have the single disk up front with steel braided brake lines, and my "1" is much stronger in horsepower than a stock "1".  Im sure I brake harder than anyone who street rides.  Thats not bragging, just saying that I ride my "1" very hard on the track and the stock brake has never let me down lap after lap.  If you want the look of dual brakes up front, thats fine, but in my opinion, its an unneccessary mod.  Adding weight to this bike, decreases your power to weight ratio, thus decreasing the performance of the bike.  Handling and braking is where the CB-1 is the strongest. 

[hobo]

 i 2 am a new owner but this cb1 is in a bad way, never crashed but in need of new engine due 2 coolant leek, i am not a total novice but no pit lane mechanic either, all advice hints tips and manuals etc would greatly be appreciated,as i am goin to take this bike on as my first project and give it tomyself as a 41st bday present june 2009
  thanks guys
 look forward to chatting and learning some more along the way
        

[hobo]

sorry my real name brian from rep of ireland

[ptlcb1]

Hey Brian,
     Welcome to the club!   The Honda factory manual does a great job with the process of removing the engine.  I had to take my engine out to have some work done on it.  I had never taken an engine out before, but my brother and I did so without any issues, using the factory manual.  I did color code certain wires with duct tape, (6 different colors), incase of mental overload!  lol  I would suggest taking 'before' pics with a digital camera...

[fossil02818]

Hello, you didn't say where the coolant leak was but I'll share my experience from my CB-1 when I bought it. After the bike sat for a week or more there was coolant leaking from the two hose fittings on the back side of the cylinder. These only have a single bolt retaining the O ring fitting to the cylinder block and are prone to weeping. I drained and flushed the coolant system then removed both fittings, replaced the O rings and put a thin film of Permatex #1 grey gasket seal around the mating surface as well. I refilled with Engine Ice brand coolant which lets the bike run slightly cooler than regular antifreeze coolant. No more leaks and a sweet running machine. I would recommend you get a factory shop manual for reference on all repair and maintenance. It is worth every penny