Parts getting harder and harder to find...

[Xestenz]

Had to go all the way to Germany (via the web) to find what might be the last new left side/starter cover left in the world (as attached).

When I bought this latest CB-1 about this time last year, these were available at bikebandit and cmnsl.com - now, sold out and obsolete everywhere.  Mirrors, guages, switchgear, painted parts, and covers are all gone.  How long before gaskets and fastners become scarce as well?

As enthusiasts of this great little bike, we ought to think about building a parts bank for the future, to stash some of this away and protect it.  I wince everytime I think of some street squid scrapping pavement with a CB-1, or performing 'hand made upgrade' hacks to impossible to find parts.

Tough love trying to keep and maintain an old and somewhat rare bike...

[bbanna]

I got one from Japan aboout a year or more ago. There is a really nice one made by Yoshimura for the CB400SF that also fits the CB-1 and it has the name Yoshimura in Japaneses at the top and in english under it in big letter "WE HAVE THE POWER". I almost bought it, and maybe I still will if I see it again. I have to check what is behind that cover because the Yosh one for the CB400SF is angled and not circular like the CB-1 stock part. More ground clearance for extreme riding angles on the Yosh part and it looks to be made from stronger material.

Also, if anyone wants chromed gauge enclosures ther eare a bunch on sale in Japan as well. Saw those last night.

I pulled my gauges apart last week and the gasket material just crumbled away. I ordered some new gaskets from Honda parts as well as a new set of indicator lenses. Mine were all scratched up. I'll be painting my gauge enclosure red and the face plate black. I'll grit blast it all first.

Brian