A Very Cool Find in My Co-Worker's Garage - Caliper Oddity

Posted: Sat Apr 17, 2010 12:59 am

Last Monday one of my co-workers and I were talking about our bikes when another co-worker walked over and joined in. He mentioned that he used to ride and still had his bike, but hadn't been on it in years. I asked what it was and he said "It's a CB900F." My jaw dropped and I immediately started asking questions. "What are you planning to do with it, do you want to sell it?" He calmly said "Sure." So when I asked what he wanted, he said "Not much - how about $100?" Now my jaw was on the floor - especially after he said it had less than 10K on the odo and he was the original owner. He bought it new in '82 and owned it up until today.

Today I brought my trailer to work and we went over to his house at lunchtime. Sitting in his garage collecting dust I found this:

Under all the grime was a well-preserved 900F! The old plate was still on it and the registration sticker said 1991. I looked it over but knew within 10 seconds that I was going to take it. So I put some air in the tires and we rolled it out into sunlight (probably for the first time in many years) and took a better look at it.

He had the title, tool kit, 1 key and the owner's manual ready to go. I handed him $160 and had to insist 3 times for him to take it. He only wanted $100!!!

We loaded it into my trailer and home it came. I've already got the side covers off and the old Yuasa battery is out. The engine turns over and I have some penetrating oil in each cylinder soaking the pistons. Hopefully there aren't any stuck rings or valves. Although it's VERY dusty and grimy, the bike is remarkably complete. NOTHING is missing and many of the things that normally show wear look new - like the battery cables, calipers, MC, etc. It will need the usual stuff to run, such a battery, tires, carb cleaning, brake work, etc., but nothing that a weekend can't take care of. I already have the seat/rear cowl off, along with the side covers and will wash them indoors. The tank will come off so that I can get at the carbs and try starting the bike with my aux fuel tank.

A few parts will want to be replaced due to damage, such as the right rear turn signal, chrome headlight trim, and handlebars. I don't like those aftermarket bars.

A minor question - where can I find another key or a blank? I always like to have a couple on hand.

A major question - what is the best/safest way to give the bike a good cleaning without tearing it all apart? I don't want to blast any paint off, so pressure washing isn't a good idea. Should I spray with simple green or purple power and then gently hose off followed by blow drying with my backpack blower? Suggestions will be greatly appreciated.

In case you were wondering - yes, I'm also the guy that found that pristine 900F in someone's cellar. I'm not sure what I'll do about that one yet. After getting this one for $160, I'm not sure I want to spend $700 more for a cleaner version of the same bike!

Posted: Sat Apr 17, 2010 1:04 am

Wow! man your lucky, Mr. Green

Im greeeeeen with envy Laughing

Posted: Sat Apr 17, 2010 1:10 am

S100 total cycle cleaner and a garden hose with a nozzle will have it looking incredible. Do not wet the bike first, spray it down real well, hose it off before it dries.

It's not cheap, but it sure does work.

http://www.s100.com/s100_tcc.htm

Posted: Sat Apr 17, 2010 1:53 am

I'm sure after spending so much in the initial investment he doesn't have much left in the kitty for some expensive overpriced soap!Just use some "Tide" washing powder and anew scouring pad that'll bring back that "like new" gleem.Very nice find indeed, can't say I'm not a little jealous.Down here in texas these things are rare as hens teeth. There is/was one up on craigslist north of town for 2,000 dollars that MIGHT be as clean as your 100 dollar bike.Sure would be cool to even find a parts bike near for that.Good luck and keep us posted on progress.

Posted: Sat Apr 17, 2010 1:56 am

Nice score.
Make sure to change those handlebars back to stock or a nice set of Daytona style.

Posted: Sat Apr 17, 2010 2:02 am

If you've never used S100 you just don't get it. It's not soap, it's a high tech catalytic cleaner. It cleans up everything. Grease falls off like mud. The colored wiring insulators will even look like new. I've been riding for well over 40 years and have washed a lot of bikes. S100 wins hands down, with hardly any scrubbing at all. Don't leave it on naked aluminum though, it will dull it.

Posted: Sat Apr 17, 2010 2:14 am

Where can I find some "Daytona style" handlebars? I definitely plan to get those ugly bars off that bike as soon as possible.

The crazy thing about this particular find is that I've been working with the guy for several years and we have never talked about bikes, although he knows that I ride to work quite often. I guess he has had offers for it in the past but didn't want some young punk to take and molest it. He knew that I am pretty anal when it comes to restoring bikes and knew it would go to a good home.

Thanks for the tip on S-100. I hope to find some over the weekend. I'll keep you all posted as to my progress. I plan to try starting it by Monday. I'll be surprised if it starts, but you never know.

Tom

Posted: Sat Apr 17, 2010 2:14 am

S100 is awesome.

Hey nice bike for $160!!! And I thought you had a good deal for $700 on the other bike... Wink

Posted: Sat Apr 17, 2010 2:24 am

tomk1960 wrote:

Where can I find some "Daytona style" handlebars? I definitely plan to get those ugly bars off that bike as soon as possible.
Tom

I have them on my 1100...nice fit and comfy. Don't have to worry about throttle cables hitting the tank.

Here

or here

Daytona Handlebars Link

Posted: Sat Apr 17, 2010 2:35 am

Do you have a horseshoe stuck up you know where?

The "basement find" and now this?

Go buy some lottery tickets. Now!!

Posted: Sat Apr 17, 2010 2:54 am

I've probably used up all my luck for a while, so I'm not sure a winning lottery ticket is in my future.

I think it's amazing that the bike didn't get scratched or dented just sitting in his garage all these years. It's a miracle that one of his kids didn't whack it with their bikes.

So can anyone tell me where I can find a key blank or a pre-cut key so that I'll have a spare?

Posted: Sat Apr 17, 2010 3:28 am

I have a set of 900 OEM bars, PM me if you're interested. Since you got such a good deal on the bike, you can probably afford to drop another hundred, eh?

JK, how does 20 plus shipping sound?

I get my keys at the local True Value...

Posted: Sat Apr 17, 2010 5:28 am

$160! Wow. Seriously nice find.

Take your key to your Honda shop. They can match up the blank, order it and have it cut.

Posted: Sat Apr 17, 2010 5:38 am

Damn....nice job.....want buy an Igloo? How about a nice CBX turn signal....maybe an old Frank Zappa album?
Really though....I use to run across stuff like that all of the time....gets the ol' excitement meter
pegged doesn't it!

P.S. I can't bitch....I just bought a 94' Chevy 1500 for $550......all it needed was a bath!

Posted: Sat Apr 17, 2010 2:41 pm

I wouldn't have a garage full of torn apart 900F if I had your luck!!! Sweet score. Yes, I am extremely jealous.

Steve

Posted: Sat Apr 17, 2010 2:47 pm

tomk1960 wrote:

Where can I find some "Daytona style" handlebars? I definitely plan to get those ugly bars off that bike as soon as possible.

The crazy thing about this particular find is that I've been working with the guy for several years and we have never talked about bikes, although he knows that I ride to work quite often. I guess he has had offers for it in the past but didn't want some young punk to take and molest it. He knew that I am pretty anal when it comes to restoring bikes and knew it would go to a good home.

Thanks for the tip on S-100. I hope to find some over the weekend. I'll keep you all posted as to my progress. I plan to try starting it by Monday. I'll be surprised if it starts, but you never know.

Tom

Please read the directions carefully on the S100. They are pretty specific - don't want to wreck anything. I've used it with good results.

Posted: Sat Apr 17, 2010 3:13 pm

Incredible luck Tom!
I want to see these hidden jewels sometime.
As far as getting a key goes I would use these guys (Autolock) Dave found a while back. I emailed the code to them and had an original style key in 3 days, think it ran about $20. Very Happy

I wont go through the hassle of a dealship for a key again.
Greater Boston Motorsports burned me, long story. Confused

http://www.cb1100f.net/modules.php?name=Forums&file=viewtopic&p=265775#265775

Posted: Sun Apr 18, 2010 4:27 am

And there I was, thinking Holden is just good for poorly marked streets, ex-girlfriends, and generic bad luck. Really cool find, makes me have faith that there is unmolested stuff out there. Silver 82 CB900F at Bettencourt's was the bike that got me hooked on this whole CB-F mess. Still think it's the prettiest of the whole bunch. I'd keep it as close to stock as possible, there are plenty of rats out there to hot rod.

Posted: Sun Apr 18, 2010 12:19 pm

I have a set of brand new CB400f bars sitting here too if needed. That is EXACTLY how I found my second F. Covered in natures preserving dust. 7Eleven doesnt know what he's talking about. I would get some 6 over extended fork tubes for the front and a sissy bar for the back and you'll be humming purple rain before you know it. Cool

Nice score!

Posted: Mon Apr 19, 2010 2:42 am

Incredible, just incredible. Try your local locksmith for a key. I had a new one made for a '76 BMW that had NO key, and he was able to do it.

Posted: Mon Apr 19, 2010 11:47 am

All the electricals worked on the bike. Under the crud, things are in surprisingly good shape. Bolt heads are still shiny, boots aren't torn. I pulled off the tank and hooked up an aux. fuel tank and attempted to start it - no luck. No fuel flow, which was to be expected. The carbs are off and disassembled, soaking in Pine-Sol. The primary main jets were all plugged, some of the secondaries as well. Inside the carbs looked surprisingly decent considering how long the bike sat with gas in it. There was some shellac-like residue in the bottoms of the bowls. The accelerator pump and air cutoff diaphragms were all like new.

Everything should be ready to go back together within a couple of days, so hopefully I'll have that bad boy running by the end of the week.

Posted: Mon Apr 19, 2010 12:07 pm

Ahhh, memories.

Posted: Mon Apr 19, 2010 2:41 pm

Really makes you wonder what's sitting in the corner of somebodys garage or basement . A really rare jewel just waitng to be found Shocked

Posted: Mon Apr 19, 2010 3:17 pm

Wow,

That is an incredible score. That bike looks great and should give you years of maintenance memories Laughing

. You do seem to be one lucky SOB. Glad that bike is going to a good home and not destined for the bay. Keep us posted on how it turns out.

Grant.

Posted: Mon Apr 19, 2010 7:44 pm

Show us matching pics of those carbs after you wash off the Pine-Sol, please. Wink

Posted: Mon Apr 19, 2010 11:13 pm

Wow this is incredible. I think I would consider playing the lottery with the luck you have. Still searchin for my jewel. Congrat's......what a find.

Posted: Tue Apr 20, 2010 2:53 am

After a good 24 hour soak in the Pine-Sol/water solution, I pulled out the carb bodies. They were thoroughly rinsed out with very hot water and then blown dry with compressed air. They came out pretty nice:

I also poured a small amount of lacquer thinner into each of the bowls this morning and then sprayed them out with carb cleaner and blew them dry. It got the shellac-like residue that the Pine-Sol didn't get.

Are these show-quality "like new" shiny clean? Absolutely not. They look nice and clean, but if you want a show-quality look, I think a lot more is involved. The key now is to carefully spray carb cleaner through all the passages and blow them out to make sure they're clear.

That really grungy gas tank looks a little different now. Some soapy water and a coat of wax brought it right back. I guess the grime protected the finish!

A couple of weeks from now the bike should look a whole lot different.

Tom

Posted: Tue Apr 20, 2010 3:43 am

Wow!

Posted: Tue Apr 20, 2010 4:46 am

I would have expected better results from the Pine-Sol. Hondo got very good results. He used 3 bottles of Pine-Sol to 1.5 bottles of water.

http://www.cb750c.com/modules.php?name=Forums&file=viewtopic&t=9866

Posted: Tue Apr 20, 2010 5:54 am

tomk1960
[/quote]A major question - what is the best/safest way to give the bike a good cleaning without tearing it all apart? I don't want to blast any paint off, so pressure washing isn't a good idea. Should I spray with simple green or purple power and then gently hose off followed by blow drying with my backpack blower? Suggestions will be greatly appreciated.[quote]

DO NOT USE SIMPLE GREEN.......IT IS CORROSIVE TO METAL! I'm in the aviation industry and it is known and avoided.

S-100 Is what I use period!............Go to your local Honda Dealer and get Honda Brite, its the same as S-100 (Look at the back Label) and cheaper too! Wink

If anyone knows or seen my bike here can attest to how clean it is Cool

Awesome Score! Dude that is freakin SWEET!!!!!!! Very Happy