Hello all. I just picked up a 1981 CSR650 on a trade and I wanted a little advice on it. This is the first real bike I've owned (second if you consider a 450 hondamatic a real bike lol) but I have ridden others. The bike needs a little work to be rideable, but I have the parts I need lined up for 25 bucks. It needs a clutch cable, clutch cover bolts, starter cover, shift lever, and grips. I wanted to turn it into an old-school lowered hardtail bobber with struts, drag bars and a solo seat.
My questions are-- Does anyone know the speedo gear ratio and are there any good aftermarket parts for these old bikes aside from universal parts?
I'd like to get rid of the old bulky gauges and dummy lights for some aftermarket mini ones as well as relocate the ignition switch to the side cover. I was considering finding an old Harley tank with the dash, but I didn't know if the gauges would work without serious rewiring.

 

I think the aftermarket parts will be all but dried up, the bike is 30 years old. You could get antique tags, and try to restore it to orginal,it will be worth more that way, but if you still want to customize it,your way,you can, but there would be serious wiring issues with the ignition if your not familiar with wiring,lights..etc..

 

That's what I was afraid of. Looks like I'll have to use universal parts then. As for the year, I'm 6'3" with a bad knee so a lot of the newer bikes are just plain uncomfortable to me. Well, that and I only have $200 total in it so far . I'm not too concerned with the resale value, but since I want to use struts to hardtail it, I can put it back to mostly stock if needed. I am familiar with auto wiring, just not so much with these bikes.

 

Would any of the Ninja 650 performance parts work on it?

 

Hondamatic....classic!!!!! Welcome to the forums.

 

Thanks for the welcome deej. I bought the honda for 100 bucks 5 years ago, had it for 6 months and sold it. I wish I'd have kept it now, since those things are sellin for a mint these days. The guy thought 2nd gear was out since it would die when you shifted it. All it needed was the plugs cleaned lol! Popped them both out, wire brushed them and it ran perfect. That thing was a blast! My big *** looked goofy as hell ridin that little scoot though lol!
This Kaw is actually big enough for me to be comfortable on which has been a hard thing to find. I should be getting the parts I need Monday, so it outta be up and runnin in a couple days (I hope). Once that's done, I can start lookin at fixin it up the way I want it.

 

Well I figured I'd fill out the new member questions here since that thread is closed.

1. What is your first name (or middle name)?
Joe
2. When's your birthday (year if you want to include it)?
Jan 19 (same as Robert E. Lee)
3. What do you do for a living?
Self employed (car sales)
4. Married or Single?
Divorced
5. Favorite ice cream?
Any (I'm a fat kid lol)
6. Coffee or tea?
Coke in a can
7. If you are old enough....what is your favorite "drink"?
Scotch
8. What is your favorite color?
Flat black
9. Who is your favorite band / favorite CD?
Lynyrd Skynyrd's Street Survivors and Johnny Cash"s last album, CASH
10. What is your favorite movie?
We Were Soldiers
11. What is your favorite TV show?
M.A.S.H. or The Dukes of Hazzard
12. Any pets, if yes, what?
1 dog, a mutt named Remington
13. What other hobbies are you into?
Anything that uses gas or gunpowder
14. What was your first bike?
1983 CM450A Hondamatic
15. Who or what inspired you to ride?
My grandpa. He used to take me for rides when I was 4.
16. How long have you been riding?
Been on minibikes and dirtbikes since I could kick them over myself
17. Where do you live?
Yorktown, IN. Wanting to move to Georgia as soon as I can afford it.

 

welcome to KF

 

Thanks. Can I use the bars, gauges and controls from an old Ninja on this bike? I have a friend that has a junk 80's Ninja that he said he'd sell me the stuff from, but I don't know if it will work.

 

Superglue........lotsa superglue. It will all work just fine.

Welcome to the forums! Gear up; stay safe.