How'd I do? First time rider checkin' in...

[threefortytwo]

Sup folks,
Just got back from buyin' my first bike.
1981 Honda 400 CM. :) Great 'lil starter bike if you ask me.. 10K on the clock, runs great, clean paint.. I thought the price was right at $900.
I took it for a spin around my business complex without any issues. First time on a bike, too. No stalls or nothin'! :D (yeah, I'll take a trophy)

Is anyone familiar with this bike? Any good places in central Arlington that service old Hondas?

Any advice for a brand newbie?
Thx,
Brad

http://i203.photobucket.com/albums/aa239/threefourtytwo/bike1.jpg

[barronj]

Those ape hangers are waaaaaay too small. Jack them up 24" or so.

I saw a guy on one of those tonight, he must've been a tall fella, 'cause he was sitting on the back half of the seat...

[threefortytwo]

Those ape hangers are waaaaaay too small. Jack them up 24" or so.

I saw a guy on one of those tonight, he must've been a tall fella, 'cause he was sitting on the back half of the seat...

(-- doesn't know the slang term "ape hangers" yet :o

[94StangFiveO]

(-- doesn't know the slang term "ape hangers" yet :o
Here is your definition. (http://www.google.com)

[barronj]

Those ape hangers are waaaaaay too small. Jack them up 24" or so.

I saw a guy on one of those tonight, he must've been a tall fella, 'cause he was sitting on the back half of the seat...

Yours are not even close to ape hangers, but if you can imagine magnifying your handlebars times 2 or 3X in height, that would scratch the surface of an ape hanger...

Think 'Clyde' in Clint Eastwood's "Every Which Way But Loose"

[bucky]

That bike would be a piece of cake to work on. With only 10k, it shouldn't even be broke in yet.

[likeitfast55]

Me personally, I would loose the 70's bufont style seat for a better more modern looking Corbin seat. But hey thats me.

For 900 skins with 10k, your riding brother. I might add not burning much gas either!

[JP135]

Is anyone familiar with this bike? Any good places in central Arlington that service old Hondas?

The Cycle Shop in Hurst. The guy is a guru and his prices are dirt cheap. Hwy 10 just west of US Sport Sales and east of Hurstview.

[likeitfast55]

The Cycle Shop in Hurst. The guy is a guru and his prices are dirt cheap. Hwy 10 just west of US Sport Sales and east of Hurstview.


Owner is Rick, great guy. There is a guy in back that looks like the lead guitar player in ZZ Top! Talk about out of the 70's!

[BpuTacoma]

900 bucks!!! that's a deal, and looks like its been taken cared of too.

[meathead]

Hey, if it's your 1st time and didn't crash or tip over, you did alright :D . I sold a cb 350 not to long ago for $500 and it ran great so thats not to bad on the price. The parts and service, I recc the motorcycle shop that these guys are talking about. Great mech, no question about it. cool guy to, very experinced and knows alot about these old school bikes.

[evil jose]

Damn, sounds like a deal and the bike looks to be in good condition. Does it use a drum brake in the back or a disk? I'm guessing drum. Just curious.

[threefortytwo]

Damn, sounds like a deal and the bike looks to be in good condition. Does it use a drum brake in the back or a disk? I'm guessing drum. Just curious.

Yep, it's a drum out back.

Thanks, folks, for the tips about the shop in Hurst. I'll give 'em a shout. It should be looked at before I start dailying it. I really don't know what I'm looking at yet so I need to make sure the thing is safe to ride, ya know?

[ram57ta]

My first street bike was a 78 CM185. Similar in styling but with WAYYYY less power. I would guess that thing could pretty easily get over 100mph if you really wanted to push it (my old 185 would get up to about 85 or so before it ran out of steam). Not a bad bike to start on and I agree....VERY easy to work on and VERY good on gas. Does it use a 12 volt electrical system? My 185 had a 6 volt system and it would only start the engine on a full charge and the lights wouldn't get bright until you reached nearly highway speed. If I'm not mistaken that CM400 was the predecessor to the long lived and still produced Nighthawk 450 and Rebel 450.

[threefortytwo]

My first street bike was a 78 CM185. Similar in styling but with WAYYYY less power. I would guess that thing could pretty easily get over 100mph if you really wanted to push it (my old 185 would get up to about 85 or so before it ran out of steam). Not a bad bike to start on and I agree....VERY easy to work on and VERY good on gas. Does it use a 12 volt electrical system? My 185 had a 6 volt system and it would only start the engine on a full charge and the lights wouldn't get bright until you reached nearly highway speed. If I'm not mistaken that CM400 was the predecessor to the long lived and still produced Nighthawk 450 and Rebel 450.

I believe it's a 12. (says 12A on it..) Yeah, it starts real easy. I do get a little dimming of the headlight unless I'm on the throttle.. Overall I'm pleased. The chrome shined up pretty nicely. :)

[slowimport96]

I am fairly certain honda doesn't produce a 450 nighthawk. 250 and 750 if I am right.

[bucky]

I am fairly certain honda doesn't produce a 450 nighthawk. 250 and 750 if I am right.

Im pretty sure they did

[ram57ta]

I am fairly certain honda doesn't produce a 450 nighthawk. 250 and 750 if I am right.

Alrighty then...you are probably right about them not making it anymore.
In 82 Honda introduced the Nighthawk 450 and continued producing it until 1986 with few changes over the years. The Rebel 450 was introduced in 86 but only lasted thru 87. :p

[slowimport96]

ah. I knew for a fact honda didn't make one from 1990 on, before that though I didn't know.. I have learned a honda fact I didn't know.

[Big Pencil]

I had an 81 or 82 CM400 for a short time - bought it cheap, cleaned it up and sold it for a profit. They are solid little bikes that require very little care and feeding. Mine would cruise along all day at 65-70 with nary a hiccup. Most Honda dealerships will not work on them as they're "too old" for reliable parts sourcing, but shops like the one mentioned in Hurst will probably be able to handle anything you might need. With such low mileage it shouldn't need much.

Enjoy and ride safe.

[ScottJ]

wow.

wise choice, and a good find! Your a smart new rider.

[threefortytwo]

wow.

wise choice, and a good find! Your a smart new rider.

Thank you.

Any of ya'll know where I can take it for an inspection in the Arlington area?

(don't ask me how I'm going to get it there... :p )

[2000 vert]

Great find. I really like those old bikes. Reminds me of the 79 Yamaha special 750 I rode in high school. Ride safe and enjoy.

[meathead]

Thank you.

Any of ya'll know where I can take it for an inspection in the Arlington area?

(don't ask me how I'm going to get it there... :p )


The Motorcycle shop is over there off hwy 10 going into hurst. I would go holla at him b/c he can also give you some good tips and a great mech/parts finder. Not to far away from arlington but definatlly worth the trip. ;)

[bucky]

Honestly, i wouldn't pay anyone to work on that bike. It defeats the whole purpose of owning it for what you paid. Buy a repair manual and tackle it yourself. Its really not that difficult.

[meathead]

If it runs and drives, how come you are wondering how to get it there ? I would drive it up there and get it insp instead of tryin to load it. Is there anything that would not get it to pass inspec? It's only $12.50 for bikes. The motorcycle shop is one of your best bet for those older bikes and parts locator. If not, bust out some tools and start reading up.

[threefortytwo]

If it runs and drives, how come you are wondering how to get it there ? I would drive it up there and get it insp instead of tryin to load it. Is there anything that would not get it to pass inspec? It's only $12.50 for bikes. The motorcycle shop is one of your best bet for those older bikes and parts locator. If not, bust out some tools and start reading up.

It's not registered, nor do I have my bike license yet.. Last registered sticker on the plate is '05.

Anyone have a phone number for that shop off Highway 10? Google didn't come through for me... Both 'The Cycle Shop' and 'The Motorcylce Shop' have been mentioned in this thread.. Ya'll talking about the same place?

Thanks for the advice thus far.

[meathead]

It's not registered, nor do I have my bike license yet.. Last registered sticker on the plate is '05.

Anyone have a phone number for that shop off Highway 10? Google didn't come through for me... Both 'The Cycle Shop' and 'The Motorcylce Shop' have been mentioned in this thread.. Ya'll talking about the same place?

Thanks for the advice thus far.



The motorcycle shop
332 w. hurst blvd
(817) 285-9977 ask for Ricky