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Hey everyone! New to the website (and motorcycle scene). I just bought my first motorcycle to learn on - a CB200 which I have fallen in love with. I'm interested in learning all of the maintenance & such to keep it running well and being a safe ride before I attempt to get all crazy with it. (The amazing things so many of you have done to your bikes are super inspring)
I just bought it yesterday and for being 35 years old it (supposedly) has a whopping 4,000 miles on it. It has some pretty gnarly slash-cut shorty pipes on it which my row-home neighbors will surly grow to appreciate.
Anyway, for now... it is what it is (almost stock little CB200). I hope to learn a lot from everyone here about the bike and the potential these little guys have got in 'em.
Plan 2: Rewire electric starter. The wire must have a break in it... The guy I bought it from just claimed it never worked, but I've found that with the bike ignition on I can use a screwdriver at the battery and the starter wire and start it that way (although I will probably just use the kick start anyway).
Plan 3: I'd like to see if there's something I can do about the throttle... I rode it back the 40 miles from the guy's place and had a sore wrist (maybe just from having to ride full throttle for long stretches to keep up with traffic...) but it seems like it's just a lot stiffer than other bikes. Is that something that can be oiled or something?
and when all that's said and done, I think the first order of business will be changing the bars, but to what kind... I don't know. I like the way these types of bikes look with a lower stance. I'd also like to repaint it... The paint is pretty dull (not surprising for it's age) and I'm not crazy about the gold. Wish it was that Muskat Green color, but I think that was only an option on previous ages. Feels good to be able to have all these decisions to make!
Very cool! Where abouts in Philly are you? Me and a couple of other guys on here reside in south Philly and have a garage so if you ever need a wrench or a beer, come on over!
The CB200s are AWESOME bikes man! You can oil the throttle cable if its old. In fact its highly reccomemded. There are a million things you can do with that bike to add some style and performance. Dont know if you mentioned it, but if youre new to riding, I recommend you take the local MSF course. Its free in PA and will really help you understand the basics of riding.
Bobdot – I’m up just North of the Art Museum, near the Penetentiary actually off Fairmount Ave... I might just take you up on that once I get it in better working order (It’s frustrating to try to work on stuff in the city without a garage full of tools.)
I’m actually taking it back North to my parents’ house in the Poconos where I’ve got a little more space to work on it for the time being. I’m definitely gonna bring it back down ASAP, though.
VonYinzer – I had planned on taking the MSF course in the fall. I was going to do it earlier and use their bikes, but the opportunity to get my own presented itself and I couldn’t resist. I’ll see if some WD40 doesn’t loosen up the cable a bit.
So I finally got my bike to Philadelphia last night. Will definitely need to find some sort of replacement bulb/headlight assembly to replace the old sealed beam. I was able to see MAYBE 30 feet ahead of me after the sun went down. Would like to find something where only the bulb has to be replaced instead of the entire bulb... have looked but didn't really see anything like what I'm assuming exists, somewhere.
That and to do something with the taillight. Not sure why, but it keeps burning out after a few hours of riding. Could it be two of the wires under the seat that short it out when riding/vibrating? Will have to try to diagnose when it stops raining and it's more pleasant to ride. Just a heads up to keep your eyes out for me putzing around Philadelphia, if you're a local. The bikes still gold for a little bit longer, anyway. Used a second tank as a guinea-pig canvas for a new blue paint job. I'm a little bummed that it came out as well as it did (IMO) because the inside of the tank is a little more rusty and had a half-ass Kreme job done when I got it... Would like to find a good way to clean all that crap out and re-seal it so I can swap it over.
Spent quite a good bit of time trying to get the wiring through club-man bars I put on, with no success. Broke a few wires, swore quite a bit, so they're left hanging for now... Tried all the clever ideas I found on here, but no dice (the breaks in the middle of the wires certainly doesn't make pulling them through any easier, or possible...it seems.
That's where my project stands for now. Will have to keep at it when class isn't getting in the way.
hey, glad to hear you're riding it a bit! You'll get that wiring figured out in no time. Just keep picking away at it from one end to the other. I'm working on a 200 as well and am going to do something with the headlight as well. Haven't looked at options yet, but if I come up with something clever, I'll PM ya with what I found. If its vibration for the taillight bulb, they do make an 1157 Heavy Duty bulb I've used on some of my british bikes and have definately lasted longer.
Cheers, Kev
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