1982 Honda CB900C from United States of America

Summary:

Great bike and very reliable

Faults:

Replaced fork seals, new front calipers, re-shimmed valves.

General Comments:

Polished everything and painted the engine. The bike looks almost new. Very smooth acceleration, no hiccups accelerating or decelerating. Cam chains are tight even with this "high" mileage (86,000 miles).

Hard starting if it has sat for a while, but no big deal. Give it a minute to warm up on high idle and off I go.

The bike is comfortable on my old bones and is plenty fast. I run the shocks at the lower recommended pressures. Never pushed it beyond 90 mph. No windshield and the air buffeting is more than I care to deal with. Sounds good too. Still original 4 into 4 pipes.

Yes, it's heavy so not great for a new rider. Great handling. I usually get a few questions and onlookers when I fill up. Very important to keep changing oil. I do it at half the recommended interval.

I love this bike.

Would you buy another motorcycle from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 15th May, 2020

1981 Honda CB900C from United States of America

Summary:

Awesome, fun and fast while reliable

Faults:

I have an oil leak on my oil cooler hose. Don't know if it's the hose or the ring inside the hose where it connects to the air filter? Any suggestions or tips are welcome.

General Comments:

Very good and reliable bike. I upgraded my carburetors and had a little trouble getting them all synchronized, but when I did, the bike ran beautifully. Fast bike and great on gas. High and low gear option is great. Not many complaints about this bike.

Would you buy another motorcycle from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 5th December, 2014

28th Dec 2014, 15:36

Had the same problem; not severe enough to warrant intervention. New owner took care of all small details including that one too. Either found an OEM seal, or something compatible.

Cost was minimal; it was just an o-ring.

Enjoy your bike!

1982 Honda CB900C from Australia

Summary:

I just love this old bike

Faults:

New tank fitted by the previous owner after the old one rusted out a bit (tank, not owner).

Replaced front discs after the old (original) ones warped a bit, and it felt like full time ABS.

Replaced rear pads and serviced brakes, as they started to get sticky and would jam on from time to time.

Seat has minor tears around the edges, but I haven't gotten around to recovering it yet. I can get a re-pro for about $120, but then I'd lose the Honda on the back of the seat; decisions, decisions!

Chrome parts starting to peel or wear away. Not sure if I should replace them, re-chrome them, or paint them matte black or gunmetal grey.

General Comments:

I think it's a one-of-a-kind in Australia. At least I have not been able to find another '82 here.

I like to describe it as a sports tourer, and as such it is a very quick machine, especially (0-60), and handles very well, considering its size.

Braking could be better for such a heavy bike, but it is 30 years old.

I dreamt of this bike when I was riding about 28 years ago, but then it wasn't available in Australia. Now someone has imported it, converted the speedo to kph (from a CB900F), and I'm the next proud owner.

Would love to hear from any other CB900C owners in Australia, so please email me on cb900c@exemail.com.au.

Would you buy another motorcycle from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 15th August, 2012

29th Jun 2014, 03:47

I have one too. I have had it since 1994. I bought it off an American guy who imported it and had owned it from new. When I got it, it only had 18000 miles on the clock. Since then I have done about the same. It is a great bike, and turns a lot of heads when I give the wrist a twist. For a cruiser it goes like a rocket. The factory top speed is listed as 214.7 km/h. That's fast enough for me.

1982 Honda CB900C from United States of America

Summary:

It's the best time

Faults:

Nothing has really gone wrong with my bike since buying it and fixing it up.

It had sat a long time, so I replaced the tires, brakes, cleaned brake lines, master cylinder, brake calipers, and fork seals. Mainly all those things just from sitting so long. Not from quality or fault.

Still has a small leak somewhere in the carb (no big deal).

Nothing out of the ordinary. It is a well built machine, and most anything that goes wrong is just routine things that every bike will need.

General Comments:

This is the 2nd 82 CB900C I have had, and I will try to make this one last as long as I can, or get another if it dies. It has been pretty reliable.

It is very fast from 0-60, and has plenty of acceleration from there on up. It has no problem passing on the highway from 60-80 before I even know it. I have never had it much past 85-90 though.

The rev limit is very high, and it has even more power the higher it revs.

I do not think I can get the full capability of fifth gear or using the high range unless I am at 100+.

I do not see the use of using the high range of the 10 speed, other than it seems to improve MPG slightly. I did not get very good MPG on either of the bikes I have had. 33 MPG at best.

This is a heavy bike, but handles really well for its size, however moving it can be difficult. The kickstand is angled a bit high; I really have to watch where I park it.

It is very comfortable to ride, it has a nice wide seat, it does get uncomfortable after a long drive, but I think all bikes are like that.

All in all, I love it. The faults are few and minor. The pros far outweigh them.

Would you buy another motorcycle from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 13th April, 2012

21st Apr 2012, 01:27

I agree with the above. I too am on my second CB900, this one's an '82 with full fairing. It has less power than my '79 - that was feral, but it would empty the tank in less than 100 miles. I get well over 150 miles to the tank of fuel with this 82.

Very comfortable for long distance and trustworthy - they were developed out of endurance racing.