A bike with four carbs will require syncing and probably cleaning unless the bike is well cared for.

 

Check the camchains. The 900 uses 2. A main one and one running between the cams, - they wear out and are often a reason to move a CB900 on.

 

Sorry to hear about the loss of your CX John. That is awful. I don't have experience with the CB900. I do with other lesser cc'd CB's of similar vintage and they've been great in performance and reliability. Very different feel than the CX. Going along with Rick-a-d having more lungs does complicate maintenance and probably the wallet for parts and fuel. Good luck with your search.

 

My brother had a cb900 custom, all decked out. He loved it. Only reason he moved it was that he had a Kawasaki concours and a nighthawk(or two)and several firebirds...you get the picture. His wife liked the ride on the Kawi so it stayed. That 900 was a sweet bike, tho.

 

More power, 10 speed trans, which will probably return the same gas mileage, and a decent amount more weight.



Both are 80s bikes, and neither will handle well compared to a modern non-cruiser. The CX will be most likely be much more nimble at slow speeds, but less fun on the highway.



Do you ride on the highway a lot?



I dont know much about their reliability, and the CX is definitely more unique (and in my humble opinion) way cooler.

 

I'm thinking of staying with CX.



Is there another bike (ready to ride) in the $1500-$2000 range that I should be looknig for?

 

The CB900s are a good bike AFAIK.I've known a few owners over the years but they are of course more complicated to work on and are as long in the tooth(Old versions) as the CXs.The servicing would most likely cost more and I'm not sure the spares are as easily available.



You already know what you are getting with a CX and plenty of back up

My 2 cents

PS

Out of the modern V twins I like the Suzuki SV650s,



http://motors.shop.ebay.com/Motorcy...v650&_catref=1&_dmpt=Motorcycles_Parts_Accessories&_trksid=p3286.c0.m282&_rdc=1

 

PS

Out of the modern V twins I like the Suzuki SV650s,



http://motors.shop.ebay.com/Motorcy...v650&_catref=1&_dmpt=Motorcycles_Parts_Accessories&_trksid=p3286.c0.m282&_rdc=1

This. They can be found in the $2000-3000 range. A little more than your looking for, but certainly worth it. More power, less weight, no valves to adjust (although it does have a chain, but they arent nearly as bad as some of the folks here make them out to be), and its newer.



If I had some money to spend, it would either be on an SV, or the V-strom which is built on the same powerplant.

 

My thoughts....



Unless you just must have all that power I'd stay with the CX line. Relative simplicity of maintenance/repair, pretty good parts availability and so on. One somewhat reliable indicator of parts availability is to take whatever model of bike you like and see what's for sale on eBay and at what cost. If there is not much there, well it makes you wonder why.





A friend bought a 4 cyl '86 Nighthawk several years ago (750cc I think) and it is a very nice and powerful ride. But if he has to do any repair or serious maintenance it's going to be a costly nightmare. He is also the sort that thrashes his rides and fixes them only when they break. For him it will likely be 3 or 4 years of great fun and then the bike will rot in his barn. Although he has the ability I can never see him, for instance, rebuilding four carbs and doing a proper job.



Hoppy

 

I hear that Rickbert is offering his READY TO RIDE, NICE SHINEY, BEAUTIFUL CX for $1800 to forum members.

Oh yeah and he's just down I-70 from YOU

 

I know Rickbert. I'm keeping an eye on your craigslist add. Your bike is the standard that I am judging all others by. Maybe I should take the wife over to your house and look at your beauty.

 

The SV is a flat out great bike. But the CX is a cool old bike (cheap) that's easy to work on yourself. The SV won't need work.

Cheers, 50gary

 

Yep John,



You're welcome to do that anytime.....you do what's right for YOU though not me or anyone else !!



If you DO want another CX and would like a "Custom" I don't think there's a better one out there than mine as there's really nothing left to do in restoring it...she's all done.



There for sure are others that run as good as mine does, but not any better. I think running good is a standard with these but I know there's not one that LOOKS as good as mine does. (In my biased opinion of course).

 

Rickbert's would be a good buy in my opinion. It is a known quantity and worth what he is asking for it... All that polishing makes it perty...

The CB550 with a CB650 cam is quite fun and doesn't have the flat spot in acceleration that the CB550 has. You do have 4 carbs to tune and cam chains to replace about every 40Kmiles to be safe. Most any older bike will eat a few crackers, that's why most guys who own vintage bikes or classic bikes will own more than one. That way, hopefully one will always be in running form.

Fortunately, or unfortunately, the CX get to be pretty reliable when sorted out and maintained...making them boring. So you just have to buy another and breath life into it and then sell the one you like least to buy another...

It a journey like life...best spent on two feet or two wheels.



David