Dammerung Posted June 16, 2020 Share Posted June 16, 2020 Looking to get into motorcycles. I have an old 1968 Honda ct90 but recently a 1982 Honda Sabre came up for $1500. I’m wondering if I should get it or not, if anyone on here has experience with those bikes. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Torq_Shep Posted June 16, 2020 Share Posted June 16, 2020 I had a 1976 CB550 and a 1983 Nighthawk 650. IMHO. The quad carbs on modern gas was kind of a pain if you did not drive it pretty much every single day. They can't really sit very long without having issues with the carbs. Even my single carb Suzuki SP600 (predecessor to DR650) gave me issues from time to time, it was just easier to clean.I really like my fuel injected FZ600 but even that is having fueling issues at the moment (pretty sure fuel pump went, haven't had time to investigate). The Sabre isn't really a special bike, it does have some upgrades to the 70s stuff (read electronic ignition), but still has all of the old bike issues. The question is what are looking to do? Commute? Tinker? Weekend warrior? Do you value reliability or cool factor more? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dammerung Posted June 16, 2020 Author Share Posted June 16, 2020 I had a 1976 CB550 and a 1983 Nighthawk 650. IMHO. The quad carbs on modern gas was kind of a pain if you did not drive it pretty much every single day. They can't really sit very long without having issues with the carbs. Even my single carb Suzuki SP600 (predecessor to DR650) gave me issues from time to time, it was just easier to clean.I really like my fuel injected FZ600 but even that is having fueling issues at the moment (pretty sure fuel pump went, haven't had time to investigate). The Sabre isn't really a special bike, it does have some upgrades to the 70s stuff (read electronic ignition), but still has all of the old bike issues. The question is what are looking to do? Commute? Tinker? Weekend warrior? Do you value reliability or cool factor more? I’m looking to be more of a weekend warrior if anything for now. I daily my Comanche, and sometimes she drinks through gas like nothing else. I was interested in a motorcycle both for the efficiency and generally looking to ride. I’m more interested in sport-cruiser styles rather then a road legal dirt bike or sport styles alone. Is there any way to rectify the issues by swapping the carburetor or would it always be an issue?Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Torq_Shep Posted June 16, 2020 Share Posted June 16, 2020 A Carb'd bike will always be a carb'd bike unless you are extremely handy and knowledgeable with DIY engine controls. Also for reference. My 1976 got about 26 in the city, 30ish on the highway with 45hp. My 2006 FZ6 gets 38ish city 45ish highway with 98HP. If you are looking at the sub $2000 you can get a higher mileage sport tourer or cruiser with FI but you will need to hunt. -Yamaha FZ6 -Honda VFR800 -Suzuki SV650 -Suzuki Vstrom -Suzuki Boulevard C50 -Etc... Another good option for someone not well versed in bikes is the 300 class "sport" bikes. They are cheap, fuel efficient, slightly less back breaking than a true sport bike, etc. They will have been abused used but you can probably find a 14 or 15 model in your price range. Plenty fast for the freeway. Not trying to steer you in any particular direction. I have had 5 bikes and there are reasons I have gotten rid of ones that I otherwise liked driving =P Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FrankTheDog Posted June 16, 2020 Share Posted June 16, 2020 You can avoid a lot of fuel problems if you run startron in your fuel. A little 2 stroke oil wouldn’t hurt either but not at full 50-1 mix though. Cut it to 100-1 or even 125 to 1. That’s what I do with all my small engines and equipment and I don’t have any fuel problems in anything. My 1980 Stihl 045 Super hasn’t had a carburetor adjustment sincs the 80’s and it still runs great. It also has been running Husqvarna 2 stroke oil since then too. Same batch, my father bought a few cases for his logging business and then had a stroke a year later so it never got used up. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JustEmptyEveryPocket Posted June 16, 2020 Share Posted June 16, 2020 2 hours ago, FrankTheDog said: run startron in your fuel Personally every gas powered engine I have gets Marvel's Mystery Oil added to it. Even my 5 gallon jugs get treated with it. Never had a fuel problem either. Even year old (MMO treated) gas seems to burn just fine. Might just be snake-oil, but its cheap insurance and peace of mind for me. YMMV. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kook911 Posted June 17, 2020 Share Posted June 17, 2020 Look into the yamaha v-star 1100 or 650. Great bikes and you can shut the fuel off and just burn the rest till the bikes dies. No clogged carb to worry about. Also the bikes are in the 1500-2000 range Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Car Enthusiast Posted June 17, 2020 Share Posted June 17, 2020 7 hours ago, FrankTheDog said: You can avoid a lot of fuel problems if you run startron in your fuel. A little 2 stroke oil wouldn’t hurt either but not at full 50-1 mix though. Cut it to 100-1 or even 125 to 1. That’s what I do with all my small engines and equipment and I don’t have any fuel problems in anything. My 1980 Stihl 045 Super hasn’t had a carburetor adjustment sincs the 80’s and it still runs great. It also has been running Husqvarna 2 stroke oil since then too. Same batch, my father bought a few cases for his logging business and then had a stroke a year later so it never got used up. Nice stihl Frank. I am restoring two 051. One for my dad that was his grandfather's and the same one for me. Buell tube frames can be had for 3k and I would get 50mpg out of my cyclone. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
early comanche owner Posted June 21, 2020 Share Posted June 21, 2020 i had a 1981 cb 750 supersport, a blast of a bike, that sabre was a hot rod in itself.. they are fun bikes . v45 sabre or v65? 750 or 1000cc but if its in good shape 1500 is a good price. just my two cents Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dammerung Posted June 21, 2020 Author Share Posted June 21, 2020 i had a 1981 cb 750 supersport, a blast of a bike, that sabre was a hot rod in itself.. they are fun bikes . v45 sabre or v65? 750 or 1000cc but if its in good shape 1500 is a good price. just my two cents It’s an 82 v45. I don’t really know what engine size.Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Original 87 Posted June 21, 2020 Share Posted June 21, 2020 I had an 81, V45 750cc Magna back in the day clean bike less than 10,000 miles when I bought it was about 10 years old, if I remember right paid $1000 for it because it wouldn't idle. Cleaned the carbs and it ran great, fast bike (to me) was a lot of fun, not very comfortable on longer rides. Sold it after a summer of riding and bought a Goldwing that I still have. I was told the Saber was a more comfortable bike to ride I have no personal experience though. Sorry for the long drawn out 2 cents. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
watchamakalit Posted June 21, 2020 Share Posted June 21, 2020 i have a 97 magna thatcan consistently run 45-50mpg, if the rider has an easy throttle hand. But what fun is that..... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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