1978-1981 Kawasaki KZ650SR

(Page 3 of 3)

September/October 2007
By Landon Hall 
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Honda CB650 Custom
- 60hp @ 9,000rpm
(claimed)/113mph
- Air-cooled, four-stroke, inline four-cylinder, single overhead cam
- Five-speed
- Single-disc front, drum rear
- 447lb (dry)
- 48mpg
- $800-$1,700

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Honda’s 1980 CB650 Custom debuted as another “Special” right in the middle of everyone else trying their hand at the game. Cycle Guide magazine immediately defined the bike as “a little bland, but pretty nice.” Not the most inspiring review.

 The Custom wasn’t as showy as the Maxim, but it was a stylish, solid motorcycle fully capable of interstate cruising, although in truth it was most at home at speeds of 60mph and less. It suffered the same drawbacks common to other “Specials” when it came to rideability, as its pullback bars and stepped seat had test riders of the day complaining after just a few miles. Its 3.6gal gas tank was only slightly larger than the Maxim, yet still not as big as the 3.85gal tank of the Kawasaki.

Its suspension set-up also followed the short-trip mentality, as it was too soft for carving canyons or “breasting concrete waves on the superslab,” as Cycle Guide put it. The Custom was made for three years (1980-1982) and sold fairly well. Though they’re not as easy to find as a good Maxim, they are normally a bit cheaper. This example was a prior sale at Brad's Bikes (www.bradsbikes.net) that sold for $1,700. Depending on your taste, that “blandness” back then roughly translates today to “doesn’t stand out like a sore thumb,” which is something we can’t say for the Maxim.

 
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