Hey all,
Just picked up a 1988 CBR600F today, excited to get out and give her the lashings. I will try to post some pictures soon, as it has a totally custom paint job (it hasn't grown on me... yet). Have been reading thru the forums to looks for problems these old bikes may have. so far:
- First time I started her up, she rattles like a bums tin can. Figured CCT, and I have come to learn these fail on these bikes very often. Ordered an APE so that should be in next week.
-Good compression
-Good spark
- Took it for a short run, shifts through the gears (2nd included) nicely. Glad I don't need to crack the case to do gear work (knock on wood)
- The bike had mostly been sitting at the PO's house for ~1 year. Surprisingly it starts and idles very well (will probably still clean the carbs). Tires are fairly new too (no cracking, front even still has the 'fingers')
A couple things I need to fix
- Headlight doesn't work. Bulb is good, but it doesn't work on hi or lo beam. Marker lights and turn signals are fine. Fuse is good as well.
- The handle switch gear is nasty looking, and the turn signal switch kind of sticks. Maybe some PB Blaster will loosen things up.
- Seats need re-upholstered.
- Wheels need repainted. Some buffoon rattle canned them black and did an awful job. Thinking about a dark red...
- Chain can use some chain soup

... And I'm sure more will come. Looking forward to it!

 

Welcome! CCT seems to be a common problem, and one of the first parts I replaced on mine. I had the same rattle issue that is mostly fixed after replacing the tensioner. The engines are mechanically really strong and mine still has almost perfect compression at 46,000 miles.

Check the DOT stamp on the tires if you want to find out the exact manufacture date. I wouldn't personally run a motorcycle tire more than maybe 6 years or so, just due to the fact that a blowout on a bike can be much more dangerous! As far as the turn signal switch some pb blaster or wd-40 should definitely help it out as it did mine.

Feel free to ask any questions you may have, and looking forward to seeing some pics of the custom paint job as well.

 

Thanks for the info. I'll look at the tires tonight. A couple thoughts I have so far is;
- why did they have a fixed seat. My old ninja had a key seat even
- was there ever any storage for things like a toolkit? Mainly I am looking for somewhere to keep my insurance papers.
- ideas for a helmet lock?

 

There should be a helmet lock on the left side. It was on the rail the left signal light and passenger peg is mounted on.
Tool kit was mounted in the rear part of the battery box. There is a cover that snaps on... Also from the left side of the bike.

 

I didn't see any lock. Oh well. I guess I can fab something up. And it looks like the battery box area has been modified. I'll look into it further...

Finally got to work at it last night. The rear brake didn't work. Simple - had to bleed it and it was fixed. A bigger job was the headlight didn't work. After closer examination, the headlight plug was all burned out. I had another H4 plug sitting around so I figured no problem. After cutting off the old plug, I tested the wires and found ground was good but Hi and Lo beams weren't working. After about 4 hours of testing and tracing, it turns out the starter switch has a headlight cutoff that was gummed up. Some contact cleaner and scotchbrite cleaned it up.
Here is what it looks like so far...


Next is to drop the header and clean it up, and the pipe. The muffler is stock I believe. It needs some TLC.

Does anyone know - do the headers have gaskets that need replaced each time they are removed?

 

Hello from Finland. I just buy Honda CBR1000F 1996 8 )

 

yes the headers do have gaskets wich are best to be replaced each time u remove the headers

 

Ideally they should be replaced any time the exhaust is removed. However I have removed my headers 2 or 3 times and never replaced the gaskets - no leaks. Same for the slip on portion, but probably had that off and on 4 or 5 times with no leaks.

Just be careful with them and you should be fine to reuse.

 

check out my thread for a large part out if you need anything!!! enjoy the bike!

 

I read your project from pg1. I was shocked and saddened to see how it unfolded. Its weird watching a bike go from starting, to where it finished, to crashed, all in half an hour.

I asked about the handlebars, but your are broken and I actually fixed my switches (all I needed). Next thing was the slip on... but I see that didn't fare too well