Hi all: Just registered, and wondered if I could ask for some guidance / thoughts.

I am looking at a 95 CBR 900, and know absolutely zero about this model. (Current ride is an '83 Suzuki GS 1100). Are there any "quirks" I should know about and look for specific to this particular bike? I have seen pictures only to this point, but will hopefully be talking to the owner and setting up a meet soon. It would be nice to be prepared. The price is right, and I don't mind a challenge. In fact, I was thinking of buying this for a project bike, something to keep me occupied and out of trouble this winter if it needs some TLC. (The same as my GS was LAST year.)

Thanks a lot for your help.
Rick

 

Make sure the battery is not brand new, if it is it could be that the previous battery was just old and it was time for a fresh one.

It might also mean that the bike's charging system is not working properly and so the batteries are not getting a full charge and are going bad.

Regulator/Rectifiers and Stators are the bike's charging system along with the harnesses/wires that connect everything.....make sure everything works.

Also maybe check the mileage and see if the valves were ever inspected to make sure they are still within factory spec....if not, having them worked on could be expensive.

 

Thanks. Curiously the current owner says all it needs is a new battery. What a coincidence.

The GS was also notorious for charging system issues. Is there a fix for the CBR's woes? Other than just replacing everything, that is?

 

I'm no mechanic-- just stuff I went thru with my Blade.

For my bike, a '93 900rr it had a bunch of problems.

You wanna maybe have your bike thoroughly checked/tested so that they can pinpoint what the problem is.

Could be just the reg/rect, or just the stator...or maybe the wires or all three or a bunch of stuff, including the battery.


The last owners of my bike spliced into the wiring harness so they could add new turn signals, kill switches, etc.....


Honda had to fix the harness and I had to order a new stator (had to google a supplier on the US mainland, Cycle Therapy) and I think also buy a new reg.rect.

Now the bike charges very well, but I am worried the wires may overheat and fry if I let it idle in stop and go traffic for too long....I tried to go on a motorcycle cruise once and noticed later that the wires/connectors where the battery is had begun to turn brown!

 

RR's are also known for bad second gear, Ride it at low speed in 2nd and do the wide open throttle acceleration test to see if it pops out of gear. The regulator/rectifier is located under the right side tail faring, Look to see if it is melted of discolored. it is mounted to the subframe, My 99 has never had an issue with the charging system or anything else after 22K miles. I consider myself lucky, the 900RR is a great machine and was Honda's best platform IMHO

 

as youve already heard , the charging system is the weak point, i had to replace my stator(the epoxy the surrounds the copper was flacking off into the oil)and the wires were yellow and the connector was melted . replaced my rectifier with the newer style with cooling fins (see the pic) and a brand new battery, this fixed my problems and never had another issue with the electrical, my bike had 36k mi on the counter and it was time for those parts im told. i did all the work my self with no problems. the biggest hurdle you will find is trying to find aftermarket parts for the old girl. for instance i had to pleed with the guy at lockhart to make another run of speenscreens so i could get the smoke double bouble i wanted(no-one had anything to fit ), i had to fab a flange to make the jardine pipe i bought work, but let me say that my almost 20 year old bike will run with the pack and pull the front wheel for as long as you have the *****,peece bro

 

I agree, the 900rr accelerates!



Was at a standstill and waiting to get onto a busy freeway....from 1st gear I accelerated hard and was very surprised to find the front wheel lifting.

Unnerved me a bit, but again, it was just the Blade doing its thing.

 

bam and MT are absolutely correct, I have had my front wheel in the air at 120+ and had to change my shorts LOL and will carry it through 3rd gear