Honda CB650

The Honda CB650 is a four-cylinder middleweight motorcycle manufactured from 1979 to 1985 by Honda. The machine was largely based on the Honda CB550 and had the same frame, speedometer, and tachometer as the Honda CB550 of the 70's. The CB650's engine had the same engine block as the CB550, but was bored out to 626 cc. The SOHC four-cylinder, eight-valve engine had added domed pistonts and produced 63 hp (47 kW) @ 9,000 rpm.^[1] The CB650's performance was comparable to contemporary DOHC 750 cc motorcycles because of it being built on the lighter, more compact chassis of the CB550. It was Honda's last SOHC aircooled straight-four engine, which was a culmination of the engine technology Honda up to that time.

Model history

The CB650 was introduced in 1979.

In 1980 to 1981, the newly re-styled CB650 used the same 626 cc engine as the previous year, but was now available in either Standard or Custom configurations. The style changes focused on a new teardrop tank, chromed air-box, and smaller side covers. The Standard model featured 4-2 exhaust pipes and wire-spoke wheels.

The second generation was produced from 1982 to 1985. In 1982 the Nighthawk replaced the Custom of the previous years and featured a re-designed tank and side covers. In 1983 a new DOHC engine replaced the SOHC engine used since 1979. The DOHC engine had hydraulic valve lash adjusters and was rubber mounted; and final drive changed from chain-drive to shaft-drive.

References