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Unread 08-01-2011, 07:13 PM
Spokes Spokes is offline
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Join Date: Apr 2009
Posts: 1,575
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The 1969 CA160 was the last year this model was made. The CA160 is a pretty strong bike, but not for the freeway. One of the reasons the stamped frame Honda's were discontinued was due to instability at high speeds. BUT, the stamped frame Honda's like the CA160, CA95, CA77, CA72 are becoming collectors items.

Expect to do some repairs on the bike your looking at.

Check for rust at the battery holder (under the right side cover). Make sure there is no major rust holes.

Check for cracks in the frame at the engine mounts. yes: Bike needs to be torn down and cracks welded by a pro. Consider walking away from the deal.
Check the inside of the tank for rust. yes: The bike will need the tank cleaned.
Check the underside of the engine...Look at the oil drain plug, is it buggered? Yes: Could mean that the oil has not been changed in a while. Find out when the last change was. If more than 10 years, there might be some internal damage. Motor rebuild optional at this point.
Check for cracks in the frame at the rear fender Yes: Could mean that the bike was ridden pretty hard.

Does the engine start? If so, check the exaust out of each muffler...Oil Burn? Yes: Cylinder bore and pistons are in order. Valve job is usually done at this time.
Check the operation of the lights
Check the condition of the tires.

Can you ride the bike?
Check for clutch slippage Yes: Clutch could be bad, or the wrong oil in the tranny
Does the tranny shift smooth? No: Motor teardown

Check for missing spokes
check the condition of the rims.

These bikes make great project bikes. Please be careful about old bikes. They need to be checked over and critical items replaced ie: tires, tubes, cables, brakes, fuel lines and the like.

If your new to riding, maybe a newer bike would better...only my opinion. Years ago a friend of mine bought an old 125cc bike, he was an inexperienced rider, one quarter away from his mechanical engineering degree. The throttle cable broke and he lost control. John is forever 21 years old.
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