who has a 900C purchase checklist?

[erithanis]

Hello there forum! This will be my first cb bike and I happened to find a cb900C that looks well maintained with mostly original parts. First of all, this 10gear transmission (really 7 I guess? 5 - 2) has me concerned I will not know how to test it properly on my test ride. I know how it should feel on a 5speed XS1100. Also what should I check for on the drive shaft to make sure it isn't likely to fail right away? It has 23k on it.

So I guess here's what I hope to find out:
- what are the typical things to watch out for on these bikes
- what are the most common things to start wearing out by 23k?
- Just how much more difficult is this transmission to work on?
- what would be a good way to test the transmission to know the gearing is sound and nor worn out?
- what should I check for in particular about the drive shaft?

After purchase questions:
- it seems that honda used the GL model shafts for the 900C? Does that mean they just used the basic design or the shafts are actually interchangeable?
- what other special parts are particularly hard to find for this model bike?

A known issue:
- petcock leaks when set to reserve. I'm guess this isn't difficult to replace?

[sgtslag]

Your best option, is to visit the CB750C forum -- there are some genuine CB900C experts over there:  link.  After registering, make judicious use of the search function...  They can be a testy lot, as they have been around for many years, and most questions have already been discussed, ad nauseum.

I can give you some information about the 900C, but not much -- it is all second-hand.  The transmission has a high/low range, with the high range being used primarily on the highway, by shifting into High range, after reaching 5th gear; it increases MPG, by lowering RPM's.  At 23k miles, unless it has been abused, it should be fine.

I would recommend the following maintenance work on any 'new', used bike:  change oil and filter with Shell Rotella T6 Synthetic, after adding SeaFoam to the crankcase, to flush out carbon deposits and varnish, etc.;  add SeaFoam to the gas tank to dissolve minor varnish deposits (assuming it runs) throughout the fuel system; replace all brake fluid with fresh; replace the tires if worn, or more than three years old due to rubber hardening over time; change the gear oil on the drive shaft.  Cheers!