specs on 1981 honda cb?

Question

How does the 10 speed gear box work. Can you go from 5 low to 5 high. I,m getting this bike on Sunday.

Answer 1

Always give year, make, engine size and model # when asking questions. Honda makes about a million cb models. Next time tell us you have a 1981 Honda cb900c

The gear ratios over lap. Like 5 low = 3 or 4 high. So it's a waste of time trying to shift from 1 low to 5 high. It's got a regular 5 speed transmission just like any other bike with 5 gears. The high-low part of the gear box just moves a couple of gears on another trani shaft. It's like changing the counter shaft sprocket 1 or 2 teeth on a bike with chain & sprockets. Use low for quicker acceleration and around town. Use high when you'er out for a cruise on the highway for higher top speeds. Using high also lowers the engine rpm's to conserve on gas.

As for your question - you can shift between high and low any time you want. Be carful shifting from high, down to low, when you're moving. It might feel like your downshifting from 3rd to 1st on a conventional bike. Let the clutch out slow and increase the engine rpm's to let the engine catch up to the speed you're going.