Any bike nuts out there?

[Beanmachine7000]

So, I'm thinking about getting me a bike, but I don't know too much about road bikes (I've been into motocross all my life)... I'm looking for something less than $1,000, maybe a fixer upper... Something I could hop up and make quick, just something to keep me busy... Something like this:

http://nashville.craigslist.org/mcy/1903846086.html

I just don't know much about them to be shopping for them...

Any help?

 

[BlackBII]

Im always scared of other peoples custom work...but thats just me.

I'm a yamaha guy. I like the XS series, XS1100, XS850 etc.

Ive owned a Honda CB750, and a Suzuki GS 750, never had a Kwaka

It seemed to me that Yamaha and Honda were the higher quality bikes. I'm really into Cafe Racers, and have built a few already.

If I were buying a bike, I would look for an un-molested one, with low miles. I just picked up an XS850 with 3000 miles on it, for 400$. The guy just didn't want to fix it up.

 

[02RangerXLT]

I would look for something with a title, instead of just a bill of sale...

 

[hoosier1104]

As long as it is a Honda, you are good in my book.

 

[feellnfroggy]

I would agree with two above, A honda 750 is a good bike to find cheap and fix up and learn on. Probably an older 80's would be the easiest to find.

 

[crbnunit]

There are lots of good older bikes out there. You do need a clean title if you plan on running it on the road. That CB-450 frame was in no way strong enough for a 900 motor and the drum brakes on that thing are asking for trouble. They will not stop you in a timely manner. Pass on that one. Just look and find one you are comfortable with and on. Find something that fits you, your price range and your mechanical knowledge. Do not buy a bike in a box. They are a nightmare. It it doesn't run and drive, walk away.

 

[Nhaz]

I have owned both kawi and honda. Both were pretty good. Don't go with a big bike right off. start with a 500 or a 650. once you start getting past 750 the bikes are just a tad crazy. Unless its a OLD honda cb 750. those were fairly tame and built that way on purpose.

a excellent old cruiser style bike is the old kawi 440 LTD. mid sized Not tons of power but a good starter bike for street use. and they used to be all over the place.

I would stay away from the crotch rockets(anything with the word katana on it) until you have a good handle on a smaller one first.

 

[rangertoy]

^ X2 I had a 77 Cb 750 and was a great bike and easy to work on. Also had a Kawi CSR 650, it rode good and I never had to work on it, but only had it for a few months before I traded it on a CBR 600. My favorite so far is the GSX-R 750 I had

 

[colby450xc]

Look for a Kawasaki 750 Triple 2-stroke. I hear theyre pretty quick..... But theyre pretty expensive even being 30 year old bikes. I just sold one, find of a lifetime

 

[Beanmachine7000]

Yea, I didn't plan on buying that one... Just something that caught my eye... I'm a Yamaha guy through and through (had a YZ125 up until a couple years ago)... I don't think I'll have a big problem with getting a bigger bike at first, I've ridden some pretty nasty bikes before (my buddies built, 250cc motocross bike was a wild ride)... I just don't know much about street bikes... I really don't want someone's project, but a stock fixer upper wouldn't bother me... I like that XS1100, don't seem to see any around though...

 

[RANGER-EZ]

What every you buy check for parts first some older bike parts are very hard to come by

 

[Original_Ranger84]

What every you buy check for parts first some older bike parts are very hard to come by

Very true... my dad got 2 78 Honda goldwings and found out they need brakes and he had the hardest time finding some. Everything else was easy enough to come by but the brakes...

For a street bike I would recommend atleast a 500 as a 250 street biike won't get you going as fast as you may think.

 

[straycat]

As long as it is a Honda, you are good in my book.

Darn, Bro!! You said 'Honda' again.....blaaaabbbbbb.....there goes breakfast again....lol

 

[hoosier1104]

(cough)Honda CB series(cough)

 

[zukirider21]

suzuki ftw