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Sept. 29, 2011 2:31 a.m. Appleseed SuperDork

Yup. That's right. I just bought a motorcycle. I've wanted two wheels for years, but never had the money or a bike priced right. Well, behold, 194cc of fury, the Twinstar.

I've got the helmet, gloves, jacket and armored pants, all thanks to my brother. I've been practicing stops, start, signal, etc...Anyone can just hit the highway and I want to get it right. I will try to get into a MSF course asap.

Anybody have any experience with these little things or just tips in general?

Not my exact bike:
Sept. 29, 2011 6:47 a.m. Giant Purple Snorklewacker SuperDork

Carry a cane for bumper tows and try to always travel with the wind at your back
Sept. 29, 2011 7:46 a.m. PHeller Dork

I'd probably look into some Euro Bars or similar low bar, maybe even tracker bars. That'll require new cables, so it may not be worth it.
Sept. 29, 2011 7:51 a.m. Grtechguy SuperDork

Practice clutch control... and remember.. you are invisible on it.

also, remember.. Front brake will stop you faster. Just don't grab it hard when turning.
Sept. 29, 2011 8:04 a.m. pinchvalve SuperDork

With basic maintenance, a Twinstar will run forever.

Apehangers look silly on a Twinstar.

Twinstars make nice little cafe racers.
Sept. 29, 2011 8:10 a.m. ransom HalfDork

IIRC, I was able to put some superbike-bend bars on mine without replacing cables, but that was a long time ago.

Apart from that, do the MSF like you're saying, and have fun. I had a Twinstar as my second bike, and I think I learned more than on the RZ350 I started with because it was just generally more reliable, didn't do funky stuff, and was less intimidating. As a result, I rode more.
Sept. 29, 2011 8:38 a.m. stuart in mn SuperDork

As far as I know the Twinstar was a durable and reliable motorcycle. For whatever reason, they seemed to be popular with Shriners for parade duty.
Sept. 29, 2011 9:34 a.m. Woody SuperDork

Did you find a tool kit and owner's manual under the seat?
Sept. 29, 2011 10:00 a.m. mike Reader

That sure looks like a clean bike (for its age) in the picture.
Sept. 29, 2011 12:10 p.m. Appleseed SuperDork

Woody wrote:

Did you find a tool kit and owner's manual under the seat?

Yeah, that's not my bike. I used a stock pic for anyone saying, " What the hell's a Twinstar?"

It only has 7000 miles on it. Good, very good, but not perfect condition. The first owner used some Polish Chrome (silver spray paint) on the down tubes and crank case. The owner's manual, tool kit, and even the delivery breakdown checklist all came with it. Even the grommets that hold the side covers are still soft.

I'm looking at some lower bars, CB200 style with a 1-2 inch rise.

My plan is to eventually ditch the fenders, raise the rear with 2 inch longer shocks, make a bum stop seat, and add the bars for a nice little racer.

Anyone have a CB200 tank, or anything that's more angular rather than teardrop that they are willing to sell?
Sept. 29, 2011 12:52 p.m. Woody SuperDork

Honda tanks aren't always that easy to swap. Smaller engined bikes often had narrower top tubes than larger bikes. The way Honda mounts the tanks requires the tank and frame to be more of a matched pair.

I discovered this when I tried to swap the beautiful tank from my CB400F in place of the chunkier tank on my CB550F. It wouldn't work and basically would have required a complete custom rebuild of the tank. I also tried some other tanks from larger bikes and found challenges there too.

You also have to consider how the rear angle of the tank mates up to the shape of the front of the seat. It ain't as easy as it looks. Just ride and enjoy.
Sept. 29, 2011 2:59 p.m. Appleseed SuperDork

Yeah, I don't plan on hacking on her anytime soon. Just gonna swap some lower bars. That's why I was looking for a CB200 tank. Perfect shape and they come of off small Hondas.
Sept. 29, 2011 3:33 p.m. Otto Maddox Dork

Looks like a great tooling around town bike. I'd take it in a heartbeat.
Sept. 29, 2011 4:02 p.m. Curmudgeon SuperDork

Appleseed wrote:

The first owner used some Polish Chrome (silver spray paint) on the down tubes and crank case.

Actually, that's 'Mexichrome'. I know, politically incorrect!

Neat little bike. Like every engine Honda builds in that displacement range it's WAY overbuilt; keep good oil in it and it'll run for freakin' ever.
Sept. 29, 2011 4:04 p.m. Woody SuperDork

And don't forget to check the valves and carefully adjust the cam chain tensioner.
Sept. 29, 2011 4:05 p.m. BoxheadTim SuperDork

As everybody else said, these things were built with non-maintenance in mind so if you maintain it, it'll survive a thermonuclear war in the same way as cockroaches and old MB diesels.
Sept. 29, 2011 4:11 p.m. Appleseed SuperDork

Anyone know of an online tutorial on adjusting the valves and chain? I will be getting the Clymer manual eventually.
Sept. 29, 2011 4:47 p.m. Woody SuperDork

It's in your owner's manual and the tools are in the kit.
Sept. 30, 2011 12:57 a.m. Appleseed SuperDork

Ahhhh...

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