Grassroots Motorsports

Register Log in to GRM
- Community

Birthdays
Recently on the Classic Motorsports forums

Subscribe get a full year for only $23.95 Sample Free Test Drive—no strings attached

Login to post Forums » Sprockets » pardon me gentleman and ladies, is there any reason this cant be a good first bike?

1 2

June 9, 2009 8:10 a.m. 4cylndrfury HalfDork

When I see myself on my first bike, I see it being REAAALLLLY stripped down and bare bones only. I do want full controls on the bars...i.e. clutch, lights, signals, brake, etc....no suicide shifters for me please and thank you. So whats not to love about some grungy old nothing from the past? Especially for someone that never really rode more than a moped as a youth? I do plan on taking a course before getting my permit etc. I want to be responsible with that thing...

Also, does anyone have any buyers tips for scrounging up a beater for short trips off CL and ebay etc? I probably wont ever drive from cincy to sturgis or daytona or anything, but may commute to work 20 mi away a few times a month in the summer. I would actually prefer DIY...if I can save a few washingtons by finding a frame, then a motor/trans, then wheels etc online and build it up myself, I think Id be much happier than buying it complete...whole sense of accomplishment and what not.
June 9, 2009 8:17 a.m. ClemSparks UberDork

4cylndrfury wrote:

I would actually prefer DIY...if I can save a few washingtons by finding a frame, then a motor/trans, then wheels etc online and build it up myself, I think Id be much happier than buying it complete...whole sense of accomplishment and what not.

This part of your plan seems unrealistic to me. I think you're almost always better off starting with something mostly complete. And I'm speaking dollar-wise. I don't think you'll save money by piecing something together. That's my opinion gained from experience.

Possibly you could find someone elses "gathering of parts" type project and go from there.

I can't comment much on the bike in the photos. Looks fun, but my ears hurt just looking at it, if you know what I mean...

Clem
June 9, 2009 8:39 a.m. 4cylndrfury HalfDork

lol...agreed...my iteration of that bike would have slightly lower bars, and slightly longer pipes. I like bikes to sound the way I like cars to sound...a nice grumble at idle, and slightly angry when provoked, but still a refined and conservative howl at WOT, not a complete mental patient on day 3 of a meth bender screaming at the tops of its lungs

as far as a youre tip on finding someone elses project in pieces, if I can get it all at once that would definitely be a plus. Thanks for the tip on looking for a complete fixer or the like. Thats the kinda tip I need. Im waaay too green on this topic to go it alone. Thanks

anyone else? Are these types of bikes too hard to control? too hard to get to go/stop/turn/keep running? Im guessing 600cc or less is where I want to start, hydraulic disc brakes, no frills electrical system. what else am I forgetting?
June 9, 2009 8:40 a.m. 914Driver SuperDork

A bobber is a bike with the rear fender bobbed, cut off short. After that all unnecessary stuff was removed to make it faster. You can take stuff off a complete bike, scrounging junkyards sucks. What you posted above needs a rear fender in most states to be legal (need one for common sense too) but mostly make sure you're comfortable on the bike.

Those bars look akimbo or something to me, just make sure you can reach the controls comfortably so in a panic situation it's second nature.

Safety first.
June 9, 2009 9:06 a.m. suprf1y Reader

Not a terrible first bike, but you might be working on it all the time, and spending way more than you originally wanted.

Maybe something like this (not this, but something like it)

This bike looks to be about half done to me.
June 9, 2009 9:13 a.m. 4cylndrfury HalfDork

I remember the thread about that one^^^ I really like that bike too, but like the lower slung look of or
June 9, 2009 9:46 a.m. psteav Reader

no reason not to like your initial post as a first bike EXCEPT the hardtail. They look really cool, but bikes have rear suspension for a reason.

And Clem's right about the economics of the thing....you'll be money ahead to buy a complete "barn-find" bike off of CL, rather than piecing one together. I bought a '75 KZ400 last year that someone else had already resurrected, replaced the tires on, cleaned up, etc. for $400. They're out there.
June 9, 2009 9:56 a.m. neon4891 UltraDork

XS650?
June 9, 2009 10:02 a.m. 914Driver SuperDork

GS-450 ???

http://rides.webshots.com/photo/2986064170102064736jYwicq
June 9, 2009 10:45 a.m. 4cylndrfury HalfDork

914Driver wrote:

GS-450 ???

http://rides.webshots.com/photo/2986064170102064736jYwicq

very nice...Im not opposed to the thing keeping its mid 80s styling, but whatever it is will certainly go under the knife and end up shorter and narrower...bobber/cafe racer style. Im also not at all a fan of chrome...the less, the better. I will most likely look for a soft tail since Im an admitted card carrying pansy where comfort is concerned

I also thought this bike was just soaked in cool:

could this be my start: http://cincinnati.craigslist.org/mcy/1199911460.html
June 9, 2009 11:30 a.m. 914Driver SuperDork

Do yo own a home? You'd have to sell it to buy that bike.

My son's first bike was a KZ-440, should have kept it. It's nice is you're going for a ride and someone shows up with no bike, you nave one to offer or a quick hop to NAPA it's just easier to get around. More than enough bike for a novice and hard to come by; all sucked up by newbies.
June 9, 2009 1:57 p.m. Xceler8x Dork

The rear end of that bike is going to make it challenging to ride. First off, no rear suspension. Guy's who think they're tough like hard tails. The rest of us live in the 20th century.

That rear tire is going to make it feel pretty weird. While it looks way cool do you see how the tread of the tire is flat? Also notice how the tire creates a corner where the sidewall meets the tread? When you lean the bike over it's going to fight you until it rolls over that corner on the tire. Then it's going to fall over like someone is pushing you from the topside. Modern motorcycle tires have a rounded profile that helps the lean process during turning to be more linear as opposed to feeling like falling off a cliff.

Two good bikes in Cincy for you:

1982 HONDA NIGHTHAWK - $1200

1985 Yamaha Virago - $1200

The Virago may not look like much now but I've seen those customized into very cool bobbers.
June 9, 2009 2:38 p.m. 4cylndrfury HalfDork

^^nice...I see the potential in both. However, the price tag is a little too much for me on both. Im really only looking to put 400-500 into the initial investment, running or otherwise. I really want to get my hands elbow deep into the guts of my first bike. I want to know it backwards and forwards so I can easily diagnose any issues it has down the road considering the customization I want to do in the future...
June 9, 2009 3:06 p.m. ClemSparks UberDork

I've tried this a couple of times now (buying a cheap non-runner). I still don't have a running bike. I can all but gaurantee that you'll be money ahead with a running, ridable bike in the $1000-$1500 price range.

Non runners are full of nickel and dime demands. Battery, tires, tubes, cables, carburetor rebuild kits (surprisingly expensive for what they are), etc...

This stuff adds up in a hurry.

That said, I'm NOT trying to discourage you from buying a project. I AM trying to make sure you realize that the cheap entry price isn't all it's cracked up to be. Like I said...I've done it before. Unless it's a VERY desirable bike for me to restore, I probably won't do it again (who am I kidding? I never learn from this stuff). Over the course of the last 3 or 4 years, I've not had a single running bike, though I've owned 3. I could much more easily save up $1K and be riding by the end of the weekend (though I can't save up $1K by the end of the weekend ). My "current" (as long as current doesn't imply that I'm actively working on it...much) project CB750 fell into my lap as a result of some trading. I couldn't sell the thing for $500 if I tried (so I won't even try)...but It needs, at very least, before I ride it: A new battery, valve stem in the front tire, handlebars (cheap), a seat (I had no idea a seat for this thing would be so expensive!), a chain, new fuel filters/hoses, and carburetor rebuild kits. And this is just the stuff I know about. I haven't even heard it run yet. There's, I'd say, $300 worth of parts just to get it ready to ride enough to figure out what else it needs.

Clem
June 9, 2009 3:45 p.m. therex SuperDork

1982 HONDA NIGHTHAWK - $1200

Man, I need to sell my bike.
June 9, 2009 7:46 p.m. Woody Dork

4cylndrfury wrote: or

I've wanted a Triumph EXACTLY like that for almost 20 years.

I've always thought that Triumphs with straight pipes sound way more badass than any Harley.
June 9, 2009 11:44 p.m. EvanB Reader

I will also say that for a first bike you want something that runs. My first bike was a 78 or 79 GS550 that I bought running for $275 (talked down from $400). I rode it for about a 1.5 years with only about $50 invested in parts and maintenance. Since then I have had some basket case projects but it always helps to have a running bike around when you are frustrated with the project and just want to ride.
June 9, 2009 11:49 p.m. EvanB Reader

Here are some options:

http://dayton.craigslist.org/mcy/1212123768.html (parts and information are everywhere, easy to work on and very fun to ride)

http://dayton.craigslist.org/mcy/1201108665.html (this would probably be easy to get running in no time)

http://dayton.craigslist.org/mcy/1192156813.html

http://dayton.craigslist.org/mcy/1177497323.html
June 10, 2009 12:39 a.m. Mental UberDork

Ad me to the et one that runs pile. A project rocks, but a bike you need to run that is always needing something will sour you quickly. Look into your late 70's early 80's japanese small displacement stuff. You can customize it pretty easy, its dead solid reliable and common parts.

One of my "wish I still had it" bikes was a 84 LTD550 I got for $400. It was a stealth machine, cops wouldn't look twice. Air cooled, dual front disk, quicker than snot, capable of two up and simple enough that if I wanted too, I could have tricked it out pretty well. Any sub 600 GS, KZ, LTD, CB or the like will fall right into this catagorey, and can be had on craigslist cheap.

For that pic you posted, I would also caution against drum brakes for your first ride as well. I know you're not looking for speed, but their characteristics in the wet, or in a panic situation can still get you into a lot of trouble at low speeds.
June 10, 2009 6:22 a.m. 4cylndrfury HalfDork

This couldve been my new bike, but I really want to find something a little closer (Im gonna have to ask my father in law to help me get it home, and lives about 40 miles away...asking him to take a half day trip just to use his pickup isnt at all his cup of tea...motorcycle enthusiast or not). Anyway, I am really in love with: http://dayton.craigslist.org/mcy/1192156813.html This is exactly what I was looking for (although 1000cc could really get me in trouble). I appreciate everyones input.

I am thinking:

declutter the front by removing whats not necessary, waaay smaller seat, paint the tank silver or possibly replace it with something even more simple, black out the wheels, smaller and lower rear fender (possibly mounted to the frame rather than under the seat?)

but basically I really think would do in a pinch. I want to do more searching however, what are some good search terms I want to keep in mind? Ive got the models listed in this thread, is there anything else I want to try? I know we have some real search gurus out there.

Like I said, thanks to all for the help! I do appreciate it
June 10, 2009 7:44 a.m. Rusnak_322 New Reader

That KZ is screaming for a lawson replica tail and paint job.
June 10, 2009 8:18 a.m. 4cylndrfury HalfDork

^^streetfighter mode - engaged

I like that look a lot because of its simplicity. I still want the little seat and no tail look of some of the other bikes listed here though. However, that is a damn good looking bike for the record IMO
June 10, 2009 10:52 a.m. Xceler8x Dork

Those KZ1200's are soooo nice. They look great but are really heavy. Still, bulletproof motors. They've been around since they were made from velociraptor and brontosaur parts.

If you like that keep an eye out for Suzuki GS1000's from the 80's. A lot the same look with much older and archaic suspensions. Therefore, less expensive.
June 10, 2009 10:14 p.m. alex HalfDork

Go ZRX11/12 if you want that look with modern(ish) performance.

If you want something to ride, and not fiddle with, buy the newest, best maintained Japanese thing you can afford. Modify accordingly. With rare exception, you'll get a reliable bike that only needs consumables.

Coming from a former vintage bike parts guy: Stay away from Viragos. Terrible starter clutch issues that will cost more than the motorcycle to repair. In general, old Yamaha parts are twice as expensive as any other brand. Dunno why.
June 11, 2009 10:07 a.m. 4cylndrfury HalfDork

How bout a hybrid of the piece meal vs buy it running debate?

so found this little KZ400 for stoopid cheap,

needs a main jet in the carb. How hard/expensive to fix? Im relatively illiterate and unskilled with carb work, but a fairly good wrench who likes a challenge...so this will be a learning experience that I will enjoy.

Please give me your feedback.

1 2

You'll need to log in to post.