skierd
SuperDork
10/13/15 7:58 p.m.
I've been on the lookout for a project for a while and the other day these showed up on Craigslist.
https://fairbanks.craigslist.org/mcy/5262107846.html
Going tomorrow to pick them up I think. They're as ratty as one can expect for $50 motorcycles, but the motors turn over with the kickstarter and feel like they have compression. Am I nuts?
Yes, do it!! I was looking at one of these.
The "T" has front disc brake.
Figure out the title issue before putting any time and money into them.
^What he said^. Title issues in Alaska can be expensive. More than the finished project would be worth. I remember from my time in Fairbanks (early-mid 80's) and seeing all the old cars that would make nice projects there. Found out that you have to put a bond down, if I remember right it was something like $2000 back then and wait 6 months before you could even think about getting a title. But these were for a 57 Chevy sedan delivery and 57 Pontiac that hadn't run since the flood of 68. Don't know if motorcycles have the same rules or even if those rules still apply.
You can probably get a title through the Vermont DMV. No need to be a Vermont resident and you can do it by mail. Once you have the title, you can register it in AK.
If the motors are in good shape and the title issues can be ironed out, go for it!
My first real motorcycle was an orange 1974 CB360. Got it from a friend back in the early 1990s. This one isn't mine but looked just like this.
The pipes and side panels bring good money on ebay. You can part them out for a easy profit.
don't believe anyone on the internet about getting a out of state title. it doesn't work. I read dozens of threads on this and unless you want to spend may times the amount of the cost of the bikes, it isn't worth it.
the 360 has two big issues. one the cam chain tensioner is junk and there is no aftermarket replacement (yet). also the upper triple clamps all crack at the fork tube.
here is my old one -
skierd
SuperDork
10/14/15 3:23 p.m.
Well they're home.
As I start taking them apart and getting things rolling I'll start a thread in the project section.
skierd
SuperDork
10/14/15 4:08 p.m.
That's pretty close to what I want to do with the first one. Get everything cleaned up, add rear sets, a café seat, and clip-ons. Make it a nice back road burner to complement my WR 250 R.
If both motors turn out to be OK and both frames turn out to be OK, the second bike will likely get turned in to hard tail bobber thing.
Glad you got them!
I'll be looking for the build thread.
Do you have the titles squared away, or are you rolling the dice?
"The Gambler." I think we found a name for this project.
skierd
SuperDork
10/15/15 1:51 a.m.
I like it! Sound better than "how to piss your wife off for $100". Yup, decided to gamble on it. The bond process/cost for the title really isn't that bad on an old cheap motorcycle that's not worth much if they ever become running machines again, and if they don't there's enough value in parts to pay for the initial layout.
skierd
SuperDork
10/15/15 2:08 a.m.
Spent a little time this afternoon starting to clean the leaf litter out of them and doing a compression check on both motors. Both motors kick over with some compression.
The red bike is low on both cylinders. The orange bike is ok on the left cylinder and can't check the right cylinder because the spark plug is rusted in place. Out comes the wd40 for the first and probably not the last time to do its magic. Letting it soak overnight, I'm in no hurry. Both carbs are frozen up.
Both sets of forks are rebuildable, both front rotors look good, both front rims look straight but one need spokes. Rear wheels are in worse shape as both need spokes by the rims and hubs appear to be ok for now. Both seats are trash but the pans are good. All cables and most of the wiring is completely shot. One set of pipes are nice, one set is rusty and both cans are rotted out.
By the weekend I'm going to cut the chain off both bikes in order to make them roll easier. I'm hoping I can get the center stand free on the red bike to I can more easily take the front ends apart on both bikes.
EvanR
Dork
10/15/15 2:57 a.m.
skierd wrote:
Out comes the wd40 for the first and probably not the last time to do its magic.
There are many better rust penetrants than WD-40. In fact, WD-40 isn't a penetrating oil at all.
EvanR wrote:
skierd wrote:
Out comes the wd40 for the first and probably not the last time to do its magic.
There are many better rust penetrants than WD-40. In fact, WD-40 isn't a penetrating oil at all.
Agreed. I use PBlaster and Liquid Wrench with some success. Mostly I spray WD-40 on sharp stuff after I've cleaned it to prevent rusting.
And good luck with the 50-dollar motorcycles. For the record, there is never a time when you shouldn't buy a 50-dollar motorcycle. Cheaper than a night on the town and almost always less regrettable.