Topic: Where to buy bikes in Melbourne, Australia.

[The Maverick]

Hi guys,

Can anyone give guidance on where the best place is to source decent bikes in Melbourne, Australia? I've found a bloke (Central Motorcycles) who imports top notch bikes from the states and sells them with RWC however I'm in the market for more of a project/restoration/cafe type base to work with.

The top notch bikes have top notch prices so in terms of cafe-ing something, it seems wasteful to tear down a nice original bike.

Any help would be appreciated,

Cheers,

Mav

[neevo]

eBay.

Be prepared to pay though, seems like everyone knows everyone is looking for a project.

I had to drive from Sydney to Mildura to pickup a scrapheap CB400F which was probably not worth saving. Only $400 though.

Lesser bikes are out there like 80's CB's but the frame is not ideal for a cafe and they still run between 600 and $1k.

This is what you get for $400 and a 2200 klm round trip:

[The Maverick]

Thanks Neevo

Don't mind paying up to (maybe even a little over) $1000 so sounds like I might be in the ballpark.

That certainly is a LONG trip, I once did the same thing for a jetski. Melbourne to Sydney.

What're your plans with the black beauty?

[neevo]

Going for a modern twist on a cafe with a racey vibe. Already got some upgrade parts:

GSX-R forks & CBR twin discs:



Plus I am doing a braced swingarm with a monoshock conversion (this is not the brace, just a template for the tube bender):



Plus a made a metal bump stop/seat and stretched the tank 2 inches with knee cutouts:



Looooooooong way to go still but I'm loving the process. Bought a tonne of tools along the way including a TIG welder which has been a massive help in getting my ideas out in metal.

Unfortunately I need to get wheels as mine were both trashed and I've got done engine work to do too as it had been sucking metal through it for a while. Chance to put a 466cc kit in it though

Had a look on eBay and there isn't much around at the moment. No good CB bases, only a 400F on for crazy money considering the condition:

http://bit.ly/NcEuCD

Nothing in the SR territory. Set searches to notify you when new stuff pops up, then you can watch and pounce when a deal crops up.

[trueblue]

Not a sohc but a 900 Boldor
http://www.gumtree.com.au/s-ad/coramba/motorcycles/cb-900-honda-boldor/1004048649

750 Cafe already done
http://www.gumtree.com.au/s-ad/forcett/motorcycles/honda-cb750-4-sale/1003564068

750 project but it is in WA and a little expensive
http://www.gumtree.com.au/s-ad/mount-helena/motorcycles/honda-cb750-f1/1004230607

Keep an eye on gumtree, I just clear the location and type in CB honda and see what pops up.

[Paul_Dai]

Hi Tom, Bad timing mate, I have just sold two 1974 CB550 Super Four perfect for restoration.

Contact Andrew at "Puds Four Parts" 51825704 I sold him my Honda's. Unfortunately I don't think he will sell them back to you as cheap as I sold them to him but you never know.
He may have some other stock there that interests you.

Also Brian at "TT motorcycles" 59762453 I know he has a 1980 CX500 for sale for around $1200.

Look up Wrenchmonkees CX500, I'm not sure what your tastes are but that CX is a sweet looking ride. I would love to build something like that.

Good luck hope something turns up.

[Retro Rocket]

Contact Andrew at "Puds Four Parts" 51825704 I sold him my Honda's. Unfortunately I don't think he will sell them back to you as cheap as I sold them to him but you never know.

Forget Puds, you'll have to sell your kidneys to afford one of his bikes, far too expensive.. They are still out there just be patient. I'm off to pick up an incomplete K2 750 tomorrow for 500 bucks....

[trueblue]

Contact Andrew at "Puds Four Parts" 51825704 I sold him my Honda's. Unfortunately I don't think he will sell them back to you as cheap as I sold them to him but you never know.

Forget Puds, you'll have to sell your kidneys to afford one of his bikes, far too expensive.. They are still out there just be patient. I'm off to pick up an incomplete K2 750 tomorrow for 500 bucks....

+1 he has a siezed 650 engine there I was considering buying to hotrod and put in mine, so I could keep my engine original.  I decided not to get it when he told me he wanted $1500 for it , I think he was a bit taken aback when I blurted over the phone "Are you f*(#ing serious?"

[Retro Rocket]

Contact Andrew at "Puds Four Parts" 51825704 I sold him my Honda's. Unfortunately I don't think he will sell them back to you as cheap as I sold them to him but you never know.

Forget Puds, you'll have to sell your kidneys to afford one of his bikes, far too expensive.. They are still out there just be patient. I'm off to pick up an incomplete K2 750 tomorrow for 500 bucks....

+1 he has a siezed 650 engine there I was considering buying to hotrod and put in mine, so I could keep my engine original.  I decided not to get it when he told me he wanted $1500 for it , I think he was a bit taken aback when I blurted over the phone "Are you f*(#ing serious?"

Jesus Blue, you could get one here from the States for a couple of hundred bucks...

[trueblue]

I know, I ended up cleaning Towoomba Bike wreckers out of all their 650 gear for $220 bucks, the only stuff that was missing as far as the engine goes was the cases, crank, cam and rods.  In total I got 2 large boxes of parts plus jugs and pistons, a tank and 2 sets of engine side covers.

[The Maverick]

Thanks all!

All great food for thought, it appears that in fact the money is not the hard part to come by - it's the bikes to spend the $$$ on!

I'll keep at it and see how I go, I'm not in a rush. Good tip on eBay notifications.

Cheers guys