Author Topic: another newbie needs buying advice... (Read 4649 times)

ChrisR · « **Reply #25 on:** August 14, 2006, 04:31:49 AM »

Hey Damosuzuki All the above advice is very good. Doing major work outside on the road is not much fun so for that reason I'd give this bike a miss unless you could get it for much less than he is asking and then get someone to get it going for you and get you rolling. As someone mentioned a CB550 or 500 might be better around town and generally you pay less for them so you could get a nice one and set off for the country straight away!
I think all the guys are trying very hard to be sensible and give you good advice but I suspect being sensible goes against their nature - riding old motorbikes is just not a very sensible activity

dusterdude · « **Reply #26 on:** August 14, 2006, 06:44:25 AM »

Quote from: Bob Wessner on August 13, 2006, 08:24:43 PM

Quote
actually, does anybody have experience working on a bike on the street? for obvious reasons it would be a pain in the arse, but is there anything that makes it a very bad idea?

Actaully, we have, or had, a young lady member who lived in the NYC area (Brooklyn?) who did all her maitenance on the street. One of her last posts was looking for ideas on how to hoist the front-end so she could do some work. Can't recall her login name though.

bob,im kinda wondering if there isnt a member in the nyc area that could help this man out with either mecanical help or possibly storage or a place to work on this bike.cmon guys,help a brother out.

Bob Wessner · « **Reply #27 on:** August 14, 2006, 07:37:39 AM »

I found her, CBCHICK. Link is to her profile, might want to shoot her an eMail.

http://www.sohc4.us/forums/index.php?action=profile;u=524

dusterdude · « **Reply #28 on:** August 14, 2006, 07:51:04 AM »

Quote from: Bob Wessner on August 14, 2006, 07:37:39 AM

I found her, CBCHICK. Link is to her profile, might want to shoot her an eMail.

http://www.sohc4.us/forums/index.php?action=profile;u=524

you da man.

mb3000gt · « **Reply #29 on:** August 14, 2006, 10:27:32 AM »

i'm in nyc. you should get your M endorsement before you get any bike. the police here have been on a rampage this summer impounding bikes for lack of registration, insurance, license. if you go through any bridge or tunnel you will be stopped and the penalites will cost more than the bike. if youre new to street bikes get something reliable first.

Chris Schneiter · « **Reply #30 on:** August 14, 2006, 02:23:03 PM »

Yeah, what they said...you've got to be patient...I found a lot of Rum helped..I too was not the greatest wrench in the west, and I'm still not, but I'm getting better!. I have a friend who is, and without him, I don't know what shape I'd be in...I looked for two years. After finding a rusty bike with a rotten, sodden seat under a tree that the the guy wanted too much for because it was a "Classic", I decided to hunker down and find what I really needed. This is where the Rum helped!
First, I needed a runner. I am at least, pretty good at cosmetics, so I could clean it up myself. If it didn't run, it would probably sit, just like at it's last home. Second, I'm cheap (I think we all are to some extent). I couldn't bring myself to spend a lot. I do have an indoor, heated place to work on it in the winter (very important to me).
So, I looked and looked, and finally found my bike for $500.00. It ran well. but needed a back tire, and new brake pads in the back. I was able to ride it while I worked on it. Very important!
I think with every old bike there is at least one monster in the closet. Mine was an old crappy electrical system. With the help of my friend Jeff, after about 3 years, all the shorts ar fixed, and I can ride with confidence.
I've gotten much better at fixing things with time. I use Jeff for things I can't, and I've found a great mechanic for things beyond that...and with this group, it's kind of like having a handicapped child, but having a big enough network of helpers, that life is tolerable.
Take your time, and you'll have a much better experience.

damosuzuki · « **Reply #31 on:** August 14, 2006, 05:14:38 PM »

sheesh...

dusterdude and bob w. should get the brooklyn newbie advocate award (oh, and thanks for looking up cbchick).

in terms of nyc police... i was hoping motorcycling would escape their continuing crackdown on fun

just kidding, i don't think its too much to ask that you be insured etc... i just lack the mountainous patience of ces.

damosuzuki · « **Reply #32 on:** August 14, 2006, 05:40:33 PM »

also, several of you have mentioned that i may want to consider a lower bore cb... i actually started out thinking i wouldn't get anything larger than a 400, but i became concerned that a 400, 550, or even a 650 may not be as highway friendly with two riders as the 750.

then again, the loss of a few highway points may be worth the gain in handling (especially for a commuter).

cbjunkie · « **Reply #33 on:** August 14, 2006, 06:46:47 PM »

this is exactly right - although I cannot speak for the 650...

I initially made this comment before you made known your "wine country" weekends with the gf...

...as to working on your bike on the street, I've heard NYC gets something called "Winter"?? I am from Mississippi originally and I'm not sure what that is, but what I hear about it scared the daylights out of me and makes me think working outside on a grumpy 30-year old non-runner wouldn't be any fun...It's just barely fun when you're warm.

keep us posted dude...this is like a treasure hunt!

junkie out...

Chris Schneiter · « **Reply #34 on:** August 15, 2006, 07:10:16 AM »

Damosuzuki, This might help. I found it in an old thread. A Vintage group in NYC!
http://www.nycvinmoto.com/

winston · « **Reply #35 on:** August 15, 2006, 08:05:52 AM »

I dunno...when I buy used items I look for evidence that someone's cared for them...I see signs of neglect in the photos...little stuff like the rubber boot missing from the kick start tells me the bike's probably been undermaintained, though the lack of other cosmetic bits might also mean an aesthetic minimalist owned it. (ha)

In addition, I'm a big fan of buying used stuff that was maintained in stock condition, so the exhaust system on the bike you're looking at leaves me cold...I know I've had two inquiries at coffee shops from other SOHC owners who wanted to buy my exhaust system, and both 4-1 and 4-4 HMC OEM systems can be pricey when you can find them.

My larger concern would be that bike looks like it could use a roof over its' head...I have a 15,000 sq/ft warehouse with loads of tools and tons of space at home for tinkering, so I'm lucky I guess...but the previous owner of my bike kept it in the heated warehouse of his family business too, so I knew the bike had been stored away from the elements for at least five years, which is a big deal with an old bike in my view....

As for price, prices vary wildly it seems...you can buy better cared for SOHCs for less, or pay three times as much for something that's really really tired....aint the free market economy beautiful?

Personally, I'd keep looking. But on the other hand, it might just be a tired looking bike with a really sweet drivetrain. Besides, for $500. bux or so you could always part it out on eBay if it's a dog.

Have fun!

dusterdude · « **Reply #36 on:** August 15, 2006, 01:23:53 PM »

Quote from: damosuzuki on August 14, 2006, 05:14:38 PM

sheesh...

dusterdude and bob w. should get the brooklyn newbie advocate award (oh, and thanks for looking up cbchick).

in terms of nyc police... i was hoping motorcycling would escape their continuing crackdown on fun

just kidding, i don't think its too much to ask that you be insured etc... i just lack the mountainous patience of ces.

im not much for yankees,but you seem like a good sort.

cbjunkie · « **Reply #37 on:** August 16, 2006, 05:27:30 AM »

ATTN: HERE'S YOUR NEW BIKE!!!

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=300002169783&ssPageName=STRK:MEWA:IT&ih=020#ebayphotohosting

...don't ever say i never gave you nuthin'

MODIFIED: #$%* - it's gone already...

dusterdude · « **Reply #38 on:** August 16, 2006, 12:29:51 PM »

damnit junkie

Roach Carver · « **Reply #39 on:** August 16, 2006, 04:52:58 PM »

i liked that one! I would have changed that headlight though.

Dave K · « **Reply #40 on:** August 16, 2006, 06:46:29 PM »

You are right. The bike looks good, but that leather roll up front has GOT TO GO!

cbjunkie · « **Reply #41 on:** August 16, 2006, 10:01:40 PM »

it kinda has that "johnny5" vibe...

mrbreeze · « **Reply #42 on:** August 16, 2006, 10:41:35 PM »

Hell...it waddunt even a 4 banger......WTF

Klark Kent · « **Reply #43 on:** August 16, 2006, 10:54:20 PM »

I havent run into anything I can't fix on the sidewalk in front of my house. This is Baltimore, so my girlfriend and I are the only ones who live in that particular edifice, so if I have tools blocking the stoop, I only have one angry co-tenant on my ass. Newspaper kitty litter and soilent -i mean simple- green will keep whoever owns the sidewalk unawares or happy or both. and they sell 72" barbacue covers for $25 that protect a 550k with a little room to spare. It doesn't really snow here, I used to live in Poughkeepsie so i don't consider it snow until my back hurts, so that may be an issue by you, but the city is always warmer (from the constant burning of fresh souls) so it may be workable.

Regardless of where you are doing the work I don't think you will come through the other end without a support system. As you can see this forum could be it, but there are other resources in a city as big as yours, so while your looking for the one (and this mightnt be it) also look for those vintage bike groups. therein you will find people willing to help you spend as little time working on it and the most time riding it- yes OUTSIDE ON THE STREET WHERE IT F*CKING BELONGS. does the * really make that ok? And if you cant find a club start one, that will attract people who may not know more than you but they at least know different stuff from you. together you can research your problems and gettem running. I would suggest looking up the fe-wrencher if you dont think your girlfriend would stop being ok with all the time you were spending on the bike if it was also with another woman.

So if buying this is gonna leave you broke and unable to spend the money on it you need to for a month i think you can do better by waiting a month and maybe getting something that runs already- funny things happen to the price of bikes when the leaves start to fall. But i understand the need to assert your ability to be busy and focused on something (definately one of my top 5 reasons for owning this bike) so all i can do is wish you good luck and tell you to trust your gut expect the worst hope for the best kinda crap. sorry i thought i had something helpful to impart.

godspeed sinner
-KK

cbjunkie · « **Reply #44 on:** August 16, 2006, 10:59:24 PM »

Quote

(from the constant burning of fresh souls)

...very amusing, Klark...

mrbreeze · « **Reply #45 on:** August 16, 2006, 11:11:39 PM »

WWWWWWWOOOOOOWWWWW!!!!!!!!!(wadda speach!) Was that from the east coast or what

Klark Kent · « **Reply #46 on:** August 17, 2006, 07:33:52 AM »

Quote from: Klark Kent on August 16, 2006, 10:54:20 PM

This is Baltimore,...

Quote from: mrbreeze on August 16, 2006, 11:11:39 PM

WWWWWWWOOOOOOWWWWW!!!!!!!!!(wadda speach!) Was that from the east coast or what

Noticing the 400 cafe was a twin was more impressive senor viento. and did you move recently, because your posts from last May seem very "East coast"

-KK

mrbreeze · « **Reply #47 on:** August 17, 2006, 11:45:10 PM »

Nah....the farthest east I ever lived was Wyoming.

damosuzuki · « **Reply #48 on:** August 18, 2006, 06:41:04 AM »

thanks for the moral support guys...

i came this close (see pic) to buying a couple of different cb750's the last couple of days... but i either got way outbid or the bike got sold before i got there (both were under-priced "garage queens").

however, i find myself eating into the money i am saving for the bike... so i think i am going to take klark kent's advice hold out until next month.

thanks again, and i will keep you posted.

mike

Dave K · « **Reply #49 on:** August 18, 2006, 07:24:55 AM »

What is a good price? I know I posted to this question earlier but! Yesterday I was near Columbus, Ohio at a Honda dealership. There on the floor was an metallic orange K3. It was a very nice bike that had some minor, but expensive corrections needed. It had a header system on it (in good shape) the wrong mirrors (minor) and the front fender was bobbed. Other than that, the bike appeared close to right on. But the price!!!! Was $5400+ (don't remember the EXACT number). I about hit the floor. My green all original and original owner K3, may just go up for sale!

News:

Author Topic: another newbie needs buying advice... (Read 4649 times)

damosuzuki

damosuzuki

winston

damosuzuki