Author Topic: The $500 Challenge  (Read 19809 times)

0 Members and 2 Guests are viewing this topic.

fendersrule

  • Guest
Re: The $500 Challenge
« Reply #25 on: January 03, 2014, 09:28:53 AM »
Nice bike Fenders, I always wanted an SL350 or CL450. ;D

Gotta have both of them....they are too different just to have one!

At first I thought it was the ugliest bike I have ever seen. Only took a couple weeks to realize that it's actually one of the coolest looking bikes in the garage.

I consider myself lucky to have the earlier harder-to-find model. That was a deal of a decade.

Offline heffay

  • Really Old Timer ...
  • *******
  • Posts: 7,874
Re: The $500 Challenge
« Reply #26 on: January 03, 2014, 10:41:48 AM »
I will sell you this gem in your price range, but probably out of your physical range. 

Will run 80-90mph all day, after a carb jet.  I just got it running again after 3 years, but don't have the right jets at the moment.
Last time it was run for any length of time was at Sandia Raceway for a track day... maybe more like 4+ years ago?!

Awesome "Brazilian Race Pipes"!   8)

Today: '73 cb350f, '96 Ducati 900 Supersport
Past Rides: '72 tc125, '94 cbr600f2, '76 rd400, '89 ex500, '93 KTM-125exc, '92 zx7r, '93 Banshee, '83 ATC250R, 77/75 cb400f

Offline Stev-o

  • Ain't no
  • Really Old Timer ...
  • *******
  • Posts: 34,309
  • Central Texas
Re: The $500 Challenge
« Reply #27 on: January 03, 2014, 05:46:44 PM »
'74 "Big Bang" Honda 750K [836].....'76 Honda 550F.....K3 Park Racer!......and a Bomber!............plus plus plus.........

Offline Tugboat

  • Puppet
  • Master
  • *****
  • Posts: 1,778
  • '75 CB750K + '67 CL90 + '71 CT90
    • PseudoMoto
Re: The $500 Challenge
« Reply #28 on: January 07, 2014, 08:43:24 AM »
We thought about running a 2-stroke.. or one of the Suzuki 2-stroke street bikes (GT250/380) but none of us are familiar with them enough to trust one to put over 1k miles on it in such a short time. Maybe talk me into it?

As far as that CL350 goes, if it were closer it would be an actual candidate. Thing is about those: the damn rubber carb diaphragms. Especially when they've sat forever, they'll get these pinholes in them that really screw things up. They can be replaced, but are about $35/ea I think. That, plus carb gaskets and a chain would almost put a $300 bike out of our price range. I wouldn't mind at least checking something like that out, but not driving 12 hours to get there... :)

That EX500 is too big :(
If it's worth doing, it's worth doing twice.

Offline heffay

  • Really Old Timer ...
  • *******
  • Posts: 7,874
Re: The $500 Challenge
« Reply #29 on: January 07, 2014, 09:08:24 AM »


That EX500 is too big :(

Oh right.  I forgot about that limit.
Today: '73 cb350f, '96 Ducati 900 Supersport
Past Rides: '72 tc125, '94 cbr600f2, '76 rd400, '89 ex500, '93 KTM-125exc, '92 zx7r, '93 Banshee, '83 ATC250R, 77/75 cb400f

Offline heffay

  • Really Old Timer ...
  • *******
  • Posts: 7,874
Re: The $500 Challenge
« Reply #30 on: January 07, 2014, 09:19:15 AM »
Today: '73 cb350f, '96 Ducati 900 Supersport
Past Rides: '72 tc125, '94 cbr600f2, '76 rd400, '89 ex500, '93 KTM-125exc, '92 zx7r, '93 Banshee, '83 ATC250R, 77/75 cb400f

Offline Tugboat

  • Puppet
  • Master
  • *****
  • Posts: 1,778
  • '75 CB750K + '67 CL90 + '71 CT90
    • PseudoMoto
Re: The $500 Challenge
« Reply #31 on: January 07, 2014, 02:49:20 PM »
Haha yeah that's been everybody's response :) Gonna go look at it later this week.
If it's worth doing, it's worth doing twice.

Online grcamna2

  • Not a
  • Really Old Timer ...
  • *******
  • Posts: 15,136
  • I love to restore & travel. Keep'em Going Strong !
Re: The $500 Challenge
« Reply #32 on: January 11, 2014, 09:26:40 AM »
Tug,
  Did you purchase that CL GS400 ??
75' CB400F/'bunch o' parts' & 81' CB125S modded to a 'CB200S'
  I love the small ones too !
Do your BEST...nobody can take that away from you.

Offline Tugboat

  • Puppet
  • Master
  • *****
  • Posts: 1,778
  • '75 CB750K + '67 CL90 + '71 CT90
    • PseudoMoto
Re: The $500 Challenge
« Reply #33 on: January 12, 2014, 08:39:00 AM »
Nope - sold. And there hasn't been anything else for weeks!
If it's worth doing, it's worth doing twice.

Offline andrewk

  • doin' it.
  • Hot Shot
  • ***
  • Posts: 626
Re: The $500 Challenge
« Reply #34 on: January 12, 2014, 09:47:09 AM »
I would look for something with a six speed, swap for a shorter final drive (gear for top speed) ,  try to run 85mph or so with a potato chip rider at the helm.

I know everyone is using a "beater"  bike, but I think most of the bikes you're talking about could take the beat down for 24hrs. Be interesting to see how far people push them, if i lived close I would be totally in on this,  got a 360 twin for cheap last month...  :D

Offline Tugboat

  • Puppet
  • Master
  • *****
  • Posts: 1,778
  • '75 CB750K + '67 CL90 + '71 CT90
    • PseudoMoto
Re: The $500 Challenge
« Reply #35 on: January 27, 2014, 10:20:28 AM »
We got screwed this weekend y'all!! Partially my fault by not getting the address before we left town. But...

We drove to Nicholasville, KY to check out an '81 XS400 SUPPOSEDLY for $350, running, w/ parts bike & title. Texted on the way out of town to let him know I'm on my way. He says they can't find the title - fine, I don't need it since it's an '81 and in TN I can easily title anything that's pre-'84. So he knows I'll be there around 3p their time.

Three hours later we get off the parkway and I txt him to get the address.. no answer. We get into town, call him, no answer.. goes to VM "unavailable". Call again, goes to VM "fowarded to VM" - so he's seeing it, and ignoring me. Call several more times, same thing. Eventually he calls me - says he's selling it for his neighbor and had told me wrong - it's gonna be $450, not $350. Fine... I finally get him to give me an address, but it's a place in Lexington, not Nicholasville and I'm all WTF?!#? Then the "owner"/neighbor calls me. He asks "What did Glen tell you?" - I say he told me $350 and to come up this afternoon. No, he says, it's definitely $450. I say fine - what's the address so I can come look at it? And he says he just got off work, and the title is someplace else, and the parts bike is at his neighbor's, and he just can't deal with it until tomorrow. I say wtf man? Your boy told me to come up today and I'm here now. He says: "nah man, it ain't like that." So, no bike, no sh1t. 450 miles r/t + $70 in gas.

Bummer.
If it's worth doing, it's worth doing twice.

Offline DustyRags

  • I'm not skilled, I'm just a
  • Hot Shot
  • ***
  • Posts: 720
  • Just try it and see what happens
Re: The $500 Challenge
« Reply #36 on: January 27, 2014, 12:43:10 PM »
Bummer indeed. Didja at least egg his house?  ;D
1976 CB550K- sold
2005 Kawasaki Vulcan 500- sold
2000 CB750 Nighthawk - sold
1975 XL350 - crashed
2004 Suzuki Vstrom 650 - sold

Offline Tugboat

  • Puppet
  • Master
  • *****
  • Posts: 1,778
  • '75 CB750K + '67 CL90 + '71 CT90
    • PseudoMoto
Re: The $500 Challenge
« Reply #37 on: January 27, 2014, 12:57:10 PM »
Nah.. didn't have the address. The one they gave me seemed bogus. They will, however, wake up next week with an inbox full of gay porn :)
If it's worth doing, it's worth doing twice.

Offline DustyRags

  • I'm not skilled, I'm just a
  • Hot Shot
  • ***
  • Posts: 720
  • Just try it and see what happens
Re: The $500 Challenge
« Reply #38 on: January 27, 2014, 02:53:28 PM »
1976 CB550K- sold
2005 Kawasaki Vulcan 500- sold
2000 CB750 Nighthawk - sold
1975 XL350 - crashed
2004 Suzuki Vstrom 650 - sold

Offline Terry in Australia

  • Really Old Timer ...
  • *******
  • Posts: 33,316
  • So, what do ya wanna talk about today?
Re: The $500 Challenge
« Reply #39 on: January 31, 2014, 10:54:11 PM »
It was probably a blessing in disguise Tug, the XS400 was one of the biggest slugs of the period. Heavy, dodgy electrics, (starter motors crapping out when hot comes to mind) unreliable, (problems with CV carbs when hot) and slow.

It's a pity you can't find an RD350 or something similar, I wouldn't touch another (yes, I've owned one.....) XS250/400 with anything other than a sledge hammer........ ;D
I was feeling sorry for myself because I couldn't afford new bike boots, until I met a man with no legs.

So I said, "Hey mate, you haven't got any bike boots you don't need, do you?"

"Crazy is a very misunderstood term, it's a fine line that some of us can lean over and still keep our balance" (thanks RB550Four)

Offline 750cafe

  • Hot Shot
  • ***
  • Posts: 607
Re: The $500 Challenge
« Reply #40 on: February 01, 2014, 07:23:36 PM »
Has no one though of using a GS400 Suzuki? Bullet-proof roller bearing bottom end and over-built engine/tranny.
It could do 70 all 24 hours and get great mpg as well.
You did say a 400 cc limit correct?

http://www.suzukicycles.org/GS-series/GS400.shtml


Eric
Is there anything more fun than riding? They are between your legs and are quiet when you turn them off.

Offline Terry in Australia

  • Really Old Timer ...
  • *******
  • Posts: 33,316
  • So, what do ya wanna talk about today?
Re: The $500 Challenge
« Reply #41 on: February 02, 2014, 01:46:27 AM »
Yep, the GS400 was a great bike Eric, for sure. ;D
I was feeling sorry for myself because I couldn't afford new bike boots, until I met a man with no legs.

So I said, "Hey mate, you haven't got any bike boots you don't need, do you?"

"Crazy is a very misunderstood term, it's a fine line that some of us can lean over and still keep our balance" (thanks RB550Four)

Offline Tugboat

  • Puppet
  • Master
  • *****
  • Posts: 1,778
  • '75 CB750K + '67 CL90 + '71 CT90
    • PseudoMoto
Re: The $500 Challenge
« Reply #42 on: February 04, 2014, 09:17:11 AM »
For sure! But I haven't seen a single one for sale the entire time I've been looking - much less for under $500. Still looking though. Might have a line on an '81 CM400E with around 40k on the clock. Another team already has this exact same bike, though with lower mileage and I'm almost positive they paid almost nothing for it. Another team has a questionable Ninja 250, and another has a 150cc scooter. Three teams (including us) still do not have bikes.
If it's worth doing, it's worth doing twice.

Offline Terry in Australia

  • Really Old Timer ...
  • *******
  • Posts: 33,316
  • So, what do ya wanna talk about today?
Re: The $500 Challenge
« Reply #43 on: February 05, 2014, 02:45:03 AM »
Yeah mate, if you can get the CM400 go for it, it's a quality product compared to the old XS250/400's, those things gave boat anchors a bad name! Cheers, Terry. ;D
I was feeling sorry for myself because I couldn't afford new bike boots, until I met a man with no legs.

So I said, "Hey mate, you haven't got any bike boots you don't need, do you?"

"Crazy is a very misunderstood term, it's a fine line that some of us can lean over and still keep our balance" (thanks RB550Four)

Offline Tugboat

  • Puppet
  • Master
  • *****
  • Posts: 1,778
  • '75 CB750K + '67 CL90 + '71 CT90
    • PseudoMoto
Re: The $500 Challenge
« Reply #44 on: February 10, 2014, 08:00:17 AM »
Looked at two bikes last week. '81 XS400 with barely 8k on the clock. Beat up, though. Had 160 compression on one side but none on the other. Owner got it as a parts bike and pulled the carbs off and left it outside uncovered for a while. Engine got stuck but he was able to free it with PB Blaster. Maybe broke a ring or something. He was asking $350 and may have even taken $300 for it but top-end work means it's not a contender.

I also checked out an '81 CM400 that actually ran! Again, 150 compression on one side but only 110 on the other. 47k miles on the odometer. Lights all worked but all of the chrome was shot, petcock leaked, carbs needed sorting. He wouldn't take less than $500.

The search continues.....
If it's worth doing, it's worth doing twice.

Offline 750cafe

  • Hot Shot
  • ***
  • Posts: 607
Re: The $500 Challenge
« Reply #45 on: February 11, 2014, 09:45:07 AM »
Damn. I could have done this.

1970 SL350 Purchased in October '13: $100
Carb Rebuild/Refinishing: $80
Battery: $40
Tires: Have not done yet but doesn't count.
Brakes: Have not done yet but doesn't count.

Compression: 180/173

So far, $220 with plenty to spare. Here's a video of me with it last week when it was 24F outside:

SL350K0

I personally would also add "Chain and Sprockets" to the list of freebies along with wheels and tires. Another risky item IMO.

Cute little bike. I recognize the route that you are showing as I have seen it before of you on another bike I believe.

Eric
Is there anything more fun than riding? They are between your legs and are quiet when you turn them off.

Online grcamna2

  • Not a
  • Really Old Timer ...
  • *******
  • Posts: 15,136
  • I love to restore & travel. Keep'em Going Strong !
Re: The $500 Challenge
« Reply #46 on: February 12, 2014, 07:33:29 AM »
a 1970 SL350 for $100 ? WOW  ;D
75' CB400F/'bunch o' parts' & 81' CB125S modded to a 'CB200S'
  I love the small ones too !
Do your BEST...nobody can take that away from you.

Offline Spanner 1

  • Old Timer
  • ******
  • Posts: 4,092
  • CB 750 K0 ( always thought it was a K1!) + CB750K8
Re: The $500 Challenge
« Reply #47 on: February 12, 2014, 08:47:40 PM »
I think I'm a 'judge' on this 'race'...... or 24 hour 'challenge', I should say ;)...... Starts at noon, mandatory check-in at 6 p.m., midnight, 6 a.m. and then finish at noon next day.  Bikes will be tested before the challenge for odometer accuracy by running them over , say, a GPS'd  actual 10 miles and factoring what their odometers say....just to keep it all even. I think it will be a very close call...... I think each team can swap riders as many times as they like.... keeping in mind each 'pit stop' will cost them time/miles.
All of the competitors have lots of fix-up skills and I bet all the bikes make it to the 24 hour deadline. Bet any of the challenge bikes would be a good buy after, as they will have had a super test and a 24 hr. tune-up !
« Last Edit: February 12, 2014, 08:52:23 PM by Spanner 1 »
If your sure it's a carb problem; it's ignition,
If your sure it's an ignition problem; it's carbs....

Offline kpier883

  • is quite the
  • Hot Shot
  • ***
  • Posts: 677
Re: The $500 Challenge
« Reply #48 on: February 13, 2014, 07:37:24 AM »
subscribed
74 CB750
80 CBX
82 KZ1000 K2 (LTD)
57 1/2 ton chevy

Offline heffay

  • Really Old Timer ...
  • *******
  • Posts: 7,874
Re: The $500 Challenge
« Reply #49 on: February 21, 2014, 05:34:48 PM »
BUY SOMETHING!!!!!!
Today: '73 cb350f, '96 Ducati 900 Supersport
Past Rides: '72 tc125, '94 cbr600f2, '76 rd400, '89 ex500, '93 KTM-125exc, '92 zx7r, '93 Banshee, '83 ATC250R, 77/75 cb400f