Topic: First Bike in BC

[HondaRider]

Hi all. I live in British Columbia, and I am new to motorcycles. I grew up riding dirtbikes, honda's specifically, am very mechanically inclined and have rebuilt a couple newer CRF's. I really love the look/history of cafe racers and I have loved Honda since a young age, so I figured this is the place for me to ask for help. I'm rather tall, 6'4", and have a lot of riding experience, mostly dirtbike, but I have been out on friends streetbikes a couple times. I will be looking at buying closer to winter, so I was going to look for something to build and initially get for not a lot of money. But I am not sure what bike I should be looking for, power is not too much of an issue for me as I'm in it for the enjoyment of the build of something I plan on keeping a long time. Sorry for the mostly irrelevant information, just wanted to give as much info on abilities. 

[Thamuz]

both the CB550 and CB750 have quite a bit of repro parts available.  both are great bikes.  My 1/2 cents of thoughts on bike.

[Stev-o]

Welcome....a CB750 would be perfect for you.

[tlbranth]

You might also look at the early Goldwings. Harder to work on but cheaper at the moment than CB750 and ride very nicely.

[bjbuchanan]

I would go for a 750 because you aren't exactly inseam challenged and already have plenty of riding experience. No need for smaller bikes to get comfortable on, unless you like them. I'm partial to the 400 after my 750

[750K]

The early naked goldwings look nice in a cafe trim. Dual discs up front and they still have the spoked aluminum wheels.

[754]

What part of BC, i may have 750 parts..

[HondaRider]

thanks for all of the input guys. I have started looking for a 750. I live in the Langley.

[Stev-o]

thanks for all of the input guys. I have started looking for a 750. I live in the Langley.

What is your budget?   You want a runner or a basket case??

http://seattle.craigslist.org/see/mcy/4583358669.html

[AbbyRider]

Welcome HondaRider. I'm not too far away - Abbotsford. You'll find that any 750's or 550's or whatever you're looking for as a project is WAY too pricey in the greater Van area. I've found good success picking up decent bikes at bottom prices out in Hope, Cache Creek, Lytton; take some time and don't jump on the first listing you see. Also, my advice would be to find a running bike (or close to running with some work) rather than a basket case. If you get a basket case, budget for a full engine rebuild.
And use the expertise on this forum as much as possible.

[Deltarider]

In 1989 we toured BC (and after that many states across the border) on a Goldwing Interstate 1100D that we had acquired in Edmonton, Alberta. We loved the Sunshine Coast (Sechelt) and Vancouver Island in particular. When we wanted to continue from BC into the US, we were refused entrance because we didn't have visa. We said: "We don't need visa." Because so we were told over the phone by the American consulate in Amsterdam. "Yes you do", the uniform man replied, who lived his finest moments. "Only if you arrive by plane you don't need one." He licked his lips of pleasure saying it. Turned out the #$@!! was right. Damned &%$#@ made us go all the way back to Calgary to apply for visa. We arrived there Friday afternoon just to find the consulate closed for the weekend. Costed us an extra two days. Next monday we got the visa within 10 minutes, no questions asked. Just a formality. Remarkable: for the US in those days if you travelled by plane you were not suspect and didn't need visa, whereas you came over the road, boy o boy... No American afterwards has been able to explain us the logic.

[flybox1]

thanks for all of the input guys. I have started looking for a 750. I live in the Langley.

What is your budget?   You want a runner or a basket case??

http://seattle.craigslist.org/see/mcy/4583358669.html

Nice SS    there's also a clean stocker purple '74 for $4k a few miles from me.

[754]

If you can find a running motor, maybe able to sell a rolling frame.