Author Topic: A new guy in need of some advice. (Read 10489 times)

moham · « **Reply #50 on:** April 07, 2008, 09:53:28 AM »

bob v. tom? corned beef or pastrami? 750 or 550? i'll have one of each, please...

Sheik Yerbouti · « **Reply #51 on:** April 07, 2008, 03:40:16 PM »

Well, I found another CB750 that supposedly has been "lowered" for a reasonable price. The guy doesn't have any pictures just yet, but when he does send them to me I'll post them. I guess it must've been a drag bike. Would a lowered bike be a bad idea?

mystic_1 · « **Reply #52 on:** April 07, 2008, 03:43:47 PM »

Quote from: Sheik Yerbouti on April 07, 2008, 03:40:16 PM

Well, I found another CB750 that supposedly has been "lowered" for a reasonable price. The guy doesn't have any pictures just yet, but when he does send them to me I'll post them. I guess it must've been a drag bike. Would a lowered bike be a bad idea?

Depends totally how it was done. Lots of people lower their bikes for a variety of reasons, it's not just a drag bike thing. There's looks, of course, but also changing the suspension geometry will change how the bikes handle and various people optimize for different things.

mystic_1

Sheik Yerbouti · « **Reply #53 on:** April 07, 2008, 03:48:52 PM »

Yeah, I'm corresponding back and forth via email with the guy. He's going to tell me how it was done so I can determine whether or not to walk away from this one.

Sheik Yerbouti · « **Reply #54 on:** April 07, 2008, 04:53:33 PM »

Well, he just mentioned that the bike has struts (which I assume means it's a hard tail). I'm not sure if that's good or bad. He said he has the original shocks, so it might not be a huge deal.

mystic_1 · « **Reply #55 on:** April 07, 2008, 05:32:27 PM »

My bike had struts when I first got it. It does eliminate any slop int he rear suspension

but it is not a ride tha everyone enjoys. Some people run lower air pressure in their rear tires to compensate for the lack of suspension, some people mount spring seats, etc.

If he's got the shocks, not a problem at all, they should just pop right back on. Any other mods on the bike?

Good luck, and remember, don't rush

mystic_1

Sheik Yerbouti · « **Reply #56 on:** April 07, 2008, 06:11:21 PM »

This is what his email said:

"the front spring were cut.there rear you can bolt shocks back in place. it dont ride bad now for having struts on it.its a mean looking bike."

cafe750 · « **Reply #57 on:** April 07, 2008, 07:14:10 PM »

If the front springs were cut, its not a big deal to throw a new set of springs in...

Sheik Yerbouti · « **Reply #58 on:** April 07, 2008, 07:16:58 PM »

So I assume those springs aren't hard to come by then? That's good news. He said something about it needing a new headgasket. I found some on ebay for around 80 bucks. He said it has an aftermarket exhaust and new wheels/tires and a low mileage engine. So it might make a good project.

754 · « **Reply #59 on:** April 07, 2008, 07:23:30 PM »

It might be a good choice. It is a style I prefer but it is not for everyone.

The good news though is it will feel as light as a 500 or smaller, and cornering is limited so you cant go crazy on it. Mine feels so light I can push it around with 1 hand on the bars (probably lower than the one you saw).

So you will get your bike legs pretty quick, then you can put the shocks back on & you will have no trouble with the weight/size!, It is usually reversible & saves you doing it before you learn.

So it may be a good thing..

How much? and what is done to the engine (dont post a link).

Sheik Yerbouti · « **Reply #60 on:** April 07, 2008, 07:38:56 PM »

He wants $600. I might be able to get him down. One major thing that I need to talk to him about is the fact that it doesn't have turn signals. That's something that needs to be fixed and fast. I figure I can get something aftermarket that'd work just as well. I don't need everything to be original. I plan on this to be a rider.

754 · « **Reply #61 on:** April 07, 2008, 07:47:37 PM »

What are signals?,

I use Hand signals here legally..

600 warm & running sounds good as long as head gasket is not a gusher (not so bad if it is)..

a lot of them leak a bit with no ill effect (dont let on you know that)

Jeff · « **Reply #62 on:** April 07, 2008, 07:48:59 PM »

Sounds like you're set on a 750, but I definitely prefer the size of the 550 over the 750. I'm 5'9 190. One thing that was strange for me was, with the stock bars, my lower back just killed me after 20 minutes. I put a drag bar on which made me lean more forward like all the sport bikes I've had in the past, and I felt so much better.

Good luck on your search.
Jeff

Sheik Yerbouti · « **Reply #63 on:** April 07, 2008, 07:55:43 PM »

Good to hear, guys. I'll post pictures as soon as I get them, and you can give me some opinions. I found another on eBay, but I just hate bidding on items. I'd rather go out and see them and give them an offer.

Jeff · « **Reply #64 on:** April 07, 2008, 08:09:26 PM »

FWIW, Here's a pic of my bike.

One other thing I've noticed is that there are far more options on aftermarket parts for the 750 than there are the 550.

Take exhausts for instance. The ugly POS on mine is a Mac. There are three different Macs to choose from for the 550: black, black with chrome canister, chrome megaphone. Then Sito has a slip on system that uses the stock headers. Benjie has beautiful pipes for the 550, but they're pricey. And, everyone else correct me if I'm wrong, but I think that's it for options.

There are waaaayyyy more exhaust options for the 750. Just something else to keep in mind.

Jeff

Sheik Yerbouti · « **Reply #65 on:** April 07, 2008, 08:18:55 PM »

I think that's another reason I'm leaning so heavily toward the 750. I love a nice, broad aftermarket community. Your bike looks like a blast though. I can't wait to get started on mine.

Sheik Yerbouti · « **Reply #66 on:** April 07, 2008, 09:22:03 PM »

Well, another option just popped up.

How would a CB650 suit me? I found a 79 that is located much closer to me than the 750. Is that a SOHC? I already sent him an e-mail regardless. Here's a picture.

Jeff · « **Reply #67 on:** April 07, 2008, 09:35:21 PM »

http://www.sohc4.net/index.php?title=CB650

Sheik Yerbouti · « **Reply #68 on:** April 07, 2008, 09:40:10 PM »

Fantastic! So it seems like it must be built upon the CB550, so it'd be a little bit smaller for me. The advantage of this bike right now is that it's in perfect running order, in my price range, and very local.

754 · « **Reply #69 on:** April 07, 2008, 09:48:55 PM »

Less aftermarket parts available than some of the other 4,s

Sheik Yerbouti · « **Reply #70 on:** April 07, 2008, 09:56:09 PM »

The bike already has a 4 to 1 exhaust on it and is in pretty good working order. He wants $750 and is giving me a phone call tomorrow. What do you think?

As long as I can get the parts to fix it in the long run, then I'll be fine. Are any engine components interchangeable with a 550 or anything like that?

Sheik Yerbouti · « **Reply #71 on:** April 08, 2008, 08:20:13 AM »

After doing plenty of searches on here, I think I'm going to pass due to the lack of parts.

Caferacernoc · « **Reply #72 on:** April 08, 2008, 09:06:57 AM »

You can still get plenty of parts for a CB650. Just not as many "custom" parts. And handlebars, turn signals, mirrors.... that sort of stuff is pretty universal. I would go look at the CB650. If it has a nice aftermarket exhaust already I'd say it's a go. Plus, you can always sell it later if the perfect 550 or 750 comes along.

Gordon · « **Reply #73 on:** April 08, 2008, 09:14:12 AM »

Quote from: Caferacernoc on April 08, 2008, 09:06:57 AM

Plus, you can always sell it later if the perfect 550 or 750 comes along.

Are you sure you don't mean that he can always ADD a 550 and 750 to the collection when the perfect ones come along?

Sheik, the 650 is at least worth a look. I was never all that into them until my friend bought one last year and it sat in my garage for about six months, and it grew on me. They're nice bikes. Not as much raw power as the earlier sohc's, but more "refined" overall. It really just depends on what you're looking for in a bike.

Sheik Yerbouti · « **Reply #74 on:** April 08, 2008, 10:57:09 AM »

He's supposed to give me a phone call sometime around 5. I'll keep you guys updated.

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Author Topic: A new guy in need of some advice. (Read 10489 times)