Author Topic: Don't know what to do (Read 3547 times)

xfactor · « **on:** October 09, 2010, 05:13:42 PM »

In the near future I have got to make a decision I really don't want to make.

I bought my 750F this past winter and have ridden it as much as I was able to over the past few months. That being said it want nearly as much as I wanted to ride. Mostly because issues kept coming up with my bike that required money that I didn't have. That and the lack of technical knowledge and lack of tools really takes its toll, plus I always felt nervous about taking it on really far trips.

So what I want to do is pick up a newer bike that I know is reliable and that I can drive on long trips with out worrying about an inevitable problem or having to always fix it. I have the chance to buy a Honda VTR1000 for a good price.

I can afford to buy the vtr no problem, but insuring both is a different story, plus I don't really have enough room in the garage I rent because I only pay for one spot, but the biggest challenge is my girlfriend. She will no doubt go insane if I bring home another bike, she got in a bad wreck on one when she was a kid.

So do I sell the F and buy the VTR? Do I keep the F?

I know it comes down to my decision in the end but I just need some help because in my eyes its a lose lose situation.

Croix

754 · « **Reply #1 on:** October 09, 2010, 05:34:33 PM »

Get the 750 sorted out , and ride it fourever..

at a fraction of the cost of Plan B..

mick7504 · « **Reply #2 on:** October 09, 2010, 07:04:36 PM »

Quote from: 754 on October 09, 2010, 05:34:33 PM

Get the 750 sorted out , and ride it fourever..

at a fraction of the cost of Plan B..

+1

Time and patience is the solution.
The 750 will look after you for years to come and as Frank mentioned, ät a fraction of he cost"
There's a truck load of help here when you need it and some good contacts for bits and pieces.
Mick

DavePhipps · « **Reply #3 on:** October 09, 2010, 07:13:15 PM »

There is something to be said for modern bikes. I love my (sorta modern) FZR, and would love a VTR. However, a properly fixed and maintained bike will last a long time without too much trouble. This is true for new bikes also. When not maintained they end up just as flaky as any old bike that needs fixed up.
If you go for the VTR there will be plenty of people here to help remove the 750 from your possesion. If you go for the 750, there will also be lots of people here to get help from to restore it to a well running state.

Sorry I'm no help. Myself I'd get the VTR and not get rid of the 750. Store the 750 at a friends if you can.

gmonkey · « **Reply #4 on:** October 09, 2010, 07:55:19 PM »

If you want to fix a bike, keep the 750. You might just like digging through 70's technology. If you want to get the hell on something and ride it already, get a newer bike with no serious problems. You're probably going to have to do some work on the newer bike however so don't expect it to be paradise. I've been working on my 550 for some time and just wanted to ride something already so I went out and got my FZR. For me though, the CB is still in my basement so I kind of got the best of both which I guess you can't.

Dave, cool to see someone else here has an FZR600. Does yours have the 2 piston calipers up front or is that an 89 only thing?

DavePhipps · « **Reply #5 on:** October 10, 2010, 05:04:35 AM »

Quote from: gmonkey on October 09, 2010, 07:55:19 PM

Dave, cool to see someone else here has an FZR600. Does yours have the 2 piston calipers up front or is that an 89 only thing?

That's an 89 only, they changed the calipers after that. Here's a funky thing I learned. The bolt holes on the FZR front disc pretty much line up with the 500/550 hub. that certainly got me thinking of a future mod

Gordon · « **Reply #6 on:** October 10, 2010, 06:26:20 AM »

Quote from: 754 on October 09, 2010, 05:34:33 PM

Get the 750 sorted out , and ride it fourever..

at a fraction of the cost of Plan B..

Yep.

Buying the tools and parts you need to bring the 750 back to its original glory will cost less than buying another bike (that will itself eventually need tools and parts to keep running), and the 750 will be as reliable or more reliable than any newer bike if you make it that way.

As far as insurance, though, I don't think insuring two bikes is going to cost that much more than one. Obviously if you get full coverage on a newer bike it will cost quite a bit more than just liability on the 750, but it will cost that much regardless. I'm with geico and adding liability on an additional bike generally only costs me an extra $15 per 6 month policy.

Then there's the girlfriend issue. I realize she's had a bad experience on a motorcycle, but how does that affect the number of bikes you're allowed to own? Are you able to ride more than one bike at the same time?

Stev-o · « **Reply #7 on:** October 10, 2010, 07:59:13 AM »

Quote from: Gordon on October 10, 2010, 06:26:20 AM

Quote from: 754 on October 09, 2010, 05:34:33 PM
Get the 750 sorted out , and ride it fourever..

at a fraction of the cost of Plan B..

Then there's the girlfriend issue. I realize she's had a bad experience on a motorcycle, but how does that affect the number of bikes you're allowed to own? Are you able to ride more than one bike at the same time?

If you are a dedicated rider, you'll have a bike long after she's gone! My wife doesn't like bikes either, she was in an accident too. But she just has to deal with it.

754 · « **Reply #8 on:** October 10, 2010, 08:38:42 AM »

No "newer bike , is going to be any easier or any cheaper to work on than the CB 750..

Very few bike engines are as dead nuts simple, as the 750..

Besides that, do you think you will find such a great group of helpers (like this bunch).. for other makes and models..??

Grnrngr · « **Reply #9 on:** October 10, 2010, 08:40:30 AM »

I've got a couple bikes and a couple cars, having them all insured at the same time would be crazy expensive. With Progressive, I just call my agent and tell him, take this one off and put that one on. I only pay for one at a time (well, one car and one bike, seperate policies), and sometimes switch 'em up a couple times in a week. I'd think if you pay for a one car garage or parking space, you should be able to fit two bikes in there. Believe me, I understand the attraction of multiple vehicles, but it's true, get the F running right, it'll take you anywhere you want to go with as much reliability as any newer used bike..plus, once YOU get it where you want it, you'll have a much better idea of what to expect in terms of what might go wrong next, and the experience to deal with anything you might have to do a second time, which is seldom if you do it right the first time....except for wearing out tires..

switchum · « **Reply #10 on:** October 10, 2010, 10:40:52 AM »

Might be cheaper to get rid of the girlfriend and keep both bikes?

Sorry.

pidaster · « **Reply #11 on:** October 10, 2010, 10:56:52 AM »

Quote from: switchum on October 10, 2010, 10:40:52 AM

Might be cheaper to get rid of the girlfriend and keep both bikes?

Sorry.

Good option. Use both bikes to pick up girls that like them.
Or, I can store the 750 for you. I can send you a picture every month and will house it for free.

Stev-o · « **Reply #12 on:** October 10, 2010, 11:19:11 AM »

Quote from: switchum on October 10, 2010, 10:40:52 AM

Might be cheaper to get rid of the girlfriend and keep both bikes?

Sorry.

Bad option. Can't sleep with your bikes! [actually you can, but not nearly as much fun!!]

Shenanigans · « **Reply #13 on:** October 10, 2010, 11:48:50 AM »

You can be set on tools for a couple hundred bucks. Get a good socket set, a good wrench set, a decent impact driver and some JIS screw drivers and then go buy everything else at harbor freight. Just sayin' at most your looking at 300 bucks if you go that route and you should be set.

switchum · « **Reply #14 on:** October 10, 2010, 12:01:58 PM »

Quote

Bad option. Can't sleep with your bikes! [actually you can, but not nearly as much fun!!]

Kung-fu grip

Skunk Stripe · « **Reply #15 on:** October 10, 2010, 12:21:52 PM »

Do you want to wrench or ride? Which do you like the looks of better?
YEAH! I get to have the unpopular opinion. There is NO guarantee that fixing the 750 will be cheaper, none whatsoever. No one can truthfully make that claim because A: they do not know what all the bike needs. B: they don't know your level of mechanical skill. Will you need a mechanic to do some of the work?

So really 2 options present themselves.
1: get the vtr and keep the 750. Put insurance on the vtr only and as you can afford to, work on the 750. If you decide you can't do it, you can still part it out or sell it as a whole bike. You still get to keep your tools, which will be useful on other things. The GF can get over it. As said before, you can only ride 1 bike at a time so how is 2 more dangerous?

2: get the vtr and just forget about the 750. Can it be a good bike? Of course but how much work will it take and can you do said work?

This is not going to be a popular opinion on a site for the sohc but then most people here are going to have a biased for the 750. You need to look at what is best for YOU. An sohc is not for everyone and may not be the bike for you.

I go with #1 BUT you said the cost of repairing the 750 was hard to bear while you can afford the vtr, sounds like fixing the 750 WILL cost more than the vtr.

Gordon · « **Reply #16 on:** October 10, 2010, 12:32:04 PM »

Quote from: Skunk Stripe on October 10, 2010, 12:21:52 PM

YEAH! I get to have the unpopular opinion. There is NO guarantee that fixing the 750 will be cheaper, none whatsoever.

There are no guarantees in life, but in this case the likelihood is very high.

And besides, he's asking this on a sohc4 forum, so he wants to be talked out of it.

Skunk Stripe · « **Reply #17 on:** October 10, 2010, 12:35:33 PM »

Maybe but maybe not. What if he needs to get new carbs? Hell even used banks have sold for 200. What if it needs engine work? Even a simple re-ring will cost a fair amount unless he can do it by himself and not everyone can or is comfortable in doing so. So bottom line is there is no guarantee that the 750 will save him anything.
He could get the vtr and with basic maintenance, might not have to do any real work on it for years.

So he shouldn't base his decision on popular opinion.

Gordon · « **Reply #18 on:** October 10, 2010, 12:38:37 PM »

I agree, if you're not comfortable working on your own sohc4 then you shouldn't own it.

Skunk Stripe · « **Reply #19 on:** October 10, 2010, 12:39:35 PM »

Exactly. Hell there are even times I don't like working on mine.

Damfino · « **Reply #20 on:** October 10, 2010, 12:41:13 PM »

Hell, there's no guarantee that members here won't continue to sign up under new user names to escape unpopular opinions they expressed in earlier incarnations.

xfactor · « **Reply #21 on:** October 10, 2010, 01:25:15 PM »

Thanks for the opinions and what not guys.

I would love to own both because I love working on my 750, even if i dont know how. I am still new to the whole mechanical world and it does take me alot to get work done, I learn more by doing and watching then reading, so while I learn a lot from this site and reading books, it still becomes hard for me to completely understand some stuff without actually seeing it.

The VTR is in great shape and all it needs now is a valve adjustment which I can get done over the winter for a very reasonable price. I know its in great shape because they guy selling it is from a local vintage group and he is just an all around good guy and it has a bunch of extras with it.

There is a part of me that wants to be talked out of it, sure, but there is also a part of me that wants to just hop on a bike and blast around for 250 miles with out worrying about the weeping head gasket, a mystery oil leak or the fact that the carbs arent synced the valves need to be adjusted,and the cam chain, the timing is off and im running rich. Sure these are all pretty easy fixes, but I need help in doing them, because I have never done something like this before.

I guess I am just going to have to work on my girlfriend and get her to let me buy both, we have been together for close to 6yrs so I think I can probably convince her to let me do it, but I will have to try pretty hard.

I love the look of both bikes and I want to own both without a doubt but this is a hard decision for me to make.

Croix

Alan F. · « **Reply #22 on:** October 10, 2010, 01:58:08 PM »

Six years is a long time and that's something special. With that said, bikes don't mind having other bikes around. The spirit of Soichiro will still be with you if you ditched the F.

True you can fix the known and future isseus with the F cheaply and effectively, and that solution has my vote personally. It's likely that you have other SOHC/4 members in your area, have you gotten to know them? In the past few years I've gotten to know a bunch of the Boston members, they're a great bunch of guys, and they know a TON about these bikes. If you don't know anyone nearby, I'd suggest starting a thread looking for members in your area. Throw a BBQ! get people interested and show off your bike, help will materialize out of thin air in no time! Boston has a great group, KC and Seattle come to mind too and I'm sure I'm missing lots more. We're all on the same team here, keep the F and get some help.

Alan

Skunk Stripe · « **Reply #23 on:** October 10, 2010, 02:54:40 PM »

As I said, if you do keep both, you can always try your hand on the 750 and if it does not work out, I am sure someone would buy it from you. It was my #1 suggestion after all!

754 · « **Reply #24 on:** October 10, 2010, 10:30:09 PM »

Correct me, if you feel I am wrong..
BUT..
I will suggest, if you can/are not comfy working on a sohc 750, you wont be on any of the, more modern Japan fours..

Whether the cb750 turns your crank for the long run or not, it may be a stepping stone, to raising your comfort/confidence level as far as working on bikes goes..

FWIW... free advice, is worth what you paid for it...

xfactor · « **Reply #25 on:** October 10, 2010, 10:43:00 PM »

Quote from: 754 on October 10, 2010, 10:30:09 PM

Correct me, if you feel I am wrong..
BUT..
I will suggest, if you can/are not comfy working on a sohc 750, you wont be on any of the, more modern Japan fours..

Whether the cb750 turns your crank for the long run or not, it may be a stepping stone, to raising your comfort/confidence level as far as working on bikes goes..

FWIW... free advice, is worth what you paid for it...

The VTR1000F is a beast of a different nature. Its a v twin, but regardless if and when I buy that bike its getting work done in the shop, unless its something minor that I can tackle.

Want the 750 to learn and I love riding it, but I want something for the here and now, beautiful day out today and I would have gone real far but I was afraid of problems because it was running a bit odd today, did a bit of messing around and think I fixed it but still kind of killed my adventure for today.

754 · « **Reply #26 on:** October 10, 2010, 11:17:21 PM »

Last Labor Day weekend, I picked up a 750 370 miles from here. It had sat for years, 2 or 3 weeks before I got it, they had got it running, cleaned carbs, fixed seat etc, and put about 40 miles on it..

I played around about 6 or 7 hrs with it, left late in the day, and put 600 + miles on it in the next 26 hrs..

That is what they can do and are capable of.. FWIW..

All you mentioned that you are worried about, should not stop you from riding it..

Skonnie Boy · « **Reply #27 on:** October 10, 2010, 11:28:28 PM »

Don't know what is the what with your F, but I can't imagine there is a lack of expertise and technical guidance in the Chicagoland area. Your expertise included, btw. You probably know more than you think. You're here, right?

More than that, I think it just comes down to having the guts to;

A. Attempt various fixes, knowing that you may screw things up but learn a great deal in the process. There's not too much that you can screw up permanently, and you can't possibly screw something up that hasn't been screwed up worse before, by someone on this very forum.

B. Trust that old bikes make noises, and that even if your bike isn't 100%, your bike isn't suffering from a bunch of hard-to-fix problems. You really haven't owned a bike until its stranded you miles away from where you were headed, anyway. Not to be simple or dumb about things, but isn't riding a motorcycle a way of overcoming fears? Having a bike quit on you is not a real fear to overcome. Its just a problem that you deal with occasionally.

I would like a VTR. I've heard a lot about this fuel injectioning they keep going on about.

xfactor · « **Reply #28 on:** October 10, 2010, 11:42:25 PM »

Quote from: Skonnie Boy on October 10, 2010, 11:28:28 PM

Don't know what is the what with your F, but I can't imagine there is a lack of expertise and technical guidance in the Chicagoland area. Your expertise included, btw. You probably know more than you think. You're here, right?

More than that, I think it just comes down to having the guts to;

A. Attempt various fixes, knowing that you may screw things up but learn a great deal in the process. There's not too much that you can screw up permanently, and you can't possibly screw something up that hasn't been screwed up worse before, by someone on this very forum.

B. Trust that old bikes make noises, and that even if your bike isn't 100%, your bike isn't suffering from a bunch of hard-to-fix problems. You really haven't owned a bike until its stranded you miles away from where you were headed, anyway. Not to be simple or dumb about things, but isn't riding a motorcycle a way of overcoming fears? Having a bike quit on you is not a real fear to overcome. Its just a problem that you deal with occasionally.

I would like a VTR. I've heard a lot about this fuel injectioning they keep going on about.

Haha yeah fuel injection would be nice, but the VTRf is good ol carbonated.

I guess I just need to build my confidence in my myself and the bike will follow. I think I just need to buy both and call it a day.

Duke McDukiedook · « **Reply #29 on:** October 10, 2010, 11:47:39 PM »

The CB will be waaay easier to work on than the VTR, trust me.
Just because it has two less cylinders won't make it easier.

Skunk Stripe · « **Reply #30 on:** October 11, 2010, 06:24:53 AM »

Yeah well you are partly wrong! 2 carbs are much easier to sync than 4!

Of course I have not done a vtr so maybe it does suck.

gmonkey · « **Reply #31 on:** October 11, 2010, 06:25:52 AM »

Sounds like you like wrenching and you like your 750 but you also just want to ride when the day is nice and you can't because the 750 is a project. (Although most of what you listed, you could probably ride around with. Have to agree with Skonnie, you can ride it even if it's not running perfect.)

There are newer bikes that are simple and reliable. Maybe not as simple and reliable as a CB but by virtue of being newer they should be in better shape assuming you find one that hasn't been abused. I don't really know much about VTRs but just looking at how innovative it was (new type of frame, side radiators, etc) it might not be one of these. Things that come to mind that I think of as reliable but fun beater bike:

- Kawasaki EX500 - stayed the same for like 15 years, twin, carbs, had an 89 one I bought for $300 as a barn find shooting flames out the exhaust. Fixed it up in girlfriend's yard + neighbore's shed + dorm parking lot.
- CBR600 - just straight forward, easy to find parts for
- VFR750/700 - gear driven cams, over-engineered because VF750's had problems
- FZR600 - stayed the same from 89-98, have one now, surprisingly simple. Generally reliable if you didn't get one that some doofus tore up second gear in. People constantly breaking them down for parts so they can be had reasonably.

That's just a few but mostly anything that came out in the 80's and kept on getting made without any major changes for 10-15 years is usually a decent bet.

How is 2 bikes any more dangerous than one? Is your girlfriend ok with you working on a bike but not riding it so she's assuming you won't have the CB on the road much?

andy750 · « **Reply #32 on:** October 11, 2010, 08:10:29 AM »

Get the VTR. I am with Skunk Stripe on this one. Keep the F and work around it. I have had a CB750 since 1992 and thats all I ever rode for the last 17 years. All the things mentioned in this thread about ease of maintenance etc are all true. However I have spent $1000s over the last 10 years keeping both of my CB750s running (kept all the receipts

). Its not as cheap as some would like to believe especially if you buy the quality Honda parts.

Last year I wanted a change and so bought a VStrom DL1000 at 15,000 miles. It was used all winter and now its been a year and 9000 miles later. No problems. New tires and oil changes and that was it. Very simple. Thats in addition to the 4500 miles on the CB750 this summer.

Get both and enjoy them. We are talking motorcycles here - as long as you ride one thats all that matters and not the kind of bike it is

good luck
Andy

xfactor · « **Reply #33 on:** October 11, 2010, 08:41:31 AM »

I have decided to get it, told the girlfriend "I am buying this bike, I am keeping both, worst comes to worst I can sell both for a profit come spring time."

Which is true, I picked up my 750 for 800 bucks and I know i can sell it for 1500-1800 easy.

Fingers crossed.

Croix

Skunk Stripe · « **Reply #34 on:** October 11, 2010, 08:44:11 AM »

Quote

- Kawasaki EX500 - stayed the same for like 15 years, twin, carbs, had an 89 one I bought for $300 as a barn find shooting flames out the exhaust. Fixed it up in girlfriend's yard + neighbore's shed + dorm parking lot.

So by fixing it up, you mean extending how far the flames shoot right?

gmonkey · « **Reply #35 on:** October 11, 2010, 09:43:48 AM »

Quote from: Skunk Stripe on October 11, 2010, 08:44:11 AM

Quote
- Kawasaki EX500 - stayed the same for like 15 years, twin, carbs, had an 89 one I bought for $300 as a barn find shooting flames out the exhaust. Fixed it up in girlfriend's yard + neighbore's shed + dorm parking lot.
So by fixing it up, you mean extending how far the flames shoot right?

Right. Also cleaned and coated the inside of the tank so it wouldn't drip gasoline all over my legs. Those two features can be a bad combination.

Skunk Stripe · « **Reply #36 on:** October 11, 2010, 10:08:07 AM »

So I am assuming you do not want to do a a ghostrider impersonation then!

gmonkey · « **Reply #37 on:** October 11, 2010, 11:17:22 AM »

Quote from: Skunk Stripe on October 11, 2010, 10:08:07 AM

So I am assuming you do not want to do a a ghostrider impersonation then!

Well I haven't seen a picture of ghostrider in a while but from what I remember it was his head that was on fire and not his crotch so I'd be doing it wrong anyway.

DavePhipps · « **Reply #38 on:** October 11, 2010, 07:08:32 PM »

754 the VTR is a twin. A really freakin awesome twin at that. In my opinion it blows Ducatis and Suzuki SVs away in looks and performance. It's also a Honda, bred as the RC51. It's a pretty special bike.
I'm hoping you find someway to have both. After living with them and riding them for a time you will know which one you want to keep. Both have excellent resell value, so there will not be much money lost if you eventually sell one.

News:

Author Topic: Don't know what to do (Read 3547 times)