Topic: Irish Newbie

[Skipper]

Hi there,
I'm Keith originally from Dublin I've just acquired a 1976 cb550 at the stafford show it was a non runner so that helped the bargaining
it turned out to be just the kill switch so she's running ok now I'm planning to turn her into a race replica bike so I need to source a long tank and seat unit,I bought a fairing and screen made for a 750 but I think i can make it fit.

I did the google maps thing OK but the gallery didn't go too well it crashed when i went to register and it now says my username exists already but wont recognise my password.

[Grnrngr]

Hi Keith!  Beautiful bike!  if you got a swingin deal on it, even better! but.... you might want to consider selling it to someone in the market for a beautiful (original?) classic stock bike for more than you paid, make a decent profit, then find one that actually needs work and make a racer out of it instead...I'm not really one to try to tell someone else what to do...so I'll let the other folks here tell ya..   it's a straight up gorgeous bike the way it is...

[Skipper]

I just restored a GT550 suzuki that was rough and it was a real moneypit
I reckoned I need to start this with a good bike and this one has new wheels and a newly powdercoated frame
the good tank,panels etc will help towards the cost of an alloy tank and seat unit

[Grnrngr]

heh..well...OK, as long as it's not "original"...     Mmmmm love those Gt550s got pics?

[Skipper]

Here ya go...

[wardenerd]

Skipper we in the states read alot about how tough the economy is in Ireland now.  Whats the real scoop as you see it?  I own a '77 550F and an"81 650C

[Stev-o]

Welcome from Texas! I also have a '76 550F, spent the last year restoring it.

Like your 550GT, do you still have it?

[rhos1355]

Hello Skipper, welcome to the forum.
You weren't one of the 2 guys I saw trying to cram a bike into the back of a Honda Jazz at the Staffs Bike show in October??
That was funny.

[Skipper]

Hello Skipper, welcome to the forum.
You weren't one of the 2 guys I saw trying to cram a bike into the back of a Honda Jazz at the Staffs Bike show in October??
That was funny.

That sounds like fun alright
luckily I got a spot in a mates van for my new toy

[Skipper]

Skipper we in the states read alot about how tough the economy is in Ireland now.  Whats the real scoop as you see it?  I own a '77 550F and an"81 650C

It's pretty grim alright
luckily I don't work in Ireland
I'm in the merchant navy the last 20 years presently working on an anchor handling supply tug called pasifik vixen around Borneo
I was out of work for 7 months earlier this year so I guess there's very few not affected by it all

[Skipper]

Welcome from Texas! I also have a '76 550F, spent the last year restoring it.

Like your 550GT, do you still have it?

Yes I've still got the GT550
the engine is on my bench having had the crankshaft overhauled
I drove it until the engine needed work so she's gettting the works now
It needs a bit of polishing too while I'm at it
I will probably keep it as it's what kept me sane when I was made redundant last winter

[rhos1355]

It's pretty grim alright
luckily I don't work in Ireland
I'm in the merchant navy the last 20 years presently working on an anchor handling supply tug called pasifik vixen around Borneo
I was out of work for 7 months earlier this year so I guess there's very few not affected by it all

We got an Irish lad from Co Clare in the office who tells us the situation is baaaaaad! What I don't understand is the speed in which everything fell apart. You guys had roaring economy for nearly 2 decades??

[Stev-o]

Any progress on the bikes?