Topic: "Beater" Total Rat Bike As Inspiration

[Popwood]

Over the past several months I see this bike in a parking lot where I regularly pick up lunch. It's clearly an everyday ride for someone. When I compare this bike to the two good condition SOHC/4 bikes I have, I think about how many more miles and how much abuse mine might take and still give service. Clearly, mechanicals must be tended to, but this seems to be held together with bailing wire and is still on the street. A testament to the durability of our rides? Safe, well, who's to know but the owner.

[gmonkey]

Now that's my kinda vehicle.  Inspiring! 

[Popwood]

In its own way it is very cool. Such attitude. Speaks volumes about the bike history and owner. I'd like to meet the guy (probably not too big of a gender assumption).

[Gordon]

I like the battery side cover.

Mechanically speaking, though, it doesn't have to look like it's in good shape to run and ride well.

[Retro Rocket]

I hope those front pegs fold up other wise the first time you put that thing into a corner you would be thrown off....     Doesn't look very safe to me..

Mick

[florence]

I love it, it makes mine look untidy though.  These bikes are very durable if the right kind of maintenance is done.

[camelman]

I love love love love love those handlebar risers.  Pure perfection.  You can tell he's an engineer.  ;-)

camelman

[Sporkfly]

His brake light is the same one I have on my bike! 

[Alan F.]

I've been really tempted to sell my 90's 750 Nighthawk to make bills lately, I've got a CM400 with comstars that I'm planning a no-dollar project with, this is inspiring to say the least. 

Is there really that much difference when you're out in the wind after all?

-Alan

[scrapvalue]

Is there really that much difference when you're out in the wind after all?

-Alan

No, there really isn't. Anyone who says different spends most of their time polishing, not riding.

[Alan F.]

I don't spend much time polishing at all, last time I cleaned the Nighthawk I'd overfilled the gas tank....had to dry it off before I set my tankbag back in place...

I clean stuff up when it's off the bike....I hate cleaning when the bike is together.  I'm the type who'll spray simple green on it in the rain, go have a beer and come back out the next day to a slightly cleaner bike.

[scrapvalue]

I don't spend much time polishing at all, last time I cleaned the Nighthawk I'd overfilled the gas tank....had to dry it off before I set my tankbag back in place...

I clean stuff up when it's off the bike....I hate cleaning when the bike is together.  I'm the type who'll spray simple green on it in the rain, go have a beer and come back out the next day to a slightly cleaner bike.

That's what I'm talking about!  I spray mine down with Purple cleaner and hose it off once in a while. Then I take it for a ride to dry it off.

And that's generally done just before I work on it.

[BoneDaddy]

Awwww. Now I miss my old Yamaha. 



In case you were wondering, that IS a toaster holding my battery.

[Alan F.]

In case you were wondering, that IS a toaster holding my battery.

Chrome don't make you faster dude...

Here's the CM400 when I got it last fall....

The way it spent the winter.....

And the way it sits right now, with a grand total of $62 into it.... still a bunch of work left to do.
That tank is complete garbage and won't be used by the way.