Topic: Can someone give me a sort of running history on the 500/550 bikes?

[KingCustomCycles.com]

I resemble that statement!  :-)

[Kong]

Tanjo,

I envy you.  My search area includes everything from DC to Pittsburgh and I'm not having much luck.

Anyway, the search continues.  I've sent out e-mails to everyone I know who might stumble across anything, I hit the ads in all the papers, Craig's List, E-Bay, all that sort of thing.  I've got adequate cash sitting in a cigar box so I'm easily prepared for anything I'd be willing to buy  Its just a matter of time.

[Stev-o]

Have you called about this one:


http://pittsburgh.craigslist.org/mcy/2036500390.html

[Kong]

I've called on that one twice, no answer and no machine, also sent an email response, but no answer on it yet.  I should have followed up on that one this afternoon but I was on Jury Duty.  I'll try it again in the morning.  Thanks for the reminder because I had pretty much written that one off the list - so to speak.

On Edit:  Just called and E-Mailed again, got an answering machine this time, left a message - finger's crossed.

[Stev-o]

Be ready to go, that one could go for $500. Wish the ad had photos.

Good Luck.

[Kong]

Whooo! Hooo!  The guy just called back, we're going to get together tomorrow morning (after I drive 150 miles) to take a look at it.  I'll have camera in hand and if I buy the bike I'll post a picture "as found".

[Stev-o]

Cool!  Bring 100 $ bills, put 5 in one pocket and if it is worthy, make an offer.
The ad did say OBO..........

[Kong]

As found:


I paid $500 right on the nose.  I probably could have got it for less, in fact I'm sure I could have, but the guy needed the little bit of difference in the price a lot more than I do.  So we're both happy.

My god do I have a lot of work to do.  See the shifter, what you think of that.?  And if you think that's somethng you should see the rear shock setup.  Oh, the wiring is partially fried too.  None of this bothers me much, in fact not at all.  As it turns out all the really funny, or terrible, stuff on it was going to be tossed anyway.

[KingCustomCycles.com]

Keep the seat, they have a cult following. 

[05c50]

Congrats on the new bike. Somebody must have got hold of some old army paint. I just noticed another one on CL that was a little closer, but I guess it's too late. http://pittsburgh.craigslist.org/mcy/2044220877.html

................Paul  

[Kong]

Well, thank you for that one too.  I just called the guy, I'll be going to see it in the morning.  Nothing says I can't own two of them.

[Lavis500]

Well, thank you for that one too.  I just called the guy, I'll be going to see it in the morning.  Nothing says I can't own two of them.

+1,000,000!!!!

You should play off the paint job that's already been done.  Definitely like the flat black engine with all the army green!  You should swap out our exhaust for some flat black drag pipes, fix everything to make it functional, and just call it done.   

[Stev-o]

Holy Army green paint Batman!

You should have two bikes - 1 cafe and 1 stocker!

[Bluegreen]

The 550's weren't prone to breaking chains and wadding up next to the case.
However, some people put on 530 O ring chains which WILL gouge the case and wear into a shaft seal.  Leak city.

You totally missed the point about the deer.  Loud noises make them jump in any direction including directly into your path.  I was trying to help keep you safer.

But, I get the definite impression you don't really care about anyone else but yourself while riding.  (Which does fit the Harley owner mold in my experience.)

Good luck with pleasing yourself!  

 Man, leave the new guy alone. Quit stereotyping everybody (harley riders, cafe riders, anyone who isn't enjoying the pristine sounds of a stock air box, etc.) You are a really smart guy who knows his stuff and I respect your opinion. But really, back off. People have bought these things and are going to do want they want to do with them, it's ok. If the older generation had held these bikes in such high regard why were most of them left in some field to rot after 15k miles on them and now theyre worth peanuts?

PS Again, I do respect your opinion, I moved my electronics, swapped to a tiny battery, but kept the air box lol

@Kong- These bikes are so much fun!! Just keep her above 5k on the tack and the world is your oyster

[the technological J]

that was my bike its the 550 i sold to jiffy in my sig.... it was my first bike... im the one who bought the green paint... i know that bike inside and out

As found:


I paid $500 right on the nose.  I probably could have got it for less, in fact I'm sure I could have, but the guy needed the little bit of difference in the price a lot more than I do.  So we're both happy.

My god do I have a lot of work to do.  See the shifter, what you think of that.?  And if you think that's somethng you should see the rear shock setup.  Oh, the wiring is partially fried too.  None of this bothers me much, in fact not at all.  As it turns out all the really funny, or terrible, stuff on it was going to be tossed anyway.

[Stev-o]

gabriel - plz give Kong a quick history lesson on the green bike. Why'd you sell? Thx

[tango911]

Here is what i do.  I haggle on the phone or through emails for a long time. (unless i know its a great deal and then i go pounce on it).  Pictures are very deceiving so you get the guy down to what you would pay if the bike actually looks like the picture. Then when you get there, you point out all the flaws.   The main key it be able to walk away.  Make your offer , if he says no way, then just be really nice and say, im going to pass on this one. Eventually you will get that great deal.  You should be able to get a runner in so so condition for about $300-600 depending on where you live. I got one for $600 and prob paid a bit much for it, but he was asking $1200.00 so i got him down half.  Just bought a running CB500 in Illinois for $250, (asking 800) and sold it the next night for $400.00.  That was a fast $150 and bought my new coils and plug wires ha ha.

Or if your KingCustom, you buy the junkers for $150 and turn them into a masterpiece

[Syscrush]

Kong:

1) Congrats on picking up a bike.  A 550 isn't a sportbike by today's standards, but compared to your Harley it'll feel like one if it's built and set up correctly.  It's true that a 750 could have been a better choice in terms of meeting your power goals, but the 550 is so much better-looking that I commend you on your choice.  Hey, us 550 guys gotta stick together! 

2) Don't let the haters get to you.  I have to admit that I've never seen Harley guys and supersport guys lumped together until reading this thread!  As a sportbike guy I'm a bit offended.

3) $3k is NOT a big budget for building a nice cafe anymore than it would be for building a nice Harley.  Other than the purchase price of the bike itself, I don't see how a Honda cafe would be any cheaper than a Harley.  Stuff like rims, spokes, brakes, fabrication, paint, wiring, lights, upholstery, custom bodywork, exhaust, etc. aren't really brand-specific and the really good stuff costs, period.  And anything related to the motor you're buying 4 instead of 2.

4) If handling & suspension is your biggest concern, then plan on some good shocks in the back, and new springs, RaceTech cartridge emulators, and a fork brace in the front as a bare minimum.  Swapping the front end to something more modern will yield better results if and only if it's set up correctly, but that's more money and it changes the look more, so you have to decide if that works with your plans/goals or not.  Hang out in the racing/performance section and find out what the racers do to get 550's to handle.


Good luck and keep us posted on your build!!!

[the technological J]

gabriel - plz give Kong a quick history lesson on the green bike. Why'd you sell? Thx

i sold it to my best friend... who impulsivley sold it because it wasnt running quite right.... it makes me a little sad to see it at another home.... i wanted a 750 im 6'6 and wanted something a little bigger..... the carbs were rebuilt just last season. the head gasket is new this season so is the exaust... i dont know why it rusted the way it did so quick... guess mackie doesnt use very good paint.... i still have the original 4 into 4 exaust .... its in crappy shape though...   it has taper bearings and a new front wheel bearing .. the tires should have very little wear.... watch the fuse box for shorts... i would replace it... off the top of my head thats it.. i think your battery is shot.. i dont know why but jeff had the worst luck with batteries
oh and i think you have a new clutch cable or need one i cant remember.. but i have the return line for the throttle the speedo, tach and throttle cables have all been recently replaced
and the clutch has less than 5000 on it

[Kong]

Well, isn't this quite the coincidence?  Jeff told me all of the late work that had been done on the bike, and although it didn't run I didn't doubt him either.  Very nice guy and while I think he might have taken less for the bike it wasn't necessary for me to negotiate down to the last dime, so I didn't.  We loaded up the bike, got the paperwork taken care of at a local Notary and I was on my way home in less than an hour.

This morning I went up to Cannonsburgh to see the bike that is linked above.  I bought it too.  This one actually ran, it has a little over 11K miles on the clock.  The thing looks project-bike/great on the right side and scary on the left.  This one sat with fuel in it for nearly a decade.  However between the two bikes and an old battery I could be riding tomorrow if I were the industrious sort.

My real question now is which bike to call the Project and which the doner?  I've also got another bike, one a neighbor gave me, that I can pull parts off of, and some of them look very interesting.  The bike is an '86 (I think) 450 Rebel and its got some nice looking square shouldered alloy wheels as well as a really sweet looking box swingarm.

This will require some thought.

[Bluegreen]

Two projects!!

[Stev-o]

Yes, two projects and the 450 is the donor!

[pdxPope]

Depending on it's condition, that 450 Rebel might be worth a little bit.
Honda only made them for a couple of years before The Motor Company forced them to stop production (seems it looked a little too much like a Sportster) and they have a real cult following.

You might be able to sell it or trade it for parts.


-JP

[the technological J]

please dont kill my (your) bike!!!!! i have put so much work in to her and i took her for a small ride last week.. like around the block... it wasnt in great running shape but theres something just alittle off with the bike and she should run fine... i suspect a clogged carb... jeff and i have put many late hours in on that bike...... dont break my heart kong!!!!!!


 did jeff take my tools outta the saddle bag? they're in a little bag with aarp on the side

[Stev-o]

Just "kill" the seat!

Kong - plz post some pics of the other new bike.