Advice on choosing a bike

Some of you may remember that I wrote in about a stubborn carb problem
with my 1978 SR500 thumper. Well, I finally solved that problem by
reinstalling the stock carb, with a little rejetting to keep it from
running too lean with the K&N filter that replaced the stock airbox.

I just sold the Suzuki twin I bought out of desperation so I'd have
something to ride while trying to fix the Yamaha, Now I'm seriously
thinking of selling the SR and getting something else.

I've owned the SR for 26 years and sort of hate to part with it, but
parts are getting hard to find and expensive. For example, I had to
replace the alternator (The SR had an early days electronic ignition.)
about 12 years ago and Yamaha wanted (IIRC) over $500 for a new one. I
finally found one in a junkyard for $100 that worked. Now, Bike Bandit
wants over $1300 for a new one and I suspect finding a good used one
would be iffy. As a retiree on a budget I can't afford that.

So I'm looking for a good old single or twin "standard" with no frills
that I can get for $2000 or less. Of course the Yamaha XT500 springs to
mind, but I'd like to see some other ideas. I don't mind downsizing to 1
350 or 400 and I wouldn't even rule out a 250 in a pinch.

I did see a Honda XL350 on the local Craigslist, but I've heard some bad
things about that particular bike. And I'd really prefer a street bike.

So I'm asking - what do you folks think would be a good old bike for me?
Any ideas will be appreciated. Thanks.

 

If you have $2000 cash to buy a motorcycle, why look at old relics
from the 1980's? At least get into the 1990's.

I would buy a first year Suzuki SV-650 V-twin, the one with the round
tube frame and carburetors. The SV-650 has separate detachable
cylinders, so if the rings wear out, you can replace them easily, or
replace the cylinder if it's scored.

The SV650 has standard high mount handlebars that are fairly wide, so
it's considered to be a standard motorcycle.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Suzuki_SV650

April 17, 2010 Kelly Blue Book prices for 1999 SV-650

http://www.kbb.com/motorcycle/trade-in/1999/suzuki/sv650/79104

Trade-In Value (Good Condition) $1500

http://www.kbb.com/motorcycle/retail/1999/suzuki/sv650/79104

Retail 2240

The major problem the SV650 has for me is the seat height is too tall
at 31.9 inches, but there are aftermarket suspension links called "dog
bones" which can be installed to lower the rear end of the motorcycle
about 1.5 inches.

Then there is the cheap front fork which has damper rods with fixed
drilled orifices to damp suspension rebound.

The problem with damper rod forks is that replacing the original thin
fork oil with a
heavier weight oil to increase rebound damping has a nasty effect of
increasing
compression damping and making the ride harsh over sharp edged bumps.

There are multiple solutions to the cheap front fork problem.

SV650 enthusiasts agree that what you're getting with the SV is the V-
twin motor and aluminum frame and 17-inch wheels that accept modern
radial tires.

It's a real hassle nowadays finding *any* decent tires in 18 or 19-
inch sizes.

Almost every premium tire comes in 17-inch sizes.

Some owners will replace the front fork with one from a GSXR-750, or
they will use a Honda CBR600 fork which has cartridge dampers inside.

But, for those sporty riders who don't race their SV650, the best
modification is the Racetech Gold Valve Emulator kit that allows use
of a heavier fork oil. There is an adjustable spring-loaded blowoff
valve that releases excess pressure when the compression damping
reaches a certain level.

There's an even more advanced emulator kit called "Intiminator" which
has even more advanced valving to relieve unwanted pressure from fork
compression but not from heavy braking.

I'm starting to get myself all excited about buying an SV-650 again,
so I'll have to stop before I start searching the online ads again....

 

Yeah, like that happens on a regular basis.

 

You sure have a pretty mouth...

 

Well, both you and Mark seem to have a different definition of "standard"
than I do. My idea of a standard has a flat seat I can move around on
and doesn't have a gas tank that looks like a camel. My SR fits my
definition of a standard. See:

<http://www.yamaha-motor.co.uk/designcafe/en/about/classics/?
Component=tcm:71-245574&PageTitle=SR500:%20Model%20Evolution>

So that's one reason I'm looking for an old bike. They don't make them
the way I like them any more. As far as I can tell, somewhere in the
'80s the pseudo racer and cruiser styles took over anything under 100cc.
The other reason is that I'm involved with a vintage bike club.

But I do appreciate the responses. Thanks.

 

I owned an SR and will own one again - immense fun, despite being basic,
slow, rather vibratory and occasionally awkward to start.

But it's a design that's more than 30 years old, FFS.

There are plenty of bikes out there that will deliver what you want. Of
course, if you want a kick-start 90mph single, then the list narrows
somewhat.

 

Huh? Um, just about every day I take the bike out of town....

 

No, you don't. And you ride some Suzuki 250 that only goes about 70
mph, tops,
cross town to the orifice.

 

What part of "out of town" eludes you? The GN is my city commuter hack
and shopping trolley. I venture further afield, I don't ride it.

You fail. Again.

 

You don't have *time* to put in 8 hours at the orifice and then ride
"out of town" everyday. You're on the computer 16 hours a day,
masterdebating with strangers.

You *lie*. As usual.

 

Mark Olson wrote:
....

I don't try to look at a bike when I'm on it, too busy watching the
road, but probably some people have better eyes than I. Usually, I
don't even look at the whole thing when I'm not on it except for
inspection such as for cracks or rust, just some small part or other. I
don't know why so many people talk about looks, the sv650 seems like a
very modern and capable for road use and efficient and economical bike
to me, something Honda seems to have veered away from in the last twenty
years.

 

I didn't say I go out of town every day.

Nope. You fail to read properly.

 

You make mountains out of molehills, continuously.

Just address the OP's message, state your opinion and then do the
world a favor by shutting the **** up.

 

Ah. You've re-read the thread and realised you've screwed up. Again.

Already done.

Somebody didn't get a visit from the Blowjob Fairy this morning. I can
tell.

 

So. You keep a list of all your gay escapades, then?

 

Toooo predictable.

So far you've psted some ludicrous technical advice, managed to
misinterpret a posting, realised you'd got it wrong and gone down the
"Just reply to the OP" route, and are now indulging your gay
fantasies.

I'm expecting under-age Mexicans to have an honourable mention, any
time now. Or your imaginary ancestors.

 

Thanks to all for their responses. I've done a bit of looking on my own
and discussed things with the vintage club members. While a final
decision awaits some hands on time, I'm leaning strongly towards an old
Honda CB350. Why?

1. Has an electric start, but still keeps the kick start.

2. No electronic ignition - plain old points and condensor.

3. No fuel injection - simple carbs.

4. Flat seat I can move around on.

5. Over 300,000 were sold - more if other models using the same engine
are included - so parts are plentiful and there appear to be companies
still making after market add ons.

Now I'm sure I'll get lots of comments on how reliable modern electronic
ignitions, batteries, fuel injection, etc. are. And I agree. But when
they break, I have to take the bike to a mechanic. Carbs and points I
can fix myself. Usually .

Once again, thanks for the inputs. If anyone has reservations about the
CB350 (other than not a lot of power) I'd appreciate their inputs. Also
if there's another bike I'm missing that matches the list I gave above -
except the numbers sold of course.

P.S. One of the club members is the local Triumph/Guzzi/Enfield dealer,
so I'm still dreaming about the new Enfield even though it doesn't meet
my criteria - who says I have to be logical .

 

I think the real problem is that you're looking at a bike that is
getting on for four decades old, and really nice ones will be few and
far between. Most will be tired and will require a lot of maintenance.
Some parts will be worn out, others will be damaged, corroded or just
missing.

Secondly, while engine and service items are pretty easy to source and
cheap, some things aren't. Tinware, genuine exhausts, trim, etc.

Thirdly, if you could get a near-new condition CB350, it might be a
valid choice, but they're getting very expensive now. In Europe, the
classic racing guys snap them up. I dunno about the other side of the
Pond.

Fourthly, while I have modern bikes, I also steward, restore and
generally faff with Jap classics of this era. Old bikes require more
maintenance, not less. In fact maintenance of 1970s Jap metal is
pretty much a continuous process, rather than a "once every 6,000
miles" event.

If you want a nice classic for high days and holidays, fine. If you
want a practical day to day bike you can enjoy and ride wwithout
spending too much time on it, you're making a bad call.

Consider maybe a mid-1980s Honda 450cc twin. Kawsaki's EX500 twin -
fabulous little bike, with soul. Or better still, any of the late
1980s-early 1990s crop of Japanese big singles. Kawasaki 650 Tengai or
stock KLR650, Suzuki DR650, Honda's Dominator, and especially Yamaha's
evergreen XT600 series. These will all rip the socks off an old CB350,
be infinitely easier to live with, probaby cheaper to run, and they're
just fabulous fun bikes to ride. Downside is that some are a bit tall.

 

You take yourself *far too seriously*, Blowjob Fairy.

 

So I'm looking for a good old single or twin "standard" with no frills

Whoa, this sounds just like my story. My '81 Yamaha XS400 was getting
a little long in the tooth and parts were starting to dry up, so I got
a lightly used Ninja 500. I took the lower fairing off to make it look
less "sporty" and it's the perfect bike for me for the same reasons
Mark cited -- plentiful and cheap parts, and an upright riding
position (plus of course, a low acquisition price). Since the OP is
looking for a "standard", is of course possible to "streetfighter" a
Ninja, i.e. delete the fairing(s). If the camel gas tank is a
dealbreaker, buy a Kawasaki Vulcan 500 LTD (or the older version, the
454 LTD) which shares basically the same engine retuned a bit for more
midrange torque. I really like this motor -- it's a fair bit more
refined than my Yamaha paint shaker thanks to a counter-balancer,
though admittedly it's a lot more high-strung. I do miss having a
kickstarter, though I suppose I could always push start if it really
came down to it.

The older GS500 is also a little more "standard" styled as it lacks a
front fairing. It was on the shortlist when I was bike shopping in
case the Ninja 500 didn't pan out. Plus the GS500 is aircooled if
that's your thing.