Advice on choosing a bike

Discussion in 'Motorcycle Technical Discussion' started by Larry Blanchard, Apr 17, 2010.

  1. 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.
     
    Larry Blanchard, Apr 17, 2010
    #1
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  2. Larry Blanchard

    ` Guest

    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....
     
    `, Apr 17, 2010
    #2
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  3. Yeah, like that happens on a regular basis.
     
    The Older Gentleman, Apr 17, 2010
    #3
  4. Larry Blanchard

    ` Guest

    You sure have a pretty mouth...
     
    `, Apr 17, 2010
    #4
  5. 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.
     
    Larry Blanchard, Apr 18, 2010
    #5
  6. 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.
     
    The Older Gentleman, Apr 18, 2010
    #6
  7. Huh? Um, just about every day I take the bike out of town....
     
    The Older Gentleman, Apr 18, 2010
    #7
  8. Larry Blanchard

    ` Guest

    No, you don't. And you ride some Suzuki 250 that only goes about 70
    mph, tops,
    cross town to the orifice.
     
    `, Apr 18, 2010
    #8
  9. 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.
     
    The Older Gentleman, Apr 18, 2010
    #9
  10. Larry Blanchard

    ` Guest

    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.
     
    `, Apr 18, 2010
    #10
  11. Larry Blanchard

    paul c Guest

    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.
     
    paul c, Apr 19, 2010
    #11
  12. I didn't say I go out of town every day.
    Nope. You fail to read properly.
     
    The Older Gentleman, Apr 19, 2010
    #12
  13. Larry Blanchard

    ` Guest

    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.
     
    `, Apr 19, 2010
    #13
  14. Larry Blanchard

    TOG@Toil Guest

    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.
     
    TOG@Toil, Apr 19, 2010
    #14
  15. Larry Blanchard

    ` Guest

    So. You keep a list of all your gay escapades, then?
     
    `, Apr 19, 2010
    #15
  16. Larry Blanchard

    TOG@Toil Guest

    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. :)
     
    TOG@Toil, Apr 19, 2010
    #16
  17. 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 :).
     
    Larry Blanchard, Apr 19, 2010
    #17
  18. Larry Blanchard

    TOG@Toil Guest

    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.
     
    TOG@Toil, Apr 19, 2010
    #18
  19. Larry Blanchard

    ` Guest

    You take yourself *far too seriously*, Blowjob Fairy.
     
    `, Apr 20, 2010
    #19
  20. Larry Blanchard

    tylernt Guest

    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.
     
    tylernt, Apr 20, 2010
    #20
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