Bike Suggestions

[simplespirit]

My wife and I both currently have (new) Bonnevilles for general daily use. Since I have a very reliable bike I'd now like to get something older I can play around with mechanically. I have no formal training, but I do my own maintenance and mods on vehicles and our Bonnies. Short - I'm very mechanically inclined.

On the other side of that, I have no experience with carbs but would be looking at carbed bikes. What would you guys suggest as a good first carbed bike I can fix/mod? I'm not a brand snob and would prefer something a little more unique than the typical CB. I was also leaning towards a thumper but a twin isn't out of the question.

Thanks!

 

[killian101]

personally, stick with the Bonnies...carb'd bonnies are super easy to work on. I had very little mechanical no how when i got mine...save working on VW's. But, with the manual and a lot help from the folks at triumphrat.net, i got through; removing the airbox, rejetting the stock carbs (even resetting the TPS), valve clearance and replacements, CR II installation and rejetting.

 

[Scruffy]

Do you want kind of modern with a cdi ignition, or traditional points?

I'd be looking at XS twins, Suzuki LS650/S40 (652cc single), XT/SR Yamaha, ancient (right side chain) CA/CB/CL Honda... Or if you really want to tinker, 1960s British, single or twin doesn't matter, both can drive you bug house.

NC? You need a Savage/S40, we have a Dragon Run every spring with modified ones, and the Dragon crew is meeting up at my place this September...

 

[simplespirit]

If I did stick to a Triumph, it'd be a 60s or 70s bike. Prices on used Hinckleys are way too high around here, which is why my wife and I both bought new. I have 2012 base in black and she has one of the 200ish 2013 special/limited versions.

Thanks Scruffy. I was looking at the Savage/S40 earlier in the week. Prices are ok and there seems to be a growing after market. I'd love an older XT/SR but they seem to be pretty rare around here and are already heavily modded with the price to match.

Re: the Dragon - still need to do it on my Bonnie. I rode it last fall on modded a Sportster 1200 Custom a month in to riding and on my learners.

 

[killian101]

speaking of the Savage/S40, check out ryca Motors.

 

[Scruffy]

My 1998 LS650P Savage that gets a whopping 36 mpg between the modifications, the oversized jets (155 main, 55 pilot) and me at 6'2" 235#...

The attachments belong to Savage forum members...

They'll drive you almost at buggy as an old Brit bike.

 

[tybalt_214]

What's the source on the brown 650 scruffy?

 

[Scruffy]

What do you mean source? The Blue Collar Bobbers kit on top or the brown number 6 with the off road tires (not sure where he sourced the parts).

If you mean the forum... http://suzukisavage.com/cgi-bin/YaBB.pl

 

[tybalt_214]

Yea, just looking for a link to the forum post. Thanks man!

 

[Scruffy]

Sure thing... you own a Savage? I've been on the Savage forums since Feb or Mar of 1998... the current forum is the new one, came out around 2001 or so... look for WD (Wanton Destruction), I'm kinda the Savage forum's resident grump...

 

[Tim]

Something with one or two carbs max. Syncing 4 carbs is a pain in the ass and rebuilding them is 4x the cost of a single.

Pick up an old LS650 engine and a Voodoo Vintage frame