Hello From Grand Rapids, MI

[Laughter13]

Have been looking around this site for about 6 months now. Been reading a ton of forums, watching as many videos as possible and looking at tons of bikes. Last summer i started looking at buying my first bike and had no idea what i wanted. Eventually, i fell in love with the idea of finding a 70's style bike and making it my own by creating a one-of-a-kind cafe racer.

My first idea was to find a "basket case" and do the work myself to restore it to a reliable commuter and save a bunch on gas... im sure now that too many people have the concept that restoring a bike is easy and less expensive than reality. Now that i have a base understanding of what it will take and what i want, I am in the market for a bike that runs, and perferrably runs well, is rust free, and has no major problems to speak of. Trying to spend around $1,500 for a CB350 to CB550, and i have another $500 to install clubmans and rearsets right off the bat.
Let me know if this sounds rediculous... I am the definition of a newb to the biker scene, but i am working hard to learn as much as possible.

My biggest interest right now is to see where people think is the best place to find a good bike, and what are the biggest things to repair first (should i skip the bars and sets and do somthing else to ensure a more reliable bike? ).

Thanks for any input you guys can throw!

 

[bigpadg]

Hello and welcome, Laughter. I got my current CB350 off eBay from Michigan, in fact. The economy being so depressed there (Don't mean to preach to the choir!) makes for lots of great deals (read steals) on old bikes. Your $1500 figure should net you a machine in very nice condition. The first thing you want to look for, IMHO, is a bike with a sound rolling chassis. Check major components (swingarm, steering head, fork tubes, wheels, etc) for obvious bends, breaks, bearing/bushing slop, severe corrosion, etc. Again, at your price point the machine should be running even if not in an optimum state of tune. Learning to tweak all the pieces and systems with a little TLC is part of the "appeal" of the older bikes - a fact you'll learn to accept, even ultimately embrace. When replacing faulty parts, do your homework and get better, stronger NOS items where possible. Though far from comprehensive, hopefully these few recommendations will serve you well... oh, and exhaust this forum for all its useful instruction and insight!! Good luck on finding a great "candidate" for conversion. ;D

 

[KYL3]

Welcome man ! Glad to have another Michigan member ! I'm shoveling my driveway the 2rd time in 24 hours, how's it up there?

As bigpadg said 1500 will get you a very nice bike. I've seen a few on here almost completed cafe's for less than that. At that price, the bike should be ready to ride in my opinion, needing nothing. I know it does seem like a hassle starting with something rough, vs buying something in better shape, but I think its worth it. You'll learn how to work on it, and in the end have something that you made vs bought. Chances are even with a 40 year old bike in amazing shape, stuff will break and need to be replaced. Plus its half the fun trying to keep it running . I might be crazy, but I'd go with something rough that needs some work. Not a complete basket case, but find something for around 300-500 that doesn't need a whole lot. Check craigslist, here, ebay. Just gotta keep looking

As for 500 for rearsets and clubmans, wayyyyyy too much ! My clubmans were 25 and took an hour to install. I dont have rearsets, but I think I've seen them around 130-150? So should give you some more budget to work with

 

[bigpadg]

Kyle's on the right track; spend more money on refining and defining your ride after you get it at a bargain. These Motobits rear-sets are about $200 and trump Raasks or Tarozzis, imo.


http://www.dotheton.com/forum/index.php?topic=19169.0

 

[Laughter13]

Thanks for the input guys!!! I just keep going back and forth between buying a running bike that needs a little work and spending a little more and getting something i know is running with no major problems. I am a former carpenter turned desk jocky, so i have a good sense and tons of tools, but no mechanical experience other than oil changes and minor work. Guess i am a little nervous attempting a carburator rebuild, messing with the break system/master cylinder, or crazy electrical problems. I do have some electrical experience installing custom car stereo's in a former life, but nothing as extensive as installing a completely new wiring harness.


So long story short, do you guys feel that someone with good mechanical sense, but not much hands on experience, can handle tearing into a bike that needs some pretty serious work?

 

[bigpadg]

"Pretty serious work" shouldn't include carb rebuilds, IMHO. "Serious work" - for me (and I'm no certified motorcycle mechanic, rather a weekend wannabe) - only includes engine top- or bottom-end. Carbs are easy if you go about them methodically and thoroughly; often, no new parts are even necessary. The appropriate service manual is invaluable as are forums all over the internet with specific info for any job you consider undertaking. You'll surprise yourself with what you really can do when you want to, and breathing new life into a unique motorcycle of your own creation is all the impetus you need. Go for it! We're here when you need us! ;D

 

[Reinhard]

You should be able to find a nice 550 for way less than your target price range. Whatever you pay plan on spending more than you'd think. Once you get going it's easy to want more and more. Tank. Seat. Bars. Mirrors. etc it adds up quick but I can typically take a $500 bike, invest $1500 and come out with a pretty sweet ride. Most the of costs tend to be labor and I try and do as much as I can myself. Welcome to the site and be sure to check out the $50 Mod thread