So a couple of weeks ago, I see my neighbor cleaning out his garage and sorting all the 'junk' out in his driveway. I'm pretty friendly with all my neighbors so I walk up to him and ask if he's having a garage sale...just joking around.
Among the pile of old chairs, roadbikes, crappy furniture and misc. computer parts, I see a red motorcycle that looks like it's straight from RoboCop. It isn't all that impressive to look at, in fact, it's pretty ugly.
I jokingly ask if he's trying to sell it, and he says, "Sure. Make me an offer". I say I don't know, give me a price...and he tell's me $50!
I obviously agree. He has a title, the bike has under 4k miles, it's in decent shape and it RUNS!!!
It's a 1984 Honda VT500 Ascot, not the most desirable bike, but hell, it runs. It needs a couple of new parts like starter switch, new front tire, battery and probably more. I'm prepared to restore it, but I rather not because I know I want to make it into a cafe racer style bike. Would love to save money and do it right, the first time.
I have a couple of questions to ask....actually a lot. I've worked on cars, but never a bike (currently drive a MKV GTI). I have a lot to catch up to.
1. Honda VT500 is Driveshaft driven, does that mean I need to get a rear wheel for a driveshaft?? (not chain driven) Can I just take off the sprocket and put the driveshaft mechanism on it?
2. Can you suggest a good source to get parts? I need to replace the seat, bars and mirrors.
3. This bike hasn't run in 2 years and probably has bad gas, what should I do to maintain in? It idles fine, but hesitates when you rev it.
4. As pictured, can I use that smaller battery? It was originally used on a CB200 OR 250
5. I want to get fatter tires, The fronts is 3.50S18 and rear is 4.25S18....what tires do you suggest? Size?
Among the pile of old chairs, roadbikes, crappy furniture and misc. computer parts, I see a red motorcycle that looks like it's straight from RoboCop. It isn't all that impressive to look at, in fact, it's pretty ugly.
I jokingly ask if he's trying to sell it, and he says, "Sure. Make me an offer". I say I don't know, give me a price...and he tell's me $50!
I obviously agree. He has a title, the bike has under 4k miles, it's in decent shape and it RUNS!!!
It's a 1984 Honda VT500 Ascot, not the most desirable bike, but hell, it runs. It needs a couple of new parts like starter switch, new front tire, battery and probably more. I'm prepared to restore it, but I rather not because I know I want to make it into a cafe racer style bike. Would love to save money and do it right, the first time.
I have a couple of questions to ask....actually a lot. I've worked on cars, but never a bike (currently drive a MKV GTI). I have a lot to catch up to.
1. Honda VT500 is Driveshaft driven, does that mean I need to get a rear wheel for a driveshaft?? (not chain driven) Can I just take off the sprocket and put the driveshaft mechanism on it?
2. Can you suggest a good source to get parts? I need to replace the seat, bars and mirrors.
3. This bike hasn't run in 2 years and probably has bad gas, what should I do to maintain in? It idles fine, but hesitates when you rev it.
4. As pictured, can I use that smaller battery? It was originally used on a CB200 OR 250
5. I want to get fatter tires, The fronts is 3.50S18 and rear is 4.25S18....what tires do you suggest? Size?