New long term strip - mod project. Opinions?

H

honeybadger

Active Member
Not sure if this is the right subsection, but if it isn't, I'm sure it'll get towed appropriately (and sorry in advance ;D )


A local craigslist guy has a bunch of old, beat up 2 stroke bikes (thumpers) for $50, and I was thinking about picking one up. None of them are complete, they're missing some things like carbs and the like. And all of them have stuck engines (I know this means a full engine rebuild, and the transmission while I'm at it)


I've never rebuilt a stuck engine before, but I'd imagine a 2 stroke would certainly be an easier place to start without any poppet valves or elaborate gubbins.


The goal would be a stripped down bike for my girlfriend, and I'd be doing it as cheaply as possible, but starting from the ground up (which I've never done with a bike, though I have done lots of hot rods from the frame up) kind of worries me, parts wise. It seems like it could get expensive, fast. I can do minor fabrication (as you've seen with my 125 dishwasher) and I'd be totally okay trying things like completely different carbs from original.


No real timeframe for completion, just a "tinker" bike while I finish up my cb125 cafe project. I'd like to build the whole bike for about $500.


How do-able are these barn finds? here are a few, I think he has a few more


y20 (50cc 2smoke)
http://seattle.craigslist.org/see/mcy/2459091680.html


L2 125 (125 2smoke)


http://seattle.craigslist.org/see/mcy/2459084303.html


And the one I'm most interested in (suzuki s32.) Would the twin cylinder factor make this much more difficult? 2 strokes are pretty damn simple, though I've -never- worked on one's internals. Mostly just unsticking it, new pistons and a honing, new reed valves, crank bearings, points, etc?


http://seattle.craigslist.org/see/mcy/2459119607.
 
Wow, $500 for a freezed up two stroker street bike is being optimistic.

That being said, if you are only looking at a 50cc why not just get a scooter. Something like a Puch or Sachs.

A friend just picked up a 110 kit for his Sachs for under $200. This does not happen in the motorcycle industry.
 
Where would most of the money be? I wouldn't be dropping $100 on a cafe seat or power coating the frame, or adding rearsets or the like. I'd mostly be dumpster diving and just experimenting.


And mopeds are awesome as well, but even shitty ones here go for unbelievably high amounts of money (big moped army following in seattle. a non running puch maxi will go for 600.) The point of one of these would be low initial investment. I could theoretically spend over the $500 mark, but I'd be going very, very slowly with this one, and it'd be fun to buy something I don't care about to just rip into mercilessly.


I think the question I'm more asking (having pretty much convinced myself) is which of those three should I pick up? ;D for $50, even if it winds up being scrap metal, It's no big loss.


Which one will have the most easily found parts, what things should I really look for when I go look at 'em, etc?
 
If you can afford them and have room to store them, buy both! These are collector items, they won't eat or drink so will be cheap to keep. Let them gain a bit more value!
 
I'd like to only get one, if possible. I'm liking that y20 more and more, as it has a carb with it and only really seems to be missing speedo, headlight, and tank. Hunting down a header seems to be a real pain in the ass (it was the case with my 125)
 
I guess that I am more of a realist as the bikes are going for $50 each for a reason. No titles, frozen engines,
missing parts left and right.

When you have some great little bikes availible up there:

$500 with title, make her a little motar.
http://seattle.craigslist.org/see/mcy/2464659920.html

Another gorgeous honda with Title.
http://seattle.craigslist.org/kit/mcy/2463677789.html

These are fun, and again WITH title.
http://seattle.craigslist.org/tac/mcy/2458589380.html





As for the Y20, do you know if he has the gas tank for it? If not it looks like they go for an easy $70.

How hard is t to get titles for bikes in WA? Registation tickets aren't cheap here in WI.

Have you sourced a piston kit yet?

With either of the bikes you are looking at they have not been taken care of and you will be the one punished for that.
 
I know this probably isnt the place. But those links caught my eye. I am in Salt Lake City, Utah and getting rid of my 74 Yamaha DT125. Its in fantastic shape but could use a carb clean/tune. It doesn't idle smoothly, but everything else is great. Instead of spending $500 on a non running bike, buy mine for $750, clean title in hand :) . 9933 or so miles on the clock. (this varies since I am still riding it up to the grocery store for milk.)


http://www.ksl.com/index.php?nid=218&ad=16096201&cat=&lpid=&search=DT125


8389562.jpg
 
NO TITLE. That's usually a job stopper in most states. Two strokes are simple but that doesn't mean they are cheap or easy to get parts for.

My personal favorites are CB160/175/200s. Not a lot of power but a gazillion of them made and lots of parts are still available. A small dual sport like say a DT125/175 would also make a great starter bike. Good riding position and enough street cred.
 
VonYinzer said:
Ya, you'll end up spending a mint to piece together a nice SAFE bike for your girl. Not to mention having to get a title.

Here ya go:

http://seattle.craigslist.org/see/mcy/2458513823.html

Hell if I was closer, Id buy that for my wife right now.
Click to expand...

Holy crap! If you know what's good for you you'll buy that Cub that Mike (Von Yinzer) posted. That would be THE perfect bike for your wife. Plus they are rapidly becoming extremely collectable and valuable. That is a a steal... I don't see them for less than 900-1000 out here.
 
And to chime in on those two bikes youre looking at.... I wouldn't buy either. Youre looking at two giant headaches. Number one finding parts for a somewhat unusual bike (nowhere near as many made as a CB, GS, GT, RD etc. built.), number two, anything without a title is as good useless man. No title = whistle blower.

I've picked up a GT380 in near mint shape, for 700 bucks, two different CB175's for 700 a piece. Seen buddies buy CB350's and 360's for less than 700... And were talking all inspected, near mint bikes. Just take your time, you will find something great for a great price, but like I said, I'd buy that Cub Mike posted ASAP.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

DTT Light or Dark

  • DTT Light
    • www.jadusmotorcycleparts.com
    www.lostapostle.ca/
    www.sparckmoto.com

    Spread the Love

    Back
    Top Bottom