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Hi all. I am new to the cafe seen and am on the hunt for a project. I love the style and the type of people that go along with it. I grew tired of the sport bike seen and offed my R6 a couple years ago and am wanting to get back into riding. The cafe bug bit me HARD haha. Well after some talking with "the warmachine" (wife) she said go ahead and get a bike. So anytips on what to look for in a bike would be Appreciated BIG time such as what types/years i like the Cbs and the Kzs alot what other models would make good projects? like i said i am a total newb but i want to build one BAD sorry about the ramblings of a newb but i figured what better place to get info/opinions but here. well thanks guys!
welcome, either you have not been married that long or she does not read this. HAHAAH
anyway as to the bike for the start of a project get what you like if you see a model do a little research and make sure they did not make like 5 of them, the next thing to do is see if there are places that sell parts for the bike you are looking at. As old bikes go Honda has the best chance of gettign nos parts from the dealers. Yammie and Kawasaki are next buit they are definately hit or miss. My local Yamaha dealer won't touch a bike that's 10 years old or older. A lot of BS but can't change that. Suzuki is bad to get parts from the dealers but lots of parts and aftermarket parts out there. This is not gospel just what I have experienced. I am newer to the cafe thing myself I chose a yamaha xs650 the most produced japanese bike ever. this means lots of them out there,cheep parts, and lots of people making things for them still. easy and cost effective all around.
Ask questions best thing I can tell you.
If you have some money to spend go british lots of fun and you will learn a lot working on them. triumph has tons of parts but be ready to pay.
thanks for the info. i polly go the honda route more than likely due to what you already said that parts are easier to come buy. i am a Mechanic buy trade so working on the bike itself wont be a big issue. and i do have some fab experience. But def thanks for the info so far. ill be looking forward to anything you all can throw at me!
Schaumberg huh, I am out in Crystal Lake, not all that far if you end up needing any help let me know, I work at a bike shop in Waconda on weekend that works on mostly vintage hondas, so if you need something let me know.
thanks for the info. i polly go the honda route more than likely due to what you already said that parts are easier to come buy. i am a Mechanic buy trade so working on the bike itself wont be a big issue. and i do have some fab experience. But def thanks for the info so far. ill be looking forward to anything you all can throw at me!
haha you mAke a very strong argument kind sir!! il have to look into it ;D
I am looking at a kz400 and the primary use of this bike will be commuting/putting around due to the fact that my car get 12 miles per gallon :-\
So i figured buy the small cc bike first cafe it,beat around on it and then search for a kz1000 do modify the hell out of!
haha you mAke a very strong argument kind sir!! il have to look into it ;D
I am looking at a kz400 and the primary use of this bike will be commuting/putting around due to the fact that my car get 12 miles per gallon :-\
So i figured buy the small cc bike first cafe it,beat around on it and then search for a kz1000 do modify the hell out of!
If your going to go with a 400 twin then I would take a Yamaha Seca 400 over a Kawasaki. The kZ400 is a nice bike,but the Seca is the better,higher performing machine. The Seca 400 was the best 400 twin of it's time. I owned one for nearly five years,great machine and at times I wish I still had it over my wifes Ninja 250 I commute on.
http://www.xsrider.com/bikes/seca400.html
I could literally get on it in the morning and except for food/rest room breaks ride it until dark! I rode the Ninja 250 for 250-260 miles a couple of weeks ago. I was done at 210mi.,was still 40-50 miles from home and the rest of the ride home was just outright painful. :'( That wouldn't have happened on the Seca!
ill deff look into it right now in the middle of move so dont have time/money to invest into bike right now but in the very near future when things level out. but i am DEF gonna get me a scoot
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sorry about the ramblings of a newb but i figured what better place to get info/opinions but here. well thanks guys!
