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Hello all,
So I have basically been drooling over all of your bikes and even some locally that I'm at my breaking point and ready to start a café budget build. I had my teeth sunk into a 1980 CX500 but what seemed to be a sure thing just fell through, now getting no response from the seller nearly two days from purchase. So now sitting here between classes at the old university I decided to spread my wings and ask for some advice/ guidance from you all. The CX was a custom, not exactly what I was looking for (would have rather had a deluxe or a standard).
So here are my options locally (Prices estimated after haggling, all low miles and in get on and go condition):
All of the CXs and the GL500s will be difficult bikes to café. Especially so for a first timer.
The 400 isn't bad, but it's not very forgiving, either.
I'd go with one of the CB750s. The frames are a lot easier to work with and the resale value will be higher.
While the CB750 is easier to make pretty, the CX/GL bikes are very simple to work on; depending on your mechanical aptitude, that's something to consider as well.
Thanks for the replies. Ill have to check into what CB750s are near by.
Rich Ard I second that theory, because my knowledge of bikes is slim to none. But I'm jumping in this head first anyways.
Both 750s are like 4 hours away so that's out. I'm leaning towards the CM400, after taking a second look it, it is posted at $500, and is only an hour away. Lots of room there to work a better deal, and make the budget a bit larger. All of course leaning on the shifty CX500 seller. But we shall see how it goes within the next couple of days. I'm partially stuck on the CX and the GL's ever since I saw how MotoMuccis build turned out. It gave me hope , but finding a deluxe or standard around here is very difficult.
Being a fan of Honda CB's I'd take the drive out and grab a 750.
There are scads of aftermarket parts available for the CB's and resale market is great too.
Whatever you get will provide hours of satisfaction.
FunJimmy it is very tempting. Just the fact that is 4 hours one way And the bike at a grand makes it unreachable after I pay for the gas to get there and the money to rent the trailer. I contacted the CM400 fella, so ill see how that upturned rock looks. I still want to strangle the CX owner for allowing me to almost fully commit, even picked up extra shifts this week between work and school to get the dough together, but hey maybe it's not meant to be...
Of course, I'm gunna go out on a limb here and say grab a Suzuki GS if you can find one. A little harder to find (that includes DTT) but I haven't heard a lot of folks regretting their decision to get a Zook. Plus you could probably haggle the guy for below any of the prices you posted at first.
Biggiesmalls, boy do I know it. I was hooked a thread about a guys GS build. The only issue is what's local. The only one I found was an 1000 on a 1100 frame and it was someone else's project bike that they are selling as is. That thing was torn to shreds in the pictures and that scared me off a bit. Like when I say I have slim to no motorcycle knowledge, I lean more to the side of none.
Update:
The guy that set up Saturday to buy the CX500 told me he sold the bike to someone for $1,200. (Sucker).
But looking on the bright side I contacted the CM400 owner, was informed that his is a 1981, not a 1978 ( wrongly labeled ad). Has had the bike in his family and has rode it personally for 6 years. Long story short, I'm meeting him tomorrow to take a look and Saturday to do the paperwork. We will see how this turns out.
I agree with most of the guys about the 750 but I would also take into consideration your riding level and what you think of the bikes you are looking at as far as turning into a cafe. If you don't like the bike you could potential struggle with wanting to complete a project. Just a thought and good luck!
4 cyl is more expensive then the twin.
more pipes, more carb rebuild kits.
more complicated as well, have to rebuild and sync twice as many carbs as a twin. More valves to adjust.
also the bigger bikes will be heavier, the motor will be a PITA to get back into the frame compared to a smaller bore bike.
But then again, you will have more power, higher acceleration and top speed then the smaller bikes.
the CB750 has a lot more aftermarket support then the other bikes as well.
Good luck man! She looks pretty clean in those photos. When you say little motorcycle knowledge, does that include riding, too? And if so, are you bringing someone with you to test the bike? I would at least let someone take around the block to see how she handles, accelerates, etc. (or do it yourself if you can). I had someone come with me to try out mine, and I'm glad he did because he noticed a couple things the seller "didn't notice." Not to say I wouldn't have noticed them now that I'm riding, but it helped me haggle a little bit.
Biggiesmalls, all I can say is I'm already headed in that direction now. My buddy who is doing a CB650 café build will be the more experienced test driver for tomorrow, or today if we want to be technical since its nearly 3 a.m.
My goal before I finally crash tonight will be to find as much information on the bike as I can. Manuals, diagrams etc. I'm also curious to see the wiring diagrams. I have some former education in Electrical Technology from the trade school I attended so I assume that will help with that part. But first and foremost I need to get comfortable riding her before I get all crazy buying parts and tearing her a part ... all assuming she is the one ...
I'm not going to lie, I'm beyond stoked for this semester to end and really kick off this build full force.
Sounds like you got a good plan dude! Seems like there's a wealth of support and info for the CB's. I feel you on the excitement. Let us know how it all goes. Best of luck!
Sounds like you got a good plan dude! Seems like there's a wealth of support and info for the CB's. I feel you on the excitement. Let us know how it all goes. Best of luck!
The excitement runs deep with this site. Thanks! I'll start a build thread after the completion of this weekend and will be looking for all the help from anyone I can get it from. I'm already having some people I know around me with their crotch rockets, and fresh out of the factory chromed bikes sticking there nose up at me with this bit of passion I have. More motivation to really put all the time I need into this thing.
On another note if someone familiar with this bike would like to layout a simple check sheet of some possible "first things to check once she is in the garage" type of lists I'd very much appreciate that.
Holy shit. The bike runs great, really not much mechanically that needs done other than general bike maintenance like cleaning the carbs, oil change etc. I also realized with my small build I feel very comfortable on the bike, which is a great start.
Stay tuned and check on the build thread soon! Ill start digging into it in a couple weeks and I can't wait to have all the help.
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