Greetings from Nova Scotia! Complete newb to older bikes (1986 VF500F was my first and oldest) but I've been thinking about some sort of little cafe ride for the past year or two and a couple of candidates have made themselves available, now I just need to decide which I should get, or if I should keep waiting. If anyone else had a choice between a 1979 GS425e or a 1979 XS400 which would you choose and why? They're the same price, same mileage and about the same mechanically, but the XS is definitely cleaner. Looking forward to hearing what everyone's got to say.
Hello all
- Thread starter t-bizzle
- Start date
welcome.
this is a good site and the info is extesive.
for my self i would go with the xs400 there seems to be
lots of prts avalible on the net and on this site. would be
cheaper and easier i think to do a cafe build.
also a good bike for a first one.
any welcome.
later.
this is a good site and the info is extesive.
for my self i would go with the xs400 there seems to be
lots of prts avalible on the net and on this site. would be
cheaper and easier i think to do a cafe build.
also a good bike for a first one.
any welcome.
later.
Thanks for the welcome and the advice, I'm leaning towards the XS400 myself, but I'm hesitating a bit because it'll be springtime in a few months and I feel like the selection of bikes will only go up, but so will the prices. I saw a really nice GS550 go up for sale yesterday, but for quite a bit more than the first two, and a (nearly complete) CB750 went up today for the same price as the GS550. Decisions decisions...
whats up man.
alot of choices, my self if a cb 750 came up and was in as good of shape or better
i would jump on that. but thats just me..
the other picks are as good great looking bikes, i just like the look of the honda.
any way hard choice, so all i can say is good luck. and keep us posted..
later.
alot of choices, my self if a cb 750 came up and was in as good of shape or better
i would jump on that. but thats just me..
the other picks are as good great looking bikes, i just like the look of the honda.
any way hard choice, so all i can say is good luck. and keep us posted..
later.
jason teamshralp
Been Around the Block
I'd got with the honda as well but I'd try find something like a 550 or 350. That's just me I like the smaller bikes, without oil tanks. The make the bike look lighter when you can get away with an empty mid section or some flat side covers. There is also tons of parts and info on every honda model. I dont know if the suzuki has as much of a following as the old hondas. I'me sure you could make a bad bike out of anything but i like the hondas. Your right about the amount of bikes that will start showing up but you have a few months till you start seeing bikes worth $500, going for $2000. wait like a month or so and get something you know you will be into.
Yeah, budget is a key factor, and with the XS400 going for $600 whereas the CB750 and MINT GS550 are $1500 it's a tougher call, I'm just not sure a 400 has enough performance for me and test rides aren't gonna happen in February up here. Note it's not my first bike, and I'm not scared of the CB, but the lighter weight of a smaller bike appeals too... I had to pass up an XS650 for $1600 which is otherwise my dream bike because I felt like it was too much money, but it also had 71,000 km on it... For now I'll just keep waiting, but the money's burning a hole in my pocket and that's always dangerous.
Maritime
Over 10,000 Posts
I am 6' 200 lbs and find the 400 twin I have to be a blast, yes it takes a bit to get to highway speeds but it is still faster than most cars and all SUV's. It is a total blast around town and on back roads. I can even take it 2 up with my wife who is about 160 and 5'9". I would like the Cb750 as well but the twin is cheaper to run, maintain insure and is a blast. I have 0 funds and I am building up a nice little bike. It will now be a 450 because of a blown cylinder in the 400 but from what I read the 450 isn;t that big a jump in power. I have a great little bike that I got for 650, put 3500 KM in 1 month, crapped the engine but got a parts bike with a 450 cc with only 15 K on it for 150 and will be good to go in spring. If you are going ot work on it all your self the Twin is easier, 2 carbs instead of 4, if it ends up needing a top end job it is 2 pistons etc. All depends on your budget and skill level, but I think the smaller bikes are a lot of fun and don't get the credit they deserve. Although I am looking at a bigger bike for my next one for long distance rides. Once I can afford it.
Cheers, Good luck and I bet as long as the bike is in decent shape, it will be fun.
Cheers, Good luck and I bet as long as the bike is in decent shape, it will be fun.
Well I just can't make up my mind, I think I have the two final candidates now though, and I'm glad I waited. There's a '78 CB550 that's basically a basket case, probably beyond my abilities, not to mention the time it would take me fumbling around with everything while I learn. Apparently it ran when put away 2 years ago, didn't smoke, everything worked fine and it'd be $400 but it would definitely need a new tail light, headlight, tires, plus whatever's missing (he thinks it's all there). OR there's an '81 XS650 that apparently is ready to pass inspection as it sits, has new tires, only 29000 km and he's asking $1000. I'm still waiting for pics of the XS650 before I go drive 3 hours to get it. Any opinions from anybody? Pros and cons of each bike would be greatly appreciated. I love the idea of a twin, but the 550 really appeals too...
Flugtechnik
My bike is not transportation, it is a respite
Depends on what you really want. Either can be made into a bitchin cafe. I opted to get one that was running (well, almost running) so I would have something to ride immediately and could make easy mods while I was still riding. I plan on doing another bike, complete frame and motor teardown, but at least I have my current one to ride while I do it.
On the other hand, if you can wait to ride, and you only want to do it one time, and do it right the first time, the basket case is the way to go, if it is the bike you want. Don't worry about your technical capabilities. You will learn along the way and there are lots of ppl here to help. You will be doing everything for the first time at some point, why not get all of your first times out of the way.
On the other hand, if you can wait to ride, and you only want to do it one time, and do it right the first time, the basket case is the way to go, if it is the bike you want. Don't worry about your technical capabilities. You will learn along the way and there are lots of ppl here to help. You will be doing everything for the first time at some point, why not get all of your first times out of the way.
Thanks for the feedback, money's still an issue, and now time is becoming more of one. I'm a full time student and wouldn't have more than a few hours a week to do any wrenching, plus I'll be commuting on the bike when I start my summer job towards the end of April. This means that taking my time to do it right probably isn't an option now and as for money a) I don't have much right now and b) after I buy everything I'd need for the 550 it wouldn't be much cheaper anyways. I think I could get the 550 back together in time, and it would be more along the lines of what I'm looking for (plus a learning experience), for a cheaper price, but it definitely wouldn't be my dream cafe yet. Anyways, I'm still waiting for the xs650 seller to get back to me, he might have it sold before I could go out to get it anyways, but a 750 big bore and rephasing would make for a great project next winter... Getting ahead of myself again. I'll just keep trying to think about my situation realistically.