Good deal?

Message

black mariah · Tue Jun 20, 2006 8:00 pm

I'm looking for something I can turn into a cafe racer. I ran across this on craigslist earlier. Seems like the right displacement for a n00b, and is definitely the style of bike I need. The only question I have is... how hard are heads to come by?

I'm ready to put a lot of work into this project, but want to make sure I have a good base to start with.

Any opinions?

http://dallas.craigslist.org/mcy/173647596.html

DivideOverflow · Wed Jun 21, 2006 1:09 am

You will have problems finding parts for that bike, and it will cost you more to fix it than to just find a suitable bike that is working.

I got my 79 KZ650 for around $600 in perfect working condition, for example.

flynrider · #3 Unread post by **flynrider** » Wed Jun 21, 2006 1:06 pm

What Divide said. That bike is not a first bike, it's a parts bike. It's got a cracked head and hasn't run in 24 yrs. There are probably not enough usable parts on it to call it "parts bike".

black mariah · Wed Jun 21, 2006 1:43 pm

Keep in mind I'm not looking for something to ride right now. I'm looking for something to base a project on. A junkheap is just as good as a streetworthy bike to me, since it's going to get worked over anyway.

That said, the cracked head is scaring me off of this one. I emailed the seller but have got no response. Screw it. Back to the searching...

flynrider · #5 Unread post by **flynrider** » Wed Jun 21, 2006 2:40 pm

There are much better junkheaps you could start with. After 24 yrs., it's not unusual for a bikes engine to be frozen solid from corrosion. At that point, the number of usable internal engine parts begins to drop quickly.

For $200, you could get a midsize 70s UJM that was running in the last 5 yrs. and has the engine intact. You'll still have to go through it, but the parts headache won't be so bad.

Kal · #6 Unread post by **Kal** » Wed Jun 21, 2006 3:00 pm

Okay, I have in the back garden at the moment

A CG125 project thats for sale when I get it sorted, a CZ125 that is also for sale when I get it sorted, a CB250N for my daily ride when I get it sorted and a CB400 frame and engine that is the basis of a chop project I've had in mind for oh about 5 years now.

Some time after I have cleared out the backyard, and hopefully made some of the money I've spent back I have to put together my partners CM125c

All this is after I have gotten the Beetle on the road this month. Projects have a way of stacking up.

My advice if you want to put together a bike to your specifications is to find a running example of the Bike closest to what you want to do so that you only have to do work to modify it to what you want.

There is always mre work involved in a project than you think there is, so make it easy on yourself.

* I forgot, this winter I am supposed to be stripping the CX down, replacing the wings, installing new rear indicators with wiring, installing a car batttery in the rear box and getting it resprayed. shouldn't take more than a weekend and £150. Honest.