What size engine do I need?

[slimcolo]

jstark47

Huh? 500cc Scouts were last made in the early 1940's. You're deciding what an engine can do based on WWII-era technology?

I was just using this to make a point that a 500 might be to small for a 300# guy that will probably be riding 2 up. The scout jr. was also really low geared, and the technology was about 15 years before WWII

The 741 (military version of the Scout Jr 500cc) was produced till 45 or 46. I think last civilian was in 41 maybee 42.

[carrielu]

Thanks for all of the responses....I think you are right that about letting him pick out his own bike but I can't do that because if I gave him the money He would make me spend it on the kids...and that is just the kind of guy he is and that is why he is about to be 40 and never has owned a bike

but in my defense, I have one of his friends (who is a harley man hehe) going with me and helping me choose the right one for him. He seems to think a 500 anything is just to small for him but it was only $1000 so I was all excited but now I am looking at bigger bikes so we will see

and I was thinking that he could learn on this one then get his perfect bike after he breaks this one up

[jonnythan]

Thanks for all of the responses....I think you are right that about letting him pick out his own bike but I can't do that because if I gave him the money He would make me spend it on the kids...and that is just the kind of guy he is and that is why he is about to be 40 and never has owned a bike

but in my defense, I have one of his friends (who is a harley man hehe) going with me and helping me choose the right one for him. He seems to think a 500 anything is just to small for him but it was only $1000 so I was all excited but now I am looking at bigger bikes so we will see

and I was thinking that he could learn on this one then get his perfect bike after he breaks this one up

I think buying him a bike is a great way to go.

You should sign him up for an MSF class. Don't let him ride it without professional instruction. Learning from friends (even extremely experienced friends who are great riders) is very dangerous, as is self-learning.

[storysunfolding]

I wouldn't go over 800cc for a first cruiser. Furthermore, Harley guys aren't too familiar with smaller bikes. The smaller guys like the vulcan 500, the virago 535 etc will more than do the job here. Also have a look at the suzuki maurader/intruder/volusia 800, the honda shadow 750s, and other metric bikes of those sizes. They are all dependable and wonderful machines

If your buddy only knows harleys, make sure to research the model that you're going to see. The bikes you are going to see will have vastly different idiosyncrasies than the harleys he's familiar with.


As for japanese bikes not lasting that long, that's the biggest bunch of bull I've heard recently. Sounds like someone's trying to justify spending $20k on dated technology.

[slimcolo]

As for japanese bikes not lasting that long, that's the biggest bunch of bull I've heard recently. Sounds like someone's trying to justify spending $20k on dated technology.

I have a 1935 and a 1949 Harley (300K+) My riding partner rides a 41 (200K+)and a 39 Indian all these bikes have lasted since new and still run and are still ridden. The 35 HD and 39 Indian do not have speedos so no mileage known.

SHOW ME A japanese BIKE THAT OLD THAT IS STILL ON THE ROAD!!!

Better yet just show any foreign bike (except BMW) from even the 50s that is still ridden.

[jonnythan]

As for japanese bikes not lasting that long, that's the biggest bunch of bull I've heard recently. Sounds like someone's trying to justify spending $20k on dated technology.

I have a 1935 and a 1949 Harley (300K+) My riding partner rides a 41 (200K+)and a 39 Indian all these bikes have lasted since new and still run and are still ridden. The 35 HD and 39 Indian do not have speedos so no mileage known.

SHOW ME A japanese BIKE THAT OLD THAT IS STILL ON THE ROAD!!!

Better yet just show any foreign bike (except BMW) from even the 50s that is still ridden.

Man, your motorcycle biases are bordering on racism.

Get your head out of your butt. Most unbiased motorcycle experts agree that Japanese bikes are *at least* as reliable as Harleys. Most people seem to find them significantly more reliable. Regardless of your experiences with 60+ year old bikes, modern Honda motorcycles are about as unreliable as.... modern Honda automobiles.

[storysunfolding]

I have a 1935 and a 1949 Harley (300K+) My riding partner rides a 41 (200K+)and a 39 Indian all these bikes have lasted since new and still run and are still ridden. The 35 HD and 39 Indian do not have speedos so no mileage known.

SHOW ME A japanese BIKE THAT OLD THAT IS STILL ON THE ROAD!!!

Honda was the first of the big four to start making motorcycle in 1948 so you'd be hard pressed to find a japanese motorcycle as old as your harley which started making motorcycles in 1903. However, my father has a 1948 dream that my grandfather brought back from Japan. It still runs like a champ.

Of course over the years bearings and seals have had to be replaced as I'm sure was the case with your bikes as well.

Granted, honda didn't start offering a bike in the U.S. until 1959 so that probably makes it hard for people to produce a motorcycle to meet your challenge.

The fact I find most impressive is that 25 years after being founded they became the largest producer of motorcycles in the world and have held that title ever since. Maybe they are just better at pulling the wool over people's eyes but in my mind that alone says something about their quality.

[slimcolo]

To me reliability has two parts
1) the dependability of the bike it self
2) the ability to find parts over the lifespan of the bike (aprox 30yrs)

The parts for older japanese bikes are almost non existant. Older HD parts are only from aftermarket sources. Most manufactures view anything over 10 yrs old as obsolete. (the Government req. for stocking replacement parts) BMW seems to be the only one that has parts for older bikes. With the complex systems and electronics on modern bikes parts problems will become greater as these bikes age. In 20 years ,when a module burns out will you be able to buy a replacement? Right now I can get aftermarket parts for HD and INdian going back to the 20s but I cannot get most parts for my 83 Honda! (after 6mo I found a brake cable on E-bay)

[jonnythan]

To me reliability has two parts
1) the dependability of the bike it self
2) the ability to find parts over the lifespan of the bike (aprox 30yrs)

The parts for older japanese bikes are almost non existant. Older HD parts are only from aftermarket sources. Most manufactures view anything over 10 yrs old as obsolete. (the Government req. for stocking replacement parts) BMW seems to be the only one that has parts for older bikes. With the complex systems and electronics on modern bikes parts problems will become greater as these bikes age. In 20 years ,when a module burns out will you be able to buy a replacement? Right now I can get aftermarket parts for HD and INdian going back to the 20s but I cannot get most parts for my 83 Honda! (after 6mo I found a brake cable on E-bay)

I've got a 21 year old Japanese bike (Yamaha) and I can order OEM Yamaha parts from any of a dozen websites or any of 3 Yamaha stores in my area. Plug wires, coil packs, ignitions, instruments, air boxes, driveshafts, clutches, brakes, rotors, wheels, controls, tranny gears, gaskets, etc. No problem.

Head over to ViragoTech.com and see dozens of people with 25 year old Yamahas who also have no problem finding replacement parts for their Yamahas.

The situation appears to be similar with Honda. Just for giggles, I looked up at least 4 different 1983 Honda models at MrCycles.com and they appear to have virtually every part available, along with digital versions of the Honda schematics and updated part numbers for obsoleted parts.

This discounts the large volume of used parts that are relatively easy to find on eBay and similar sites.

So, to answer your question, yes, replacement parts are easy to find on 20-30 year old Japanese motorcycles. If you're having trouble finding replacement parts for your 1983 Honda, send me a PM. I'll help you find what you're looking for. It's not that hard. I see a variety of 1983 Honda brake lines here for $40 or so. I'm not really sure what a brake cable is, but I'm sure they have those too.

[TorontoBoy]

Getting back on topic, an '83 Honda Shadow 500is a great bike. It's 410lbs and should be a good beginner bike for your 300lb husband. Because it's a shaft drive v-twin (great sound) there's no chain to worry about, just change the gear oil every 5 years. The bike has 50BHP and should be plenty fast on the highway, but will not have the cruising capability of a larger bike. Red line at 9,500rpm. Gas mileage is about 60mpg (summer), lower in the winter. Parts are plentiful on eBay, because the bike was made from '82-'86. Many parts are shared with other Honda bikes, so there should be few problems with parts.

There is a forum for the Honda 500 Shadow and the very similar Honda 500 Ascot at http://autos.groups.yahoo.com/group/asc ... thusiasts/ Members on this forum are rabid Ascot/Shadow devotees.

"According to the August 1983 Cycle World, 0-60 time was 5.3 seconds. 1/4 mile stats were 13.64 seconds at 93.65 MPH. Measure top speed in 1/2 mile was 104 MPH."

The only issue I have with the bike is there are few accessories available, so adding huge amounts of chrome is difficult. The bike has a very low seat height, so if your husband is tall some highway pegs might be a good idea. The bike is so darn reliable I don't need to fix much on it. Change the oil once in a while and add gas. It is 24 years old, and stuff will need fixing, so buy the Clymer's manual. and happy riding.