Happy freaking Bike Day!

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Kibagari · #1 Unread post by **Kibagari** » Sun Mar 02, 2008 6:42 am

So we went to pick up my bike today (sooo excited). There's not a lot wrong with it, the clutch lever is broken and it hasn't been run since '79... but after a week or so at the dealership, it should be ready to ride!

Best part: look at the mileage

falcon93 · #2 Unread post by **falcon93** » Sun Mar 02, 2008 7:07 am

Congrats and enjoy the "new" ride.

Brackstone · Sun Mar 02, 2008 8:50 am

Why is the red zone for the RPMs between 9 and 11k but then goes away at 12?

If you get it past 11k RPM do you like travel forward in time or something?

Nice bike btw.

Johnj · #4 Unread post by **Johnj** » Sun Mar 02, 2008 9:49 am

Nice find. I'm surprised the dealer would work on it. They won't work on anything over ten years old around here.

Kibagari · #5 Unread post by **Kibagari** » Sun Mar 02, 2008 10:22 am

Brackstone wrote:Why is the red zone for the RPMs between 9 and 11k but then goes away at 12?

If you get it past 11k RPM do you like travel forward in time or something?

Nice bike btw.

Wow, I just realized that. Y'know, that would be awesome! I didn't get a bike, I got a time machine! and for 750 dollars! YES!
"When this baby reaches eighty-eight miles per hour...we're going to see some serious "poo poo"."

And that's surprising, John. You'd think that they have the most expertise with that specific make so they'd have the knowledge handy to be able to work on an older model. I mean, after all- a Honda dealer sells and works on Hondas, right? If they'd been open for 20 years, then they should have the old 20 year old bike info around the shop.

Is it all the dealers out there, or just one?

jstark47 · #6 Unread post by **jstark47** » Sun Mar 02, 2008 12:21 pm

Generally dealers won't work on really old bikes, even if it's a brand they sell. Some parts are no longer available through "official" channels, manuals aren't available, they don't have standard shop rates for the work, etc, etc. Usually bikes that old are do-it-yourself, or find an indy shop.

Johnj · #7 Unread post by **Johnj** » Sun Mar 02, 2008 12:35 pm

It does depend on the dealer. The guy at the Shawnee Motorcycle plaza said they won't work on anything over 10 years old, even if they sold it.

flynrider · Mon Mar 03, 2008 11:07 am

jstark47 wrote:Generally dealers won't work on really old bikes, even if it's a brand they sell. Some parts are no longer available through "official" channels, manuals aren't available, they don't have standard shop rates for the work, etc, etc. Usually bikes that old are do-it-yourself, or find an indy shop.

That's what they say, because the real reason might insult potential customers.

What often used to happen was this :

Newb buys an ancient bike for a few hundred dollars that has been sitting in a garage for 25 yrs. (and has the myriad of problems that go with that). Newb drops off the bike at the shop and tells 'em to make it run like new, not realizing that fully rehabbing a garage queen pretty much involves tearing it down, replacing a lot of parts, then putting it back together. This involves a large amount of labor, which at most shops is going for $75-$100 an hour these days. When the bike is finished the new owner is shocked to owe a couple of thousand dollars on their bargain bike. They abandon the bike and the shop eats the cost.

Basically, it doesn't take a whole lot of shop time to exceed the value of an old bike. Bike shops got tired of dealing with abandoned bikes with big bills due. Every parts bike I ever bought was abandoned at a bike shop (no title makes it parts bike).

About the only way to economically rehab an old bike that has been sitting for decades is to do the work yourself. An independent shop may take on the job, but hopefully they'll be up front on the costs.

Kibagari · #9 Unread post by **Kibagari** » Mon Mar 03, 2008 11:38 am

True, but the beauty of this bike is that it's been in a heated garage every day of its life since the last day it was run. It was dropped once, at 5-10 mph on gravel. The dents/scratches on the tank are from people bumping into the bike with other items.
It's in amazingly good condition for its age. All it's going to need is the basics: battery, tires, clutch lever, cleaning the carbs, etc. Even the shop (a dealer, Motorsports International in Auburn, MA) was amazed at its condition. They're charging 79 an hour. Now let's just hope it doesn't take too long. >_>

jstark47 · #10 Unread post by **jstark47** » Mon Mar 03, 2008 3:45 pm

Kibagari wrote: It's in amazingly good condition for its age. All it's going to need is the basics: battery, tires, clutch lever, cleaning the carbs, etc.

.....brake lines...... all engine gaskets....... brake pads & shoes..... maybe brake master cylinder..... fork seals..... basically anything made of rubber. Not trying to rain on your parade, dude. CB360's are cool. But it's a 32+ year old bike that hasn't run in 29 years. Sounds definitely restorable, but do it right, don't skimp on your safety.