USED BIKE .... How OLD would be reasonable ...

[Mr D]

I bought a 1980 Honda CX 500 Deluxe for $1,000 a couple of weeks ago, here in Alaska thats a steal! Any used bike of 10 years or less is selling for thousands, Alaska is mostly Harley country, I'm not sold on Harleys just yet.

Anyway the only part thats almost nonexistent new is the CDI box, there is an aftermarket conversion available though, parts for it new and mostly used are all over Ebay and I have been buying whatever I can get cheap like a pair of coils, water pump seal, a gasket set and a rebuilt stator which I do need to replace.

This Honda was revolutionary in its day and has quite a following with discussion groups and tips and tricks on how to diagnose and repair everything on it. It was new with its electric only start, water cooled and a driveshaft, mine also has the Vetter Vindicator II fairing.

I am a mechanic and I have no problems with working on it a little and almost everything is affordable, I can get most parts for $20 or so including parts like the final drive, shipping though costs are usually higher.

Its my first bike and is perfect to learn on for me. I cannot say if or when I will upgrade it depends on the economy, I almost fell into some weird rapture and was about to actually sign my name to a brand new Yamaha V-Star Tourer with fuel injection but I faced reality with a big let down and told myself it was too much too soon. But here in this state it will double its worth with minimal expense on my part.

Bigger and newer?

maybe next year...

[NYGiantsGuy]

My dad still tools around with his '92 Desmoquattro. Maintenance and parts are a little pricey but if "vintage" is what you're going for, it's worth it to have a classic machine purring underneath you.

Where are you at? Most decent sized towns probably have specialty mechanics for whatever brand.