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Hello everyone. I'm not really a biker but have some biker related questions. I'm a screenwriter and am working on a piece that features bikes. Well, bikes and monsters. I'd like to do this without making all you folk cringe too much.

So, my main character goes into the story seeking a part for his restored (yet broken) Indian. I feel that if I know about Indian's, they must be overplayed as hell. Do you have any other suggestions for a vintage bike that would really get your attention?

So, the bike is running, then sputters and dies. The main character then pushes it home. I'm thinking that maybe that would mean the fuel pump, but I'm no mechanic.

I have heard stories about parts being taken out of refrigderators to retore classic bikes. That idea sounds way cool to me. Any truth to it? Any interesting stories?

The main character hates japanese bikes. Therefore, he spends most of the screenplay on one. It should be kind of unappealing but semi-believeable doing unbelieveable stunts. I was looking at the Kawasaki KH125. It looks kind of plane.

Of course, his girlfriend will LOVE japanese bikes and she needs to be on a HOT ride. For her, I was looking at either the Honda Interceptor or the Suzuki Hayabusa 1300.

All opinions will be greatfully appreciated. Thanks in advance.

Howdy. I'll take a stab...

Vintage American bike? How about a vintage Henderson?


Vintage British bike? How about an Ariel Square Four?


Possibly a Vincent Black Shadow?


Unappealing Japanese bike that could "pull off" stunts? How about a Honda CB750

or Kawasaki Z1


In fact, take a peek at this page: http://www.motorsm.com/AUS/bikes/Greate ... cycles.htm

"Hot" Japanese bike? Take your pick. Suzuki GSX-R1000, Yamaha YZF-R1, Honda SuperHawk, Kawasaki Ninja ZX-10R. If it's for the screen, I'd pick the "SuperHawk" because, well, an audience will probably identify with "SuperHawk" better than "GSXR-YZF-ZX."

As far as problems...ANYTHING on a vintage bike could be a problem. Heck, on my '79 Yamaha, I replaced the battery cable with one for a lawnmower motor.

Hope this helps.

Oh, excellent choices. Thank you. I love that Henderson.

Maybe I'm wrong here, but I don't think that Vintage and Fuel pump go together. There are plenty of ways to break down though- let us know where you need info and I'm sure we can get creative

Yeah I doubt there would be a fuel pump on a "vintage" bike. Hell my 1987 bike doesn't have a fuel pump! Fuel is drawn in with vacuum pressure on mine. Something more believeable would be a torn fuel line. It would be easy to show that visually with gas leaking out of the line and forming a puddle (when he stops).

Wow- the 85 magna v30 has a fuel pump... must be upsetting that the smaller older guy is more technically advanced.

Well, a little googling found me a parts list for the Excellsior-Henderson. I'll go through that first and see if I can at least form a coherent question. I love the idea of ripping a part out of a refridgerator or air conditioner.

My air conditioner has a line for getting rid of the water from condensation. It's about the same size as my fuel line...

Okay, I've gone over that manual and realize I am not a mechanic...Therefore, no coherent questions. A fuel line from an air conditioner is a cool idea. Anyone have any other ideas? Probably the wilder the better.

Actually, old bikes like that Henderson are so darn simple that there's not much to replace. There's not much more than a motor, two wheels and a seat. You could probably replace the sparkplug wires, fuel line or headlight bulb from refrigerator parts. If your character could weld, he could probably repair the frame with steel from an old plow, or a bicycle. Maybe he'd need to find nuts and bolts to hold together the front end or something. Maybe he could replace the drive chain with a belt from a fridge. Um... I can't think of anything else -- those really old bikes are more like an old tractor than a refrigerator, IMHO.