The Bikeshite Thread

[Jerzy Woking]

I really like the look of these (now). I recall that the engine in the VX was a bit underpowered, got decent mpg, and was comfortable for all day riding. Mind you, that was in NZ where you stop to take a photo seemingly every mile or so. I must go back one day.

[bangernomics]

Sub £500 shaft drive mot and tax exempt ? Step this way sir I have just the thing.

IMG_6209.JPG

Like

[drivewaymyway]

 

I am having a clear out, the kit isn't new but in good condition. this is a well padded jacket, the sleeves zip off, it is very comfortable but tight fitting.. It is a EU 52 but would be better on a 38 - 40 chest. £30 + post ? Does that sound fair for a quality item ??

[drivewaymyway]

 

 An old Rukka jacket, these are a pretty lose fit, I don't know if it's still water tight.. £30 + post ?

 

 SOLD SOLD SOLD SOLD

[thatsmacar]

As always they are out there, what's your budget? there's not many cheap running bikes sub £500 these days like there used to be.

 

Ideal budget is 2k, but I have to save 2k first.

What I want is a bike with shaft drive as a first choice and belt as second and no wire spoke wheels or shiny bollocks.

I really don't want to go back to chain drive.  I hated the maintenance.  Yep, I'm a lazy git.

 

What has taken my fancy is the Beem F800 bikes with fairing.  Although Kwak did do some nice non ponsy cruisers.

I might just get a crappy thing to get my first NCB back.

[drivewaymyway]

 

 Anyone fancy a light Summer jacket ? Again a very lose fit, Ducati / Shell sponsor item.. Don't know how many of these were released, should be asking loads of money for it but £50 + post ?? Seems fair..

[Jazoli]

Ideal budget is 2k, but I have to save 2k first.

What I want is a bike with shaft drive as a first choice and belt as second and no wire spoke wheels or shiny bollocks.

I really don't want to go back to chain drive. I hated the maintenance. Yep, I'm a lazy git.

 

What has taken my fancy is the Beem F800 bikes with fairing. Although Kwak did do some nice non ponsy cruisers.

I might just get a crappy thing to get my first NCB back.

F800's are in budget and out there, they have a few common issues to watch out for but are good bikes if a bit vanilla, why the insistence on shaft or belt? Do you do a lot of miles? A chain with a scottoiler or similar fitted is fairly maintenance free and opens up so many more bikes for your budget, you could get onto a faired Bandit or FZS1000, or a Versys or V Strom, a VFR800 or Sprint ST1050 if they tickle your fancy.

[twosmoke300]

Elephant rally prep starts . Off to get heated grips and bar muffs. Sure I can’t twist anyone’s arm to come along ?

[Guest Hooli]

 Sure I can’t twist anyone’s arm to come along ?

 

I'm sure you can't tempt me to do that.

[twosmoke300]

Big girls the lot of ya

[Jerzy Woking]

One of those events I said I would like to do one day, but unless there is a nice, warm hotel or B&B within 50 yards of the campsite, then I'll never go.

 

I attended a rally back in 1979, during the summer in Henly on Thames, and stayed one night in a tent. I vowed never to do so ever again.

[bangernomics]

Yamaha townmate stuff, 6v to 12v conversions, anyone have any experience? I have a very reliable old townmate but it’s 6v, lights are dangerous and shit.

 

I’d like something a bit brighter as we end up not using it at night(it sits on the back of the camper) cos we don’t like getting killed.

[brandersnatch]

Elephant rally prep starts . Off to get heated grips and bar muffs. Sure I can’t twist anyone’s arm to come along ?

I used to do the Dragon Rally every year during the eighties. Not any more, too old for winter camping now. Have a great time and wrap up warm.

 

 

One’s too many, ten’s not enough!

[bolognasal spray]

I had the 650 of it - w/ carbs and a kick start. iirc it was on an '04 plate. The only reason it didn't sell more in the UK is because it didn't have a triumph badge on the tank. Pitiful. It was a better bike in every way than the triumph bonnies of the same years. 

 

But the reason I got rid of it was because erm I was never riding it. I was out on my '90s cb500 way more often. So that gives you some idea of how dull a lot of these retro parallel twins are - regardless of where they're made and who by.

[Jerzy Woking]

Borrowed this a couple of times off of a mate.

 

Rode ok but not really my cup of tea,

but was nicely done and sounded great

 

[UltraWomble]

The Honda Sky ( SGX50) is one of the bikes that is likely to be worth some coin in a few years time, but not that blue one that has been painted shit.

That deserves to be killed by fire.

 

Ive got a deathtrap of a NH80 in Preston if you are interested, but is 80cc rather than 50 so you need CBT or licence to ride it.

[Six-cylinder]

The Honda Sky ( SGX50) is one of the bikes that is likely to be worth some coin in a few years time, but not that blue one that has been painted shit.

That deserves to be killed by fire.

 

Ive got a deathtrap of a NH80 in Preston if you are interested, but is 80cc rather than 50 so you need CBT or licence to ride it.

 

I think I had been spoilt with the two field bikes I have, as one was £50 and the other free, I had no idea how much end of life bikes are worth until I talked about this SGX50.

 

cc is not important because the plan is confine it to my own field.

 

My plan is to do my CBT 2019 as I have a 2003 Aprilia Habana 125 that I do want to take on the road and only have a 50cc licence. 

[UltraWomble]

 field bikes 

Ah, then sir should step my way in June 2019 when the MOT on the NH80 is up and it wont stand a cat in hells chance of getting another one. Im already in the process of slowly removing all the plastics (most are buggered anyway) and when its getting lighter useful things like the lamps will be removed and punted on on eBay. The aim is to be left with a (for a short time) road legal taxed, MOT'd and insured bike that looks like it should only be run on a field before the MOT is up.

[drivewaymyway]

F800's are in budget and out there, they have a few common issues to watch out for but are good bikes if a bit vanilla, why the insistence on shaft or belt? Do you do a lot of miles? A chain with a scottoiler or similar fitted is fairly maintenance free and opens up so many more bikes for your budget, you could get onto a faired Bandit or FZS1000, or a Versys or V Strom, a VFR800 or Sprint ST1050 if they tickle your fancy.

 

 ^^^ This, I had a Scot oiler touring version on my Thunderace and didn't need to adjust the chain for 20k miles. I always fitted D.I.D chains though..

[Six-cylinder]

Ah, then sir should step my way in June 2019 when the MOT on the NH80 is up and it wont stand a cat in hells chance of getting another one. Im already in the process of slowly removing all the plastics (most are buggered anyway) and when its getting lighter useful things like the lamps will be removed and punted on on eBay. The aim is to be left with a (for a short time) road legal taxed, MOT'd and insured bike that looks like it should only be run on a field before the MOT is up.

 

Yes I am sure I will still have a need for a field bike in June.

 

My Honda had been great until this year.

 

Have you any pictures of the dismantling process? 

[John F]

Elephant rally prep starts . Off to get heated grips and bar muffs. Sure I can’t twist anyone’s arm to come along ?

 

Hah, that is definitely on my 'to do' list one of these years.

 

Not this year, though, as I will be off skiing.

 

Please take loads of pics!

[gtd2000]

Whilst I was in the Dominican Republic, I saw loads of these things - Chinese rip offs from a seventies or eighties Honda 125. Apparently they're about £2500 new and get good reviews. The Galaxy Z3000:

 

 

IMG_4997.jpg

 

That's a ridiculous price, they cost about £450 in most other markets!

[thatsmacar]

F800's are in budget and out there, they have a few common issues to watch out for but are good bikes if a bit vanilla, why the insistence on shaft or belt? Do you do a lot of miles? A chain with a scottoiler or similar fitted is fairly maintenance free and opens up so many more bikes for your budget, you could get onto a faired Bandit or FZS1000, or a Versys or V Strom, a VFR800 or Sprint ST1050 if they tickle your fancy.

 

It would be my daily and maintenance must be low, hence shaft and belt.  Sure I could go the oily route but I really don't want to.  If I really must go the oily way, then so be it.  I have to be out of options though.

[purplebargeken]

I miss my former bikes:

 

Suzuki GS850G painted Fiat Golden Yellow.

 

1999 Yamaha TRX850 red with silver frame.

 

1997 Pan European in black

 

Kawasaki ZRX1100 in burgundy

 

1980 CX500 in black

 

Sigh.

[purplebargeken]

Wish I'd sampled the experience of a Bandit in whatever cc format.

 

My red Diversion F was okay too.

 

1994 MuZ 301 was woefully fucking awful.

[DodgeRover]

I remember when a rough GS1000G with shaft was £500......

[Jerzy Woking]

Rose tinted specs make me wish I had kept some of the bikes I had in the 70's and 80's, but to be honest, most of them were shit then, and only shite now. Expensive shite at that too (the Goldwing I bought in 1976 had a list price of £1600).

 

Most bikes from the late 90's to date are in my view, pretty much the same in everyday useable performance, although I do like ABS and quickshifters!

[Guest Hooli]

Talking of crap old bikes. I went to Jem's speed shop (yes it's a bit* hipster) in Batley the other day. The cafe is ok if a bit expensive, the bikes for sale actually made me laugh when I saw the prices though.

 

Turbo Maggot for £10k anyone?

[Jazoli]

Lovely day today so dragged the bike from under the sheet its been languishing under since the end of Sept and had a 60 mile blast on it.

 

I'd forgotten how bloody good it is, couldn't get a brew or bacon butty anywhere though

 

 

I really want a louder exhaust as the triple is a bit muted with the standard one, problem is an Akrapovic is £900 I might have to get a cheap Delkevic system for it instead.

[purplebargeken]

WTF is that?? Apart from it being a Yamaha I have no idea what model it is, what year or what engine size. I like it though, bloody hell do I like it.