Discussion
Hi
I’m wanting to learn how to work on my bikes better as well as get a better understanding of them mechanically, so was looking to buy a cheap sports bike that I could maybe turn into a project/track bike.
Just curious as to what your suggestions would be as to what would be good to work/learn with?
Thanks
Alex
I’m wanting to learn how to work on my bikes better as well as get a better understanding of them mechanically, so was looking to buy a cheap sports bike that I could maybe turn into a project/track bike.
Just curious as to what your suggestions would be as to what would be good to work/learn with?
Thanks
Alex
Whatever you end up with I have a few pointers gained from (bitter) experience.
Buy something that runs in the first place, that way you don't spend forever trying to work out what took it off the road in the fist place and what the previous owner has done to it.
Get something reasonably popular, I have a 1985 GPZ600R and it's a pain to get parts for, my BMW K100 the same age is really easy. A bit of research before buying is worth it.
Don't underestimate how much it's possible to spend on cosmetics, they're usually the most expensive part of any build.
Don't buy a bike in boxes unless you're sure that it's all there, and that you can reasonably put it back together!
Whatever you get make sure you like it, and ideally have something else to use while it's in bits. Being able to walk away is really good sometimes.
Buy something that runs in the first place, that way you don't spend forever trying to work out what took it off the road in the fist place and what the previous owner has done to it.
Get something reasonably popular, I have a 1985 GPZ600R and it's a pain to get parts for, my BMW K100 the same age is really easy. A bit of research before buying is worth it.
Don't underestimate how much it's possible to spend on cosmetics, they're usually the most expensive part of any build.
Don't buy a bike in boxes unless you're sure that it's all there, and that you can reasonably put it back together!
Whatever you get make sure you like it, and ideally have something else to use while it's in bits. Being able to walk away is really good sometimes.
Speed addicted said:
Whatever you end up with I have a few pointers gained from (bitter) experience.
Buy something that runs in the first place, that way you don't spend forever trying to work out what took it off the road in the fist place and what the previous owner has done to it.
Get something reasonably popular, I have a 1985 GPZ600R and it's a pain to get parts for, my BMW K100 the same age is really easy. A bit of research before buying is worth it.
Don't underestimate how much it's possible to spend on cosmetics, they're usually the most expensive part of any build.
Don't buy a bike in boxes unless you're sure that it's all there, and that you can reasonably put it back together!
Whatever you get make sure you like it, and ideally have something else to use while it's in bits. Being able to walk away is really good sometimes.
Cheers for the advice, I have a car and a cbr600rr which I use already l, like you said something I can take part without worrying about getting it back together anytime soon!Buy something that runs in the first place, that way you don't spend forever trying to work out what took it off the road in the fist place and what the previous owner has done to it.
Get something reasonably popular, I have a 1985 GPZ600R and it's a pain to get parts for, my BMW K100 the same age is really easy. A bit of research before buying is worth it.
Don't underestimate how much it's possible to spend on cosmetics, they're usually the most expensive part of any build.
Don't buy a bike in boxes unless you're sure that it's all there, and that you can reasonably put it back together!
Whatever you get make sure you like it, and ideally have something else to use while it's in bits. Being able to walk away is really good sometimes.
I'd buy an off-road single as your first bike to work on. Absolute piece of piss to work on and it'll teach you all the basics.
I have a TTR250 and have been able to rebuild all the brakes and strip the engine down to fit new gaskets to cure an oil leak with basic tools. You'll be able to do stuff like service it without filling your garage with s
t loads of bits just to get to the spark plugs as you would on a sports bike.
If you pick the right bike there will be good forum support (the TTR is a good example), insurance won't cost much, tax is pennies and the bits to fix broken stuff won't cost much.
Mark
I have a TTR250 and have been able to rebuild all the brakes and strip the engine down to fit new gaskets to cure an oil leak with basic tools. You'll be able to do stuff like service it without filling your garage with s
t loads of bits just to get to the spark plugs as you would on a sports bike.If you pick the right bike there will be good forum support (the TTR is a good example), insurance won't cost much, tax is pennies and the bits to fix broken stuff won't cost much.
Mark
If you only want to spend a few hundred quid, I am about to eBay this little CB350.
It's only done 10k miles, but hasn't been used since 1997. Needs carbs stripping and cleaning and a battery, but otherwise is mechanically good.
They steer, stop and handle very nicely, and look quite sharp with the Harris look-a-like frame.
But the chuffing little Superdream engine only puts out 33hp, so they are a bit lacking in the performance department.
Dead easy to work on and can be insured on a classic policy when it's fettled.
It's only done 10k miles, but hasn't been used since 1997. Needs carbs stripping and cleaning and a battery, but otherwise is mechanically good.
They steer, stop and handle very nicely, and look quite sharp with the Harris look-a-like frame.
But the chuffing little Superdream engine only puts out 33hp, so they are a bit lacking in the performance department.
Dead easy to work on and can be insured on a classic policy when it's fettled.
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