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Motorcycles
Forbe!
Registered User regular
Registered User regular
So, I just got a new job as a fitter/fabricator for an ornamental metals company. I have access to a very large and comprehensive shop, and have been throwing around the idea of getting a motorcycle. I'd like to get a cheap, older motorcycle and turn it into a rat/art bike. Mostly, just something for me to work on during my free time.
I'm good with metal, welding, fabricating etc, but I don't know jack about engine mechanics. I can change oil, plugs, tires, brakes, etc, but besides that I'm lost. Is there any decent site, or reference book out there about motorcycle mechanics?
Before anyone asks, I don't have a license yet, but this project probably wont be for another 3-6 months. I plan on taking an MSF course before getting into it.
I'm good with metal, welding, fabricating etc, but I don't know jack about engine mechanics. I can change oil, plugs, tires, brakes, etc, but besides that I'm lost. Is there any decent site, or reference book out there about motorcycle mechanics?
Before anyone asks, I don't have a license yet, but this project probably wont be for another 3-6 months. I plan on taking an MSF course before getting into it.
Forbe! on
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was of tremendous help when i purchased my first carb motorcycle. Learned a lot from it and i recommend it.
If you're just looking for something to play around with I'd recommend a Honda CB 750 from the 70's or early 80's. They were really popular and in production for a long time so there are both bikes and parts available. Beyond that if you get one that needs some work and fix the thing the resale values are great.
The only other thing I've got to add is that a lot of people prefer some of the old Yamahas because many of them were direct drive instead of a chain and sprocket setup. I've got both types of bikes, I don't honestly see much of a difference
Regardless of what you get check out Clymer Publications for manuals on damn near any old bike.
http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=ntt_athr_dp_sr_1?_encoding=UTF8&sort=relevancerank&search-alias=books&field-author=Clymer%20Publications
As far as resources to learn, your best bet is to buy a bike then find the appropriate online community as they are tons of help. For instance, for the KZs, www.kzrider.com has a very helpful community.
You'll want to get the Clymer for whatever bike you choose, as well as try to get your hands on a Factory Service Manual (FSM). They are much more detailed and are the books the mechanics would go to if they needed to know how to do something.
On the topic of direct-drive (I assume this is a shaft drive?) and chain/sprocket, if you are looking to tinker I would go with the chain and sprocket. It is a simpler system and you can do things like change sprocket sizes to get different performance or looks.
Feel free to PM me if you want more info.
You may be better off getting a newer bike that has the retro aesthetic, but is fuel injected. Because carburettors suck. I'm a mechanic and I hate them. They're not particularly complex, and they're cheap, I just hate having to continually mess around with something like that. Fuel injection works perfectly for years without ever having to touch it, old motorcycle carburettors require adjustment every couple of months or so, and rebuilds every 18 months - 2 years.
Something like this could be an awful lot of fun:
http://www.suzukicycles.com/Product%20Lines/Cycles/Products/TU250X/2011/TU250X.aspx#Features
Or if you've got more cash to splash:
http://www.motoguzzi-us.com/en_US/prodotti/naked/v7_classic/v7_classic/default.aspx
I'm going to have to disagree with you here. The only thing I've ever had to do on a motorcycle carb system is clean them if the bike has sat up a long time.
An old CB or KZ would be an excellent choice and could be had for dirt cheap. If you know how to change oil and plugs your're halfway there. Just pick up the clymer manual for whatever model you decide on and you're gold ponyboy.
I guess this varies from bike to bike. I've got an old Yamaha and the carbs on it have been the bane of my existence.
Also: something to consider is finding a salvage place that sells insurance write-offs. Anything with a fairing that's been dropped is basically an instant write-off, even though the bike may still run and ride. Usually they only require minimal work to get them legally roadworthy again, and you can always streetfighter them to do that on the cheap.
This varies wildly from bike to bike. Something single cylinder with a simple carby would be relatively low-maintenance, yes. But what if the o.p. ends up with a four cylinder bike with quad Mikuni flatslide carbs, they're going to end up spending more time in the garage than on the bike. Just the thought of synchronising and balancing all four carbs makes my eyes water...
I'm just not seeing it. I've got two bikes with 4 carbs and all it takes for me is a screwdriver and a little bit of patience.
Hell, my wife adjusts her own carbs on her CL350.
I'd rather work on Carbs all day than deal with timing and points and cam chains.
Worse case scenario, any decent bike shop can get your carbs dealt with for a pretty reasonable cost.
Also, if anyone wants to buy me that Moto Guzzi V7 Classic, I will love for all eternity.
Please balancing carbs is easy, if you are already tearing down a complete bike to turn into a boardtracker or Rat or bobber you want carbs due to the simplicity of the wiring harness and the fact that you can rejet them. I hate takeing a wiring harness apart and stretching or shortening it out so that it fits to a modified frame or wwingarm.
On a sidenote TAKE THE MSF< DO IT NOW, DO NOT PASS GO> I know you said you would but please take it. Also start saving for good gear, 600-1K will get you all you need. Stripped down bikes are harder on you and your gear then say a full dress touring bike.
I have a big I4 Kawi, and i've never had to synch the carbs, and they stay pretty clean (I winterize the bike religiously). I don't think you're going to spend most of your time in the garage unless you snag one that needs some TLC.
It's so much easier to tear down an air cooled carbed bike though.