silvrsurfr
Well-known member
If she's rockin a pair of dentures, she just may be a tad too old.
how old is too old?
- Thread starter nearace
- Start date
El Cockblock
Well-known member
Well, if it's rated as a two horse power vehicle and it's suggested you feed and water 'em, there ya go...
If she's rockin a pair of dentures, she just may be a tad too old.
Gum job?
I want a bike that can be repaired,I had an old atv that was constantly messing up with the carbs and was told when things get old this happens,dont want to buy an old bike and have the same issues.
People were riding 20 YO Goldwings while the new ones were in the shop having the frames re welded.
Yes, There is no way my bikes (the older ones) age 20 to 35 years could possibly be original. Get a reality check man, try taking care of your stuff and it too can look good after 30 years.
1975 Suzuki GT185
My 1980 Suzuki TS100
Included here are
1989 Honda VTR250
1989 Honda CB1
1990 Honda NT650 Hawk GT
1991 Honda VFR750
1984 Honda Cb700SC Nighthawk-S
Some more that are too old and no one should ride (LOL) I would ride any of my bikes anyplace, any time. All are original paint and ride ready.
1984 Honda Nighthawk-S
1989 Honda CB1
1991 Honda VFR750
1997 BMW F650
1991 Kawasaki EL250 Eliminator
1984 Honda VF500F
1984 Honda VT500 Ascot
1987 Honda VF700 Magna
1984 Honda Nighthawk-S
1989 Honda CB1
1991 Honda VFR750
1997 BMW F650
1991 Kawasaki EL250 Eliminator
1984 Honda VF500F
1984 Honda VT500 Ascot
1987 Honda VF700 Magna
Malks
Well-known member
Well I have a '97 ST1100 with 147,000 km on it and I am in no hurry to replace it. Hell, it was 10 years old and had 70,000km on it when I bought it. This bike has run perfectly since I bought it and has only needed a few minor repairs. I have had no problem getting parts for this bike as my local Honda dealer can still order anything I need. If their price is too high, then there are plenty of aftermarket manufacturers who can supply parts as well. If that fails there is always eBay for anything I can't find locally.
When looking for a used bike I would not overlook bikes that are more than 5 or 10 years old. The overall condition of the bike is far more important than its age. In some cases even mileage should not be used to reject a possible purchase because a well-maintained bike with higher mileage may actually be in better condition than a newer bike with low mileage. There is no easy answer to this question, it depends on your impression of the bike, its history and if you feel the price reflects the true value.
Griffin
Well-known member
I have an '87 Honda and it is reliable and easy to maintain. My wife had an '81 KZ550 and it was reliable and easy to maintain and easy to get parts.
You'd think some of you folks had never heard the word "vintage" before. Bar Hodgson is still riding his early '50's Vincent on a daily basis. Older bikes MAY take additional efforts to find parts but it isn't a big deal.
I think newer bikes are likely to be less mechanically challenging most of the time, but it ain't no quarantee.
For me, the biggest appeal of newer bikes is their handling and braking. Other than that, I'd be very happy with a 40 year old Honda or Kawasaki or Moto Guzzi or ...
You'd think some of you folks had never heard the word "vintage" before. Bar Hodgson is still riding his early '50's Vincent on a daily basis. Older bikes MAY take additional efforts to find parts but it isn't a big deal.
I think newer bikes are likely to be less mechanically challenging most of the time, but it ain't no quarantee.
For me, the biggest appeal of newer bikes is their handling and braking. Other than that, I'd be very happy with a 40 year old Honda or Kawasaki or Moto Guzzi or ...
skip
Well-known member
to the OP there really isn't a too old for a bike. Older bikes can take more work to get them back into shape if they have been neglected but really after there are running well its no worse to keep them running then a newer bike. Carbs vs. FI is really the big difference.
I wish I would be able to find/afford a 1948 Vincent Black Shadow. That's my dream bike. My current track bike is 17 years old. It's a pain to find parts for, but it was a pain to find parts for when it was new (damn HRC two smokes).
I wish I would be able to find/afford a 1948 Vincent Black Shadow. That's my dream bike. My current track bike is 17 years old. It's a pain to find parts for, but it was a pain to find parts for when it was new (damn HRC two smokes).
cknowles
Well-known member
Holy cow! I just read your entire build thread. What a beautiful result. It's great that you posted the difficult parts along with your solutions.
You're kidding........ I hope. I use an example of a guy I know with an ST1100 with 650,000km and you're using this an an example of a bike that could not be repaired or maintained. Give me a break and get real.
GateKeeper
Well-known member
Thanks......I tried to do a good job, and also document it for others that might want to do the same, it has actually inspired a few others to give it a shot already...
I actually have about 3500 pictures in total of the whole process, naturally I didn't post them all, most were for me so I had a reference to certain things on how they were and where they went, one does forget, after picking it apart and then months latter trying to put it back together....
Learned a lot, and had a blast doing it, my only wish was I could have powdercoated the items, but unfortunately it's expensive here, so it was a rattle can job.....it should still hold up....
If you have an old Suzuki and want just about anything for it, hit that site..... www.thegsresources.com it's all there
get real ?,whats wrong with my question?I want something reliable and asking on this forum is real,dont answer if you need a break or a get real check.
Take it for what it's worth, it is a WHOLE lot easier working on any of my "Older" bikes than my newer ones. I need a special computer to work on my BMW K1200RS, the 2006 FZ1 is Fuel injected and it's tough to get to anything on it. So much plastic makes working on any of them difficult as well. Working on any of the older bikes is a walk in the park, and figuring out what is wrong with older bikes is also MUCH easier, if you cant figure it out there are thousands of people who have owned those bikes over the years and who know every nut and bolt of that make and model.
I agree.
Newer does not necessarily mean 100% more reliable. Same for cars.
I remember a few years ago a dealer had a new GSXR & a new ZX9 for sale. They were both sold around the same time. At approx 1,500 km's the ZX9 blew a connecting rod out the side of the motor. The bike had not been abused.
This summer the dealer told me of a Kawai 650 R that blue a connecting rod. Also a ZX14 were a guy started it up at home. It made a noise so he phoned the dealer. The dealer said trailer it here. The guy decided to start it again once he loaded it onto the trailer. It blue a connecting rod out the block's side.
These are just ones I know of. I am sure there are many factual stories of other bikes and brands out there. Like the connecting rod bolt? recall on the BMW1000 or the ZX10 rod? Recall in 2010? Or all the charging system problems with recent GSXR600. Or the camchain tensioner that goes bad after approx 20,000 kms on mid 2000 years Honda CBR1000r's (600's also??)
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vdubblues
Well-known member
1989 Honda CB1
Send me a PM if you want to get rid of the CB-1
Griffin
Well-known member
+1.
Newer bikes just have better brakes and maybe better handling. Older bikes easier to work on for sure.
GP_RZ
Well-known member
well I will be turning 90,000km on my 2000 929RR this season 88,XXXkm right now and I still like to hear the rev limiter kick in... got through the honda stator and regulator problems.
