Friday, November 8, 2013
Wednesday, November 6, 2013
Something Old, Something New. A Little Bit Of Deja Vu
Cruising through Craigslist, I see an ad for a "1989 Honda Quad Racer" for a good price. Hmm okay Honda never made a Quad Racer. The pics showed a TRX250R.
These ATVs were legendary. They were Honda's response to the Suzuki LT250R of 1985 and were released in 1986. The TRXs were heavier, oddly enough. Honda did not use employ the extensive use of aluminum like Suzuki. Honda sure did know how to build them - they out performed the Suzuki in nearly all categories. Having ridden both, I can say that the only thing I like better about the Honda is the brakes. They rock 6 pistons (4 in the front, 2 in the back) as opposed to Suzuki's 3 (2 in front, 1 in the back). Other than that, I didn't notice a big difference.
.jpg)
It's close to stock - Lonestar A Arm Kit, DG bumpers, Renthal Bars & an FMF exhaust.
I bought it because it was cheap. Perhaps I can make a few bucks on it.
Remember that CBR900RR I sold a couple summers ago? I bought it back. My friend happened to see it for sale on a Facebook group for selling stuff in MA. He contacted the seller, who was the guy I had sold it to, and he offered to drop it off at my house for a very good price. How can you beat it?
Right after the seller left, I gave it a quick detail. I polished all the fairings and the fuel tank. Applied multiple coats of wax all over, including the frame. The finish on this bike hasn't been this smooth since summer of '94.
It's mostly stock minus a steering stabilizer, Yoshimura exhaust and a Targa solo cowl.
What's it need? Small things. One carb float, front blinkers (and the rear flush mounts lit on fire), one fairing has a crack, some fairing hardware is missing, windscreen has a small crack and the clear coat on top of the tank.
The plan? Not be a dope and sell it again. I'll hang onto this one for a long time.
Until next time.
See you on the road!
These ATVs were legendary. They were Honda's response to the Suzuki LT250R of 1985 and were released in 1986. The TRXs were heavier, oddly enough. Honda did not use employ the extensive use of aluminum like Suzuki. Honda sure did know how to build them - they out performed the Suzuki in nearly all categories. Having ridden both, I can say that the only thing I like better about the Honda is the brakes. They rock 6 pistons (4 in the front, 2 in the back) as opposed to Suzuki's 3 (2 in front, 1 in the back). Other than that, I didn't notice a big difference.
It's close to stock - Lonestar A Arm Kit, DG bumpers, Renthal Bars & an FMF exhaust.
I bought it because it was cheap. Perhaps I can make a few bucks on it.
Remember that CBR900RR I sold a couple summers ago? I bought it back. My friend happened to see it for sale on a Facebook group for selling stuff in MA. He contacted the seller, who was the guy I had sold it to, and he offered to drop it off at my house for a very good price. How can you beat it?
Right after the seller left, I gave it a quick detail. I polished all the fairings and the fuel tank. Applied multiple coats of wax all over, including the frame. The finish on this bike hasn't been this smooth since summer of '94.
It's mostly stock minus a steering stabilizer, Yoshimura exhaust and a Targa solo cowl.
What's it need? Small things. One carb float, front blinkers (and the rear flush mounts lit on fire), one fairing has a crack, some fairing hardware is missing, windscreen has a small crack and the clear coat on top of the tank.
The plan? Not be a dope and sell it again. I'll hang onto this one for a long time.
Until next time.
See you on the road!
Monday, October 28, 2013
Finder's Fee Paid! Look inside
I am looking for the following items.
1. 1991- 1992 Kawasaki ZX7 fairings. I would prefer they be in the original blue/green/white but at this point I don't mind having them painted. Preferably no cracks or bad repairs.
& because everybody loves pictures, here is what I am needing:
2. 1993 Kawasaki ZX7 fuel tank. Mine is dented and of course it was a one year only paint job. Looking for original paint only. Picture for reference:
3. 1989-1990 Kawasaki ZX7 H1/H2 Model. I would prefer the green/white/blue but I would take the black/gray version as well. They are exceedingly difficult to find and I've missed out on 5 this past year. A picture for your pleasure:
Leave a comment if you come across any of this stuff!!
1. 1991- 1992 Kawasaki ZX7 fairings. I would prefer they be in the original blue/green/white but at this point I don't mind having them painted. Preferably no cracks or bad repairs.
& because everybody loves pictures, here is what I am needing:
2. 1993 Kawasaki ZX7 fuel tank. Mine is dented and of course it was a one year only paint job. Looking for original paint only. Picture for reference:
3. 1989-1990 Kawasaki ZX7 H1/H2 Model. I would prefer the green/white/blue but I would take the black/gray version as well. They are exceedingly difficult to find and I've missed out on 5 this past year. A picture for your pleasure:
Leave a comment if you come across any of this stuff!!
Wednesday, October 16, 2013
Last time I wrote I was messing with the LT500. Well one thing led to another and I ended up ordering new reeds, new head gasket and an all new power valve set up. Waiting on parts to finally put it back together. Slowly but surely.
In other news, I'm selling both my LT250Rs. I have no use for them and since I sold my truck, no way to transport them. Too bad, they were really fun.
Unfortunately the dope selling that nice CBR900RR sold it before I could acquire it. Oh well.
Not many acquisitions on the motorcycle front except a 1999 Suzuki GSX1300R Hayabusa.
Saw the ad on Albany Craig's List. Sparse description, bad pictures. Figured it was worth a text message. Owner told me the bike has 16,000 some odd miles on it and it was his son's who passed away and just wants to get rid of it. Clean title, hasn't been run in some time. They took it to a shop who got it running then told them it needs "$1,500 worth of work" and hasn't been on the road in a couple years. Didn't know much of anything other than this.
Hm. I figured it was worth the risk.
Grabbed my co-worker's TDI and trailer and hit the road to Coxsackie, New York.
Bike was far better than I expected. Didn't have dumb mods like an extended swing arm or a 240 rear tire or chrome everything. It was a clean, well kept bike. The guy who owned it put a Power Commander on it, a nice Yoshi exhaust, smoked screen and clear lights. For extra parts I was given all the original light assemblies, a spare headlamp and the original rear seat.
It's a pretty large bike but very maneuverable.
Tires are in decent shape as is the chain. It does need a fuel pump though. It's dead. Tested for voltage at the plug and it's there but the pump has had it. Research shows that the early bikes have a fair amount of issues with them.
Frankly, the bike scares me. I have no intention on riding it. Perhaps I will clean it up and hang onto it as clean original unrestricted Hayabusas are increasingly difficult to find. Or sell it on. I am unsure yet.
Until next time
See you on the road.
In other news, I'm selling both my LT250Rs. I have no use for them and since I sold my truck, no way to transport them. Too bad, they were really fun.
Unfortunately the dope selling that nice CBR900RR sold it before I could acquire it. Oh well.
Not many acquisitions on the motorcycle front except a 1999 Suzuki GSX1300R Hayabusa.
Saw the ad on Albany Craig's List. Sparse description, bad pictures. Figured it was worth a text message. Owner told me the bike has 16,000 some odd miles on it and it was his son's who passed away and just wants to get rid of it. Clean title, hasn't been run in some time. They took it to a shop who got it running then told them it needs "$1,500 worth of work" and hasn't been on the road in a couple years. Didn't know much of anything other than this.
Hm. I figured it was worth the risk.
Grabbed my co-worker's TDI and trailer and hit the road to Coxsackie, New York.
Bike was far better than I expected. Didn't have dumb mods like an extended swing arm or a 240 rear tire or chrome everything. It was a clean, well kept bike. The guy who owned it put a Power Commander on it, a nice Yoshi exhaust, smoked screen and clear lights. For extra parts I was given all the original light assemblies, a spare headlamp and the original rear seat.
It's a pretty large bike but very maneuverable.
Tires are in decent shape as is the chain. It does need a fuel pump though. It's dead. Tested for voltage at the plug and it's there but the pump has had it. Research shows that the early bikes have a fair amount of issues with them.
Frankly, the bike scares me. I have no intention on riding it. Perhaps I will clean it up and hang onto it as clean original unrestricted Hayabusas are increasingly difficult to find. Or sell it on. I am unsure yet.
Until next time
See you on the road.
Sunday, September 15, 2013
Happenings.
Just a couple updates.
I sold that beautiful little Bandit 400 on eBay a few weeks ago. The guys over at raresportbikesforsale.com even featured it! http://raresportbikesforsale.com/bandit-at-4-oclock-1992-suzuki-bandit-400-in-massachusetts/
Ignore the dopey comments. :)
I've also decided to part out that FZR600 I bought too.
Then I started messing with the LT500R I have.
After a lot of kicking and soar feet, I got it started. But it would only run with the choke on. Hmmm. So I noticed the side of the engine is leaking oil!
You can see it where the gasket seals and all over the frame and engine mount.
So today I pulled the motor out. Removing the motor consisted of the removal of 8 or so 12mm bolts and nuts and the swing arm pivot bolt. A piece of cake really.
Then I pulled the head off. Words cannot describe the horror.
As you can see, the person who put the top end together was a large fan of silicone/RTV gasket material.
The good news is the piston is a very fresh Wiseco unit that is 2.5mm oversize!
The bad news is the powervalve is missing pieces. I have ordered them and hope to have all the components to put it back together this weekend.
Oh, remember the time I sold that CBR900RR and I still regret it? Another one has popped up for a very very good price.
An original 1993 model too. We'll see what happens ;)
I sold that beautiful little Bandit 400 on eBay a few weeks ago. The guys over at raresportbikesforsale.com even featured it! http://raresportbikesforsale.com/bandit-at-4-oclock-1992-suzuki-bandit-400-in-massachusetts/
Ignore the dopey comments. :)
Then I started messing with the LT500R I have.
After a lot of kicking and soar feet, I got it started. But it would only run with the choke on. Hmmm. So I noticed the side of the engine is leaking oil!
You can see it where the gasket seals and all over the frame and engine mount.
So today I pulled the motor out. Removing the motor consisted of the removal of 8 or so 12mm bolts and nuts and the swing arm pivot bolt. A piece of cake really.
Then I pulled the head off. Words cannot describe the horror.
As you can see, the person who put the top end together was a large fan of silicone/RTV gasket material.
The good news is the piston is a very fresh Wiseco unit that is 2.5mm oversize!
The bad news is the powervalve is missing pieces. I have ordered them and hope to have all the components to put it back together this weekend.
Oh, remember the time I sold that CBR900RR and I still regret it? Another one has popped up for a very very good price.
An original 1993 model too. We'll see what happens ;)
Wednesday, August 21, 2013
A rare bike.
Cruising through Craigslist, I can across this rare bird.
Interesting bike. 1987 Yamaha FZ700 PureSports.
1987 was a funny year. The government imposed tariffs on bikes over 700cc's. Probably to help the failing Harley Davidson company pick up sales. This increased the price on 750cc class bikes.
Yamah was the only company to really remedy this by making the FZ700 just 697cc's thus keeping MSRP down by avoiding the import tariffs.
After 1987, the tariff was lifted and Yamaha came back with the FZ750.
The one being offered here appears to be a very clean, original example. It sports the original exhaust and rear fender as well as original blinkers and reflectors. The only thing I would change is remove the tank pad. But to each his own.
The seller wants just north of $1,000. I wish I had space for it!
Interesting bike. 1987 Yamaha FZ700 PureSports.
1987 was a funny year. The government imposed tariffs on bikes over 700cc's. Probably to help the failing Harley Davidson company pick up sales. This increased the price on 750cc class bikes.
Yamah was the only company to really remedy this by making the FZ700 just 697cc's thus keeping MSRP down by avoiding the import tariffs.
After 1987, the tariff was lifted and Yamaha came back with the FZ750.
The one being offered here appears to be a very clean, original example. It sports the original exhaust and rear fender as well as original blinkers and reflectors. The only thing I would change is remove the tank pad. But to each his own.
The seller wants just north of $1,000. I wish I had space for it!
Tuesday, August 20, 2013
It's been a while.
So since I've last seen you all, I've picked up two more bikes and sold one.
First, I picked up a very clean 1992 Suzuki Bandit 400. These little guys were only sold in the USA for 3 model years, 1991-1993 and sported a trellis frame and a 400cc 4 pot mill based on the GSX-R400's power plant.
The 1993 Models were slightly detuned from previous years, down to 53hp from previous years 59hp.
Slight story behind this one, the owner had passed away a few years ago and his family tucked it away in the garage for 4 years. The mother then moved away and the daughter was left with the house, she was moving to FL and needed to clear house. She listed the bike for $1,100 but wrote the worst thing a seller can write in an ad: Need to sell ASAP.
I made a cheeky offer and she took it. So I went and picked it up. I was blown away at how clean it was. In 21 years, it has done just 7,000 miles. It is all there, even the reflectors and original rear fender! A rare find indeed.
The previous owner modded it by adding a Kerker slip on & a Targa front fairing.
After a routine carburetor cleaning of the cute little Mikuni BST32s, it runs and rides good as new.
Next is another LT250R. Oops.
Fresh top end, totally stock except for an FMF exhaust, even has the e-brake cable still in place. Previous owner said it takes 10 kicks to start.
I can start it in 3 or 4. I enjoy stupid people, they sell things for very cheap.
Finally a 1993 FZR600. Not sure what I'm going to do with this one.
It's missing the windscreen and seats. But other than that, it is very complete. Previous owner put a new clutch in it and then broke a bolt on the clutch basket. Have to fix that and get it running.
Until next time, later!
First, I picked up a very clean 1992 Suzuki Bandit 400. These little guys were only sold in the USA for 3 model years, 1991-1993 and sported a trellis frame and a 400cc 4 pot mill based on the GSX-R400's power plant.
The 1993 Models were slightly detuned from previous years, down to 53hp from previous years 59hp.
Slight story behind this one, the owner had passed away a few years ago and his family tucked it away in the garage for 4 years. The mother then moved away and the daughter was left with the house, she was moving to FL and needed to clear house. She listed the bike for $1,100 but wrote the worst thing a seller can write in an ad: Need to sell ASAP.
I made a cheeky offer and she took it. So I went and picked it up. I was blown away at how clean it was. In 21 years, it has done just 7,000 miles. It is all there, even the reflectors and original rear fender! A rare find indeed.
The previous owner modded it by adding a Kerker slip on & a Targa front fairing.
After a routine carburetor cleaning of the cute little Mikuni BST32s, it runs and rides good as new.
Next is another LT250R. Oops.
Fresh top end, totally stock except for an FMF exhaust, even has the e-brake cable still in place. Previous owner said it takes 10 kicks to start.
I can start it in 3 or 4. I enjoy stupid people, they sell things for very cheap.
Finally a 1993 FZR600. Not sure what I'm going to do with this one.
It's missing the windscreen and seats. But other than that, it is very complete. Previous owner put a new clutch in it and then broke a bolt on the clutch basket. Have to fix that and get it running.
Until next time, later!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)