I've stumbled across a couple articles saying how easy old motorcycles are to fix, due to the simple design of the things. It got me thinking, if a bike, good condition but not running, could be picked up for ~150-200, with maybe 200-300 in parts and work, a couple hours, would this = profit?

See: http://minneapolis.craigslist.org/mcy/906290989.html

This looks to be in good condition, though it is not running. Yes, I know, looks aren't everything, check for seized engine, blah blah blah. But something like that looks to have a good frame, plastics, ect.

Seriously though, motocycles are small enough that they don't take up much space, they aren't as much of a hassle as a car, they aren't as much work as a car, they aren't as expensive as a car, so why not? Why should I not go out and buy this today?

Because that thing is a fucking shitbox?

I also think it's fucking hilarious that you think "bikes are so easy to work on." You still have to know what you are doing. Lul.

If you want to restore a cheap old bike that will never die look for a 25-30 year old, air-cooled, inline four; something like a sohc cb750 (69-78) or an old gs1000. They aren't particularly hard to work on if you know what you are doing and are pretty hard to kill. The early honda fours are getting fairly collectable these days too, the godfather of all modern sportsbikes.

A GPZ600 or early gsxr750 (the oil/air cooled jobs, pre-93), would be a laugh too.

Or, you could be a fuckwit like me and restore an old British motorcycle, with all the heartache and headaches that go with that territory.

Here's a 1965 BSA A65 Spitfire that I prepared earlier. Not even the engine cases are standard.

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y21/brownbomber/00011.jpg

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y21/brownbomber/00015.jpg

She's a nice old girl. Good for a laugh.

You know? I do know how to work on engines. I've repaired a couple on my own, and a couple of larger ones (See: E430) with a certified mechanic.

So yes, I do know what I'm doing. I'm not saying they're easy to work on like a 2-stroke is, I'm saying they're easy to work on as in you don't need to be a certified mechanic to do.

Wut?

You suggested you could fault-find and repair a non-running bike with almost non-existant spares availability in a few hours, and make a profit doing so.

I'm not saying it'll happen, I'm saying it's possible.

It depends on skill, condition, engine, ect.

Maybe it'll take a couple of hours, and maybe it'll take a couple days, maybe even weeks.

I've never heard someone speak of a "certified mechanic" before.

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y21/brownbomber/00011.jpg
http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y21/brownbomber/00015.jpg

She's a nice old girl. Good for a laugh.

Long time no see mate. I remember talkin bout BSAs, and yours is lookin as schmick as ever. Keep partying hard cunt :). Still don't got a Valiant, even though I kinda could now.

I never had anyone teach me much about engines, but ive read a few manuals.

Since i got my bike, kawasaki ZZR250 (which i picked up for CHEAP, because its got problems) ive had to replace the fuel tap, clutch cable, change a battery and fix the blinkers.
Under the hood of a car, i dont really have much of an idea whats going on - but bikes make sense, simple linear system that you can strip apart and put back together to figure out whats not working properly.

You'll find that its not one thing thats shot on a bike, its alot of things. I say do it, fixing up bikes is fucking fun - but dont expect any kind of cash for it. For the time and effort you'd be going to theres a minimal reward financially - but you would get the joy of self reliance and satisfaction of riding that motorbike.

intravenous are you from the land of oz?

Oh midnight, you and your half baked ideas. Keep it up.

In the US it's a big deal. A mechanic who is ASE (automotive service excellence) certified will always get a job over a mechanic who's not. Working in shops isn't like it used to be, just turning wrenches. The typical grease monkey stereotype is being phased out, no matter what people say or like.

I sure wish all it took to work in a shop was the knowledge of how a motor works. Anymore the speed sensor in your radio could cause your car to be stuck in 2nd gear (yes, it's happened in the shop), which means good diagnostics skills and the understanding of electronics and how the computer systems work is more important than just about anything else anymore. Most of it isn't stuff you can learn in the garage from your pop.

Midnight, the biggest problem I see with that bike is the lack of a title. With a bike that cheap about all you can do is part it out or put knobbies on it and putt around the farm. The engines too small to be used as a rat bike, and going thorough the hassle and cost of applying for another title will offset any profit you were hoping to make.

I'd suggest finding a motorcycle that's got a title and is running but might have a few small problems, whether it be cosmetic or mechanical. It will be easier to find the problem and probably cheaper to repair. It would suck to get that bike home and find out the problem is some obsolete part that you'll never be able to find.

Just looked through other posts, Monkeytown seems to have the right idea.


Just a note- my posts in the next 24 hours are adderall induced and will probably float around more than they should. Ignore me if you want, but I'll still probably make conversation with you even if you're mute :)

In the US it's a big deal. A mechanic who is ASE (automotive service excellence) certified will always get a job over a mechanic who's not. Working in shops isn't like it used to be, just turning wrenches. The typical grease monkey stereotype is being phased out, no matter what people say or like.

I sure wish all it took to work in a shop was the knowledge of how a motor works.
I'm not really sure what you are saying here man. Do you think it's a bad thing that mechanics now know more than they used to, and that it is becoming a properly organised trade in your country, or did I miss your point?

If it only needs a battery and clean gas, that's one thing.
But finding parts for a 25 yr. old bike may be near impossible.

You'd be better off looking for more desirable bikes than a 305 cc cruiser.

I'd try to find a Kawasaki triple or non-running British bike that has way more upside.

That 305cc bike has to be a pig from the get-go.

The Honda CB fours at least had some guts.

The Honda CB fours at least had some guts.

I was actually looking at one of those a couple of days ago, it's for sale only a couple of miles from my house. The problem is that it's in the same condition as the Kawasaki 305 and they want $800 for it

Old triumphs = win.

Also indians

Old triumphs = win.

If you like plunger-style oil pumps that do little but froth up the oil when it gets hot. A BSA of the same vintage has a gear driven oil pump (like the aftermarket Morgo item that you can now get for a Triumph if you want to spend $800), which is total win.

Hooray for tribology.

the zen and art of motorcycle maintenance.