Bikeguide.org - Bike maintenance for BMX'ers
The Street => The Lounge => Topic started by: Aesop Rock on April 07, 2015, 04:20:12 PM
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So, my shit got hit last week and I'm hating life waiting for insurance to come through. Not sure if it's a total loss or not, but based on the fact that it's 40 years old and was a two year bike I'm guessing that they're gonna write it off. Now my next big decision to make is what to get next. I keep going back and forth between these two.
(http://i220.photobucket.com/albums/dd167/shopson1984/Ducati/DSC_0151.jpg)[/URL]
or
(http://www.raptorsandrockets.com/images/Harley-Davidson/XL1200R_07-194.jpg)
Radically different bikes, each with their own pros and cons. Thoughts gents? Also, lolz
http://hipsterbikevideos.com/
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Ducati all the way, especially if you buy used. If you don't like it you can make your money back easily.
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Out of those two Ducati. I wouldn't even consider a fricking Harley. But obviously depends what you want to do with it. If I lived in the US I would want a 400-700cc Dual Sport, the idea of exploring huge areas of off-road wilderness sounds amazing to me.
In the UK its different, we dont have any significant off-road opportunities like that and the bike test itself is a huge hassle. I have been riding on a very restricted licence for the last 2 years which limits me to a 125, about to do the full test which consists of:-
1. CBT, one (soon to be two) day of training to make sure you can ride, this lets you ride a 125 with L plates.
2. Theory test (50 multiple choice questions), followed by video hazard perception test. (about $50) (booked for next week)
3. Module 1 Test. Carried out on a closed practice ground. (about $30 for the actual test, but you typically need a couple of days practice and bike rental so about another $400-$600)
4. Module 2 Test. Carried out on public streets. (about $120 for the test itself but as above for practice and bike so another $400-600)
Likely to be well over $1000 all in...
All this is even though I have been driving a car for 20 plus years...
:(
G.
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http://hipsterbikevideos.com/
Did you get a feature on there yet? ha :P
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I currently have several sportsters sitting in my garage and actually just sold a 2011 monster 1100 on Monday. For everyday riding i'd pick the sportster every time, its less finicky, starts every time and was significantly more comfortable. Though (obviously) the monster was a much more capable machine it wasn't as nice to ride. They are loud (Dry clutch chatter), hard to comfortably ride around town (they want to be ridden hard) no ,where near as reliable and the service is very expensive and requires special tools to do. Unless you really plan to ride it hard a ton, id buy a sportster ,thruxton, newer Bonneville or a new cb1100 if your looking for something in a retro cruiser styling. If your considering the ducati seriously be cafeful of what years you look at they have some fucky issues, and id only buy one with full service records.
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Can any of you guys tell me exactly what I'm looking at here? Year/model ect. Found in an abandoned dealership here in France.
https://instagram.com/p/1P-GILASob/
Edit: might be a T120r. No idea about the year
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Put on Progressive 11" 412 shocks. Had to knock out the old bushings for the updated ones, & it rides much better now. 3/4" lower
(http://i.imgur.com/uU4UOPU.jpg)
So, my shit got hit last week and I'm hating life waiting for insurance to come through. Not sure if it's a total loss or not, but based on the fact that it's 40 years old and was a two year bike I'm guessing that they're gonna write it off. Now my next big decision to make is what to get next. I keep going back and forth between these two.
http://i220.photobucket.com/albums/dd167/shopson1984/Ducati/DSC_0151.jpg
or
(http://www.raptorsandrockets.com/images/Harley-Davidson/XL1200R_07-194.jpg)
Radically different bikes, each with their own pros and cons. Thoughts gents?
What year Sportster is that? Is 2003 the last year for solid motor mounts? Rubbermounts are longer and heavier.. afaik.
This thing is awesome;
(http://i.imgur.com/B6lCAV8.jpg)
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Pretty sure the one I posted is 2008. Found a '97 883 for $3300 in my hood, kinda stoked on that idea as it only has like 12k on the clock. Really into the idea of making a scrambler-esq sporty, cutting weight wherever I can and running the shit out of the thing. We'll see what happens with insurance though. Still waiting on them to cut me a fuckin check...
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i want another sportster to tracker out but ill probably end up with a 650 dualsport. i dont think youd be un happy on a sporty. if you think youd like to have a 1200 at some point i would just buy one from the get go. theres a lot more cool bolt on stuff available for the 03 and down bikes. 04 and up are a little bigger/heavier and rubber mounted so theyre going to be a little more comfy. if you can get an S or R model i would they come with better brakes and suspension and a little more power.
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My first motorcycle was actually a 2008 Ducati Monster 696. Fun bike for sure, and it definitely got me fully obsessed with motorcycles.
Here's these deal with slightly older (pre 2013) Ducatis:
If you are a hobbyist mechanic that is not only capable of doing your own maintenance, but enjoys it, get a Ducati by all means. Fun bikes with a ton of soul that are very quirky. They need lots of maintenance. More specifically, they need their valves checked frequently, and they need their belts changed at certain mileage intervals, in addition to all the other regular motorcycle maintenance that all bikes need. If you're mechanically inclined, you could probably do this stuff yourself. If not, then be prepared to spend a lot of money at the local Ducati dealership.
I am not mechanically inclined at all and spent way too much in service fees on my Ducati during the 7 months that I owned it.
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Dropping off the XR400 rear wheel today to get new spokes installed. I'm a decent wheel builder for bikes, but motos are a completely different job.
Then I just need to dial in the suspension, and I can go shred some trails.
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Made myself some hard saddlebags frome some cheap toolboxes.
(http://i184.photobucket.com/albums/x153/low225/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_20150415_165918_zpsqcf3jgga.jpg) (http://s184.photobucket.com/user/low225/media/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_20150415_165918_zpsqcf3jgga.jpg.html)
(http://i184.photobucket.com/albums/x153/low225/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_20150417_141234_zpshporivxm.jpg) (http://s184.photobucket.com/user/low225/media/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_20150417_141234_zpshporivxm.jpg.html)
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the stoke is high on then hard bags!
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Buy a Buell, it's everything you want between the two of those. XB12's are reliable, plenty of power and torque, and handle amazing! Full adjustable compression/rebound Showa suspension stock, about 4k to 5k for one in good shape. If you want a tube frame there is also the S1 model as well, very similar to the Ducati you posted. Maintenance is dead easy on them and they run hydraulic lifters on the XB's.
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the stoke is high on then hard bags!
Thanks dude glad I don't have to wear a backpack anymore.
Buy a Buell, it's everything you want between the two of those. XB12's are reliable, plenty of power and torque, and handle amazing! Full adjustable compression/rebound Showa suspension stock, about 4k to 5k for one in good shape. If you want a tube frame there is also the S1 model as well, very similar to the Ducati you posted. Maintenance is dead easy on them and they run hydraulic lifters on the XB's.
The xl1200s is basically a buell with a comfortable riding position.
Heres a pic from my ride home from work this morning
(http://i184.photobucket.com/albums/x153/low225/20150426_060330_zpsrebie3bp.jpg)
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Picked up a Truck Lite 7" led replacement for the Bagger. $165 shipped to my door
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That looks sweet bounce. Love the colour on it.
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(http://i.imgur.com/4L1xn4Zl.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/F25GUk6l.jpg)
Upgraded the baggers head light to LED. Trucklite Phase 7 led. $165 shipped. So much more light, and an American made part
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seeing so much iron in this thread, makes me puke.
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I got some iron for ya;
(http://i.imgur.com/Q37YfaQ.jpg)
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That disc brake sprocket combo is a marvel of engineering.
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That whole bike is just badass.
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(https://scontent.cdninstagram.com/hphotos-xfa1/t51.2885-15/11312162_860552190649342_1002011235_n.jpg)
Got my girl flying again. She still needs some love but hasn't left me stranded... yet! Took her on a 100 mile cruise the other week just to get out. Seaweed and Gravel was one of my stops. Place is pretty meh, but they have some cool bikes.
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Much hip so trend
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(https://scontent.cdninstagram.com/hphotos-xfa1/t51.2885-15/11312162_860552190649342_1002011235_n.jpg)
Got my girl flying again. She still needs some love but hasn't left me stranded... yet! Took her on a 100 mile cruise the other week just to get out. Seaweed and Gravel was one of my stops. Place is pretty meh, but they have some cool bikes.
Nice! Was there earlier today - work out in the gym right on top of Seaweed and Gravel.
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Got my girl flying again. She still needs some love but hasn't left me stranded... yet! Took her on a 100 mile cruise the other week just to get out. Seaweed and Gravel was one of my stops. Place is pretty meh, but they have some cool bikes.
Nice! Was there earlier today - work out in the gym right on top of Seaweed and Gravel.
Shit man, we need to drink a beer.
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Got my girl flying again. She still needs some love but hasn't left me stranded... yet! Took her on a 100 mile cruise the other week just to get out. Seaweed and Gravel was one of my stops. Place is pretty meh, but they have some cool bikes.
Nice! Was there earlier today - work out in the gym right on top of Seaweed and Gravel.
Shit man, we need to drink a beer.
Name a time and place!
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(http://www.hondacb650.com/download/file.php?id=5803)
Hopefully the picture works^^. Just got a 1979 cb650 a few months back. Needed a bit of work, had been sitting for 3 years.
Since that picture it has had a new seat, new battery, front brake completely pulled apart and rebuilt(It was full of brake sludge, didn't work), new carb boots, carbs rebuilt and declogged, valves adjusted, carbs synced, tank cleaned, Ignition and seat lock fixed, new tires (shop put these on), new chain.
Hopefully by the end of summer I'll have new fork seals, shifter peg seal, and a custom seat I'm building from the pictured OG seat pan/foam. Seat will be close to original just slightly flatter and with 2.5" ribs across (if that makes any sense...)
Long term goals include exhaust headers that aren't rusting out, a paint job not inspired by orange peels, maybe pods, maybe removing side covers.
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(https://scontent.cdninstagram.com/hphotos-xaf1/t51.2885-15/e35/11363767_901053449989115_1231454946_n.jpg)
Trimmed my rear fender and rewired my tail light. Still needs some clean up work, but overall makes the rear end look a lot nicer. Let's keep this thread going nerds.
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I was never really into Harleys until recently, when I was getting a little fed up working on my 70s yamaha xs650 chopper. All the fabrication has been time consuming (but fun!) and every little step has it's own problem solving puzzle.
It's actually pretty close to being done:
(http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y198/tcperry/IMG_7883.jpg)
But there's still a little left before it's back on the road (sissy bar fab, paint, wiring, etc)...
So I decided to drop in on a daily commuter. I'd heard the Harley EVO engines were count-on-able, so I picked up this 2003 1200 Sportster off craigslist with some minor damage and rebuilt the front end and customized it a bit:
(http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y198/tcperry/IMG_7575.jpg)
As I bought it (well, I put on that little moon eyes air filter) ^
(http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y198/tcperry/IMG_8136.jpg)
How I ride it everyday since ^
I'll say it's nice to have that 1200 engine for freeway missions (virtually anytime you go anywhere in southern california) and I'm happy to know my bike won't be puzzling me on longer trips. So far the longest has been to LA and back but maybe out to here this weekend:
(https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/736x/ff/e0/b8/ffe0b8fee6835be77431e9dd53f08f22.jpg)
El Mirage dry lake bed ^
Woo motorcycles~
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Love those bars you've got on that thing Tom. How's it with no front brake?
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that evo is pretty bomb proof
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same progression i had. my xs650 really turned me off to jap bikes. that thing was non stop issues. it was fun to build but it was kinda a bummer to ride. my sportster never left me stranded but being solid mount i wasnt stoked on the numb feet thing after long rides. wasnt the best for 2 up either. stoked on my dyna though i just did an oil pump/camp plate upgrade and swapped out the cams to some andrews cams.
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I need up upgrade my oil pump/cam plate as well. gonna throw a set of 211 S.E.'s in it while I am at it and tune it. really wish I got a carbureted bike though
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My dyna is a 2000 so i just wanted to get away from the spring loaded chain tensioners so i used the stock stuff from a 2007. i had to get a roller chain conversion sprocket from andrews and i used andrews 37n cams. it was easy to do and im happy with the performance. i need to get it on a dyno and get the carb tuned properly it should really rip after that.
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(http://i.imgur.com/tpeP0jB.jpg)
Fuck.
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Did you get ripped off?
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Someone trashed my bike on friday night. No idea who or why.
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Someone trashed my bike on friday night. No idea who or why.
Where are you living?
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Someone trashed my bike on friday night. No idea who or why.
Where are you living?
Normal Heights.
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Bummer. People suck.
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Rebuilt my first engine yesterday. These early Honda motors are super simple, especially since this ones a sohc. Didn't dig into the crankcase but replaced every gasket from the crankcase up, cleaned the pistons, cam case, and timed the cam. Now I just need to setup the valves and points.
(http://i718.photobucket.com/albums/ww185/yellowtoeman/image_zpswwfzdjro.jpeg) (http://s718.photobucket.com/user/yellowtoeman/media/image_zpswwfzdjro.jpeg.html)
(http://i718.photobucket.com/albums/ww185/yellowtoeman/image%201_zpsp0vttaik.jpeg) (http://s718.photobucket.com/user/yellowtoeman/media/image%201_zpsp0vttaik.jpeg.html)
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my little '75 cb125 cafe racer. fresh powdercoat all around. chinese 180cc engine with GP shifting (kind of awkward) very much a work in progress. plate mount needs to be sorted out. new exhaust, removing the center stand, button up the electrics, and different bars. I hate the clubman bars.
(http://i296.photobucket.com/albums/mm182/m0nster/20160129_135131_HDR_zpsbqfvz58i.jpg) (http://s296.photobucket.com/user/m0nster/media/20160129_135131_HDR_zpsbqfvz58i.jpg.html)
(http://i296.photobucket.com/albums/mm182/m0nster/20160129_135113_HDR_zpstpnjodms.jpg) (http://s296.photobucket.com/user/m0nster/media/20160129_135113_HDR_zpstpnjodms.jpg.html)
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my sportster 1200 has gp style style shifting and ive grown to love it i cant imagine going back to 1 down 4 or 5 up after getting use to it.
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Aesop Rock - Having rode a cruiser for a couple years, here's some thoughts. I'm swapping mine tomorrow (Honda Shadow Aero 750) for an older Honda CBR1000F as I don't like the foot forward riding position and lazy engine. If you do get a sportster or similar, get one with mid controls, not forward, I'm pretty sure my kidneys have been taking a hammering, plus there's no way to 'stand up' over bumps. I'd go with a Japanese bike with some sporting potential. Something like a Suzuki SV650/1000, Honda VFR.
''
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Sold my CB500 today, now I wait until a sportster with the details I want comes up for sale in my price range.