WTB feeler/advice on a cheap cheap bike for fun

[rice_rocket]

Well, got rid of my 2005 R6 in favor of a minivan for the next upcoming kid.

I had a plan of slowly looking for something sub $1000 ... the lower the better. After seeing the 1990 ZX10 for sale that's exactly what I want.. something cool, fun and.. $500! Too bad there was no title for MA, and someone else snatched it up.

http://www.nestreetriders.com/forum/...x10-500-a.html

I have also looked at fzr600's and was actually thinking about picking one up, but the price is just slightly too high. Don't get me wrong, I do realize it's probably going to be a tough tough find, but I need to have something that can really sit there and collect dust, since I probably have only a small number of days and times I can ride especially when the next one comes. Hence selling my R6, just too pretty to keep in a shed all the time.

Ideally with little work to do, plastics busted up.. no biggie, if I can street fighter it or do something creative. Looking to stay somewhat into a sport bike... The closest to being able to just register and ride it and not dump money into it.

So what bikes/models should I be gunning for? And.. does anyone have something like this kicking around they want to sell and get out of their hair?

At least for now I'm storing an SV650 for my friend so he told me I could take it out any time.. but eventually he's going to take it away once the season starts up

[rice_rocket]

Wirelessly posted

Nothing? Wow in surprised nobody has input.

I've been looking more, and missed on a few that sold fast.

89 zx750
A few yzf as well.

still looking for suggestions of models to look for!

[JohnnyV]

Wirelessly posted (Blackberry Tour)

Not exactly a 'fun' bike based on your previous ride, but if you're just looking at getting on two wheels for under a grand you can always find an 80's UJM standard for what you're looking to spend.

[Doc]

Get an older Honad and cafe it... the problem there is you will most likely put more money in than you will ever get out.

Odd, not so popular bikes are what I would look for. They will be cheaper and more than likely not as beat. If you fighter it and make it your own it can still be cool. Good luck.

[Garandman]

A fellow at work just bought a late 70's Kawasaki 650 in nice condition for $675. After a new battery, tires, and a carb rebuild it is running well. Even came with a center stand!

[rice_rocket]

That sounds like a fun idea... the 89 zx750 was an awesome deal... looked like it had everything running and no needed parts for $900, I found it right away and messaged, but no reply, and the ad was down by the end of the day.

I looked at some of those older honda CB XXX models, but a lot need so many parts as Doc said, I was going to be ending up in for more than I wanted. I'm actually trying to figure out how to fighter/build pieces for fun that I've seen people do. Ie fiberglass together a tail piece/seat and clean things up a bit to look neat. I did login to customfighters a few times to look and it's awesome, but those things start to get expensive fast.. was hoping for finding "instructions" on how to build those custom tail fenders etc that I see.

I also have seen some hawks that look awesome, as well as some vfr's with those one sided swing arms.

[JohnnyV]

Wirelessly posted (Blackberry Tour)

Just remembered I know a guy at work who was trying to sell me an 89 fzr600 for under a grand. Ill try to get details

[rice_rocket]

Wicked! I was going to buy JBMass's bike, but now he's got it all powdercoated and so nice for sale.. but it bumps it a bit too much for me to spend now Not saying it's not worth it... that's what I start to say. Ie I found a few fzr600 for around $1K but all need so many parts, it's not worth my time. Ie new tires, new battery, fork seals, clutch cables.. might as well bump up my budget, which wasn't the plan

[bstnsboy]

http://boston.craigslist.org/gbs/mcy/2932286120.html

[MikeyZ]

How about a Katana? They are incredibly easy to work on and very cheap.

[bstnsboy]

http://worcester.craigslist.org/mcy/2930342930.html

[Rossco]

1983-86 Honda Nighthawk 650/700.

Fast (for a UJM of that cc), reliable, low maintenance.

Throw some SS brake lines on it and some progressive suspension, and you'll have yourself a nice cheap classic that can keep up with the rest of the pack on reasonably paced rides.

[rice_rocket]

GS700 looks like it could be fun.. might look into it. The hurricane, well if they didn't even bother to post a picture or price I'm not even going to bother. Nighthawks.. I'll start looking. I think that's the model that I learnt how to ride in the MSF course! I think that's going to take a little more imagination for me to mod it out to look like a funky street fighter sport bike though. Starting to troll on craigslist again..

[Rossco]

You most likely took your MSF course on a nighthawk 250. Something like this right?



I can assure you, the Nighthawks that I previously mentioned (83-86 CB650sc/CB700sc) are totally different bikes

[csmutty]

You most likely took your MSF course on a nighthawk 250. Something like this right?



I can assure you, the Nighthawks that I previously mentioned (83-86 CB650sc/CB700sc) are totally different bikes

Heavier, worse handling, uglier....

[bstnsboy]

Now this could be fun...http://boston.craigslist.org/nos/mcy/2932894721.html

[rice_rocket]

Har Har.. yes for some reason that look of the 250 appeals to me more than the honking square headlight. That CB900 looks pretty cool too. I'm liking the fzr oldschool double headlight, hopefully JohnnyV might be able to get that info for me

[Doc]

Now this could be fun...http://boston.craigslist.org/nos/mcy/2932894721.html

That 900f would be a sweet bike!

[carsick]

The Nighthawk CB700S that Rossco put forth really is a great bike, I had one and loved it, still miss it. It's cheap, fast, and reliable. No chain adjust/replace, no valve adjustments, it has a digital gear indicator and fuel gauge, and it sounds like an I4 sportbike should when you turn the wick up past 7K. The UJM upright seating is comfortable for long hauls. The headlight is debatable, you could always fighter it.

[hondarider102]

http://westernmass.craigslist.org/mcy/2933060242.html

[csmutty]

http://westernmass.craigslist.org/mcy/2933060242.html

WOW!

[boosten lebaron]

ex500. super cheap and super fun.

Ive also started going the old jap bikes and cafe/bobbering them. Its getting expensive to find nice ones but with a g in your pocket you should be able to get one. Look for an xs650 or a cb anything and youll be happy. I got an 81 xj for beating on and its actually a pretty decent little bike. Till i took a sawzall to it.

[nhbubba]

Heavier, worse handling, uglier....

GTFO!


My dad had a Magna from that era. He swapped it to a round headlight. Given that was a plastic-less bike. But where there's a budget, there's a way.

[rice_rocket]

ex500. super cheap and super fun.

Ive also started going the old jap bikes and cafe/bobbering them. Its getting expensive to find nice ones but with a g in your pocket you should be able to get one. Look for an xs650 or a cb anything and youll be happy. I got an 81 xj for beating on and its actually a pretty decent little bike. Till i took a sawzall to it.

I would love to have some insight on how you cafe/bob them other than chopping.. that part I can figure out with my sawzall and cutoff wheel

I left messages for the SV already without any reply.. that deal sounds too good to be true honestly, and it's weird he moved to GA yet still has it around.. possible, but a little weird, and I'd have to drive out to springfield just to see it.

[bstnsboy]

I just saw this katana in ct on adv rider. needs some work tho.http://advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?t=777846