What's the oldest used bike you'd buy?

[smd753]

Looking at sports bikes and I trying to balance newer/smaller and older/bigger. What's the oldest used bike you'd consider buying? And please share your other considerations: Make, miles, etc.

Thanks,
Steve

[csmutty]

It really depends on the history of the bike and how much you want to work on it. Also there are different mechanical flaws for each make and model that you have to consider and read up on.

[Cheese]

I've been fairly lucky with bikes with under 30K miles. They seem to only require wrenching outside of the motor which for the most part I can handle. I know your question was about age not miles, but I thought this experience might still be on topic.

[RandyO]

I've buy a 50's Vincent

[Rambunctous]

60's and 70's Beemers. Recently sold my 1972 750 R/5 Toaster Tank in perfect condition. I did smoke some Joe Rockets on Rice Burners in the twisties with that bike.

[Doc]

80's for a sportbike.

[nhbubba]

I have a huge thing for those late 70's UJMs. Grew up riding a CB400 and have always wanted a CB650. Would buy a clean one of those in a heartbeat. (Are those 'sport bikes'?!)

[dontpanic]

UJMs of the 70s and 80s, and any RD400.

[breakdirt916]

In my limited experiences, I also agree with the 80's comment...had an 89 zx600 and 95 fzr600 and they both started an ran great up pat 30k miles without
Opening the motor.

But as for performance, newer is always better ( if the bike was redesigned )

[HO-HUM-R1]

i would go at least 02 and newer unless you find a real gem. mileage is subjective depending on the overall condition of the bike. If it's been well taken care of you could go up 20-25k or more. We tend to be spoiled mileage wise in the North east because of the short riding season many bikes have very low mileage. look somewhere like cali or down south and used bikes have 50-60k+ and run fine.

[nhbubba]

Bikes with that kind of mileage run just fine up here too.

I wonder, is it getting hard to find parts for any of those UJMs from the 70's and 80's?

[breakdirt916]

Actually, does fuel injection matter? If so than 02 an newer (or whenever they came out) might be preferred

[Rossco]

I have a huge thing for those late 70's UJMs. Grew up riding a CB400 and have always wanted a CB650. Would buy a clean one of those in a heartbeat. (Are those 'sport bikes'?!)

CB650's can be had for dirt cheap.

I wonder, is it getting hard to find parts for any of those UJMs from the 70's and 80's?

Ebay is your friend. Special edition bikes (i.e. CX500 turbo, CB700sc) it's a bit hard. However if you have just a regular old cb750, then parts are pretty easy to find.

Getting NOS parts for old Honda's is a lot easier than most other makes (usually).

If anyone needs old Honda parts, PM me. I know a guy.