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From: Larry Blanchard on 17 Apr 2010 13:21
Some of you may remember that I wrote in about a stubborn carb problem
with my 1978 SR500 thumper. Well, I finally solved that problem by
reinstalling the stock carb, with a little rejetting to keep it from
running too lean with the K&N filter that replaced the stock airbox.

I just sold the Suzuki twin I bought out of desperation so I'd have
something to ride while trying to fix the Yamaha, Now I'm seriously
thinking of selling the SR and getting something else.

I've owned the SR for 26 years and sort of hate to part with it, but
parts are getting hard to find and expensive. For example, I had to
replace the alternator (The SR had an early days electronic ignition.)
about 12 years ago and Yamaha wanted (IIRC) over $500 for a new one. I
finally found one in a junkyard for $100 that worked. Now, Bike Bandit
wants over $1300 for a new one and I suspect finding a good used one
would be iffy. As a retiree on a budget I can't afford that.

So I'm looking for a good old single or twin "standard" with no frills
that I can get for $2000 or less. Of course the Yamaha XT500 springs to
mind, but I'd like to see some other ideas. I don't mind downsizing to 1
350 or 400 and I wouldn't even rule out a 250 in a pinch.

I did see a Honda XL350 on the local Craigslist, but I've heard some bad
things about that particular bike. And I'd really prefer a street bike.

So I'm asking - what do you folks think would be a good old bike for me?
Any ideas will be appreciated. Thanks.

--
Intelligence is an experiment that failed - G. B. Shaw
From: Mark Olson on 17 Apr 2010 13:47
Larry Blanchard wrote:

> So I'm looking for a good old single or twin "standard" with no frills
> that I can get for $2000 or less. Of course the Yamaha XT500 springs to
> mind, but I'd like to see some other ideas. I don't mind downsizing to 1
> 350 or 400 and I wouldn't even rule out a 250 in a pinch.
>
> I did see a Honda XL350 on the local Craigslist, but I've heard some bad
> things about that particular bike. And I'd really prefer a street bike.
>
> So I'm asking - what do you folks think would be a good old bike for me?
> Any ideas will be appreciated. Thanks.

Why old? Newer is better in every way that matters. Buy the newest bike
you can afford. All the rubber parts will be newer, and less likely to
need replacement (think $$$ carburetor diaphragms).

Kawasaki EX500 (Ninja 500R). I just bought a low miles (10k) 1995 model
for $1700 on Craigslist. Or a Suzuki GS500, perhaps. Either one has
the virtue of being made in significant quantities for a large number
of years unchanged, so there are plenty of used parts about. And since
they are a current production bike all parts are available new, too.

A Kawasaki EX250 (Ninja 250) is a pretty good bike too, also made for >
20 years without change (the 2008 and later models have 17 inch wheels and
are more desirable but significantly more expensive) and they are even
more plentiful than the EX500 but unless you're a smaller guy it might
be a little too small. The EX500 has about the same seat height but it's
a little more stretched out, so more comfortable for normal sized riders.

Oh, and despite the "Ninja" name, neither the EX250 nor the EX500 are
sportbikes, just standard bikes with standard seating position, but
with sporty-looking styling.


From: ` on 17 Apr 2010 15:24
On Apr 17, 10:21 am, Larry Blanchard <lbla...(a)fastmail.fm> wrote:

> So I'm looking for a good old single or twin "standard" with no frills
> that I can get for $2000 or less.

If you have $2000 cash to buy a motorcycle, why look at old relics
from the 1980's? At least get into the 1990's.

I would buy a first year Suzuki SV-650 V-twin, the one with the round
tube frame and carburetors. The SV-650 has separate detachable
cylinders, so if the rings wear out, you can replace them easily, or
replace the cylinder if it's scored.

The SV650 has standard high mount handlebars that are fairly wide, so
it's considered to be a standard motorcycle.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Suzuki_SV650

April 17, 2010 Kelly Blue Book prices for 1999 SV-650

http://www.kbb.com/motorcycle/trade-in/1999/suzuki/sv650/79104

Trade-In Value (Good Condition) $1500

http://www.kbb.com/motorcycle/retail/1999/suzuki/sv650/79104

Retail 2240

The major problem the SV650 has for me is the seat height is too tall
at 31.9 inches, but there are aftermarket suspension links called "dog
bones" which can be installed to lower the rear end of the motorcycle
about 1.5 inches.

Then there is the cheap front fork which has damper rods with fixed
drilled orifices to damp suspension rebound.

The problem with damper rod forks is that replacing the original thin
fork oil with a
heavier weight oil to increase rebound damping has a nasty effect of
increasing
compression damping and making the ride harsh over sharp edged bumps.

There are multiple solutions to the cheap front fork problem.

SV650 enthusiasts agree that what you're getting with the SV is the V-
twin motor and aluminum frame and 17-inch wheels that accept modern
radial tires.

It's a real hassle nowadays finding *any* decent tires in 18 or 19-
inch sizes.

Almost every premium tire comes in 17-inch sizes.

Some owners will replace the front fork with one from a GSXR-750, or
they will use a Honda CBR600 fork which has cartridge dampers inside.

But, for those sporty riders who don't race their SV650, the best
modification is the Racetech Gold Valve Emulator kit that allows use
of a heavier fork oil. There is an adjustable spring-loaded blowoff
valve that releases excess pressure when the compression damping
reaches a certain level.

There's an even more advanced emulator kit called "Intiminator" which
has even more advanced valving to relieve unwanted pressure from fork
compression but not from heavy braking.

I'm starting to get myself all excited about buying an SV-650 again,
so I'll have to stop before I start searching the online ads again....

From: The Older Gentleman on 17 Apr 2010 16:35
` <breoganmacbrath(a)yahoo.com> wrote:

> I would buy a first year Suzuki SV-650 V-twin, the one with the round
> tube frame and carburetors. The SV-650 has separate detachable
> cylinders, so if the rings wear out, you can replace them easily, or
> replace the cylinder if it's scored.

Yeah, like that happens on a regular basis.


--
BMW K1100LT Ducati 750SS Honda CB400F Triumph Street Triple
Suzuki TS250ER GN250 Damn, back to six bikes!
Try Googling before asking a damn silly question.
chateau dot murray at idnet dot com
From: ` on 17 Apr 2010 17:30
On Apr 17, 1:35 pm, totallydeadmail...(a)yahoo.co.uk (Squeals like a
Pig) wrote:

> Yeah, like that happens on a regular basis.

You sure have a pretty mouth...
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