 second bike
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Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 59
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OP
Member
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 59 |
hey i guess i am just searching for a little advice but i have been thinking about getting a second bike lately. something i could turn into a cafe racer or bobber would be best. i have been looking at t140s pretty hard as they have 5-speeds and disc brakes. i'm just not sure whats its like having to kick start a bike everytime i ride it, and what the electrical gremlins will be like on a lucas system. any advice some of you folks with more experiance than i have would be great.
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Re: second bike
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 9,223
Big Bore
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Big Bore
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 9,223 |
What's your price range? btw, thanks for posting in the right forum!! 
"Never underestimate the power of human stupidity" - Robert Heinlein
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Re: second bike
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Joined: May 2007
Posts: 6,432 Likes: 1
Worn Saddle
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Worn Saddle
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 6,432 Likes: 1 |
I got a 2001 Bonneville for that purpose just this summer. Less than $4K initial investment for the basic bike, 7000 miles on it, great shape, basically a garage queen from a parking deck in Atlanta. Below's where I am so far (still lacking rear sets, chopped fenders and racy signals). Or, you could vist Carpy and look at a Honda four conversion; he has some great ideas in the cafe realm. 
A positive attitude may not solve all your problems, but it will annoy enough people to make it worth the effort. Herm Albright (1876 - 1944)
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 Re: second bike
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Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 2,626
Loquacious
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Loquacious
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 2,626 |
I like the Carpy's bikes! A CB550 cafe would be a cool budget cafe. If money isn't an object, though, get a Thruxton. 
Steelheart- '03 Speedmaster Black/Yellow
The Hayabusa Killa
16" Shorties/140 mains/Airbox drilled
Procom CDI
"There is no cure for Celibacy. But we can treat the symptoms."
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Re: second bike
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Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 59
Member
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OP
Member
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 59 |
great ideas guys, i really love carpys bikes. i can't spend anymore than 5,500. i have been thinking about the old triumph as some old friends of mine are turning old japanese bikes into cafes. their bikes just don't do it for me like the old euro bikes do when they get cafed.
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Re: second bike
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 8,639 Likes: 3
Old Hand
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Old Hand
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 8,639 Likes: 3 |
For the first week or two, you will hate kick starting. Once you get the procedure down and get consistent 1 - 2 kick starts, you will hate electric starts. It's been 2 years since I gave up my last kicker and I still hate that pushbutton gizmo.
Let's hope there's intelligent life somewhere in space 'cause it's buggar all down here. -- Monte Python
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Re: second bike
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 7,643
Monkey Butt
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Monkey Butt
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 7,643 |
Get a big single, then when it kicks you back, you will be thinking, now what was wrong with pushing that little button. I think if I was going to make a cafe racer of some sort, I would go for a Thunderbird Sport, electric start, no oily jeans/boots and very reliable. And they look very, very nice if done properly Nearly a cafe racerThe return of the Cafe Racer
Ray(UK)
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Re: second bike
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Joined: May 2007
Posts: 6,432 Likes: 1
Worn Saddle
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Worn Saddle
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 6,432 Likes: 1 |
Quote:
great ideas guys, i really love carpys bikes. i can't spend anymore than 5,500. i have been thinking about the old triumph as some old friends of mine are turning old japanese bikes into cafes. their bikes just don't do it for me like the old euro bikes do when they get cafed.
Lots of two cylinder Bonnie knock-off Japanese bikes out there looking for a home and usually under $2000.
A positive attitude may not solve all your problems, but it will annoy enough people to make it worth the effort. Herm Albright (1876 - 1944)
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Re: second bike
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Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 59
Member
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OP
Member
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 59 |
ok, well i picked up a 1976 yamaha xs650 for 600 bucks, they look good in pics when they are fixed up. i think maybe a metally challenged monkey tried wiring it though, so i will have to redo all the wiring. on the plus side it has great compression and is already partially taken apart.
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Re: second bike
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Joined: May 2007
Posts: 6,432 Likes: 1
Worn Saddle
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Worn Saddle
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 6,432 Likes: 1 |
There ya go, a neat 650 cafe in the making!
A positive attitude may not solve all your problems, but it will annoy enough people to make it worth the effort. Herm Albright (1876 - 1944)
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