BlaRo
Little Nudger
The story so far: (for those of you following along in this thread)
Because I'm a slightly disturbed individual, I went to Ohio to pick up a 1976 Honda CB550F Super Sport that's slightly knackered. Don't ask.
How many people have rented a Dodge Caravan and stuffed a motorcycle in the back? It was tough getting it in, especially when the reserve leaked a bit of gasoline out on the carpet. Driving across 400+ miles of Pennsylvania for 10 hours smelling gasoline fumes was hell, and I probably have cancer now (at least I opened the windows and ran the vents). This pattern of going cross-country on a whim is probably going to get stronger as I get older, and it's certainly not healthy and I may be checked into a mental hospital eventually. Hmm, there's a nice 300ZX in Texas that's been for sale for a year now...
Either way, it was a nice scenic drive across the Appalachians. At least I didn't see a single cop the entire way, which was funny. The second I returned into New York, boom! Two people pulled over for driving like typical New Yorkers. Figures. :lol:
Consensus? The owner painted it flat black, which might be slightly entertaining but really looks even worse in real life, and if I don't change that I won't be able to live with myself (and pick up chicks, which is why everybody gets motorcycles to begin with, derr ). I'm planning to powdercoat the frame satin silver, leave the exhaust flat black, and change the tank, side panels, fenders, and other bodywork (including that goofy Judge Dredd faring) a deep gloss black. I won't do flames or anything goofy like that; I plan to preserve the stealth look but I don't want a rat bike either. Not yet.
Mechanically it sounds great and nothing's wrong with it, according to the owner who rode it for two years and maintained it fairly well. There's 4,624 miles on it so I won't rebuild it yet, because that will cost more and will take a while (correct me if I'm wrong). Either way, I don't plan to rebuild it myself because I'm wary of my engine skillz.
It needs a new battery and the electric start doesn't work, otherwise it's rideable. I've taken it around the block a few times and it's terrific!
Ok, z0mgpics time.
http://img175.imageshack.**/img175/6532/bikenotankoutsidetx6.jpg
After unloading it from our rig. The fuel tank was removed so any more gas wouldn't spill out.
http://img234.imageshack.**/img234/798/frontly4.jpg
Front. It's got Clubman bars, because the stockers were "ape hangers", according to the owner. Good,it saves me cash since I'm gonna buy a pair anyway. I'm going to paint those silver alongside the frame.
http://img338.imageshack.**/img338/4987/reargl7.jpg
Rear view.
http://img180.imageshack.**/img180/7988/enginerightsideus9.jpg
The heart of the beast
http://img256.imageshack.**/img256/4386/rustyexhaustheaderstx0.jpg
As you can tell, there's some rust on these exhaust headers (probably worse, looking at the 3rd pipe). Will I need a replacement, or can these be salvaged? I'd prefer a set that are flat black.
More to come! And if you're wondering, I got it for $480. Which is probably way too much money. shhhhh.
Because I'm a slightly disturbed individual, I went to Ohio to pick up a 1976 Honda CB550F Super Sport that's slightly knackered. Don't ask.
How many people have rented a Dodge Caravan and stuffed a motorcycle in the back? It was tough getting it in, especially when the reserve leaked a bit of gasoline out on the carpet. Driving across 400+ miles of Pennsylvania for 10 hours smelling gasoline fumes was hell, and I probably have cancer now (at least I opened the windows and ran the vents). This pattern of going cross-country on a whim is probably going to get stronger as I get older, and it's certainly not healthy and I may be checked into a mental hospital eventually. Hmm, there's a nice 300ZX in Texas that's been for sale for a year now...
Either way, it was a nice scenic drive across the Appalachians. At least I didn't see a single cop the entire way, which was funny. The second I returned into New York, boom! Two people pulled over for driving like typical New Yorkers. Figures. :lol:
Consensus? The owner painted it flat black, which might be slightly entertaining but really looks even worse in real life, and if I don't change that I won't be able to live with myself (and pick up chicks, which is why everybody gets motorcycles to begin with, derr ). I'm planning to powdercoat the frame satin silver, leave the exhaust flat black, and change the tank, side panels, fenders, and other bodywork (including that goofy Judge Dredd faring) a deep gloss black. I won't do flames or anything goofy like that; I plan to preserve the stealth look but I don't want a rat bike either. Not yet.
Mechanically it sounds great and nothing's wrong with it, according to the owner who rode it for two years and maintained it fairly well. There's 4,624 miles on it so I won't rebuild it yet, because that will cost more and will take a while (correct me if I'm wrong). Either way, I don't plan to rebuild it myself because I'm wary of my engine skillz.
It needs a new battery and the electric start doesn't work, otherwise it's rideable. I've taken it around the block a few times and it's terrific!
Ok, z0mgpics time.
http://img175.imageshack.**/img175/6532/bikenotankoutsidetx6.jpg
After unloading it from our rig. The fuel tank was removed so any more gas wouldn't spill out.
http://img234.imageshack.**/img234/798/frontly4.jpg
Front. It's got Clubman bars, because the stockers were "ape hangers", according to the owner. Good,it saves me cash since I'm gonna buy a pair anyway. I'm going to paint those silver alongside the frame.
http://img338.imageshack.**/img338/4987/reargl7.jpg
Rear view.
http://img180.imageshack.**/img180/7988/enginerightsideus9.jpg
The heart of the beast
http://img256.imageshack.**/img256/4386/rustyexhaustheaderstx0.jpg
As you can tell, there's some rust on these exhaust headers (probably worse, looking at the 3rd pipe). Will I need a replacement, or can these be salvaged? I'd prefer a set that are flat black.
More to come! And if you're wondering, I got it for $480. Which is probably way too much money. shhhhh.