Recommend a classic bike
Discussion
Ive been bikeless for around 2 months due to an illness.
Now while im getting better and I have days I feel I could ride, I think any chance of modern 600cc+ bikes are not going to happen,
HOWEVER theres nothing stopping me have a classic bike to tinker with and take out on a bimble when I feel I can,right?
Im thinking upto 200cc, a budget of around 3k and between 1970 and 1999.
What would work?
Now while im getting better and I have days I feel I could ride, I think any chance of modern 600cc+ bikes are not going to happen,
HOWEVER theres nothing stopping me have a classic bike to tinker with and take out on a bimble when I feel I can,right?
Im thinking upto 200cc, a budget of around 3k and between 1970 and 1999.
What would work?
I'd suggest sticking your criteria into ebay and seeing what's out there.
First decide what genre and any preference you have for make or origin.
There's no point me suggesting Italian scooters if you like jap trail bikes etc.
Also, your height and build may matter.
The problem is, a 20 year old small bike could drop from >£2k to nearly worthless if the market changes or it breaks.
You can spend a lot working on a bike, even a small one.
Are you wanting to get involved in spanner work and/or cosmetics?
So personally in your situation, I'd look for something which seemed in good nick for a good price, where if it all goes pete tong, I could either afford to walk away or there seemed to be a market to get some of my cash back by breaking for spares.
Then just keep looking on FB and gumtree etc for anything local which seems a good deal.
200cc is excluding a lot of 250cc options which might be worth a look?
There are some bigger cc bikes which are small and light and easy to ride if that's what matters?
First decide what genre and any preference you have for make or origin.
There's no point me suggesting Italian scooters if you like jap trail bikes etc.
Also, your height and build may matter.
The problem is, a 20 year old small bike could drop from >£2k to nearly worthless if the market changes or it breaks.
You can spend a lot working on a bike, even a small one.
Are you wanting to get involved in spanner work and/or cosmetics?
So personally in your situation, I'd look for something which seemed in good nick for a good price, where if it all goes pete tong, I could either afford to walk away or there seemed to be a market to get some of my cash back by breaking for spares.
Then just keep looking on FB and gumtree etc for anything local which seems a good deal.
200cc is excluding a lot of 250cc options which might be worth a look?
There are some bigger cc bikes which are small and light and easy to ride if that's what matters?
A500leroy said:
I think i want something like a RD or fizzy, but within budget.
That ship has more or less sailed at a 3k budget unless you want a project/rolling resto with a few quid spent on it to bring it up to scratch.Its easier to find a decent big bore
90s sportsbike for that budget but those bikes seem to be rising quickly.
The Bantam is a good shout, I love my Dad’s, as you say, parts easilly available and 3k will get you the pic of the bunch.
Something like a GP100 or RXS100 will be quicker and a similar budget …
Upholding a long held tradition of not answering the posted question...
Royal Enfield Bullet 500. Feels like a classic bike even if it's new(ish). Electric start to make life easy (the 350s aren't electric start, hence me suggesting a 500), everything works on the later ones mirrors, brakes, etc.), always a market if you need to sell on.
If that doesn't appeal, as another poster said, just keep your eyes open for whatever turns up... you may be disappointed at what your budget will afford in the "classic" world, so just keep an open mind - it's surprising what turns up. Recently, I've seen Z200, CD175/185, Bantam, Starfire, CZ350, CB250RS, GPZ305, CM200, all sorts of oddities and even an X5 in your budget.
Royal Enfield Bullet 500. Feels like a classic bike even if it's new(ish). Electric start to make life easy (the 350s aren't electric start, hence me suggesting a 500), everything works on the later ones mirrors, brakes, etc.), always a market if you need to sell on.
If that doesn't appeal, as another poster said, just keep your eyes open for whatever turns up... you may be disappointed at what your budget will afford in the "classic" world, so just keep an open mind - it's surprising what turns up. Recently, I've seen Z200, CD175/185, Bantam, Starfire, CZ350, CB250RS, GPZ305, CM200, all sorts of oddities and even an X5 in your budget.
All old bikes are technically ‘classic’ these days.. but it’s their collectibility that determines price. As someone said above, a Fizzy or RD even as a wreck can command stupid money.
I have considered purchasing a project, a 125cc 2T. My first bike was a Honda NS125F and prices for these that need work are still ‘reasonable’
I have considered purchasing a project, a 125cc 2T. My first bike was a Honda NS125F and prices for these that need work are still ‘reasonable’
CZ/Jawa are WELL within budget. They get a lot of stick but are enormous fun to ride and you can bet you'll be VERY unlikely to see another. Parts are also incredibly cheap.
I've just finished a 1989 CZ125 488 into CZ175 487 conversion. They're about as simple as you can possibly get.
I've just finished a 1989 CZ125 488 into CZ175 487 conversion. They're about as simple as you can possibly get.
A500leroy said:
Whats the weight like?
Fine, thanks, but I have cut down on the chocolate Hob Nobs. Nice of you to ask... If you're referring to the CZ, pretty much like most lightweight bikes of a similar age and size. Bear in mind that they have absolutely s
te brakes as standard. We had a late model 350, with a Brembo copy disc as standard and it was a surprisingly nice thing to ride - handled very nicely. Tho' less, err, "good looking", the MZ was probably superior in most ways.Very light, 120kg ish I think?
The brakes are actually reasonably good now they're bedded in. This one has a TLS front so is quite viscous. Don't compare it to the Japanese/italian bikes of the same period as it wasn't made to compete with them. It was designed to get Ivan to the foundry all year round and be fixed with a hammer.
They're somehow incredibly rare yet absolutely worthless!
The brakes are actually reasonably good now they're bedded in. This one has a TLS front so is quite viscous. Don't compare it to the Japanese/italian bikes of the same period as it wasn't made to compete with them. It was designed to get Ivan to the foundry all year round and be fixed with a hammer.
They're somehow incredibly rare yet absolutely worthless!
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