What first project/fixer upper?
Discussion
Hi All
Have had my first bike (Kawasaki ER-6F) for 18 months or so now and I fancy a change.
I don't actually manage to get out on it as often as I'd like, but whatever power it has (~72hp) is enough for me. I live near Bridgnorth so have lots of half decent twisty roads and lanes nearby.
I sorta fancy picking up something as a bit of a project and fixer upper. I'm fairly handy with spanners and so a light restoration of sorts sounds appealing.
I don't have a particular type of bike in mind, though I'm 29 so something with handle bar tassles is probably out
Any suggestions on a fairly simple to work on bike?
Ideally something with available parts, information online etc.
The sorta thing that another bloke has had sat in the corner of their garage for years while saying "I'll get round to it one day!", but they end up forced to sell it for very little because their wife won the battle
Have had my first bike (Kawasaki ER-6F) for 18 months or so now and I fancy a change.
I don't actually manage to get out on it as often as I'd like, but whatever power it has (~72hp) is enough for me. I live near Bridgnorth so have lots of half decent twisty roads and lanes nearby.
I sorta fancy picking up something as a bit of a project and fixer upper. I'm fairly handy with spanners and so a light restoration of sorts sounds appealing.
I don't have a particular type of bike in mind, though I'm 29 so something with handle bar tassles is probably out
Any suggestions on a fairly simple to work on bike?
Ideally something with available parts, information online etc.
The sorta thing that another bloke has had sat in the corner of their garage for years while saying "I'll get round to it one day!", but they end up forced to sell it for very little because their wife won the battle
Edited by Sycamore on Friday 12th July 08:46
I'm a year older than you and looking for an older/classic bike frankly to slow me down a bit as modern bikes just bring out the hooligan in me.
I've decided I will look for one of the 'UJM' era bikes so late 70s/early 80s and the Honda CB, Kawasaki Z, Suzuki GS all those sort of things. The prices for the more desirable/larger capacities are already climbing but the smaller ones are still fairly reasonable.
I've decided I will look for one of the 'UJM' era bikes so late 70s/early 80s and the Honda CB, Kawasaki Z, Suzuki GS all those sort of things. The prices for the more desirable/larger capacities are already climbing but the smaller ones are still fairly reasonable.
You can always get VFR750/800 pretty cheap, or an old FJ1200 for not much at all, parts readily available either new or 2nd hand and theres very good owners forums. Probably wont be worth much once done up but both still very much useable tools and probably as much bike as you need most of the time.
Personally, having had a couple of FJs over the years, i would go for a VFR (maybe even one of the 250 or 400s).
Personally, having had a couple of FJs over the years, i would go for a VFR (maybe even one of the 250 or 400s).
Cbr600f2/3 are fun simple and easy to take apart.
Vfr750's are quite compact and can had awkward bits that are hard to remove.
Air cooled is simpler (obviously I know)
Gpz500's , cb500's are fun and being twins cheaper to sort out.
I had a 600 bandit project,sold on as such as a head gasket was over £100 etc
Vfr750's are quite compact and can had awkward bits that are hard to remove.
Air cooled is simpler (obviously I know)
Gpz500's , cb500's are fun and being twins cheaper to sort out.
I had a 600 bandit project,sold on as such as a head gasket was over £100 etc
A lot of people seem to want a lot of money for 'project' bikes which won't be very valuable when sorted.
Parts and services soon add up.
So I'd either consider being open minded about what bike and just looking for bargains, or building something that will be a 'keeper' so you don't mind paying over the odds along the way.
A lot of the work is not really 'spannering', bodywork, paintwork, cosmetic odds ands often form the bulk of the time and costs.
Something where DIY standard paint would be acceptable, like maybe a trail bike, is one way to keep costs down.
Given that tax and mot cost more than insurance for me, I'd be tempted by soemthing exempt for a second bike.
Parts and services soon add up.
So I'd either consider being open minded about what bike and just looking for bargains, or building something that will be a 'keeper' so you don't mind paying over the odds along the way.
A lot of the work is not really 'spannering', bodywork, paintwork, cosmetic odds ands often form the bulk of the time and costs.
Something where DIY standard paint would be acceptable, like maybe a trail bike, is one way to keep costs down.
Given that tax and mot cost more than insurance for me, I'd be tempted by soemthing exempt for a second bike.
From personal experience.....
Firstly, don't get rid of the bike that works.
Secondly, don't ever work on multiple bikes at once unless you can possibly avoid it - always have one running.
You want something that is relatively simple, no inherant major issues (weak gearboxes, self destructing cams etc), good parts availability and good manuals.
I picked up my CBF500 in 2019 for £545 with an MOT. I have so far
- Changed all fluids multiple times
- New clutch
- New lights
- New C&S twice
- Hardwired dashcam
- Swingarm powdercoated and new bearings
- New heard bearings
- New discs front and rear
- Rebuilt the calipers with new seals and stainless pistons
- Large amount of bolts replaced with stainless or titanium
- Rebuilt the forks with YSS PD valves, hyperpro springs and new oil seals
- Fitted a YSS shock with a heavy spring
- Powdercoated the footrests, headlight surround, givi rack arms fork lowers and tank
- Replaced the CCT twice
- Replaced the rad switch twice and wired in a manual override switch
- Cut out the old and melted starter relay and fitted a replacment
- Replaced the stator with a blackbird style one with much greater output and wired in a very heavy duty reg rec direct to the battery
- Swapped the cylinderhead out. I managed to snap an exhaust stud and then a drill bit trying to get it out. Bought a secondhand one for £60 inc cams, had it skimmed and sat there infront of YouTube and lapped in the valves. Compression went from 160psi and burning roughly 300ml of oil every 1500 miles to 190psi and burning no oil. Prior to this I'd not even taken a valve cover off before.
The point I'm making with this list is that I've done all of this myself (apart from the skimming, modifying the damper rod and powdercoating). The only things that actually FAILED have been the CCT, rad switch and relay. The rest of the work was just an ongoing attempt to learn/upgrade. I know I'll never get the money I spent back but I intend to keep the bike forever. It's also given me VASTLY more confidence to work on other bikes now. I'm not so scared about doing a valve check for example.
The entire project was made CONSIDERABLY easier due to the fact that the CBF shares an identical engine with the older CB500, parts are widely available (cheaply), there is a VERY active owners group on facebook and nothing majorly really goes wrong with them. You can get a (good) frame with V5 for £100, a solid engine for £200, wheels for £40 etc etc etc
On the other hand I had the ludicrous idea to buy a CZ125 a few years ago. It was a complete nut and bolt restoration that turned into a living nightmare. Unlike the Honda you can't just go to Fowlers and search for a part number, you had to trawl through half a dozen dodgy eastern european sites to find what you (think) you needed, wait 6 weeks for it to arrive and then find that the part is either badly made or and badly repaired. The owners group wasn't very active and when I finally gave up no mechanic of any quality wanted to work on old bikes.
I'll add again, get something that doesn't have any serious design issues, that parts are cheap for and that has an (active) owners group.
Firstly, don't get rid of the bike that works.
Secondly, don't ever work on multiple bikes at once unless you can possibly avoid it - always have one running.
You want something that is relatively simple, no inherant major issues (weak gearboxes, self destructing cams etc), good parts availability and good manuals.
I picked up my CBF500 in 2019 for £545 with an MOT. I have so far
- Changed all fluids multiple times
- New clutch
- New lights
- New C&S twice
- Hardwired dashcam
- Swingarm powdercoated and new bearings
- New heard bearings
- New discs front and rear
- Rebuilt the calipers with new seals and stainless pistons
- Large amount of bolts replaced with stainless or titanium
- Rebuilt the forks with YSS PD valves, hyperpro springs and new oil seals
- Fitted a YSS shock with a heavy spring
- Powdercoated the footrests, headlight surround, givi rack arms fork lowers and tank
- Replaced the CCT twice
- Replaced the rad switch twice and wired in a manual override switch
- Cut out the old and melted starter relay and fitted a replacment
- Replaced the stator with a blackbird style one with much greater output and wired in a very heavy duty reg rec direct to the battery
- Swapped the cylinderhead out. I managed to snap an exhaust stud and then a drill bit trying to get it out. Bought a secondhand one for £60 inc cams, had it skimmed and sat there infront of YouTube and lapped in the valves. Compression went from 160psi and burning roughly 300ml of oil every 1500 miles to 190psi and burning no oil. Prior to this I'd not even taken a valve cover off before.
The point I'm making with this list is that I've done all of this myself (apart from the skimming, modifying the damper rod and powdercoating). The only things that actually FAILED have been the CCT, rad switch and relay. The rest of the work was just an ongoing attempt to learn/upgrade. I know I'll never get the money I spent back but I intend to keep the bike forever. It's also given me VASTLY more confidence to work on other bikes now. I'm not so scared about doing a valve check for example.
The entire project was made CONSIDERABLY easier due to the fact that the CBF shares an identical engine with the older CB500, parts are widely available (cheaply), there is a VERY active owners group on facebook and nothing majorly really goes wrong with them. You can get a (good) frame with V5 for £100, a solid engine for £200, wheels for £40 etc etc etc
On the other hand I had the ludicrous idea to buy a CZ125 a few years ago. It was a complete nut and bolt restoration that turned into a living nightmare. Unlike the Honda you can't just go to Fowlers and search for a part number, you had to trawl through half a dozen dodgy eastern european sites to find what you (think) you needed, wait 6 weeks for it to arrive and then find that the part is either badly made or and badly repaired. The owners group wasn't very active and when I finally gave up no mechanic of any quality wanted to work on old bikes.
I'll add again, get something that doesn't have any serious design issues, that parts are cheap for and that has an (active) owners group.
Sycamore said:
That's not a bad idea, I think I'm in a similar position.
Mine isn't exactly a rocket ship but it's still more than quick enough and I find myself being a bit stupid sometimes.
I had a ride on a RE Himalayan which has 20 something HP and had just as much fun
If the Himalayan was OK and based where you live then a 2000's Honda XR125L. With it being able to do light off road you will have something that offers a completely different option to your current bike.Mine isn't exactly a rocket ship but it's still more than quick enough and I find myself being a bit stupid sometimes.
I had a ride on a RE Himalayan which has 20 something HP and had just as much fun
Going further back the small capacity road legal off road bikes (DT125, KMX125) attract the two stroke tax and parts are harder to get hold of.
I’m also on the look out for something a bit special to restore. Hoping for a something like a baby blade or an old monster but bargains are few and far between. Already missed out on a monster for £600 and an RSV4 for £750.
To tide me over I did buy a yam XJ6 earlier in the year for £1k, spent £400 on parts, tools, insurance, MOT etc and then sold it for £2k. Only problem was with it being a dull commuter I had no interest in keeping or riding it!
I’d also happily have an SV650 (soft spot for these) or Hornet (my first bike) again but the prices people want for 20+ year old bikes is mental.
To tide me over I did buy a yam XJ6 earlier in the year for £1k, spent £400 on parts, tools, insurance, MOT etc and then sold it for £2k. Only problem was with it being a dull commuter I had no interest in keeping or riding it!
I’d also happily have an SV650 (soft spot for these) or Hornet (my first bike) again but the prices people want for 20+ year old bikes is mental.
sean18751 said:
I’m also on the look out for something a bit special to restore. Hoping for a something like a baby blade or an old monster but bargains are few and far between. Already missed out on a monster for £600 and an RSV4 for £750.
To tide me over I did buy a yam XJ6 earlier in the year for £1k, spent £400 on parts, tools, insurance, MOT etc and then sold it for £2k. Only problem was with it being a dull commuter I had no interest in keeping or riding it!
I’d also happily have an SV650 (soft spot for these) or Hornet (my first bike) again but the prices people want for 20+ year old bikes is mental.
I hope when you say RSV4 you dont actually mean that, or mean RS4 125 as youd be absolutely mental to turn an rsv4 down for £750 even if it doesnt run and is a write off! Some parts are pretty bloody expensive!To tide me over I did buy a yam XJ6 earlier in the year for £1k, spent £400 on parts, tools, insurance, MOT etc and then sold it for £2k. Only problem was with it being a dull commuter I had no interest in keeping or riding it!
I’d also happily have an SV650 (soft spot for these) or Hornet (my first bike) again but the prices people want for 20+ year old bikes is mental.
Sorry it wasn’t an RSV4 it as an RSV1000 and it was running and had an MOT. The only detractors were it had a dire DIY paint job on the fairings and the swingarm bearing was notchy (not uncommon but a complete PITA to change).
With both that and the monster it was a case of who could collect it soonest, I actually think for the RSV someone may have offered more than it was up for just to guarantee they got it.
I don’t have a van so I’m not always able to collect these quick sale bargains in the timescales people want.
With both that and the monster it was a case of who could collect it soonest, I actually think for the RSV someone may have offered more than it was up for just to guarantee they got it.
I don’t have a van so I’m not always able to collect these quick sale bargains in the timescales people want.
Bandit 600.
Loads and loads and loads of them about so you can be fussy and pick the least-worst example you find.
Parts are stupid cheap either new or on ebay.
Loads of potential for modifications to make it your own/throw more cash at it.
It will always sell again, no matter how much of a bodge you make of it.
Loads and loads and loads of them about so you can be fussy and pick the least-worst example you find.
Parts are stupid cheap either new or on ebay.
Loads of potential for modifications to make it your own/throw more cash at it.
It will always sell again, no matter how much of a bodge you make of it.
Rubin215 said:
Bandit 600.
I'll throw something a bit different into the mix: don't restore something stodgy to original but do either a cafe racer conversion like KTMboys' very nice example of a 90's Triumph 900 (i.e. Trophy 900) or do one of those classic racer type conversions which you can do on things like Bandit 1200's.crofty1984 said:
Biker9090 said:
Secondly, don't ever work on multiple bikes at once unless you can possibly avoid it - always have one running.
My Lord in heaven - heed this man.Spoken as someone who at one point had 4 bikes and a Lotus that didn't work (and was considering a boat).
Currently own 4 different Triumphs in varied states of disassembly, Mrs 215's Bandit hasn't moved since lockdown in March 2020, my 'stolen' Aprilia Habana still doesn't have a V5, and the CB500T I bought again in 2008 having first sold it in 1996 has only been run twice since then.
My Jag XJR has been sitting sans fuel pumps since July last year, my '71 Beetle needs lots of welding before I would risk driving it again and the broken catch on the drivers door of my van means I have been accessing it from the passenger side for the past three months.
And here I am playing on the internet...
I'd start the other way around
Have a look on Facebook or eBay at what projects are being sold. Then have a Google about the bike and see if you like it
That you like something, is probably the most important point of taking on a project IMO
I find most used bikes I buy, turn into mini projects anyway
Have a look on Facebook or eBay at what projects are being sold. Then have a Google about the bike and see if you like it
That you like something, is probably the most important point of taking on a project IMO
I find most used bikes I buy, turn into mini projects anyway
Why not start with sonthing simple, Honda C50/70/90, you can alwys sell it one youve finished.
https://www.c90club.co.uk/index.php
https://www.c90club.co.uk/index.php
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