Beautiful conversion, nice color scheme and work. Damn if you were closer you could do my XS650. The paint is done, just needs someone to play with the clutch and fine tune it. We rebuilt the carbs and put new gaskets on most of the engine. You actually turned a Nighthawk into a badass looking streetfighter!
Never took any pics but a few years ago my brother's friend's wife wanted room in the garage so he had to get rid of an 87 Honda Elite 80cc scoot. He gave it to me for free. Hadn't run in quite a few years. I couldn't get the carbs working properly so I bought some used ones for $25 from a crashed scoot on Fleabay. I rode it a bit but at 35mph it scared the hell out of me given the crappy brakes and tiny wheels. Sold it for $700.
Thanks, Rasthomas. If you were closer, I'd work on your XS. The winter will be here soon and having bikes to work on in the garage keeps me sane when I have nothing else to do. I'm currently working on picking up a 1981 Suzuki GS that a friend of mine has had in his garage for the last 20 years. He's not going to do anything with it but, he's a pack rat that won't get rid of anything without a fight. He said if he decides to get rid of it, he will give it to me for free so, I'm keeping my fingers crossed.
A long time ago, I mentioned my XS850 pair I got off fleabay for $400. After working on it some then I got it running and it looked like. After setting in the shop for several years I got it out a few weeks ago. Here it is today. I actually fixed it back up because my dad wanted to ride it. His 1500 Intruder is driving a truck.
Finally got it licensed and insured, got it running pretty good. Took it out for a shakedown run today and had a great ride! These bikes (this one anyway) rin right down the road. I took a long loop with back roads, city driving and back on the freeway. Smooth, stable and power to spare. If I could get figure out how to keep the fairing from vibrating I'll be in the black! Total investment so far, $437.00. That includes purchase price, miscellaneous hardware, chemicals, license and 6 months insurance. Bet I could sell it for a little more than that!
Spent that extra couple hundred plus another $200 for a Paughco tank, still under a grand. I have some leftover paint for the tank and a bunch of parts to install to get a little closer to "street legal".
I will be posting soon about a 1983 GoldWing. $500.00 so far and I will be transforming it into a FrankenWing.
Well, I converted 1500 USD to Euros and it comes at 1033 USD...so - here goes. 1991 Suzuki DR800. Bought for 850 Euro (1200 USD). Actually it came close to 1500 after I replaced what needed replacement and modified what needed modification - tier 1. At arrival it missed collector box section of exhaust, so - put that back on and rode it for about 1000 km before winter disassembly for tier 1 mods. Now it is about 2000 Euro, so - out of contest, but works like charm and looks like that
Bought this 1982 Nighthawk 450 a few months ago for $850, only 8000 miles on it. It was in real good shape and pretty much only needed new tires and some very basic maintenance. Overall it was a great buy. How it looked after a wash when I got it: Now:
Yep. Well, almost. 779 originally, mine now is tad bored out so let say 780. In this version 54 bhp, 62 nm, built like tank :) but mine is a lot "updated" comparing to stock. Quite "lazy" motor but unstoppable, does not even notice pillion and luggage :) In DR750/800 tread in Thumpers we have at least 2 US-based owners. I am sure there is more DR Bigs lurking in US somewhere...this is bike I wish Suzuki build now - injection, DRZ forks, proper brakes, lighter wheels, adjustable shock and better headlight and it will be fine contemporary machine. Mine only missing injection now :)
Looking good! Other than the speckles on the fork lower it has the look of a Honda sales brochure photo! Lynn
Way under $1500. I got this bike for free from my neighbor. I bought a chain, tune-up parts, carb rebuild parts, a seat cover, some LED lights and a couple 9V batteries to run them. Oh, and a lot of quarters at the car wash. The tires and wheels, tank and suspension were a donation from another free bike sitting in a yard not far from me. No wiring harness, no key, no battery - just enough to make a spark. With license and registration fees and lubricants I may have $500 in it over the years. I did pay a guy $20 to weld up a couple holes in the exhaust. I recently rebuilt the front forks and changed oil and took it for a 50 mile ride. Top speed on the flat was 63.5mph. Used .8 gallons of gas. Works for me.
I traded a Savage .308 and a Glock 19 (together I probably spent about $1200 on them brand new) for this 1982 CB900F and most of a 1981 donor bike earlier this summer. It came running and registered with a new battery, tires, rebuilt clutch, and Saddleman seat installed. It's been real cold-blooded on chilly mornings, but when I took the carbs off to clean them they were pristine. I may just get it rejetted. I've got to fix something that snapped in the clutch a couple of days ago and I really do need to address the oil that keeps my left boot well lubed, but I think I made out pretty well. Not bad for two guns that were sitting in the safe untouched for a few years.
Four Suzuki DR650's for just over $2000......only one has come close to $1500 @$1300(bought 4 for $3300,sold of the parts i dont need,$1300 returned!).