Anyone else here into Motorcycles. I mean, Really into motorcycles?

I've owned several since I was 15. I learned to ride a dirtbike before I ever sat in the drivers seat of a car. Living in a big city, sucks for dirtbiking, and even on my KZ650 you can't open it up anywhere. Really feels like its starting to become a rare hobby in these parts. Anyone else feel the same?

 

Sounds familiar. As a kid in the country I had an XR75 ('78)--great bike and completely bulletproof. Then a XL185s ('80). Then had a KX125 ('80). That was yr they had an aircooled (mine) and watercooled version. In college had a CX500 (honda). Then a harley sportster ('79). Then a harley FXLSP ('90) police model. Then a CBR954RR ('03). Love the bikes. Don't have one now.

 

haha. I loved the XR75. Bought one for 100 bucks when I was 18. Thing was beat to hell when I bought it. Me and a buddy beat it pretty bad after that. After the motor was shot, we went out of a limb and stuff a 250cc into it. Thing RIPS, But its still a small bike. Tends to be quite hard to ride. Eats brakes like there made of paper.

 

I actually have 2 80' KZ 650's for sale...

 

Yeah I've got a green 78 K650. I live in Canada though lol, otherwise, I'd buy em.

 

Well, building motorcycles is my job..
Had and have a few of them..

 

I was never really into choppers. Although I admire the time and precision that goes into the work. I always really liked the look of Cafe Racers when it comes to custom bikes. I was really hoping to do the work myself one day on an old BSA or Triumph.


1929 Triumph. That's sex on 2 wheels.

 

Looks like a lot of fun. Love riding motorcycles, friends have beamers and we go riding as often as possible.

 

VileSmile
Choppers is such an ample term..i dont dig what became known as a chopper since 2000 and TV "reality" shows..

This is in what I build

 

Yeah, and agreed. No intent to be flamer, but choppers today aren't real choppers. Good luck trying to ride any of em more than 100 miles. I'm a believer of function over form. They have to be really ride-able and look good.

 

Now those are the kind of bikes I like. Like that middle one for sure, looks like it would be a wild ride.

Do you build all your stuff custom or are you modifying old bikes?

 

I build my own stuff based on OEM parts or donor bikes. i take what I need and rebuild, then sell the rest of the customer can keep the extra parts in case one of these days he decides to bring the bike back to original.

No one has the $$$ to get stuff made from scratch anymore..
( my book, published by Motorbooks International "How to build a bobber on a budget" goes into the build in detail)

 

I'll have to look for that.

I really have no intention of modifying my KZ650 too much, it's simply too old. Next year I need tires and brakes. Electric start doesnt work, and its not a bike I like to kickstart. It's a little rusty too.

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Thats what it looks like now more or less. I replaced the exhaust witch was leaking right from the header pipe. The paint is in reasonable condition, and it runs good, doesnt burn any oil.

 

i've had 2 so far a 80 honda 650cb and a 2007 shadow spirit(which i regrettably had to let go of a couple years ago). I settled on the c70 this summer but a new bike is coming as soon as i either buy the wife a truck or find a hell of a deal on 1 before that. the droptop is fun but it really just doesn't replace the feeling of being on a bike

 

Putting a 250 in the xr75 just cracked me up. The frame had/has a lot of room, so can see it happening.

 

I know Bulldog. We got alot of kicks out of it. Unfortunately I don't have it here, We did the transplant and I left it in Ontario. I really did'nt have the room to bring it. I only have the KZ650 now because my dad gave it to me, and I had to go to Manitoba to pick it up.


That's the original engine. You can see theres some weird looking putty on the gas tank. The tank was very dirty and rusty, so my friend had the genious idea of using a pressure washer to clean it out. It blew like, 20 tiny holes along the bottom. Instead of making or buying a new tank, I got my hands on industrial putty, and used that.

The 250 is considerably wider. It fits but only barely. It makes the bike fairly hard to ride, and isnt practical in much sense, but its like hell on wheels.

 

Here is my next restoration..
1968 Kawasaki W2 650

 

Dig that gas tank!!!

 

Oh that's sweet! Love those 2 cylinder bikes.

Can't see much but, Is that your garage? Looks like a nice setup. I'm stuck in a condo for the moment, I've got a shed and parking spot. Parking spot is full of bondo from all the body work my 240 has received lol.

 

Amazing how similar they are to BSA's