Amateur looking for a new project - please inspire me

[Hairsy]

A number of you may have seen my Amateur Restoration thread where I took a non running / messy / rusty CBR600F3 and gave it a new lease of life. Although it led to a fair few frustrations / sleepless nights, I really enjoyed it.

I'm getting itchy fingers and want a new project but I'm really struggling to find something.

My thoughts / desires are ...

- I can't afford more than £1,000
- I'm not great at repairing bodywork. Damaged plastics / tanks really aren't my thing so I'd like my project not to need this kind of repair work. Although it's fine if  replacement panels / parts are available and cost effective
- I don't mind a non runner but I'm not really seeking a full engine rebuild. Of course there's always the risk of a project needing one but I'd like my project to be more likely to not need it

- I'd love to not have a steel frame but I wouldn't rule it out
- I'd really like to do a 2 stroke. It's all about the smell!
- I quite fancy doing a smaller engined bike this time : 80cc - 400cc

Apart from the cost, I could compromise on any of the above!

It's possible that the bike might be a keeper, particularly if it was small engined (mainly because my 'daily' is a Z1000SX). But I also might sell. I'm not looking to make money but I can't afford to lose money. My last couple of project bikes have been sold at cost (or slightly below it) but have been to people who have really deserved / needed to find a bargain. I really like that.

Can anyone suggest a project that might suit me?

[Nick the wanderer]

Hi, 

Ebay can be your friend here. Just play around with your searches, spares or repair, project, ending soonest, nearest to you. Obviously there are a lot of nightmares to stay away from but it can give you an idea of rough prices, see what things are fetching etc. Lots of tat but you may see something cheap enough to have a play with. Good luck.

[husoi]

A friend of mine have a cbr125 that is in very poor condition.

Some idiot made it fall over and broke the headlight fixing.

Only issue is getting it from Scotland

[Fozzie]

It depends how far you want to go. 

 

I would try and get an old Honda CB500. They are bomb proof, but they also come apart a lot easier than the equivalent Kawasaki. But are big enough that you might ride it about when it's all fixed up. 

 

I have an ER5 project, and that little bast*rd has fought me on everything. But I love it in a way. It keeps springing leaks, the coolant does not want to stay in that engine. It's due to corrosion so I've had to get a bit hardcore and grind/polish the areas coolant pipes sit so that they don't tear up the o-rings. The cylinder head has some obvious signs of an old piston ring cratering it, so I expect the head gasket won't last forever and I will need to replace the head on that engine. Annoying, as I just replaced the cam chain, and cham shafts, as well as all gaskets/rubber seals. I've just bought a 17k mile engine, but intend to rebuild the 52k mile engine with fresh bearing shells down the line. 

 

The CBR125 I have, other than a problematic crank that was clearly meant to be replaced, and not fixed as I've chosen to have done, has been much better. And I find with Honda's, they come apart more easily, and tend to be more built to last. A 1995 track day CBR600F goes through my garage occasionally for servicing, and it's a joy to work on. Other than tricky to reach fuel components. 

 

I've spent a small fortune doing my present 2 up. But I just like it. 

 

As you're an amateur, scour Ebay and Facebook for something that has only *just* gone into an MOT fail territory. Make sure the engine is good. Those projects are always a breeze and it's "where the money is" if you are into it for that. As they can be turned around relatively easily, given an MOT and sold on for a good profit.

 

If you want to really explore/build your skills though, buy something that is really cheap/rough so you can take it apart without worry of how it goes back together. As get it wrong, and you haven't been left too much out of pocket. This is where a cheap 125 of some description would be better. 

[Hairsy]

Thanks for the thoughts. Keep them coming!

[breff.]

I've got a 1984 Suzuki GS250E. Had it about 15 months and it was a nice little runner. Then there was an Electrics problem, I do not understand Electrics! Got it sorted and running. Then it wouldn't fire on the left cylinder! Told the Left hand carb' isn't putting petrol through. It's a CV Carb' and way beyond my level these days. Parked it up in the garage and sorned it. A couple of months back the SCUM broke in an stole 3 bikes. They cut the ignition switch on the GS250 and went off. I assume they couldn't get away fast enough with the carb' only giving a bang on 1 cylinder.  Police saw them in a local park and they dropped the bike and ran! I got a call from the Police that it was found. About 500 yards from my flat! Wheeled it back and have done Bugger all with it. Not 100% standard but pretty close. Cosmetics are tidy, Recent rear shocks, if I had power to my garage I might play with it, but not happening. It'll be 40 years old later this year. I'm based in Lancaster. Any interest? 

[Tinkicker]

Public service pic.  Could not find any reference to a GS250E.  The GS250s were all Ts and cruiser styled..   I gather the bike in question is actually the GSX250E?

 

In which case, for the OPs titillation, this is what it looks like..

 

GSX250E

 

GS250T

 

 

 

Edited August 11, 2024 by Tinkicker

[Mickly]

Ahem 

 

[Hairsy]

23 hours ago, Tinkicker said:

Public service pic.  Could not find any reference to a GS250E.  The GS250s were all Ts and cruiser styled..   I gather the bike in question is actually the GSX250E?

 

In which case, for the OPs titillation, this is what it looks like..

 

GSX250E

 

GS250T

 

 

 

 

Thanks Tinkicker & Breff. That might have been of interest but I'm on the Dorset coast so a bit too much of a trek.

BMW could be of interest but you've done the stuff that I'd be looking to do - and I'm rubbish at bodywork!

I've set up some eBay, Facebook and GumTree searches but will be grateful for any suggestions in the meantime.

No huge rush as I'm trying to actually get out and ride a bit at the moment.

Went to Thruxton for the BSB yesterday. Ride back was scarey - riding into the sun, I seemed to be the only biker who cared about the lack of visibility. I was expecting to find an accident round every corner. Pleased to say I didn't see any but really wish my fellow 2-wheelers would be a bit more imaginative when thinking what might be round the next corner.

[Nick the wanderer]

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/305728790574

[Mickly]

On 12/08/2024 at 14:32, Hairsy said:

 

Thanks Tinkicker & Breff. That might have been of interest but I'm on the Dorset coast so a bit too much of a trek.

BMW could be of interest but you've done the stuff that I'd be looking to do - and I'm rubbish at bodywork!

I've set up some eBay, Facebook and GumTree searches but will be grateful for any suggestions in the meantime.

No huge rush as I'm trying to actually get out and ride a bit at the moment.

Went to Thruxton for the BSB yesterday. Ride back was scarey - riding into the sun, I seemed to be the only biker who cared about the lack of visibility. I was expecting to find an accident round every corner. Pleased to say I didn't see any but really wish my fellow 2-wheelers would be a bit more imaginative when thinking what might be round the next corner.

Not this ambitious then?

[Hairsy]

3 hours ago, Mickly said:

Not this ambitious then?

 

That looks amazing. But for reasons I can't explain, I'm not drawn to custom. I really can't explain it because I really admire the work people do to create something like that.

[James Sturgeon]

On 28/07/2024 at 21:54, Hairsy said:

A number of you may have seen my Amateur Restoration thread where I took a non running / messy / rusty CBR600F3 and gave it a new lease of life. Although it led to a fair few frustrations / sleepless nights, I really enjoyed it.

I'm getting itchy fingers and want a new project but I'm really struggling to find something.

My thoughts / desires are ...

- I can't afford more than £1,000
- I'm not great at repairing bodywork. Damaged plastics / tanks really aren't my thing so I'd like my project not to need this kind of repair work. Although it's fine if  replacement panels / parts are available and cost effective
- I don't mind a non runner but I'm not really seeking a full engine rebuild. Of course there's always the risk of a project needing one but I'd like my project to be more likely to not need it

- I'd love to not have a steel frame but I wouldn't rule it out
- I'd really like to do a 2 stroke. It's all about the smell!
- I quite fancy doing a smaller engined bike this time : 80cc - 400cc

Apart from the cost, I could compromise on any of the above!

It's possible that the bike might be a keeper, particularly if it was small engined (mainly because my 'daily' is a Z1000SX). But I also might sell. I'm not looking to make money but I can't afford to lose money. My last couple of project bikes have been sold at cost (or slightly below it) but have been to people who have really deserved / needed to find a bargain. I really like that.

Can anyone suggest a project that might suit me?

Hi. I have a Honda CB350s 1986 that belonged to my late brother. Not sure if it would run it's been outside under a cover for some time. Have a few pictures if you are interested. Bike is in Frome Somerset. James