[Lurch]

How tall are you Ronny? I remember Kevin saying that 600's were a little small for him and he's only 6'3" or so. If you've grown since the last record (you told me you were 6'7" then and that was a year or so ago), I'd say you're going to have a bit of trouble on a 250 without just being totally cramped up.

[Waste]

Hope I don't get yelled at for posting this here, but it seems the most fitting place.

I know ATVs can be made street legal in the UK, but has anyone heard of anything changing with that here in the US?
They have those street legal buggy things that are kinda like what I'm talking about but I mean more the straight up 4-wheeler open wheel ATVs.

[Ronnyboy]

QUOTE (Lurch @ Monday, Apr 30 2012, 13:48)

How tall are you Ronny? I remember Kevin saying that 600's were a little small for him and he's only 6'3" or so. If you've grown since the last record (you told me you were 6'7" then and that was a year or so ago), I'd say you're going to have a bit of trouble on a 250 without just being totally cramped up.

Still around there, Doctor's office has me around 6'7'', 245lbs. My Dad was around this height when he was in highschool, and he used to have a 350 Enduro that he drove illegally. So maybe I should get one of those?

[trip]

Only because I'm excited:

Finally the weather is nice around here. I gave the bike a full on cleaning yesterday, and she's happy.

I still want to get a real sports cam to use for some footage but until then I have to find different ways to affix my cheap ass flip cam. Today I tried a bunch of rubber bands and strapped it to the one mirror. I now have 20 minutes of footage of my neighborhood being viewed at a 45 degree angle .

I'm still gonna edit up the video and post it. Sorry for the pointless post, but today was like one of the first real good weather days to enjoy being out there.

edit:
Here is the vid


This post has been edited by trip on Sunday, May 13 2012, 20:58

[SasakiHD2]

QUOTE (trip @ Sunday, May 13 2012, 16:41)

Only because I'm excited: Finally the weather is nice around here. I gave the bike a full on cleaning yesterday, and she's happy. I still want to get a real sports cam to use for some footage but until then I have to find different ways to affix my cheap ass flip cam. Today I tried a bunch of rubber bands and strapped it to the one mirror. I now have 20 minutes of footage of my neighborhood being viewed at a 45 degree angle . I'm still gonna edit up the video and post it. Sorry for the pointless post, but today was like one of the first real good weather days to enjoy being out there. edit: Here is the vid

That Was Pretty Smooth. Just crooked.

[trip]

QUOTE (SasakiHD2 @ Wednesday, May 23 2012, 02:29)

That Was Pretty Smooth. Just crooked.

Better be smooth. It's not cheap to ride in comfort .

I'm ordering a GoPro camera tomorrow. I've wanted one for a bit.

I don't do a lot of interesting riding, but I've always wanted to capture the one big(over 100k of bikes) ride I do every year. That and there are a few things I want to do (production wise) with some of the beat ass city riding I do.


edit:
Due to unforeseen circumstances I don't have a lot of extra bike money this season.
This might be the only new thing I do to the bike this year.


This post has been edited by trip on Monday, May 28 2012, 19:05

[Beez]

Trip, the most important thing your bike needs is gas and you to twist the throttle. Everything else is just extra.

[trip]

QUOTE (Beez @ Tuesday, May 29 2012, 16:29)

Trip, the most important thing your bike needs is gas and you to twist the throttle. Everything else is just extra.

I totally hear ya. I've been riding on the streets since I was 16 - every little piece of crap bike I could afford, just to be able to ride.

I have this thing for old Jap bikes, and before I bought my first Harley I was on an '81 Yamaha xv920. Before that an early 70s Kaw LTD 400whatever.

I grew up a normal American boy...loving the big Harleys and always wanting one. I was about to spend some money on some restoration of the xv920 and my wife said "Why don't you just buy a new Harley?". It struck me.

A weird thing happens when you join the Harley fold. You buy a stock bike and then make it 'yours' somehow. That isn't cheap. I'm actually looking at $800 for one of a kind custom mirrors.

I get great pleasure when I go to the Harley shop. I'm a total dick. You get all of these mid life crises, weekend worriers, all geared out acting like bikers - when they are just old guys who didn't do their time and earn their spots. I show up in my baby blue Vice City t-shirt, or even my ultra gay 'The Breakfast Club' shirt. I love riding a mean ass bike that eats babies, but still looking like the freak that I am.

"Harley owners are a dime a dozen. Bikers are few and far between"

[TheJonesy]

Due to finiancial issues, I have hardly any money so I've put my bike project on hold. Though, I still wish to work on a few, minor things once I get it running perfect so I can enjoy my summer riding instead of wasting it on tearing the thing down.

As I posted a while ago, I'm having issues with an oil leak near my crank case. It seems it needed a new o-ring, though when we replaced it, the leaking continued. On second look, it turns out the man at the store I bought this from snabbed the wrong ring; the one I needed is a squared ring, while here, he gave me a rounded one. I think there's the possibility that it doesn't perfectly fit in its slot, and since it is rounded, rolled out of place when the case was put back in, or at least doesn't perfectly seal.

Would this make that much of a difference? Whether or not it does, I'm still going to replace it, but - hypothetically - I'm asking if this doesn't resolve my problem.

[TheJonesy]

Sorry for the double post, but I wanted to update my project. My friend and I got started on my Yamaha XS850; we had plans to hard-tail it, and make it a bobber. Right away, he took care of the cutting and welding for the frame.

Here's what my bike looked like from the beginning:



Since I initially bought it, the headlight had been put on as well as an orange paint job for the tank. We began with the back, removing the seat, backrest, and fender, then set the swing arm to our desired height:



My friend chopped off the top portion of the rear frame - as well as a portion of my exhaust - and I set the tank back on to see how it'd look:



Here is how the rear looks as of now. Both sides have been welded and painted flat black. You can see that the battery box was placed right behind the wheel. Unfortunately, since we can't place a cross bar over top of it, our first plan for the seat was tossed and the current one you see didn't work out. My project for the week is to fix this problem.



As for my o-ring issue, I put in a new one and just need to tighten back my case once I get some sealer to wipe on. After this and the seat issue, it'll be ready to be tested. Anything else afterward is merely aesthetic.

This post has been edited by TheJonesy on Friday, Jun 15 2012, 01:08

[trip]

@TheJonesy...dude!!! Sweet progress so far. Sorry you have to delay things. Looks like it will be a blast when complete.

[TheJonesy]

Ah man, I appreciate the support!

One of the big problems I'm having now is that I'm starting to realize that ever since we've brought the swing arm up, it's shortened the bike more, so now I have a lot less room to fit a seat in. I plan on removing the battery box and placing it behind the carbs, so I'll be able to put a cross bar for my seat springs to sit. It also turns out that a piece was broken in my crank case, so there's more money there lol. This thing is f*cking milking money out of me.

I really hope to get this project semi-complete by this coming weekend; there's an event in our town where anyone with a bike will be riding; I want to be one of them.

This post has been edited by TheJonesy on Sunday, Jun 17 2012, 08:38

[trip]

QUOTE (TheJonesy @ Sunday, Jun 17 2012, 04:34)

I really hope to get this project semi-complete by this coming weekend; there's an event in our town where anyone with a bike will be riding; I want to be one of them.

I'm kind of guessing that you didn't get enough done for that run...? Just so you know - I'm envious of your project. I'd love to do something similar, but thanks to where I live I don't really have the facilities.

Anyway...I have to visit the bike shop this weekend. I have no money other then the few dollars I need to spend on a few [needed] light bulbs. My lady will be with me, and if I'm lucky she will bypass the clothing section and buy me a nice little do-dad or something. I've really been thinking about installing a suicide shifter.

[TheJonesy]

QUOTE (trip @ Friday, Jun 29 2012, 22:00)

QUOTE (TheJonesy @ Sunday, Jun 17 2012, 04:34) I really hope to get this project semi-complete by this coming weekend; there's an event in our town where anyone with a bike will be riding; I want to be one of them. I'm kind of guessing that you didn't get enough done for that run...? Just so you know - I'm envious of your project. I'd love to do something similar, but thanks to where I live I don't really have the facilities.

Unfortunately, yes. Because of my battery-placement issue, we now have to backtrack all the wiring to see what I could take out and what I require, so that I can get the most space. Though, since this project still has much work, we might actually have to stop it for now and return when I get enough money to buy more tubing; that way, we can extend the drive shaft and enlongate the frame.

And as you point out, money can be a bitch.

[TheJonesy]

Well, moving slowly but surely. My friend and dad have pretty much taken over the project - haha, I suppose because they're even more excited about getting it done than me. I'd hate to bump/double-post, but I figured I'd liven the place up. Unfortunately, due to a recent cellphone death, my new phone takes sh*tty pictures, so please excuse their lack of size and detail.

Here's a better look at the frame:



My friend touched up the welding on the bracket; it's a lot more solid now - and safer. That way, the frame will be that much stronger, so that we can chop off that vertical bar and place the battery there. Here's the front of the bike:



We decided to remove the front brake and some uneeded wiring so the fork wasn't so crowded. Also, we removed the rig with the speedo and whatnot, in addition to the ignition, so there was now crowding near the handlebars either; now it looks much cleaner. I plan on buying a new headlight and smaller turn signals instead of the gaudy, stock ones that were on it.



These are the newest purchases: I picked up this smaller seat for $5; it was exactly the size I wanted. The material is a little ripped and has cracks, too. Thankfully, the leather is stapled on, so I'll end up ripping it off and reapplying new leather. My dad picked up this tractor fender; it fits perfectly on the back and is the perfect style. That green thing there is an ammo box, which we plan on using for my new battery box. It's just big enough for my battery, all the fuses and wiring. Also - which I'm excited for - is that the ignition will also be placed in it.

I did grab myself these nice handlebars, but I didn't take into account that it's diameter is different, so the bolts that hold them down won't cut it; I'll have to stop by a Harley shop to get new ones. After that, we'll tighten them down, and bolt the throttle back on.

Once my friend finishes all the wiring - I refuse to touch it lol - I'll look into a new, shorter tank to allow room for the seat. With the ammo box, I plan on painting the tank and fender the same color green to give it a retro, military look.

[illegal_luggage]

Today my bike failed its first MOT. The mechanic said it's in good good nick but my bike failed due to bent handlebars and a worn out chain. The two previous owners fell off and this is what caused the damage to the handle bars. It was repaired the damage (but not properly) and so the handlebars were too low meaning they could hit the fuel tank and trap your hand. I thought that was a bit dangerous but didn't pay attention to it. I left the bike there and I'm going to let them repair it so no two wheel action for now.

[trip]

I'm bummed out. Because of the weather I haven't been able to ride much - either way too f*cking hot or raining.

Yesterday was the first day in a while I got on the bike.

Bad news. A leg of the crow I had mounted broke so I had to remove him and throw him away.


Thing is people got used to seeing this on my bike, so I think I may just have to pick up another one.

[Pagelzilla]

Hello, bike enthusiasts. I'm in the process of acquiring my license and am looking at bikes to purchase. The style I like most is the naked, standard look. A good example is the Ducati Monster series. Unfortunately I am not wealthy, therefore buying a new bike seems like a stretch. Where do you guys buy your bikes? Any advice on where or how I can get a good deal? Thanks!

[trip]

QUOTE (Pagelzilla @ Friday, Aug 10 2012, 17:09)

Hello, bike enthusiasts. I'm in the process of acquiring my license and am looking at bikes to purchase. The style I like most is the naked, standard look. A good example is the Ducati Monster series. Unfortunately I am not wealthy, therefore buying a new bike seems like a stretch. Where do you guys buy your bikes? Any advice on where or how I can get a good deal? Thanks!

The cheapest piece of sh*t that runs and has working breaks.

The best thing IMO is to ask someone who has been riding for years to help you find a used one. Around here used bikes make their way around the riding circles for cheap.

Check some of your local bike repair shops. There is one near my place that sells all sorts of bikes. My buddy once picked up a Yamaha 250 Exciter for $200.

If you already have a riding history - grew up on dirt bikes kind of thing; then go out and finance out a new bike from a dealer. I financed my first street bike when I was 17 and the payments were like $40 a month. Totally affordable. It was only a little Honda 250 Rebel, but still...



Weather hasn't been so bad here, toss in the fact that my car is dead and I won't have a new one until Sept(when the 2012s are all cheap) so I have been riding a sh*t ton of late.

[Lurch]

QUOTE (trip @ Friday, Aug 10 2012, 21:36)

If you already have a riding history - grew up on dirt bikes kind of thing; then go out and finance out a new bike from a dealer. I financed my first street bike when I was 17 and the payments were like $40 a month. Totally affordable. It was only a little Honda 250 Rebel, but still...

That was like 50 years ago. 40 bucks was a lot of money back then!