Easy (!) restoration projects..-Dirtbikes

[Cornbread Red]

(Note, this is a shameless effort to get The DooberPotentates to reconsider axing this part of Dooberville..)

Craigslist is my friend.

I've had a lot of great deals off the free site, and sometimes even gotten old motorcycles GIVEN to me from folks who grew tired of seeing the bike become a spider condo in their backyard.

When the Cycle World Show hits town, go look at the restored off road stuff and marvel at some of the prices they bring on the collector/vintage racer market.

Ebay teems with parts and project bikes, and with a 125-400cc dirt bike, you're looking at easy accessibility to individual parts, and a bike that's much easier to move around the shop than that GoldWing or other dreadnaut awaiting some TLC.

I've even seen prople turn a Motocrosser into wall art. A fellow took his beloved 250 Kawasaki and retired it above the entertainment center with mongo-size fasteners embedded in the house structure.

If you have an intrest in how a bike works, there's no better learning method than getting a old beater and tearing it down.. If you really dig a challenge, get a basket case (i.e, a bunch of cardboard boxes and milk crates with what was once a complete motorcycle in 'em) and bring the beast back to life.

Anyway, it's a great hobby -especially for a single guy/girl :rolleyes:.. Anything out there usually has a Owner's Group on Yahoo or the like online, and with a little moxie, you can sell parts off several junkers and earn enough to get that ~ONE~ classic pristine enough to cherish, sell, or best thing, just to ride the heck outta.

Chip

[ÜberDoober]

Well...

I can't say I'd much use for a dirt bike these days. Now if it was a dual-sport that was road legal and worthy, that would be a different story. I have a history of not exactly finishing several projects like my current car, for example. Add in a few Volkswagens and a 250 Elsinore in a box and probably something else I started and never completed, I've learned that I'm not too much into projects. :)

Not that I haven't had a few that turned out spiffy but I guess we all go through different phases of what we're into. I have so much junk that I don't know what I'll ever do anything with as it is. :D

[Cornbread Red]

In sunny Az, the only difference between a motocrosser and a dualsport consists of a squeeze-bulb bicycle horn "HOINK-EE!" ..A mirror, a 9v. battery, taillight bulb, and a brakelight switch. You can title a chocolate donut out here.

I'm seeing the price for street-legal stuff go thru the roof nowdays on Craigslist and eBay.. If it gets 70-100mpg, it's a hot item.

Might be a hobby that pays off pretty good.

Chip

[ÜberDoober]

I took a few minutes to browse through a few pages at Craigs. I guess to find bargains or get the good stuff while it is available, it is something you need to do every day? I didn't see much in the way of dirt bikes but did see an '82 GS-750 that could probably be fixed up and sold for a profit?

Just took another look and found this '85 DR 250 for $450.00 that could be just that cheapass dual sport I mentioned. No title though.

http://phoenix.craigslist.org/wvl/mcy/793595709.html

An '89 KLR-650 for $900.00 that "runs good"
http://phoenix.craigslist.org/nph/mcy/793430934.html

[Cornbread Red]

It's a LOT easier to file for an abandoned title nowdays in AZ than it used to be. I would still shy from something with no title if that was to be my only purchase of that model and my "streeter". I've bought XS 650's with no title, but they were all to be used for projects for parts.

Take a look at Craigslist every day. It pays to have cash on hand and a truck or trailer for "immediate" use. Early Bird gets the worm!

Fixing up old bikes for resale can be really profitable.. or you can lose your ass too if you aren't up to speed on that model's parts availability, desireableness, or resale price. Also, certain times of the year seem to be riper for great pickin's off Craigslist, Motorcycle Trader, and eBay. Late Winter, and especially after the holidays are prime bargain time.

Chip

[Cornbread Red]

To add, right now, these are the desireable bikes to fix up and resell, IMHO..
The main criterion being how cheap used examples go currently, and ease of parts and prices to fix them up..

Yamaha XS 650, XS 1100, XT/TT 500, XT 225
Kawasaki 100/125 two stroke enduros, any KZ, any size, any two stroke triple (But going too high right now, though.)
Honda 125-500 single XL or street legal XR's, Ascots, and little Honda "mopeds" like the Express, Cubs, etc.
Suzuki RM's are going cheap, although few seem to be in running condition, good for a "project" desert beater, though. Any Suzuki 125 to 750 twin/triple two stroke streeter is a investment that may become real gold soon. (Think "Water Buffalo").

Ducati's mostly suck for resale value, but Guzzi's hold thier own. not sure why this happens.

Avoid Chinese bikes like the Plague. Can't gve 'em away. No Royal Enfields, either.

Chip

[Cornbread Red]

..Here's one to brag about.. This was a smokin' deal that I got off Craig's once.. The bike is worth about four grand as it sits now.. And I did VERY little to get it that way from buying it from this guy.. :D
Reply to: sale-261482731@craigslist.org
Date: 2007-01-12, 8:38AM MST

Kenny Roberts replica XS650 street legal flattrack bike. Standard model, not a
Special! Factory Akront style wheels, nickel plated frame/swingarm. S&W rear
shocks, fork brace. FastGlass XR750 seat and tail section. Omar's half-mile
style open megaphones, stock carbs for passing emissions. VM Mikuni carb set and
cables included. Brembo front disc with Nissin master cylinder and steel braided
line. Tapered steering bearings, bronze swingarm bushings. Stock original engine
starts and runs, but is getting tired. Spare cylinders included.
$1500 FIRM, and that is a bargain for all this stuff. Do a hot rod rebuild and
ride like King Kenny!
CALL (602)375-XXXX
Location NORTH PHOENIX

-He had "Too many motorcycles", and the bike just wasn't getting ridden..
Woohoo! :D ..And as for that "tired" mill, I'm still riding it, 6k later..

http://i130.photobucket.com/albums/p241/CornbreadRed_photos/902591480603_0_BG-1.jpg

[ÜberDoober]

... It pays to have cash on hand and a truck or trailer for "immediate" use.

Oh yeah, that part. :ack2:

That XS650 is awesome! :)

[Cornbread Red]

Oh yeah, that part. :ack2:

That XS650 is awesome! :)

Well, you can always drive to the seller's place, buy the bike, ride (sneak) it home, then catch a bus or cab back..

Once, I bought a bike in Victorville Ca. off eBay, then hopped a Greydog out there and rode the motorcycle back to Phoenix.. It was an adventure!

Thanks for the props on my Streettracker. Like the guy in the Mississippi sticker says, "She's my favorite!"..

[ÜberDoober]

Ok, good ideas. Got one for the "cash on hand" part? :)

(that KLR for $900 sort of got me interested)

[Cornbread Red]

Twelve to fifteen hundred bucks in the cookie jar will get you a fine "pre-owned" running bike. Five hundred will buy a lot of the "projects" on Craigslist.