kehoe@reed.UUCP (Dave Kehoe) (04/14/85)
I bought my first bike last August -- a 1972 Honda
CB450. I'm very happy with it, and I highly recommend old
Japanese bikes in general and the CB450 in particular as a
first bike to anyone who is mechanically inclined.
I strongly *do not* recommend an old bike to anyone who
does not enjoy doing maintenance and repairs.
I paid $100 for the CB450. It had a dead transmission
and over 30,000 miles on it. I spent another $250 on new
transmission parts, getting the valves ground, new O-rings,
battery, etc. It took several long weekends to get the bike
running, but it runs beautifully now. I also learned a
great deal about motorcycles.
I then spent $150 on a Bell Star LTD helmet (a luxury
-- you can get a good helmet for under $100); $100 on Con-
tinental Twin tires (a necessity); $86/year on insurance
(make sure you get "uninsured motorist" coverage); $40 on my
license, title, etc.; $40 on good gloves (another neces-
sity). The bike came with a fairing, crashbars, and
saddlebags. So I spent about $800 in all. If I were going
on a long tour, I'd also buy a leather jacket, trousers and
boots ($500 - $600, I might skip the jacket because I have a
heavy cloth jacket); a new chain and sprockets ($100); and a
good toolkit ($?).
In about 2000 miles, I've had to replace the studs that
hold the rear sprocket on, and last weekend I had to take
the right crankcase cover off to replace a bolt that I
hadn't tightened properly when I put the new transmission
in. I've also had to do lots of routine maintenance --
tightening the chain, replacing fork oil, etc.
If you're thinking of buying a old bike, think about
whether you want to work on it. You can get a new Honda
CB450T Nighthawk or CM450 for $1100 -- $1300. These bikes
need little maintenance and (with a warranty) no repairs.
I know a *lot* of people who bought old bikes, had something
minor (or major) go wrong, and now the bike sits in the
garage gathering dust. I seem to be the only person who
thinks nothing of pulling a crankcase apart.
If you buy a used bike, change the oil, fork oil, brake
fluid, and lubricate the chain. Assume that he previous
owner did no maintenance. Tune up the bike. Look it over
*very* carefully -- I found on my bike that the long bolts
in the forks weren't attached to the big nuts on top of the
forks, i.e. the forks weren't actually bolted on.
Also, ask people (or post on net.cycle) about bikes you
are considering. For example, Honda CB350's are supposed to
be great bikes, but CB360T's are notoriously bad. Kawasaki
KZ650's are real quick, but hard to start.
Also, ask about handling, etc. The CB450 has excellent
low speed handling (most important for a beginner), good
high speed handling, good power (43 horsepower, 0-60mph
acceleration in about 4 seconds), an excellent broad power-
band, and is heavy enough (430 pounds) to be stable on the
road.
Good luck with your tour!chuck@anwar.UUCP (chuck jann) (04/17/85)
[] > From: kehoe@reed.UUCP (Dave Kehoe) > Also, ask people (or post on net.cycle) about bikes you > are considering. For example, Honda CB350's are supposed to > be great bikes, but CB360T's are notoriously bad. Kawasaki > KZ650's are real quick, but hard to start. KZ650's hard to start? My KZ650 (1979 with >30,000 miles) NEVER takes more than 2 kicks to start. Other than that one point I agree with what you had to say. IT'S FINALLY SPRING !! TIME TO RIDE !!!!!!!!!!! -- ========================================================== cj UUCP address: {ihnp4,decvax,allegra}!philabs!hhb!chuck A UNIHORN DOES NOT A UNICORN MAKE