Wanted: Cheap Project Motorcycle

[93formulalt1]

Hey guys, I'm looking for a project bike. I'm not really picky about what kind, I just want something that's going to be fun to build, and eventually, to ride. I will consider anything from wrecked sport bikes to 20+ year old road bikes that have seized motors. Looking to get something REALLY cheap, like less than $500, that needs a bit of work. I don't need anything that is roadworthy now, but something I can rebuild and make my own.

I would prefer something in the 600-850cc range, but I'll consider anything. Not really looking for a dirtbike or anything, just something that needs a good home and some work. Going to use this as a learning experience to familiarize myself with motorcycles.

So, does anyone here have something like that they want to get rid of?

[93formulalt1]

Found a couple of good deals on CL, I'm hoping to go take a look at an older GSXR 750 tonight, might be bringing it home, depending on how badly it was damaged when it got laid down. Also found a pair of old Kawasaki 1100's for REALLY cheap, but I wasn't able to reach the guy about them. Still looking, I have cash in hand, so if anyone finds something for less than about $1,000, let me know. I've got about $600 to spend, but I will probably have another grand or so in a week. If I can't find a cheap project bike, I may end up getting something that's already running in the $1200-$1500 range, but I'd really like to get something I can work on for a while.

[Robert Lawler]

I have a 73 Suzuke gt380. It ran when I took the front end for my other bike. Right now it's missing the gages, handle bars, forks, front tire and breaks. Its been sitting for about 10 years in my parents back yard, it was under a awning but not covered. If you want it come and get it, you can have it for free. Just bring a couple friends as it is in the back yard. I also have a 71 Harley endero you can have also. but you have to take both of them.

[Darren]

I have a 73 Suzuke gt380. It ran when I took the front end for my other bike. Right now it's missing the gages, handle bars, forks, front tire and breaks. Its been sitting for about 10 years in my parents back yard, it was under a awning but not covered. If you want it come and get it, you can have it for free. Just bring a couple friends as it is in the back yard. I also have a 71 Harley endero you can have also. but you have to take both of them.

Sounds like a great deal right there Nick!

[93formulalt1]

I have a 73 Suzuke gt380. It ran when I took the front end for my other bike. Right now it's missing the gages, handle bars, forks, front tire and breaks. Its been sitting for about 10 years in my parents back yard, it was under a awning but not covered. If you want it come and get it, you can have it for free. Just bring a couple friends as it is in the back yard. I also have a 71 Harley endero you can have also. but you have to take both of them.

Damn. PM me an address! Can't pass up free! When are you available? Any pics? lol I'm not picky, I'll take both of them, just need to figure out when I can make it out that way. Might have to get the truck and trailer from grandpa, I don't think I can fit two bikes in the bed of my Silverado stepside. . .

[nascarnate326]

Id look for a Ninja 250 if you can find one thats cheap.

[93formulalt1]

Id look for a Ninja 250 if you can find one thats cheap.

Why the 250? I've been looking at 600cc+ bikes since I started looking, I don't think I'd be too impressed with a 250. . . My last bike was a Suzuki 600 Katana, and that seemed to have plenty of power, but seemed to really lag in the bottom end. Is there something about the Ninja 250's I don't know? I don't know much about them, but I'm 6'2", 180 lbs, I don't think that would make for a good match, big guy on a little bike. . . lol

I was looking for something to tinker on, hopefully wind up with a nice-looking running bike in a while. Heck, I might get good at it and eventually decide to sell my project and get something bigger.

I'm going to do some research into the Ninja 250, I've passed up quite a few of those lately, just because I assumed they are too small.

[tag0398]

If I'm thinking of the right bike there are TONS of parts available for the Ninja 250. I used to have a Buell and people that I talked to liked that bike as a track bike. They could beat the piss out of it and fix it for real cheap. Isn't the fastest thing in the world but from what I understand it handles pretty well and because the engine is smaller you can really wring it's neck without getting into much trouble.

[nascarnate326]

Why the 250? I've been looking at 600cc+ bikes since I started looking, I don't think I'd be too impressed with a 250. . . My last bike was a Suzuki 600 Katana, and that seemed to have plenty of power, but seemed to really lag in the bottom end. Is there something about the Ninja 250's I don't know? I don't know much about them, but I'm 6'2", 180 lbs, I don't think that would make for a good match, big guy on a little bike. . . lol

I was looking for something to tinker on, hopefully wind up with a nice-looking running bike in a while. Heck, I might get good at it and eventually decide to sell my project and get something bigger.

I'm going to do some research into the Ninja 250, I've passed up quite a few of those lately, just because I assumed they are too small.

As much as I hate to say this but Skill>Power.


Squids on 600's drive me nuts. If all your going to do is drive from point A to point B the Ninja 250 offers cheaper insurance, HUGE aftermarket, reliability, and other things. They are not 1/4 mile machines at all but they are cheap, fun to drive(2008+ are bad ass) and very reliable.

I would love a 600 but realistically all I need to do is get from A to B and look cool if I can. As with anything a pro on a 250 can keep up with a average guy on a 600.

It would be hard to get one for 500 bucks, but there is a reason they are everywhere.

[93formulalt1]

As much as I hate to say this but Skill>Power.


Squids on 600's drive me nuts. If all your going to do is drive from point A to point B the Ninja 250 offers cheaper insurance, HUGE aftermarket, reliability, and other things. They are not 1/4 mile machines at all but they are cheap, fun to drive(2008+ are bad ass) and very reliable.

I would love a 600 but realistically all I need to do is get from A to B and look cool if I can. As with anything a pro on a 250 can keep up with a average guy on a 600.

It would be hard to get one for 500 bucks, but there is a reason they are everywhere.

I have more than $500 to spend right now, I'm just looking to spend as little as possible.

[Darren]

Personally I wouldnt get a 250, a 250 is a beginners bike. I had a ninja 250 before and they are great bikes to learn on or to drive point A to B but youd just get tired and frustrated with it. Pick up those free ones that should keep you busy!

[93formulalt1]

Personally I wouldnt get a 250, a 250 is a beginners bike. I had a ninja 250 before and they are great bikes to learn on or to drive point A to B but youd just get tired and frustrated with it. Pick up those free ones that should keep you busy!

That's what I was thinking. I rode my 600 Suzuki for a while, I was happy with it, it was powerful, but not too powerful. I don't ride fast, I'm not looking for something to go doing stunts or stupid crap on, I just want something that will last me more than a few seasons without feeling the need to upgrade to a bigger bike. I'm still waiting on a response from the guy with the GSXR, if I can get him on the phone, I'll be going out to pick it up tomorrow. Then I'll have 3 project bikes. . . lol

[bumpin_z]

If yo uwant I have 2 '79 Yamaha xs 750's I will sell both for $500 one is a parts bike with many good parts the other I took of the road due to a charging system issue. I ended up getting an '02 katana myself so I never finished repairing it but I did get the parts bike to do just that. Then I sold the katana to buy the Z. Let me know if its of any interest to you.

[MunsterZ28]

a 250 is dangerous in the way it cant get out of its own way, so slow that if the power was needed to avoid or get out of the way a 250 isnt gonna cut it

[93formulalt1]

a 250 is dangerous in the way it cant get out of its own way, so slow that if the power was needed to avoid or get out of the way a 250 isnt gonna cut it

Like I mentioned earlier in the thread, I'm no novice rider, I've got a couple seasons under my belt on a 600cc sport bike. That's why I was thinking a 250 wasn't going to cut it. I'm not a total squid right now, although I believe that a motorcycle is nothing more than a giant learning experience, because no matter how long you've ridden bikes, you're still always learning how to handle it.


That said, I picked up my new "project" tonight, just got back about a half hour ago. 1993 Suzuki GSX-R 750, 13k original miles, all for $500. All it needs to be roadworthy now is a new front fork tube (right side tube was bent when it got laid down), a key made for the ignition (also unlocks the gas cap and seat), and the carbs adjusted. I know of a guy that has all the parts I need, including the plastics, cheap. He wants to sell me the parts to fix my bike as well as an 1100 GSX-R motor, all for $600, but I don't want the motor. . . I'm NOWHERE near experienced enough for that large of an engine. I might pick it up and rebuild it, just so that when I do eventually make it to that point, I can just swap it in, maybe 5-10 years down the line. . . For now, I'm going to enjoy my relatively low mileage Gixxer for a while. Should have it on the road this week. Everything on the bike works, it needs a new turn signal housing for the upper front fairing, and it could really use an undertail to clean it up, so I might have to try my hand at making one for it. . .

I wonder if there's a way to make it look good without any fairings? I really don't like the idea of spending hundreds of dollars on the first thing that's going to break if I lay this thing down. . .


Oh, and before you guys even start harassing me for pics, I can't snap any right now, it's raining and dark out. I can't post the ones from the ad, because the seller took the ad down before I even got home with the bike. I'll take some pics tomorrow after I get some work done on it, I'm getting started pretty early. I should have it running tomorrow, just need to take the bike up to the locksmith to have a new key made for it, then I can get the tank re-installed (PO had it removed so he could run a different tank to make sure it would fire), put some gas in it, check all the fluids, and get it fired up so I can get started adjusting the carbs. I'll be doing a full tune-up on the bike before too long as well, new plugs, wires, oil change, coolant flush, etc. It's been sitting for at least a couple of years, hasn't been ridden at all since it was laid down, only fired up a couple of times.

After it's running, I'll just need to replace that bent fork tube, mount a headlight, and get the title transferred and insure/plate it. Much less of a project than I expected for the price, but it's just beat up enough that I won't feel bad for ditching the stock decals and repainting the tank and plastics with my own color scheme. . . Thinking of making it match my helmet, but I may just go with a simple, clean black and silver combo.