ADVICE NEEDED!! Which Basket Case Should I Consider. - Motorcycle-Journal Forums

**intimid8er** · 08-17-2006, 09:06 AM

I'm always on the lookout for a deal or a fixer upper. Came across two "basket cases". Any ideas on which one should I consider???

Supposedly running three years ago. That's it. Less than $500.

Up to $999.....could be negotiated....if not sold already. Last started eight years ago.

HAMMERPETE · 08-17-2006, 09:18 AM

go for the kawasaki!

**Louis** · 08-17-2006, 09:20 AM

The 2nd one!

Oaf · 08-17-2006, 10:35 AM

No way! Go for the first. Put some red lights on it and a "Police" sticker and ... OK just kidding.

**drgibson** · 08-17-2006, 11:11 AM

What is that a Knucklehead?

Jip · 08-17-2006, 11:23 AM

I'd go for the hardtail sporty as long as the frame is solid
and you feel like rebuilding a motor

geoffsimpson · 08-17-2006, 11:38 AM

Rip apart that chopper/bobber lookin' thing! Come on Tim! Tear it apart damn you!

**intimid8er** · 08-17-2006, 11:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by drgibson

What is that a Knucklehead?

Ironhead.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jip

'd go for the hardtail sporty as long as the frame is solid
and you feel like rebuilding a motor

I have a feeling both would be a rebuild. The guy with the Kawi changed his description today.

**intimid8er** · 08-17-2006, 11:40 AM

Check out that square rear tire on the Sporty!

How the eff did the old timers ride them around!!!???

j/k old dudes!

BlaznBlu · 08-17-2006, 11:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by drgibson

What is that a Knucklehead?

Boy, Don. First you call Uncle Bob an old smelly monkey, then you call Louis a Knucklehead.

We're going to sure miss you around here.

**drgibson** · 08-17-2006, 11:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BlaznBlu50

Boy, Don. First you call Uncle Bob an old smelly monkey, then you call Louis a Knucklehead.

We're going to sure miss you around here.

Actually that was aimed at Timmy.

Rockhead · 08-17-2006, 02:00 PM

Go for the blue, just watch out for spiders and snakes when you move it

techgesture · 08-17-2006, 02:19 PM

Go for the white one, but take all that Plastic Fairing crap off of it..

**intimid8er** · 08-17-2006, 02:41 PM

Well....the Kawi (white one is gone) already.

Mavman · 08-17-2006, 03:07 PM

My pick woulda' been for the sporty.

sunny · 08-17-2006, 03:12 PM

do the INLINE FOUR!

Iceman99 · 08-17-2006, 08:05 PM

get both

DrBob · 08-17-2006, 09:49 PM

Restoring Japanese bikes is a loosing proposition, as aftermarket parts are hard to find and factory ones are expensive. And no matter how much you spend to make it nice, it's never gonna be worth squat.

The Harley can turn into a money pit, but it can be done on the cheap. there are plenty of third-party vendors that make replacement parts, they are very easy to work on, and the old ones go up in value every day so you might actually be able to get your money back someday.

That old thing looks a lot like my first bike 9square tire and all), only mine had more rust and a long springer front end. Ended up painting it with flat black BBQ grill paint to hide the rust, and rode it from New Hampshire to California and back the summer of 1985. Ahhh, what a great time that was...

**intimid8er** · 08-18-2006, 08:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DrBob

Restoring Japanese bikes is a loosing proposition, as aftermarket parts are hard to find and factory ones are expensive. And no matter how much you spend to make it nice, it's never gonna be worth squat.

The Harley can turn into a money pit, but it can be done on the cheap. there are plenty of third-party vendors that make replacement parts, they are very easy to work on, and the old ones go up in value every day so you might actually be able to get your money back someday.

That old thing looks a lot like my first bike 9square tire and all), only mine had more rust and a long springer front end. Ended up painting it with flat black BBQ grill paint to hide the rust, and rode it from New Hampshire to California and back the summer of 1985. Ahhh, what a great time that was...

I've been waiting for you to weigh in, and thank you. I value your opinions.

I don't expect any of them to be money makers at all. Just looking for different rides. A vehicle is simply that. Whether two wheels or four, it is a depreciating asset unless it's a rarity.

That being said, a police edition KZ with millions made over the years will never be worth squat as you said. I've had a thing for KZ's ever since I was a kid. I always had a respect for them. I was dating a girl whose parents were well off. I was seventeen, and showed up one day with my '51 Harley Hummer. Her dad took me out to the garage, and showed me a KZ1000. He asked me if I wanted it. I started doing the mental calculations and told him I couldn't afford it. He said that he didn't mention jack all about price. I could have the bike free. It "threw" him he broke his arm, and it's way more bike than he could handle, and it was "sick". His wife told him to park it after the accident, and there it sat. I declined over and over, because I wasn't raised to accept a gift of that magnitude from someone.

I agree with you on the Ironhead. I think that could come back to life on the cheap through swap meets and the like.

As I posted yesterday, the KZ is gone already. I'm gonna call the Sporty guy tomorrow and see what's up with that one.

CruisingRam · 08-21-2006, 08:03 AM

[quote=DrBob]Restoring Japanese bikes is a loosing proposition, as aftermarket parts are hard to find and factory ones are expensive. And no matter how much you spend to make it nice, it's never gonna be worth squat.

The Harley can turn into a money pit, but it can be done on the cheap. there are plenty of third-party vendors that make replacement parts, they are very easy to work on, and the old ones go up in value every day so you might actually be able to get your money back someday.

[quote]

Well, what you say is partially true, and some completely wrong- a perfectly restored Z1900 or KZ 1000 pre-1980 has gone for over 12k on e-bay- and my buddy just sold a "survivor" 1973 Z1 900 for 15k on e-bay- all going to japan!

Harleys, are bloody nightmarish money pits that handle evil as hell, are heavy, and of that vintage- not near as reliable or as low a maintenance machine as, well, just about any post 1969 Jap bike!

What do you want here really bro? You want a chopper, a bagger, bobber, custom- what? That is obviously a custom frame- I would have the welds X-rayed if you plan on riding it alot- lot's of them home shop frames have cracks in them that can kill ya!

I make pretty decent coin hauling old crap bikes out of poeples back yards, doing major or minor custom work, and selling them at a very tidy profit- I try to average my "take home" portion of my hour shop rate= about 40 bucks an hour, on every bike.

I will have my chopper done for under 2500 bucks- including tires, registration and insurance- and I am pretty sure I can get around 7k for it up here.

Shaft drive big CC bikes from the late 70a and 80s are great for trike conversions- you find one, e-mail me, I will tell you how to do it for under 2500 bucks, finished, as long as the bike is in good mechanical shape when you get it.

Or, you might very well see me on TV doing it. My demo comes out next week and we hope to shop it national by christmas- then you can just watch my how to on these bikes LOL

Edited to add: I see no front brake at all, it is a bobber style, I don't think the rake has been changed, not much if at all, and they don't look like extended forks. the shape of the lower part of the rigid tail section looks curved in the photo- a potential trouble spot if not done absolutely correctly.

08-17-2006, 09:06 AM	#1 (permalink)
intimid8er It's A Conspiracy Joined: May 2005 Bike: '06 XB12X Location: 30 41'47.99" N 83 11'26.54" W Hold My Beer Posts: 10,092	ADVICE NEEDED!! Which Basket Case Should I Consider. I'm always on the lookout for a deal or a fixer upper. Came across two "basket cases". Any ideas on which one should I consider??? Supposedly running three years ago. That's it. Less than $500. Up to $999.....could be negotiated....if not sold already. Last started eight years ago. __________________ Song Pick of the Week 12/03 Booker T and the MG's - Green Onions Bonus for Buster The Airborne Toxic Event - Sometime Around Midnight I had no idea 20% ABV beer could get me drunk so fast!

08-17-2006, 09:18 AM	#2 (permalink)
HAMMERPETE M-J Member of the Month! Joined: Oct 2005 Bike: 2005 HAMMER Location: SOCAL %%%%%ES Posts: 3,031	go for the kawasaki! __________________ "There's not a whole lot ways this can go right" - Johnny Knoxsville "I did something in a previous life that must have been spectacularly good, because I'm getting paid in this life just magnificently, more than one would dare imagine or hope for." - RIP George Carlin. Life's Journey is not to arrive at the grave safely in a well preserved body, But rather to skid in side ways, totally worn out shouting HOLYSHI$T What A RIDE!!

08-17-2006, 09:20 AM	#3 (permalink)
Louis Administrator Joined: Sep 2003 Bike: SV650S '05 (Blue) Location: Gatineau, QC, Canada Posts: 10,657	The 2nd one! __________________ Louis

08-17-2006, 11:11 AM	#5 (permalink)
drgibson Antebellum Mod Joined: Jul 2005 Bike: 2008 Kawasaki KLR 650 Location: Dallas, Texas Directly above the center of the earth. Posts: 10,742	What is that a Knucklehead? __________________ “Please Remember to Kazoo Responsibly.”

08-17-2006, 11:38 AM	#7 (permalink)
geoffsimpson Throttle Jockey Joined: Jun 2006 Bike: Grey, not silver, GREY 2006 Suzuki Boulevard M50 * 1983 GS750E Cafe Racer project Location: Prince George BC Posts: 3,126	Rip apart that chopper/bobber lookin' thing! Come on Tim! Tear it apart damn you! __________________ Please Note: All opinions contained herein are worth exactly what you paid for them. It's true that every time you hear a bell ring, an angel gets its wings... But what they don't tell you is that every time you hear a mouse trap "snap", and Angel gets set on fire... Grey * De-badged * V & H Straightshots w/ Thunder-Monster Baffles and Billet Hot-Tips * POWAH COMMANDAH!! * Kury Wide Style Levers * Kury Zombie Pegs (what's left of them) * Johnskit Forward Controls * Johnskit 2.5" Lowering Kit * Carbon Fibre-esque Trim kit * your mom * Memphis Shades HellCat windshield * Passenger Backrest * Baddass MO-FO behind the bars * Metz 880's w/ lettering * Flamed Thunder MFG Teardrop Intake *

08-17-2006, 10:35 AM	#4 (permalink)
Oaf Seat Tester Joined: May 2006 Bike: '05 V-Strom (Silver) Location: Ottawa, ON, Canada Posts: 50	No way! Go for the first. Put some red lights on it and a "Police" sticker and ... OK just kidding.

08-17-2006, 11:23 AM	#6 (permalink)
Jip Where Am I ? Joined: May 2005 Bike: 03' VL800 Location: Hamilton ON Posts: 49	I'd go for the hardtail sporty as long as the frame is solid and you feel like rebuilding a motor

08-17-2006, 11:40 AM	#9 (permalink)
intimid8er It's A Conspiracy Joined: May 2005 Bike: '06 XB12X Location: 30 41'47.99" N 83 11'26.54" W Hold My Beer Posts: 10,092	Check out that square rear tire on the Sporty! How the eff did the old timers ride them around!!!??? j/k old dudes! __________________ Song Pick of the Week 12/03 Booker T and the MG's - Green Onions Bonus for Buster The Airborne Toxic Event - Sometime Around Midnight I had no idea 20% ABV beer could get me drunk so fast!

08-17-2006, 02:00 PM	#12 (permalink)
Rockhead M-J.Com Master Poster Joined: Jan 2006 Bike: M50 Location: 1060 West Addison, Chicago Posts: 3,767	Go for the blue, just watch out for spiders and snakes when you move it

08-17-2006, 02:19 PM	#13 (permalink)
techgesture Brought his own beer Joined: May 2006 Bike: '05 Black M50 Location: Charlotte, NC Posts: 830	Go for the white one, but take all that Plastic Fairing crap off of it.. __________________

08-17-2006, 02:41 PM	#14 (permalink)
intimid8er It's A Conspiracy Joined: May 2005 Bike: '06 XB12X Location: 30 41'47.99" N 83 11'26.54" W Hold My Beer Posts: 10,092	Well....the Kawi (white one is gone) already. __________________ Song Pick of the Week 12/03 Booker T and the MG's - Green Onions Bonus for Buster The Airborne Toxic Event - Sometime Around Midnight I had no idea 20% ABV beer could get me drunk so fast!

08-17-2006, 03:12 PM	#16 (permalink)
sunny Leaned over, knee down Joined: Nov 2004 Bike: '97 suzuki savage, '90 honda shadow, '75 kh400, and a broom Location: fort worthless Posts: 4,678	do the INLINE FOUR! __________________ "blah blah blah, the world revolves around me, blah blah blah, your perception of events can't possibly be valid, blah blah blah, i wasn't there but i know everything about everything, blah blah blah." - 95% of the male population. you WISH this post was brought to you by rum.

08-17-2006, 08:05 PM	#17 (permalink)
Iceman99 Wants Better Weather Joined: Oct 2005 Bike: '05' M50 Black Location: Valencia , Ca. Posts: 660	get both __________________ Jardine 2:2 Taper Exhaust,C50 Air Box with K&N filter, Cobra EFI Fi2000, 32" Drag Bar, Custom Plate Mount,Custom made rear LED Blinkers, Foward control Kit, Kuryakyn pegs, grips and throttle boss, 3 inch lowering kit, Custom Pillion seat, De-badged and De-PAIRED, Pinstriped rims, Chromed drive shaft See my bike and accessories at www.CruiserCustomizing.com/iceman99

08-17-2006, 09:49 PM	#18 (permalink)
DrBob In The Zone Joined: May 2004 Bike: several Location: Decatur, GA Posts: 2,765	Restoring Japanese bikes is a loosing proposition, as aftermarket parts are hard to find and factory ones are expensive. And no matter how much you spend to make it nice, it's never gonna be worth squat. The Harley can turn into a money pit, but it can be done on the cheap. there are plenty of third-party vendors that make replacement parts, they are very easy to work on, and the old ones go up in value every day so you might actually be able to get your money back someday. That old thing looks a lot like my first bike 9square tire and all), only mine had more rust and a long springer front end. Ended up painting it with flat black BBQ grill paint to hide the rust, and rode it from New Hampshire to California and back the summer of 1985. Ahhh, what a great time that was... __________________ Dream like you'll live forever, live like you'll die tomorrow. You MUST obey the pug dog!

08-21-2006, 08:03 AM	#20 (permalink)
CruisingRam Fender Buffer Joined: Aug 2005 Bike: Several Location: Anchorage Alaska Posts: 411	[quote=DrBob]Restoring Japanese bikes is a loosing proposition, as aftermarket parts are hard to find and factory ones are expensive. And no matter how much you spend to make it nice, it's never gonna be worth squat. The Harley can turn into a money pit, but it can be done on the cheap. there are plenty of third-party vendors that make replacement parts, they are very easy to work on, and the old ones go up in value every day so you might actually be able to get your money back someday. [quote] Well, what you say is partially true, and some completely wrong- a perfectly restored Z1900 or KZ 1000 pre-1980 has gone for over 12k on e-bay- and my buddy just sold a "survivor" 1973 Z1 900 for 15k on e-bay- all going to japan! Harleys, are bloody nightmarish money pits that handle evil as hell, are heavy, and of that vintage- not near as reliable or as low a maintenance machine as, well, just about any post 1969 Jap bike! What do you want here really bro? You want a chopper, a bagger, bobber, custom- what? That is obviously a custom frame- I would have the welds X-rayed if you plan on riding it alot- lot's of them home shop frames have cracks in them that can kill ya! I make pretty decent coin hauling old crap bikes out of poeples back yards, doing major or minor custom work, and selling them at a very tidy profit- I try to average my "take home" portion of my hour shop rate= about 40 bucks an hour, on every bike. I will have my chopper done for under 2500 bucks- including tires, registration and insurance- and I am pretty sure I can get around 7k for it up here. Shaft drive big CC bikes from the late 70a and 80s are great for trike conversions- you find one, e-mail me, I will tell you how to do it for under 2500 bucks, finished, as long as the bike is in good mechanical shape when you get it. Or, you might very well see me on TV doing it. My demo comes out next week and we hope to shop it national by christmas- then you can just watch my how to on these bikes LOL Edited to add: I see no front brake at all, it is a bobber style, I don't think the rake has been changed, not much if at all, and they don't look like extended forks. the shape of the lower part of the rigid tail section looks curved in the photo- a potential trouble spot if not done absolutely correctly. Last edited by CruisingRam; 08-21-2006 at 08:06 AM.

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