I think I might buy a bike...

"SmoresTM Has No Chill (O==[][]==O)" (sammauri)
02/23/2015 at 22:05 • Filed to: None

I've wanted one for a while, and my dad has always been very supportive of the idea. He taught me how to ride a little over a year ago, but I haven't gotten much practice in since I don't see him all that often and he has the only motorcycles I have easy access too.

I've been thinking about it for a while, and today one of my best friends sent me a text. He now has three CB550s, and he wanted to know if I would be interested in buying one of them. It's apparently complete, but some assembly is required. I would also probably get it for a great price, so that's a definite plus. Honestly, I would love a summer project since the 2002 will be in the hands of someone more skilled than I am for a little while.

What say you, Oppo? Do I want to buy a cheap Honda CB550 project? Yes. Should I? I don't know...

Fun fact: The potential CB project is a 1976, and so is my 2002. They'd practically be twins!

DISCUSSION (23)

Sampsonite24-Earth's Least Likeliest Hero > SmoresTM Has No Chill (O==[][]==O)
02/23/2015 at 22:10

If it's a good deal then why not

bob and john > SmoresTM Has No Chill (O==[][]==O)
02/23/2015 at 22:10

http://oppositelock.jalopnik.com/the-beginners-…

http://oppositelock.jalopnik.com/motorcycle-gea…

I wouldnt get it as a first bike. as a project sure. as a bike your learning to ride, no.

E. Julius > bob and john
02/23/2015 at 22:13

I'm looking to start riding when I return to the US this summer, and these articles look like excellent resources. Thanks for sharing! Any other tips/resources for a beginner?

Bandit > SmoresTM Has No Chill (O==[][]==O)
02/23/2015 at 22:16

Kinja'd!!!

I love this... If I ever buy a bike I will build something beautifully simple like this.

Xyl0c41n3 > SmoresTM Has No Chill (O==[][]==O)
02/23/2015 at 22:16

Yes to all the cafe racers. But I'd listen to Pete's advice, too. I trust his experience. I've started saving up for a bike, and though I think cafe racers are sexy as all get out, I'll be looking for something different for a starter bike once I've got enough saved up. ^_^

SmoresTM Has No Chill (O==[][]==O) > bob and john
02/23/2015 at 22:19

I wouldn't really be learning on it right away. I would probably learn on one of my dad's bikes while I worked on this one, and then switch over once I have some experience under my belt. I've actually already read both of those articles. Ahaha. As for gear, my pops has been riding since he was 16. He wouldn't let me on the road without the proper equipment.

bob and john > E. Julius
02/23/2015 at 22:19

http://oppositelock.jalopnik.com/how-to-ride-a-…
basics ^

http://oppositelock.jalopnik.com/riding-in-the-…
riding in rain^

http://oppositelock.jalopnik.com/motorcycle-gea…
gear lvl2^

http://oppositelock.jalopnik.com/how-to-ride-wi…
passenger riding^

http://oppositelock.jalopnik.com/why-a-sportbik…
why I would slap you if you started on a supersports^

have fun!

bob and john > SmoresTM Has No Chill (O==[][]==O)
02/23/2015 at 22:20

check my other reply to Julius as well. thats pretty much everything I have

SmoresTM Has No Chill (O==[][]==O) > Xyl0c41n3
02/23/2015 at 22:22

That's what I was thinking too. My dad has said he would be more than happy to teach me on his Harley and then loan me one of his less expensive bikes, so I would probably be learning on one of those while I fixed/put together the CB. It would definitely go full Cafe Racer status at some point though. They're so beautiful.

SmoresTM Has No Chill (O==[][]==O) > Bandit
02/23/2015 at 22:23

This is pretty much the goal if I get it. The simplicity of a good cafe racer is truly mesmerizing.

E. Julius > bob and john
02/23/2015 at 22:26

Thanks!

SmoresTM Has No Chill (O==[][]==O) > bob and john
02/23/2015 at 22:30

Will do. Thanks!

JasonStern911 > SmoresTM Has No Chill (O==[][]==O)
02/23/2015 at 23:00

CBs are solid bikes. And an older 550 is fine for a beginner. Just realize they're old, so:

* they're more likely to break

* parts aren't as easy to find

* the engine, chassis, brakes, etc. are outdated - depending on how you ride, where you ride, etc., there's increased safety risks

* if you spend money trying to turn it into a cafe racer, you aren't getting that money back when you try to sell it

SmoresTM Has No Chill (O==[][]==O) > JasonStern911
02/23/2015 at 23:14

Right. I was reading Peter's post when I realize the only real issue with older bikes that applies to me in his article is the issue of outdated brakes because

1. I have AAA and a reliable car to fall back on (plus the 2002 is always "broken" in some way so I have plenty of experience with unreliable vehicles)

2. I have the best network to find parts, usually at wholesale if possible. My dad owns a small custom bike shop and my grandfather owns a much larger restoration shop. They've done a bunch of motorcycles in the past, and the parts guy has a connection everywhere. If the part exists, I can find it, and I've actually found a lot of impossibly rare parts for my 2002 buddies this way.

As for potential concerns:

3. Brakes and chassis sucks compared to modern bikes, but I know that going in. I don't plan on doing much in terms of bombing down mountain passes with a bike, especially not right away. Honestly, a cruiser would probably fit my potential riding style better, but I don't like the way they look at all. Cafe racers are more my aesthetic, and I am one of those 'form before function' idiots. I'd also not be commuting on a bike. I have two cars. It's really not necessary.

4. I still think its hysterical that people don't understand that they will almost never get their money back in mods. I was talking to a friend who couldn't understand why he was going to loose money on his CJ Wrangler. Uh, dude, you put a lot of money into a Jeep that's not worth a lot of money. That doesn't make it worth every penny you've put into it.

I still don't think I will truly learn on the CB if I end up getting it (or one in the near future), but honestly I don't think it would be the end of the world if I did.

Clown Shoe Pilot > Xyl0c41n3
02/23/2015 at 23:29

I just ferried a Honda CB300F for a co-worker. He bought it a couple weeks ago but didn't have his M license so I rode it from the dealership to the track for him. He took his MSF class last weekend and will get his M license this week.

I wish I'd had one as my first bike. Easy to ride, reasonable but not ridiculous power, highway capable. It's a naked sport bike so there's less plastic shit to break if you drop it. It's also got a more comfortable upright seating position rather than hunched over the bars and putting all your weight on your wrists (been there, done that, hated it). It's pretty affordable too. I think my co-workers on-the-road price was 4500 or so for a brand spanking new bike.

sjwortmaj > SmoresTM Has No Chill (O==[][]==O)
02/23/2015 at 23:29

I'd grab the cb550 as a project and pick up a Ninja 500 to have a reliable beginners bike. Even though you have some experience, you should really put a few thousand miles of seat time in on a more forgiving and newer motorcycle before you go to regularly riding some 1960s tech. And when the forty year old project bike is giving you trouble (which it will), you'll still have something to ride. Just my .02

Xyl0c41n3 > SmoresTM Has No Chill (O==[][]==O)
02/23/2015 at 23:32

Aren't they, though? *swoon*

SmoresTM Has No Chill (O==[][]==O) > Xyl0c41n3
02/23/2015 at 23:52

I think I'm in love. They're all so beautiful. Though I think the one in my original post is still my favorite. It's so clean and simple.

Kinja'd!!!

Xyl0c41n3 > SmoresTM Has No Chill (O==[][]==O)
02/23/2015 at 23:55

Want your mind blown further? instagram.com/caferacersofinstagram

SmoresTM Has No Chill (O==[][]==O) > Xyl0c41n3
02/24/2015 at 00:00

This is why I love you, Xy. You just get me. Ahaha.

Xyl0c41n3 > SmoresTM Has No Chill (O==[][]==O)
02/24/2015 at 00:08

Kinja'd!!!

StndIbnz, Drives a MSRT8 > SmoresTM Has No Chill (O==[][]==O)
02/24/2015 at 14:45

Why not? There is never really a bad reason to start on the Two Wheels Bad route! Join the club, we have cake! Plus, 2 wheels is just better in every way.

JasonStern911 > SmoresTM Has No Chill (O==[][]==O)
02/24/2015 at 22:57

the CBs really aren't that bad parts/reliability-wise. Honda made a lot of them, and they were reliable enough that they are still around. and honestly, one dealership didn't even have a crush washer for the oil plug for my ZRX, and another dealership said they had the caps that go over the valves for my YFZ660R, only to make me drive 25 minutes each way to find out their parts computer was wrong. so I've pretty much given up on buying motorcycle parts locally anyway.

as much as I love the looks and style of café racers, I imagine they wouldn't be too comfortable on long rides. I'd be hesitant to buy one, as I've been burned by previous owners who think that they are mechanics, but aren't, and I'd rather be riding than wrenching. plus there's always that risk that it didn't start out a café racer, it was easier to start hacking pieces off than return it to stock... :)

as for any CB550-specific questions, https://www.google.com/search?q=cb550… will probably answer them.