"Raymundo" (raymundo)
06/08/2016 at 16:37 • Filed to: None
7
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"Raymundo" (raymundo)
06/08/2016 at 16:37 • Filed to: None | 7
| 13 |
In December of 2015 I was given an offer I couldn’t refuse: A 1986 Honda VT700C for $100. I didn’t have a motorcycle endorsement and the bike was described as needing work but I didn’t care. It was $100. Within hours I had the bike in my possession.
Upon arriving at the scene the bike was discovered to be badly weathered, puking fuel out of the float bowls, had shoddy tires, questionable brakes, and a lack of coolant but the engine ran. So my friends helped me “secure” it in the bed of the truck and away I went.
A few months later I mustered the courage to attempt a carburetor rebuild and worked on getting some imperfections out of the tank. Working on cars with EFI, carburetors were a whole new world to me and as it turns out they’re incredibly simply to work on. I put the carbs back on, topped off the coolant and voilà! A less shitty bike!
A while later my friend arrives at my house with his new Triumph Street Triple AKA sex on two wheels. At the time I didn’t have a motorcycle endorsement so this was about as far as my bike went. Weeks later I obtained my endorsement, got some safety gear, and oh god... why have I not been riding all these years? It’s true that riding a motorcycle puts you in a completely different mindset
When I’m riding I’m not thinking about life obligations, my destination, or what I have to do when I get there. No, I’m thinking about the twist of the throttle, the sound and vibrations emanating from this Japanese derived V-twin engine. I’m thinking about the complete exposure to the world while I move along the road on a machine with no semblance of safety or technology. My thoughts are on the here and now, as well they should be in order to avoid potentially deadly accidents. It’s quite a euphoric experience. At least until I need to stop.
I eventually got around to replacing the worn brake components as well as removing the hideous handle bars that I’m sure would induce chronic arthritis due to the ridiculous inward angle that the bars put my wrists at.
Ahh, much better; mostly. I do need to get taller risers to avoid slapping the tank at full lock and so I can properly angle the levers upright. Thankfully I have long enough fingers to reach them with no issue in the mean time. Oh, as you can see here I discovered that acrylic enamel paint does not hold up to fuel. Welp, guess I’m going to have to repaint that properly.
Once I took care of those things I set out to replace the tires and get rid of the hate-shake the bike gave me on the old tires. I got some tires, tire spoons, rim guards, and a wheel balancer to get the job done. Holy hell, replacing motorcycle tires can be a royal bitch but I got it done and oh god.... it feels like a whole new bike. No more shake, no more uncertainty, just smooth cruising. That warrants a cold beer.
So there it is. With $100 up front and about $300 in parts, I’m on two wheels. I think it feels even better knowing that I turned the wrenches on this bike to make it road worthy. I do have more plans for this bike but for now, I’m just going to ride it. This bike is now my daily mode of transportation and I must say, it makes the commute to and from work so enjoyable. It’s like meditation but with millions of explosions and hot nasty speed.
Jake - Has Bad Luck So You Don't Have To
> Raymundo
06/08/2016 at 16:50 |
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That’s a damn good looking bike.
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Raymundo
> Jake - Has Bad Luck So You Don't Have To
06/08/2016 at 16:54 |
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Thanks! It’s really starting to grow on me. I initially had plans on flipping it and buying a nicer bike after riding a few, but damn it I really like this one.
Decay buys too many beaters
> Raymundo
06/08/2016 at 16:55 |
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Awesome write up!I actually laughed out loud at this picture.
Keep us updated!
Luc - The Acadian Oppo
> Raymundo
06/08/2016 at 17:03 |
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I just got my endorsement yesterday after years of riding sans moto license. Now I can ride worry free and it really changes the whole riding experience. I really should of done it 10 years ago. Better late than never I guess.
Here is the write ups for my bike.
http://oppositelock.kinja.com/tag/yamaha-vis…
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Raymundo
> Luc - The Acadian Oppo
06/08/2016 at 17:06 |
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Righteous! I’m digging the updates you’ve got going on with your bike. Yeah, better late than never!
Pickup_man
> Raymundo
06/08/2016 at 17:09 |
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Nice looking bike! I love these Honda VT’s except for when they need top end work. Basically any top end maintenance requires pulling the engine from the frame which is a fairly involved process. Luckily though there isn’t really any required top end maintenance on these.
Also,
so I can properly angle the levers upright.
Is there really a “proper” way for levers to be positioned? I actually prefer mine tilted down slightly, or more precisely a good 15 degrees or so more than the angle of my arms. It just feels more natural to me.
AMGtech - now with more recalls!
> Raymundo
06/08/2016 at 17:13 |
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Very cool. And you described the triumph perfectly.
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Raymundo
> Pickup_man
06/08/2016 at 17:15 |
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Good point. While the levers are adequate for me, some people that get on my bike have a hard time reaching the levers. I suppose that’s not a huge concern but the tank slap with the stock risers is when the bike is resting on the kick stand. Minor details but it’s worth considering at another time I think.
Thankfully the top end doesn’t need work. You’re right, it would be a real PITA the get this engine out. The engine seems tightly sealed; no leaks and it doesn’t consume fluids. When I pulled the spark plugs I could still see the cross hatching in the cylinder walls so I’ll take that as a good sign.
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Raymundo
> AMGtech - now with more recalls!
06/08/2016 at 17:17 |
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Oh god, when I rode that thing I considered just running away and not returning with it. That weekend I took a ride over the the Triumph/Ducati dealership and almost made a financial mistake. Must. Resist. Urge. To buy. Sex.
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Pickup_man
> Raymundo
06/08/2016 at 17:30 |
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Yeah, bars hitting the tank is not good.
I volunteered to do some work for a friend who owns an ‘83 VT750 that burned oil at about the same rate it burned gas (with a shockingly low amount of miles, 15k or so) and after the hopeful fix of valve stem seals didn’t work, I had to pull the motor a second time to replace the rings, and a third time due to inexperienced mechanicing (ie. I failed to notice an oil passage was blocked after I had to drill and heli-coil the threads resulting in a broken camshaft and a toasted head). After all that I’m not sure I’ll touch a VT again, although I do know the top end of that engine like the back of my hand now, and there is something I love about the super vibratey high revving character of that v-twin.
DipodomysDeserti
> Raymundo
06/08/2016 at 20:14 |
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Chop that bike up!
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AMGtech - now with more recalls!
> Raymundo
06/08/2016 at 21:46 |
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No kidding! The dealer I bought my sportster from is also a triumph dealer and they were offering me a street triple R for $150/month and 0 down. I can afford it financially, but it wouldn’t be smart on top of my two cars and Harley. My wife spent hours talking me out of it. I’ll just have to pay off the sportster real fast so I can get another bike.
TDogg
> Raymundo
06/15/2016 at 22:38 |
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Good looking bike. And a helluva a nice price!