UPDATE ON THE CAFE RACER SITUATION

"Mini Guy- Now has a 4Runner" (gavinharter30)
09/26/2018 at 11:20 • Filed to: None

I found a 175cc engine bike so that may be better i guess

!!! UNKNOWN CONTENT TYPE !!!

DISCUSSION (23)

Bman76 (hates WS6 hoods, is on his phone and has 4 burners now) > Mini Guy- Now has a 4Runner
09/26/2018 at 11:28

Combination of project bike and only 175cc, hard no.

Mini Guy- Now has a 4Runner > Bman76 (hates WS6 hoods, is on his phone and has 4 burners now)
09/26/2018 at 11:38

better than no bike IMO

Censored > Mini Guy- Now has a 4Runner
09/26/2018 at 11:39

As said in the other, if you plan on riding on the highway at all, you’re going to need north of 40 hp ish (obviously depending on weight). This jewel on her best day would likely be around 15. Top speed of around 65, but that is going to be a violent 65. Look for a 90's suzuki gs500e. The small displacement CB’s are a blast to ride, but only on slow roads. Also you’re going to be working on her as much as you ride.

Chuckles > Mini Guy- Now has a 4Runner
09/26/2018 at 11:39

THANKS FOR THE ALL CAPS TITLE TO CONVEY THE IMPORTANCE OF THE SITUATION.

Mini Guy- Now has a 4Runner > Chuckles
09/26/2018 at 11:49

YOUR WELCOME

Chuckles > Mini Guy- Now has a 4Runner
09/26/2018 at 11:52

Seriously though, the bike looks neat. I have no experience with motorcycles though so I couldn’t say if that’s a good idea for a first bike or not. My only thought is that a newer bike might be slightly safer/have better brakes?

Bman76 (hates WS6 hoods, is on his phone and has 4 burners now) > Mini Guy- Now has a 4Runner
09/26/2018 at 11:55

But is a bike that doesn’t work and/or isn’t really rideable/comfortable at speed better than no bike?

Mercedes Streeter > Mini Guy- Now has a 4Runner
09/26/2018 at 11:57

I wanna turn this into a cafe racer. :D

https://chicago.craigslist.org/nwc/mcy/d/kawasaki-100-enduro/6692347697.html

I like cars: Jim Spanfeller is one ugly motherfucker > Mini Guy- Now has a 4Runner
09/26/2018 at 11:58

Hear me out on this one- TW200.

Bman76 (hates WS6 hoods, is on his phone and has 4 burners now) > Chuckles
09/26/2018 at 12:03

With 20hp, it’ll barely be able to get out of its own way.

DipodomysDeserti > Bman76 (hates WS6 hoods, is on his phone and has 4 burners now)
09/26/2018 at 12:06

Yes.

Mercedes Streeter > Mini Guy- Now has a 4Runner
09/26/2018 at 12:14

*Spits out drink*

OR THIS

https://madison.craigslist.org/mcy/d/vintage-yamaha-200-electric/6705255375.html

I bet I could get it going with a new or cleaned carb and a battery. Make it a winter project.

Mini Guy- Now has a 4Runner > Mercedes Streeter
09/26/2018 at 12:15

ooooo thats nice; for a project that is

Mercedes Streeter > Mini Guy- Now has a 4Runner
09/26/2018 at 12:20

I’ve committed to filling up that empty fourth bike slot, but I have the requirement that the bike has to be a two stroke. I already have a “middle” four, a large four, and a small four thumper. I know RDs are known for reliability. I’d just get it running, replace the inevitably dry rotted tyres, then run it in whatever original patina’d state it’s in.

Mini Guy- Now has a 4Runner > Mercedes Streeter
09/26/2018 at 12:27

https://atlanta.craigslist.org/nat/mcy/d/ronnie-mac-cr250-cr/6707278228.html

Mercedes Streeter > Mini Guy- Now has a 4Runner
09/26/2018 at 13:32

10/10 lol!

I found a 200cc dirt bike for $500. Only problem is that those frames make for an “off” looking cafe racer. If I get the RD200 though, it’s already that perfect vintage look for me.

fennelbreath > Mercedes Streeter
09/26/2018 at 15:40

When you go in on something, you go ALL IN. <3

You’re all, “fourth empty bike slot!” and I’m talking myself out of the new lime green Honda Grom because 1. We already have three bikes, including a 2015 Grom that is technically half mine but I never ride, and a Buddy 150 that I just rode for the second time this year. 2. I just put a deposit on a new WRX even though I’ll never drive it and my husband will never drive it because it’s a manual and he has a hell commute from the South Side up to O’Hare and 3. when I have a press car, even a really good press car, I struggle to find the motivation to leave the house to drive the press car even though it’s literally my job. So why I need a fourth motorcycle I don’t know, except that it’s lime green and that’s my favorite.

Again, I admire your commitment. Wish you lived in the city proper so I had a riding buddy. (My husband is a shitty riding buddy, always ditching me at stale yellow lights and shit.)

Mercedes Streeter > fennelbreath
09/26/2018 at 16:06

The upcoming Gambler 500 and learning to wrench on bikes isn’t making it any better. lol Never before would I consider a non-running bike, yet here we are!

Wait, I’m sure you’ve told me more than once, but you live in Chicago??!??!?

My girlfriend lives in a neighbourhood south of the Loop , so going out that way isn’t far at all to me. I’d love a Chicago riding buddy!

fennelbreath > Mercedes Streeter
09/26/2018 at 16:10

My husband’s CB 450 has been the project bike FROM HELL. Seriously. It dies, he fixes it, and something else breaks. He literally has not had a full season with it. I’ve gotten lucky with my ‘07 Buddy. The Grom, we don’t really use enough to have any problems.

Yes. I am in Chicago. I was going to be coy about the neighborhood just for privacy purposes but just remembered I posted on Deadspin the other day about living near Guaranteed Rate Field. So, not far at all. I love Pilsen.

Mercedes Streeter > fennelbreath
09/26/2018 at 16:19

I’ve been lucky with the GS850G and the GL1100. The majority of my issues are just because I was too impatient to replace the signal relay before putting it on the road, then a blown fuse. I thiiiink the clutch in the GS850G feels a bit worn (getting a few false Neutrals on heavy acceleration) , but it probably has one more season left in it so long as I stop trying to do a full throttle 0-60 run on every other green light.

The Ruckus clone remains to be seen if it’s reliable or not. It certainly runs really well for having sat outside in Wisconsin for two years.

I’m so in for riding! 779-244-9109 is my number. :)

fennelbreath > Mercedes Streeter
09/26/2018 at 16:22

We’ll talk in the spring. I don’t ride once it’s cold, because frankly I don’t enjoy it enough to do it in the cold , and when my WRX arrives in a few weeks, that’s going to take up most of my motor time. Also, my scooter is an automatic and I haven’t ridden a manual bike since I got my M cert a year ago and I need some practice. <3

Mercedes Streeter > fennelbreath
09/26/2018 at 18:05

Well shoot, since you’re a local I wouldn’t mind hanging out without the motorcycle context lol. I always like expanding my friend circle with awesome people!

I have no idea how I’ll actually be with winter riding. I hope I’ll be able to handle it because that’s like the one thing I like more than driving. :)

fennelbreath > Mercedes Streeter
09/26/2018 at 18:09

I have a good friend who is an occasional Oppo and I think is the only person on Kinja who knows me IRL and she rides year-round and loves it. She lives in Michigan, too. So it can be done if you’re willing to invest in the right gear .

Come November I’ll be hard-pressed to leave my house long enough to go to the gym, never mind ride. Despite the fact that I bought a WRX just for that reason.