Unnecessary Motorcycle Shopping With Mercedes: A Craigslist Intervention.

"Mercedes Streeter" (smart)
10/04/2018 at 20:05 • Filed to: Two Wheels Good, unnecessary car shopping without E90M3, unnecessary motorcycle shopping with mercedes

You know it’s bad when Craigslist stops you from buying a bike.

My winter project is painting the GS850G. That’s a project that will take what, a weekend or two?

My income and my storage availability dictates that I can keep four cars and four motorcycles. I really really want a two stroke road bike, however running examples are either basket cases or hilariously expensive (even now in October). So that leaves us with clean bikes that don’t run.

Yamaha RD250.

The RD350 is one of my bucket list bikes. The 250 is that bike’s little, slightly less collectible sibling. This one looks to be in good shape and I bet I could get it on the road without much work.

!!! UNKNOWN CONTENT TYPE !!!

Just my luck though, the seller didn’t leave a number or email to reply to. *Sigh*

Suzuki GS500E.

I know I know, this isn’t a UJM or a Chinese bike. Despite this, it looks so attractive to me. Maybe it’s the naked frame showing in the rear and how the front end was tidied up. Mmmm I’d give it a splash of colour and a better looking seat. Of course, no contact info. You win again, Craigslist.

!!! UNKNOWN CONTENT TYPE !!!

CF Moto Fashion 250

If you thought this was a Honda Helix I wouldn’t blame you. This is a near perfect clone of the Helix.It even has a cassette player. CF Moto was able to do this because Honda’s trademark on the design expired, thus it could be copied without fear of retaliation. If you looked at the websites of some mainland China motorcycle manufacturers, you’ll feel you’ve stepped into a time machine to the 1980s. This is no coincidence. A lot of 80s bike designs are no longer trademarked.

Interestingly enough, just like with the Grom clones the parts are interchangeable with the real deal.

CF Moto was one of the Chinese brands that went the extra mile to show Americans that Chinese brands can build good motorcycles and for the most part, they did a good job. These clones weren’t as good as the Helix, however they’re built well enough that there are plenty of these things rolling around with high mileage and still looking/riding good. Unfortunately you can’t buy a new CF Moto motorcycle anymore as they were busted for not EPA certifying the bikes.

I was offered one of these for $400 by another Gambler. It’s tempting. My Chuckus was meant to be my winter bike, however this would be better fit in every way possible for the job. I can buy this then flip the Chuckus for more than I paid for it... provided the market doesn’t completely crash for the winter within the next month.

Speaking of the Chuckus, I installed a new Cafe Racer style combined brake light and turn indicators. It also has wider tyres than stock. All it needs is cleaned up paint and a pod air filter and I bet I could fetch a decent amount of cash for it.

Links in comments. Also, I will soon write an article about the history, present, and future of Chinese motorcycles.

Oppo, I think I need an intervention.

DISCUSSION (13)

Mercedes Streeter > Mercedes Streeter
10/04/2018 at 20:07

https://madison.craigslist.org/mcy/d/1973-yamaha-rd-250/6711450884.html

https://milwaukee.craigslist.org/mcy/d/custom-suzuki-gs500e-1996/6712041365.html

themanwithsauce - has as many vehicles as job titles > Mercedes Streeter
10/04/2018 at 20:12

Iam both impressed yet terrified that you went from two wheels new to two wheels ADDOCTION in the span of half a year, if that.

Mercedes Streeter > themanwithsauce - has as many vehicles as job titles
10/04/2018 at 20:18

I’m glad I don’t have Jay Leno money, oh god. lol

Jake - Has Bad Luck So You Don't Have To > Mercedes Streeter
10/04/2018 at 20:30

I’d fuck with that GS500. That’s $1 per CC. What a steal.

Biggus Dickus (RevsBro) > Mercedes Streeter
10/04/2018 at 20:45

No you understand why I starr my mornings at work with 1) Reading the WSJ and 2)searching craig list for Ducatis! Welcome to the n+1 club!

glemon > Mercedes Streeter
10/04/2018 at 21:32

When I was coming of age two strokes for street use were dying out, and I thought the small four strokes were so much more sophisticated and smoother. Now, unless someone offers me a nice Honda 400 Supersport, I would love to get an old Yamaha RD350 or 400, or a Suzuki GT380.

Keep your eyes and ears open, I know a guy who picks up bikes at garage sales, but lots of hunting time involved it sound like.

HFV has no HFV. But somehow has 2 motorcycles > Mercedes Streeter
10/04/2018 at 22:14

I’d never heard of an FC Moto Fashion. Now I need one.

Also I love the idea of companies making new copies of 80s bikes. Because 80s bikes especially in terms of step throughs and mopeds, looked freakin awesome.

Also I really want a Big Ruckus that 250 version that Honda sold for like a year.

shop-teacher > Mercedes Streeter
10/04/2018 at 22:20

I'd sell you my actual Helix for $500. I don't even want to look at it anymore.

Mercedes Streeter > shop-teacher
10/04/2018 at 22:45

What’s wrong with yours again? I thought the problem was something scary. lolThe CF Moto just needs a new battery and maybe a new carb.

Mercedes Streeter > HFV has no HFV. But somehow has 2 motorcycles
10/04/2018 at 22:50

The thing that really excited me about 2018 clones of 80s bikes is that the parts are mostly interchangeable with the original bikes. The only differences between the original Japanese design and the Chinese clone are the engines and sometimes the lights . So if you have a rotted out tank or missing some side covers, you can find new replacement parts. I haven’t gone too deep into the 80s bike clones yet, but I’ve seen clones of everything from the Yamaha Riva to the Honda CB. I bet if one of those companies just sold parts they could make a killing.

SilentButNotReallyDeadly...killed by G/O Media > Mercedes Streeter
10/04/2018 at 22:50

CF Moto are still a thing in Oz. Quite a player in the agricultural and off road bike and quad market but also doing road bikes . One of the small motor shops in our little town just took them on as a dealer...

http://www.cfmoto.com.au

HFV has no HFV. But somehow has 2 motorcycles > Mercedes Streeter
10/04/2018 at 23:05

It’s to9 bad safty Regis stop this from happening with cars, I would snatch up a 2019 Great Wall 1991 Civic clone

shop-teacher > Mercedes Streeter
10/05/2018 at 07:09

I think the valves need to be adjusted. I already put a new carb, coil, fuel pump, and an air filter on it.