View Full Version : Good idea? Bad idea?
CrazyKell
04-07-2010, 10:40 AM
Looking to seriously learn to tinker this year.
Don't feel like doing it on my own bike but really want to learn about bikes.
Buddy is selling this:
1983 XR200R This bike had the top end completely rebuilt, and did run perfectly, untill the coil started breaking down. It is currently in storage, and would require a new coil, a throttle cable, carb cleaned, and a little TLC. I may do all the work before it sells, in which case the price will go up......$500 obo
Good idea or bad idea to buy this to just pull apart and learn?
http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d60/XcrazykellX/xr200r.jpg
t-homo
04-07-2010, 10:42 AM
IDK for that specifically. What I have been doing to learn more about working on bikes is hanging out with a friend who does pretty much all of the mechanic work for local guys in his garage. Go out there, watch him, talk about things and learn.
goof2
04-07-2010, 10:53 AM
If you are going to do that you should get something you are going to want to ride after you put it back together and something that hopefully has a large internet community where you can get help/information as needed. If you get that XR and have no desire or place to ride it I think you will end up with a pile of crap in a corner that used to be a motorcycle.
wildchild
04-07-2010, 11:00 AM
my first assumption would be that the ad is misleading. he puts in there that it has a fresh topend. the xr200 is 4 stroke, people don't rebuild top ends on them very often. he seen that in other dirtbike ads and thought "yeah that looks good". ask him who did the work. basically $500 for a non running xr200 is a lot. I'd offer much less. or look for a streetbike to play with.
I definately wouldnt go with an xr200. They are the most unreliable honda ever made, when new. At most, i'd offer 300$.
Kelly that's too funny. I've thought the same thing after a co-worker hinted he may give me his brother's dirtbike (been in storage a long time.)
I would go cheaper though, if you want to tinker. That way if you mess up something you won't be as mad!
CrazyKell
04-07-2010, 11:30 AM
Oh I'll definitely be going cheaper.
And if I got the bike learning I would totally take it out and ride it. Tons of places to ride around here and I know it's not going to keep up with my buddy's but I think it'd be fun to rip around on it.
It's $200 for a course that's one evening to learn to change oil. Or I could spend a couple hundred on a bike that could be a lot of fun for me to tinker with.
wildchild
04-07-2010, 11:38 AM
Kelly that's too funny. I've thought the same thing after a co-worker hinted he may give me his brother's dirtbike (been in storage a long time.)
I would go cheaper though, if you want to tinker. That way if you mess up something you won't be as mad!
now that is the right price!!
first one I tinkered with I got at a rummage sale for $25. second one I drug out of a dumpster and the guy who put it there gave me the title.
Oh I'll definitely be going cheaper.
And if I got the bike learning I would totally take it out and ride it. Tons of places to ride around here and I know it's not going to keep up with my buddy's but I think it'd be fun to rip around on it.
It's $200 for a course that's one evening to learn to change oil. Or I could spend a couple hundred on a bike that could be a lot of fun for me to tinker with.
DO not waste 200$ to learn how to change oil. That would be fucking retarded! Save your cash for bike parts.
Changing oil is a matter of draining, changing a filter, and refilling. And I only want 75$ for that advice. :lol:
Tear apart the Kawi, you'll discover its not at all complicated, at least till you start pulling engines out of the frame and shit.
Particle Man
04-07-2010, 12:01 PM
If you are going to do that you should get something you are going to want to ride after you put it back together and something that hopefully has a large internet community where you can get help/information as needed. If you get that XR and have no desire or place to ride it I think you will end up with a pile of crap in a corner that used to be a motorcycle.
I agree with this.
If there's a reward at the end for putting the thing back together it will make the process that much sweeter.
A free bike can turn into a money pit very fast and you'll end up getting frustrated
CrazyKell
04-07-2010, 12:02 PM
The reward is a cool retro dirtbike.
And no way am I paying for the course when i could buy an old dirtbike instead and at least have something fun. I've always wanted something like this.
What's the worst that can happen? I can't figure it out, I don't learn anything, and I sell it as a bucket of bolts. :idk: Not bad for a couple of hundred bucks!
The reward is a cool retro dirtbike.
And no way am I paying for the course when i could buy an old dirtbike instead and at least have something fun. I've always wanted something like this.
What's the worst that can happen? I can't figure it out, I don't learn anything, and I sell it as a bucket of bolts. :idk: Not bad for a couple of hundred bucks!
Except theres nothing cool about XR's, lol. They are the old lady of the dirtbike world.
CrazyKell
04-07-2010, 12:04 PM
Except theres nothing cool about XR's, lol. They are the old lady of the dirtbike world.
Cool to me! :lol
Cool to me! :lol
Im just razzing. But they are horrible, horrible bikes.
Look for an old YZ or CR125. Youll have a blast with it, and just as easy to fix. Shouldnt be a problem to find early ones for less than 500$.
Rangerscott
04-07-2010, 12:07 PM
You need to check part availability also. There's some cool bikes out there but gettin parts is hard or expensive.
goof2
04-07-2010, 12:25 PM
Don't get me wrong, I think it is a good idea, I'm just not certain that XR is the best bike to learn on. That also depends on what you mean by "learn to tinker". Learning to change the oil is one thing and it is going to be pretty universal between all bikes. Much of the XR isn't going to carry over to your Kaw though. There isn't any coolant to change. I believe XR has cable operated drum brakes on both ends which isn't going to teach you much about working on hydraulic disks. The value of screwing with the XR is mostly limited to becoming comfortable with the general act of using wrenches on a bike. There will only be the most rudimentary of carryover knowledge.
marko138
04-07-2010, 02:44 PM
Oh I'll definitely be going cheaper.
And if I got the bike learning I would totally take it out and ride it. Tons of places to ride around here and I know it's not going to keep up with my buddy's but I think it'd be fun to rip around on it.
It's $200 for a course that's one evening to learn to change oil. Or I could spend a couple hundred on a bike that could be a lot of fun for me to tinker with.
$200 bucks? WTF. Do you have a shop manual for your bike? If not get one. It should break the process down nicely.
For $200, they better teach me how to do an oil change and then let me lubricate two hot female prostitutes.
CrazyKell
04-07-2010, 02:57 PM
It's just a course at a local community college that teaches you the basics about a bike. I figure I could spend the money better buying something like this and learning on my own.
for an oil change, just learn on your regular bike. It is really just as easy as remove a bolt, oil drains. Remove oil filter. Install oil filter. Put new washer on bolt, reinstall bolt. Put recommended amount of oil in oil fill. Start and run til it gets up to temp. Cool for 5 mins, check oil level. Add oil if needed. Done.
racedoll
04-08-2010, 08:36 PM
You need to check part availability also. There's some cool bikes out there but gettin parts is hard or expensive.
Excellent point
for an oil change, just learn on your regular bike. It is really just as easy as remove a bolt, oil drains. Remove oil filter. Install oil filter. Put new washer on bolt, reinstall bolt. Put recommended amount of oil in oil fill. Start and run til it gets up to temp. Cool for 5 mins, check oil level. Add oil if needed. Done.
You owe Trip $200 and it really is this easy. Fortunately for you have a bike with lowers so you may or may not need to remove them. It isn't hard, but could be a pain. I don't have lowers so both sides have to come off first which is a pain.
Amber Lamps
04-08-2010, 09:02 PM
Excellent point
You owe Trip $200 and it really is this easy. Fortunately for you have a bike with lowers so you may or may not need to remove them. It isn't hard, but could be a pain. I don't have lowers so both sides have to come off first which is a pain.
Tell you what, save the $200, come to the rally and we'll teach you all the basics of bike maintenance while you are there one morning...I'll throw in a disc with your service manual on it... I'm rooming with GasMan, between the two of us, I'm sure that we can get you up to speed!
racedoll
04-08-2010, 09:41 PM
Tell you what, save the $200, come to the rally and we'll teach you all the basics of bike maintenance while you are there one morning...I'll throw in a disc with your service manual on it... I'm rooming with GasMan, between the two of us, I'm sure that we can get you up to speed!
Speaking of which, wasn't there supposed to be something like this happening anyway? Along with some shooting and maybe some other stuff?
marko138
04-09-2010, 08:21 AM
Question for Kawi owners...why the hell do you have to take the fairings off to change oil? What a pain.
Amber Lamps
04-09-2010, 09:52 AM
Speaking of which, wasn't there supposed to be something like this happening anyway? Along with some shooting and maybe some other stuff?
It depends on the group, if all old school riders come there's little reason to have maintenance classes... :lol:
I'm sure that any of us old guys would love to help anyone.
Amber Lamps
04-09-2010, 09:55 AM
Question for Kawi owners...why the hell do you have to take the fairings off to change oil? What a pain.
I was thinking that too...I haven't had to do that since '95...
marko138
04-09-2010, 09:55 AM
I was thinking that too...I haven't had to do that since '95...
My 92 Zuk did not even require fairing removal. Seems like some bullshit.
Speaking of which, wasn't there supposed to be something like this happening anyway? Along with some shooting and maybe some other stuff?
We can see who needs help and what they would like help with and just have a basic maintenance/riding Q/A seminar.
goof2
04-09-2010, 10:36 AM
Question for Kawi owners...why the hell do you have to take the fairings off to change oil? What a pain.
It isn't just the Kawis. I can get to everything oil change related on my R6 (2001) except the oil filter. To get to that I need to take the lowers off. I don't really mind though since removing them takes about 5 minutes and having them off makes the whole process a bit easier.
marko138
04-09-2010, 10:38 AM
It isn't just the Kawis. I can get to everything oil change related on my R6 (2001) except the oil filter. To get to that I need to take the lowers off. I don't really mind though since removing them takes about 5 minutes and having them off makes the whole process a bit easier.
What necessitates the removal? Oil filter?
goof2
04-09-2010, 11:21 AM
What necessitates the removal? Oil filter?
Yep, the filter is on the left side of the engine buried underneath the lower fairing. You can't even really see the oil filter if the fairing is on, much less hope to remove it.
marko138
04-09-2010, 11:22 AM
Yep, the filter is on the left side of the engine buried underneath the lower fairing. You can't even really see the oil filter if the fairing is on, much less hope to remove it.
Shitty...though to be honest, I do have to remove my chin fairing to get the filter off.
goof2
04-09-2010, 11:45 AM
Shitty...though to be honest, I do have to remove my chin fairing to get the filter off.
It doesn't bother me too much since it is only takes about 5 minutes to remove the 10 screws holding it on. I suppose I could replace the screws with Dzus quarter turn fasteners and speed it up further but haven't really felt the need to do so.
Smittie61984
04-10-2010, 03:49 PM
I bought a used CBR600 F3 that wasn't running and was wrecked (body damage) for $1000. Probably more than I should have spent but oh well. Anyways I started rebuilding it over the winter and got it running. I have some mechanical skills, basic tools, and did it by myself. I learned a lot from just going at it and my bike is still running strong after I've put probably 15-20k miles on it at now 50k.
Here is some of my progress on it...
http://www.flickr.com/photos/atlantasmittie84/sets/72157602727619521/
I really enjoyed working on it despite I don't really get to anymore due to school. But totally worth it and it'll make a great track bike once I get a better bike.
racedoll
04-10-2010, 11:25 PM
Question for Kawi owners...why the hell do you have to take the fairings off to change oil? What a pain.
I was thinking that too...I haven't had to do that since '95...
I don't think all Kawi owners have to do this. I do it because it just makes it easier. My fairings are two pieces, one for each side that connect underneath. I do have an open place for the drain plug but I still have to remove one to access the filter and risk oil getting on that half - not a big deal, just more cleanup. My other issue is that I can't fit a pan underneath. So I take off both.
http://i80.photobucket.com/albums/j197/racedoll/Bikes/fcd676cf.jpg
http://i80.photobucket.com/albums/j197/racedoll/Bikes/113ad135.jpg
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