Commuter hack questions [Archive]

ducatilover

8th April 2012, 22:47

I'm currently looking at getting the cheapest, shittiest pile of crap as a commuter and my only conditions are:
Uber cheap, uber simple (I already have a bike that's fast and needs work :yes:) and cheap to fix.
What it has to do; take me to Te Puke from the Mnawatu and I don't care if I do 90 the whole way...it'll be cheap :D
So, I'm left with a short list...
Shitheap GN250/125s, they're all overpriced!
Honda GL145s (because I can't afford a tiny CB twin...)
Ax100s and what not.

Specific info of any use on the AX and GL would be nice, I've had plenty of GN experiences, I had a chinese one for 11,000k and it was crap, the early Jap ones are on the list.

In my mind GN = good, parts are stupidly cheap ($140nz for piston/barrel, under $50 for a gasket set blah blah)
I can't dig up much on the GL except people do an XR head conversion
I know nothing about the AX

Any other small, simple, sub $1k shitheaps I'm missing?

Madness

8th April 2012, 22:53

I'm currently looking at getting the cheapest, shittiest pile of crap...
Shitheap GN250/125
Honda GL145
Ax100s

Any other small, simple, sub $1k shitheaps I'm missing?

Fuck that, winter's coming. Buy a car.

http://assets.creativity-online.com/images/work/large/n/z/l/nzlotto-perm08133335.jpg

ducatilover

8th April 2012, 22:57

Fuck that, winter's coming. Buy a car.

Sold it last week :facepalm: cars anger me, the only ones I like are bloody impractical and tend to do 20mpg or less.
Can't do mean wheelies in a car bro

I seem to be lead in to thinking an XR200 motor will slide in a GL frame...
Can anyone confirm?

Nzpure

8th April 2012, 23:28

buy my 84 cb250rs, Cheap $1k :) Cheap parts (same motor as the xl250) cheap as all buggery on gas. Bikes in good order and it will do 100kph!

Mully

8th April 2012, 23:29

ducatilover

8th April 2012, 23:37

buy my 84 cb250rs, Cheap $1k :) Cheap parts (same motor as the xl250) cheap as all buggery on gas. Bikes in good order and it will do 100kph!
I would be tempted, but you're a bit far away mate

What about weird engine sizes? Suzuki did that GS500 thing that seem to be a bit of an orphan but seems to be cheap as chips.

Small-ish twin, not going to set the world on fire, but not going to be as boring as batshit either. Should be easy on consumables too.

EDIT: One of these, for example: http://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/motorbikes/motorbikes/classic-vintage/auction-464648645.htm

What's your budget?
Good bike them.
I want sub $1k, anything considered in the lower north island.
I'm tight, don't care how much power it has (I have 100hp to fluff around with in the garage) just want something uber super cheap/basic.

I'm leaning towards the GN just because of parts availability, I cannot find any solid info on the GL and interchanging parts.
I bloody despise GNs too!

carburator

8th April 2012, 23:47

What about weird engine sizes? Suzuki did that GS500 thing that seem to be a bit of an orphan but seems to be cheap as chips.

Small-ish twin, not going to set the world on fire, but not going to be as boring as batshit either. Should be easy on consumables too.

EDIT: One of these, for example: http://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/motorbikes/motorbikes/classic-vintage/auction-464648645.htm

What's your budget?

ironic really but the Suzuki GSX ( Invader ) and the GS500 share the same running gear
to fit the 500 donk you just remove a spacer..
Gn's well generally nasty however they go and go unless you remove the oil..

Subike

9th April 2012, 06:27

Then I saw your budjet.....
Na you would not buy a new bike that would do potentially 100k a with only normal servicing and return 74mpg, and do 120kph

$4000 + orc

scumdog

9th April 2012, 06:54

Uber cheap, uber simple (I already have a bike that's fast and needs work :yes:) and cheap to fix.
What it has to do; take me to Te Puke from the Mnawatu and I don't care if I do 90 the whole way...it'll be cheap :D
So, I'm left with a short list...

Any other small, simple, sub $1k shitheaps I'm missing?

"Tell 'im he's dreamin'..."

Better chance of finding a live unicorn - one of your equations above won't pan out.:yes:

Voltaire

9th April 2012, 08:49

I had a GL bucket bike and there is bugger all info on them as I think they were a 'grey' import....maybe if yo Google in Malay or Japanese...:innocent:
On the subject of cheap shitters, I bought a 200cc 25 year old Yamaha scooter off a mate for $350.00.....with 3 months of reg.....for a hoot.
Well I use it most days for my 40km city commute and its fun.....and 30kmph to the litre....zbout $10 a week....my diesel van that takes $120 to fill up sits in the drive.
Had it on the motorway the other day.....can do over 100kmph.....:crazy:
I had an SL 100 once and the much later XR 200 fits straight in.....so 1972 Honda 125...cheap reg....XR motor..... save 400 a year on rego as it goes on the frame.
http://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/motorbikes/motorbikes/classic-vintage/auction-464833623.htm

DEATH_INC.

9th April 2012, 09:06

I seem to be lead in to thinking an XR200 motor will slide in a GL frame...
Can anyone confirm?
XR200 motors will fit in practically anything with new mounts. Can't see why it won't fit in that...

ducatilover

9th April 2012, 09:16

"Tell 'im he's dreamin'..."

Better chance of finding a live unicorn - one of your equations above won't pan out.:yes: I've done it before several times :innocent:

Then I saw your budjet.....
Na you would not buy a new bike that would do potentially 100k a with only normal servicing and return 74mpg, and do 120kph

$4000 + orc
I don't want a new bike, I want the rattiest heap of shit I can find. I need one whilst I wait for parts for my 600, hence why I'm not wanting to spend $$$

I had a GL bucket bike and there is bugger all info on them as I think they were a 'grey' import....maybe if yo Google in Malay or Japanese...:innocent:
On the subject of cheap shitters, I bought a 200cc 25 year old Yamaha scooter off a mate for $350.00.....with 3 months of reg.....for a hoot.
Well I use it most days for my 40km city commute and its fun.....and 30kmph to the litre....zbout $10 a week....my diesel van that takes $120 to fill up sits in the drive.
Had it on the motorway the other day.....can do over 100kmph.....:crazy:
I had an SL 100 once and the much later XR 200 fits straight in.....so 1972 Honda 125...cheap reg....XR motor..... save 400 a year on rego as it goes on the frame.
http://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/motorbikes/motorbikes/classic-vintage/auction-464833623.htm
I'd rock a 200cc scoot.
That CT90 is rather cool...hmmm, will keep my eye on that

XR200 motors will fit in practically anything with new mounts. Can't see why it won't fit in that...
My thoughts exactly.
Problem being,
The GN is the slut of small bikes and parts for GN/DR motors are incredibly cheap/easy to get.
The GL145 on the other hand is harder to get bits for.

I'll wiegh up the pros and cons of both, buy one, beat the shit out of it and sell it when my baby is back on the road. :yes:

hayd3n

9th April 2012, 09:26

i got me a xl250 for my winter riding and it was free:woohoo::nya:

ducatilover

9th April 2012, 09:51

:sweatdrop That's my kind of deal!

scumdog

9th April 2012, 10:38

I've done it before several times :innocent:

I don't want a new bike, I want the rattiest heap of shit I can find. I need one whilst I wait for parts for my 600, hence why I'm not wanting to spend $$$:

I was thinking of the cost vs reliability factor.

Cheap is the last thing you appreciate when the dinger conks out on a wet day miles from anywhere and you're on a time-table...

ducatilover

9th April 2012, 10:43

I was thinking of the cost vs reliability factor.

Cheap is the last thing you appreciate when the dinger conks out on a wet day miles from anywhere and you're on a time-table...

If I get a GL or GN she'll have new piston/rings/bearings/barrel and stator re-wind before I take her for a decent trip.
I'm slightly capable with mechanics and simple bike = simple job to get it reliable ;)
Why spend more than I need to when I can get a fucked heap and rebuilt the motor?:innocent:

I'll give ya $40 for that XN85 though :shutup:

JATZ

9th April 2012, 10:53

If I get a GL or GN she'll have new piston/rings/bearings/barrel and stator re-wind before I take her for a decent trip.
I'm slightly capable with mechanics and simple bike = simple job to get it reliable ;)
Why spend more than I need to when I can get a fucked heap and rebuilt the motor?:innocent:

I'll give ya $40 for that XN85 though :shutup:

And the cost of that is ?...
Why not put that cash into the new ride, unless of course you enjoy spinning spanners more than riding :shutup:

HenryDorsetCase

9th April 2012, 11:09

Sold it last week :facepalm: cars anger me, the only ones I like are bloody impractical and tend to do 20mpg or less.
Can't do mean wheelies in a car bro

I seem to be lead in to thinking an XR200 motor will slide in a GL frame...
Can anyone confirm?

CB250RS with XL500 motor?

if you could get a 125 or 150cc scooter it would do what you want plus have some leg wind protection and storage and be cheap to run.

buy my AN125!

ducatilover

9th April 2012, 13:44

And the cost of that is ?...
Why not put that cash into the new ride, unless of course you enjoy spinning spanners more than riding :shutup:
Shit heap GN = sub$500.
Barrel, piston, rings, stator re-wind, bearings and clutch = $300nz for me. (I do a stator for under $40)
I can do all that in a day easily and those numbers work for me :yes:

CB250RS with XL500 motor?
Now that's a cool idea ;)
But I'm trying to be moderately sensible, I don't do sensible well.

if you could get a 125 or 150cc scooter it would do what you want plus have some leg wind protection and storage and be cheap to run.
I've thought about this too, I am not a fan of small wheeled bikes, but I'm considering a few. Plus, once I've rebuilt, raped, flipped and bowled a GN/GL I can make the slowest cafe racer in history.

buy my AN125!
Linky? How well do they scoot along?

Subike

9th April 2012, 14:01

Shit heap GN = sub$500.
But I'm trying to be moderately sensible, I don't do sensible well.

I've thought about this too, I am not a fan of small wheeled bikes, but I'm considering a few. Plus, once I've rebuilt, raped, flipped and bowled a GN/GL I can make the slowest cafe racer in history.

Linky? How well do they scoot along?

http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/showthread.php/72538-GN250-Cafe-Racer

ducatilover

9th April 2012, 14:08

http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/showthread.php/72538-GN250-Cafe-Racer
I remember that thread :D
It'd probably take me less than a week to rip it apart and modify it.

Subike

9th April 2012, 14:15

I remember that thread :D
It'd probably take me less than a week to rip it apart and modify it.

then paint it

bogan

9th April 2012, 14:16

Clapped out GN250 sounds like the way to go, engine rebuild and slam some rustkill on that bitch, she'll be good for another 30,000km

I was thinking of the cost vs reliability factor.

Cheap is the last thing you appreciate when the dinger conks out on a wet day miles from anywhere and you're on a time-table...

Must be a harley owner eh? Gotta pay extra for the reliability tassels :nya:

ducatilover

9th April 2012, 14:18

then paint it

That's too cool!:eek5:

blackdog

9th April 2012, 14:28

Something like this puppy.

avgas

9th April 2012, 15:09

Define commute.

Do you need to do 100 clicks? If no TR50 would be my bet (or TR110 if you can find one)

Swoop

9th April 2012, 15:16

Fuck that, winter's coming. Buy a car.
Winter. One of the very best times to be on a bike!
Get to work drier than when taking the car and all the soft-cock riders are off the roads. Kymco riders, are you fucking listening?

scumdog

9th April 2012, 15:46

then paint it

A John Deere GN250!:blink:

ducatilover

9th April 2012, 15:51

Define commute.

Do you need to do 100 clicks? If no TR50 would be my bet (or TR110 if you can find one)
Would like to manage 100 clicks. It's going to do a trip to Te Puke and then be used for a relatively short commute in 100kph areas, I'm sure a GL will putt along at 90-100 down a hill with a tail wind...A TR50 would be top of the list if it was in town commuting, never knew they did a 110?

Something like this puppy.
Yes please

A John Deere GN250!:blink:

You know you want it

Madness

9th April 2012, 16:03

Hey, I just remembered :doobey:

There was an ad in this weeks Sunday Harold in the motorbike classified section; Honda GL1500, 1998 motorbike for free. due to my late grandson death if interested contact (phillipmorgan862@gmail.com)

I shit you not.

ducatilover

9th April 2012, 16:05

Madness

9th April 2012, 16:06

Poor bloke's been trying to give that away for ages :innocent:

And Patrick hasn't jumped on it? Actually, he probably has but the email was impossible to understand.

ducatilover

9th April 2012, 16:13

And Patrick hasn't jumped on it? Actually, he probably has but the email was impossible to understand.

I bet he has and I bet it's fuckin' mint :nya:

tigertim20

9th April 2012, 16:23

:sweatdrop That's my kind of deal!

heh, he has spent close to a grand getting it legal though!

I think the trouble with the ax, gl etc is that they're probably getting eaten up by bucket racers.
the GN is overpriced.
The CB NZpure has might be your style, how much would it cost you to get a bus/hitch, and ride it back?

looking under a grand there is fuckall out there other than stuff with dead rego etc.
If you want a legal hack to get you around till your beast is going again, you might have to up your bugdet to at least 2k - remember of course that when buying a 2k bike, you arent going to lose anything on resale.
unless you try doing wheelies of course!

mossy1200

9th April 2012, 17:03

Grr Duc out bid me.Everyone wants out bid me because im a cheap bastard.

shafty

9th April 2012, 17:38

FWIW I had a GL145 and it went real well, pulled strongly - kick start only, but easy peasy, 100km/hr no worries

mossy1200

9th April 2012, 17:44

FWIW I had a GL145 and it went real well, pulled strongly - kick start only, but easy peasy, 100km/hr no worries

Now your just encouraging him.
They were the biggest 2 wheel flop honda ever made Duc.If there was ever any doubt Honda put it to rest by coming out of the closet with the GL145.

ducatilover

9th April 2012, 18:25

heh, he has spent close to a grand getting it legal though!

I think the trouble with the ax, gl etc is that they're probably getting eaten up by bucket racers.
the GN is overpriced.
The CB NZpure has might be your style, how much would it cost you to get a bus/hitch, and ride it back?

looking under a grand there is fuckall out there other than stuff with dead rego etc.
If you want a legal hack to get you around till your beast is going again, you might have to up your bugdet to at least 2k - remember of course that when buying a 2k bike, you arent going to lose anything on resale.
unless you try doing wheelies of course!
It'd be more than my cheap arse will pay :bleh:
You're not wrong with the $2k thing, but if I had $2k I'd hurry up the 600 project, it's not too far off as it is.
GN's have soared in price since I owned one, they were worth chump change when I got mine

Grr Duc out bid me.Everyone wants out bid me because im a cheap bastard. You're cheap, I'm selfish and cheap :sweatdrop

FWIW I had a GL145 and it went real well, pulled strongly - kick start only, but easy peasy, 100km/hr no worries
You have to be pulling my leg? I'd be happy with 100 easily, they do supposedly manage 3.5L/100km, which tickles my fancy

Now your just encouraging him.
They were the biggest 2 wheel flop honda ever made Duc.If there was ever any doubt Honda put it to rest by coming out of the closet with the GL145.
They were a bit of a fail :shutup: I'd say they failed purely because the GN existed.
It'd be my fourth Honda :crazy: the closet is well and truly open here!

bogan

9th April 2012, 19:06

You're not wrong with the $2k thing, but if I had $2k I'd hurry up the 600 project, it's not too far off as it is.

Just give me 1k, and I'll hit it with my biggest hammer until it's on the road :D

Mainly the forks now isn't it? shirley you can get that all sorted for less than a ginny costs.

dogsnbikes

9th April 2012, 19:10

buy my 84 cb250rs, Cheap $1k :) Cheap parts (same motor as the xl250) cheap as all buggery on gas. Bikes in good order and it will do 100kph! You want too sell it

I would be tempted, but you're a bit far away mate !

He wants you to buy it....your problem distance???

I'm your middle man I could even arrange for it too be pick up and brought too Wellington ;)

Voltaire

9th April 2012, 19:34

http://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/motorbikes/motorbikes/classic-vintage/auction-465086062.htm
cheap rego.:woohoo:
An XR 200 motor will slot in nicely.....swingarm may flex a bit ( a lot).

Swoop

9th April 2012, 19:37

*TAG: The "other" scottish thread.

Tigadee

9th April 2012, 19:38

How about these?
http://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/motorbikes/motorbikes/cruiser/auction-462044043.htm

http://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/motorbikes/motorbikes/cruiser/auction-464883301.htm

http://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/motorbikes/motorbikes/cruiser/auction-463091559.htm

http://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/motorbikes/motorbikes/classic-vintage/auction-463814014.htm

ducatilover

9th April 2012, 20:16

Just give me 1k, and I'll hit it with my biggest hammer until it's on the road :D

Mainly the forks now isn't it? shirley you can get that all sorted for less than a ginny costs.
I've hit 1k pretty hard too :D

I've got to make a list, main problem is me buying shit overseas lol
I need to get the legs chromed, might slam a set of seals in it and hope though? Whaddaya think?
I'm pretty sure the forks/zorst are the biggest jobs left

You want too sell it

He wants you to buy it....your problem distance???

I'm your middle man I could even arrange for it too be pick up and brought too Wellington ;)
I'll have to keep that in mind, bloody good of you

http://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/motorbikes/motorbikes/classic-vintage/auction-465086062.htm
cheap rego.:woohoo:
An XR 200 motor will slot in nicely.....swingarm may flex a bit ( a lot). Oh, that I do like! I wish I could find a reasonable Honda twin near here :sunny:

*TAG: The "other" scottish thread. ;) darn right laddie

How about these?
http://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/motorbikes/motorbikes/cruiser/auction-462044043.htm

http://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/motorbikes/motorbikes/cruiser/auction-464883301.htm

http://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/motorbikes/motorbikes/cruiser/auction-463091559.htm

http://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/motorbikes/motorbikes/classic-vintage/auction-463814014.htm
Three of those beasts are on the watch list.

I'm going to make a list with prices (I hate that part) for the 600/squidtasticpileofcrap/Dougasaki and weigh it all up, I have a few weeks before I move and may be house bound (living in the country :facepalm:) but I'll do the pros and cons.

There's an RG down Wellington ways that needs work, may ask someone to check it out, depending on how many parts I find, I'd much rather one of 'em than a GN

Insanity_rules

11th April 2012, 23:03

GLs were sold new here. I had a 1 year old one for about 2 years in the late 80s. Bloody bulletproof, reliable, easy to work on and a lot quicker than it looked. For as tiny as it looked it was really good on the motorway, top cruise speed was about 110 or so. Screamed a bit over that.

Try econohonda for parts, I believe most stuff is still readily available. I did the exercise when thinking of buying one for my Daughter.