282 replies to this topic

[leehenty]

Nothing wrong with the CB500X,Itchy Boots rode one.

[leehenty]

And 27 bhp on the Classic 500 Bullet got me to Spain and back. AliG had a Himmy he might be able to advise.

[Dickiebig]

Nothing wrong with the CB500X,Itchy Boots rode one.

I'd let her ride me........ooooh banned or

[dablik]

You know it's funny innit about the HP, in my younger days i used to potter around on all sorts of low powered mopeds and scooters, then got the XT500 which i owned for years and i always had an absolute blast...cant see it being an issue really, just wont be able to keep up on a rideout most likely, Interceptor not really appealing to me....who knows i could end up with a 9r again....could also hang me boots ?!?!?

 

As you mention Lee 27hp to do Spain, it will go anywhere...

Edited by dablik, 22 July 2021 - 08:06 pm.

[Dickiebig]

No boot hanging mate still life in the old dog!!

[Studley Ramrod]

You know it's funny innit about the HP, in my younger days i used to potter around on all sorts of low powered mopeds and scooters, then got the XT500 which i owned for years and i always had an absolute blast...cant see it being an issue really, just wont be able to keep up on a rideout most likely, Interceptor not really appealing to me....who knows i could end up with a 9r again....could also hang me boots ?!?!?

 

As you mention Lee 27hp to do Spain, it will go anywhere...

Roads weren't as busy back then though, and lorries are allowed to go faster these days.  I'd feel really unsafe going along the A1 or similar with 27hp to get me out of trouble. Spain is, apparently, about to up the national speed limit to 80 or 85mph, can't remember which.  I guess it all depends on what one intends doing with the bike eh.

[dablik]

Roads weren't as busy back then though, and lorries are allowed to go faster these days.  I'd feel really unsafe going along the A1 or similar with 27hp to get me out of trouble. Spain is, apparently, about to up the national speed limit to 80 or 85mph, can't remember which.  I guess it all depends on what one intends doing with the bike eh.

 

Hm, food for thought and good points, no doubt if i had 27hp it's going to change how and where i ride, Spain would'nt bother me so much, ferry and a small motorway blast to the mountains where traffic practically does'nt exist, in fact France is much the same, cant see it being a problem really, the UK could be a whole different matter though.

 

No rush, a 2nd bike would be an option but it also throws up other headaches for me, also find it hard to justify spending on another bike after indulging myself with the mk1, cant get motivated over the mk1 engine just yet, i can turn the motor by hand with resistance so did'nt go even half a turn, quite sure it's engine out job.... it's all up in the air right now..

[leehenty]

Low bhp sometimes becomes a problem with headwinds on motorways.
On the way to Spain I had to find a bus to hide behind at 60 mph for 100 miles through Bordeaux.
Stay off the main slab most roads in France are 56 mph anyway. Much more pleasant in the country villages.
Itchy boots rode the wheels off one through India and the stans, nothing broke or blew up. People ride Honda 90's round the world. Go get the bike you want. A decent niner won't cost too much and are known to be reliable. Decent Sub 30k miler niner less than £2500, just don't keep scrapping them in Spain.

Edited by leehenty, 23 July 2021 - 03:48 pm.

[Catteeclan]

My old XL250s would sit at 60mph all day, up in the revs a bit but did it without fuss.
Some of the best times riding were on low HP bikes. Had a dt125, used to nip up every now and then but give it a few mins while slowing down and bump it again. Ease it away again then back to flat out.

[chrisr]

And 27 bhp on the Classic 500 Bullet got me to Spain and back. AliG had a Himmy he might be able to advise.

He got rid of it pretty quickly......I rode it briefly, hated it! As Lee says, if you can find a cheap 900 then youll know the engine will work, the rest can be sorted at your leisure. Not very comforting after all the work youve put in I know!

Edited by chrisr, 25 July 2021 - 11:36 am.

[fixitsan]

He got rid of it pretty quickly......I rode it briefly, hated it! As Lee says, if you can find a cheap 900 then youll know the engine will work, the rest can be sorted at your leisure. Not very comforting after all the work youve put in I know!

 

I met a rider at Saltire Motorcycles in Edinburgh on Saturday. He spotted my TDM, He also had one. I thought mine was high mileage at 108,000 but the one he had with him had 148,000 miles and the one at home had 65,000.

He has a few other bikes, but says he finds he just jumps on the TDM to go to work because he knows it will always get him there.You really can't go wrong with them can you

[leehenty]

VFM wise my TDM9 owes me nothing, still just as good as day one.

[PICARD]

£4,999 in march 2004. 40k never let me down, never been in a garage except MOT and tyres. Can't beat 'em.
BTW..
That was new and included alarm / immobiliser and an aerosol of Castrol polish (which I still have
) ...bargain..

[leehenty]

I paid £3195 in 2008 for a mint silver 2002 with 2700 on clock. Now at 39k, all it's cost me are a few shims and the bits I put on, wilbers fancy shock etc.
Never let me down and it's been a good one.
I went to all the trouble of fitting an oil pressure switch with a 90 degree adapter, then found out only the 850 burn oil.
It was early days before I had read all of Carpe.

Edited by leehenty, 26 July 2021 - 06:01 pm.

[dablik]

Okay you'll all be happy to know i've gone off the idea now of a Himmy, i'm a roadie really, if i can find a decent replacement engine i might go down that route as i have lots of very good parts on my build, and sort my engine at a later date, failing that i'll break the bike and buy a replacement...very soon to have dental bills (aint cheap) so that will have some detrimental value as to how much i could splosh on another bike !!!

 

Currently looking at Versys 650, parallel twin, less power than 850 but not far off, maintenance about the same, plastics and tank off for valve clearances but NOT the radiator, a proper oil filter and one drain plug  anyhow who knows as i've also looked at Triumph 1050    very confused, not much difference in terms of weight for a lot of bikes and a lower powered bike would only save me around £70 in terms of Insurance and tax, maybe a long term small saving in fuel costs ?

 

Weighing it all up for now and prolly take a look over at Superbikes in Macclesfield next week sometime... 

[Dickiebig]

All the very best there Cliff. What ever decision you make will be the right on for you at the time.
Your choice

Okay you'll all be happy to know i've gone off the idea now of a Himmy, i'm a roadie really, if i can find a decent replacement engine i might go down that route as i have lots of very good parts on my build, and sort my engine at a later date, failing that i'll break the bike and buy a replacement...very soon to have dental bills (aint cheap) so that will have some detrimental value as to how much i could splosh on another bike !!!
 
Currently looking at Versys 650, parallel twin, less power than 850 but not far off, maintenance about the same, plastics and tank off for valve clearances but NOT the radiator, a proper oil filter and one drain plug  anyhow who knows as i've also looked at Triumph 1050    very confused, not much difference in terms of weight for a lot of bikes and a lower powered bike would only save me around £70 in terms of Insurance and tax, maybe a long term small saving in fuel costs ?
 
Weighing it all up for now and prolly take a look over at Superbikes in Macclesfield next week sometime... 

I'm confused all the time just bought a 1992 FJ1200 hmmmmmm were did that come from. Not me honest darling it must have been the fairies.......... And we all believe in fairies don't we😗

[dablik]

All the very best there Cliff. What ever decision you make will be the right on for you at the time.
Your choice

I'm confused all the time just bought a 1992 FJ1200 hmmmmmm were did that come from. Not me honest darling it must have been the fairies.......... And we all believe in fairies don't we

 

 

No wonder you needed an Abba stand Db, was hankering for one before i got another mk1, torque rocket ship.....your allowed to throw a pic up in Hyde park, come on we want to see it..

[fixitsan]

All the very best there Cliff. What ever decision you make will be the right on for you at the time.
Your choice

I'm confused all the time just bought a 1992 FJ1200 hmmmmmm were did that come from. Not me honest darling it must have been the fairies.......... And we all believe in fairies don't we

 

The bike I crashed which caused me to get the niner, was the slightly earlier FJ1100. No slouch. top gear at 30mph and then just wind it on when you want it to go.

16" tyres were a bit of a hassle but that's all.

 

I've got a friend with the early XJR1200 with the same aircooled lump, although peak power is less than early FJ's....there's no way he would part with it

[Dickiebig]

1992, just got it home today. Looking a bit sad, needs a good clean. Not sure what else. Pulls like a train in top from 30nph. Feels heavy until on the move then stable. Low to the ground, for me Needs plenty of counter steer. 16" rear and 17" front.
90 mile trip home and felt ok, always a bit tense with an unknown bike. I did everything I said I wouldn't, but it went ok

[dablik]

Congrats, lots of fettle time coming up..