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Old bikes coming back into style

Discussion in 'XJ Technical Chat' started by spinalator, Nov 17, 2008.

  1. spinalator

    spinalator Member

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    There has been a marked increase in interest in old bikes this year, and I anticipate it will increase even more as the economy softens. You can somtimes buy an old bike for 3 or 400 and put a couple of weeks and 200 dollars later, and you have a street rocket that is good on gas, and looks better than a silly scooter.
     
  2. Fongdingo

    Fongdingo Member

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    thats what i did bought my bike for under 400 put another hundred into her and lots of reading on this site and bamm now ive got a great bike that dont let me down and easy on gas
     
  3. spinalator

    spinalator Member

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    And chicks will dig you. (if applicable) :)
     
  4. Fongdingo

    Fongdingo Member

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    yup mine does
     
  5. manufan

    manufan Member

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    I agree, I have a 93 Ducati 900ss along with the XJ550 I picked for $200 off ebay. Don't get me wrong the Ducati is big fun. But, way harder to ride than the little Yamaha. The Yamaha, I can turn around in the garage, the Duc you can't turn around on a 2-lane road.
     
  6. spinalator

    spinalator Member

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    It will is you give it a lot of gas with the wheel turned. (j/k) :lol:
     
  7. Zookie400

    Zookie400 Active Member

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    "Old bikes coming back into style"

    they never went out.... :)
     
  8. Artie(RT)

    Artie(RT) Member

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    Yeah the old bikes are great...but someday, someday (code for when the kids are gone and on their own) I just gotta think I'm gonna buy something new. Keep the old one of course...but something new would be nice.
     
  9. wink1018

    wink1018 Active Member

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    I can't tell you all just how many times I'd have other bikers here compliment on my "Old-School" ride. Sorta makes me proud to have finally convinced my father to let me put her back on the road again (after 10 years of storage).

    However, I wouldn't say mine gets the best gas milage tho. I'm only besting 38mpg on the 650. Average is roughly 34mpg.
     
  10. MN-Maxims

    MN-Maxims St. Paul Minnesota

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    ok check this out. My friend is working on his neighbors 1986 900 Kawasaki. (I think the manufacturers figured out that the old bikes are coming back.) So he called me up and told me that Kawasaki wanted almost 300 for the parts needed to rebuild the carbs for this bike. Just gaskets and o-rings and needles and seats. I advised him to check out carb kit capitol and see if they had what he needed. I have not heard back yet but I'm sure its not going to be cheap to get that one going again.
     
  11. asphaltgecko

    asphaltgecko Member

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  12. brtsvg

    brtsvg Member

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    Here in MN it's amazing how many 20 and 25 year old Jap bikes you see that are in next-to-new shape and with less than 20K miles on the clock. Maybe most of them get 1K-2K miles a year on them before they are put in the basement for the winter. So most have no corrosion or weathering on them, and in most cases one can find a great deal for $1000 or so. Much more cost-effective than a new Harley for 20K or so for something that will only get used 6 months out of the year (at most) anyway.
     
  13. bigfitz52

    bigfitz52 Well-Known Member Premium Member

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    Back in the 80s there were occasionally more motorcycles registered in some of the midwest states (Wis, Minn, Ill) than in California or Texas. Seem to be a lot of them in Wisconsin too, my '83 came from there.
     
  14. WesleyJN1975

    WesleyJN1975 Member

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    Now all we need are more part available for these old soldiers!
    :cry:
     
  15. xj650ss

    xj650ss Member

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    i want a new and bigger bike but only something tragic (ie: engine craters) could seperate me from my maxim and even that may not be enough!
     

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