New bike is finally here

[243Win]

After a month of waiting, Haul Bikes finally dropped off my little 400 Bandit.  This is the good side, she has seen pavement on both sides, but nothing really tragic, just cosmetic.  Since it is almost 18 years old and has been sitting for the last three years, I'll be working on it rather than riding it this weekend.

Here she is:

[November]

Congrats!

[traveler]

That looks it would be a blast for a beginner, which I'm presuming you are.

Some things to consider re older bike which has been inoperative for an extended period:

A thorough cleaning is recommended to better see what needs to be done
Tires are probably not safe anymore
All fluids must be flushed and replaced
Gas tank drained, flushed, cleaned, inspected for rust
Carbs thoroughly cleaned (disassembly may be required)
Fuel lines and vacuum hoses, if any inspected/replaced
Cables inspected and lubed
Brake master cylinder flushed/cleaned
Brake calipers disassembled and cleaned, lubed (new seals, etc)
New brake pads
Chain cleaning and lube followed by adjustment
New air filter
New plugs


I'm sure I've overlooked some things, but you get the idea. Make it safe and reliable first and foremost. After that it's all fun. Enjoy and ride safe. Oh, and let us know how it's coming along as you work through all the issues it may have.

[Mrs. DantesDame]

That looks like a great bike!  

[Mookie]

Weird, I just saw one of those this morning for the first time in forever over in the U district.  I like them little 400s  

/There's a little CB1 that lives near me.  I want.

[243Win]

That looks it would be a blast for a beginner, which I'm presuming you are.

>  Bingo

Some things to consider re older bike which has been inoperative for an extended period:

A thorough cleaning is recommended to better see what needs to be done
Tires are probably not safe anymore
All fluids must be flushed and replaced
Gas tank drained, flushed, cleaned, inspected for rust
Carbs thoroughly cleaned (disassembly may be required)
Fuel lines and vacuum hoses, if any inspected/replaced
Cables inspected and lubed
Brake master cylinder flushed/cleaned
Brake calipers disassembled and cleaned, lubed (new seals, etc)
New brake pads
Chain cleaning and lube followed by adjustment
New air filter
New plugs

I'm on the same page.

New tires here already, conti road attacks.  New EBC pads and rotors on order.  Full fluid change this weekend.  Inspect everything else.  Factory service manual came in the mail last night, good to go.

[VIVID1]

Nice bike! I knew someone in Chicagoland that used to ride one just like that about 6-7 years ago

[Cpl Punishment]

Looks pretty clean. Nice one. Have fun.  

[chiltech500]

nice bike, different, enjoy  

[ksann]

I love those!!!


Congrats on a fantastic, lightweight bike.



ken

[aaustin]

That's a racy looking bike.  

[JReazor]

Nice. Congrats on getting a great little bike.  

[tremo]

That's a classic -- and classy -- looking bike!  

[243Win]

Thanks folks for the positive comments.  I didn't get to work on it as much as I wanted to this weekend, but the wheels are off and getting new tires mounted.  I peaked in the tank and sure enough, being 18 years old, it has rust.  KREEM kit is standing by.  Ordered rotors, pads and brake lines.  Need to order a bunch more parts -- basically hoses etc.  Exhaust is rusty but could possibly be saved.  If it doesn't fall apart after some clean up with a sand blaster, I'll have it ceramic coated.

Plan to pull the plugs and peak inside the motor with a bore scope, see if my luck continues and find rust in the cylinders  .  Compression and leakdown tests after that,... carbs,... valves,...

So, a long road ahead to get this one on the road.

[243Win]

Well, the project just got a lot longer.  Note the wheels were off it?  Well my Dad decides to try and move it anyhow.  Oddly 400 pounds of bike balanced on a jack and center stand got away from him.  Crushed the exhaust and busted one of the brackets that the pegs attach to.  It needed ~$500 in misc parts in addition to the near grand I just spent on it for brakes and tires and now it needs a $600 exhaust as well.  As of today, I'm well over the $1800 the bike is worth and the budget is blown, it won't be on the road for months now.

At this point, I will probably pull it into MY GARAGE and do a frame off restoration and totally go through the engine as well.  It was the step-daughter's bike that I bought from her as a beginner bike for myself, but now it will be a rebuild for her instead (she is without bike) and I'll get something different over the course of the next year.  Probably a 599 I saw at the dealers locally or a 650R.  In the meantiime, I'll continue to ride the road less travelled on my XT225.

To say I'm angry and disappointed is an understatement.  

[Cpl Punishment]

Really sorry to hear all that.

Will you be getting your father a new exhaust for christmas?

[243Win]

Really sorry to hear all that.

Will you be getting your father a new exhaust for christmas?

He is looking at a Royal Enfield to ride around the neighborhood.  I told him, I get to push it over off the kick stand for the first time.

Along with the Bandit story, I have another story involving my Jeep and my father that starts with KABOOM as the radiator explodes (I s**t you not).  Actually two Jeep disasters involving him and now the bandit disaster to add to the list.  He is a fantastic mechanic, but somedays, he just loses it and it costs me hundreds each time.  Most of the time, he is the savior for all things mechanical and all of a sudden, he is the Black Plague

[katrider]

He is looking at a Royal Enfield to ride around the neighborhood.  I told him, I get to push it over off the kick stand for the first time.

Along with the Bandit story, I have another story involving my Jeep and my father that starts with KABOOM as the radiator explodes (I s**t you not).  Actually two Jeep disasters involving him and now the bandit disaster to add to the list.  He is a fantastic mechanic, but somedays, he just loses it and it costs me hundreds each time.  Most of the time, he is the savior for all things mechanical and all of a sudden, he is the Black Plague

Bummer about the Bandit. But...

Cost of the Jeep radiator? $300.

Cost of the new exhaust? $200.

Having a father still wanting to be involved in your life? Priceless. (Except, maybe you guys can just start going to Mariner games together instead of workin' on stuff).

[county]

He is looking at a Royal Enfield to ride around the neighborhood.  

He can get a Whizzer for 1/3 of the cost.  

[243Win]

Bummer about the Bandit. But...

Cost of the Jeep radiator? $300.

Cost of the new exhaust? $200.

Having a father still wanting to be involved in your life? Priceless. (Except, maybe you guys can just start going to Mariner games together instead of workin' on stuff).

If you can find the header pipes for $200 somewhere, please let me know.

Located on the west side of puget sound as well.  Just follow the sound of "Oh man, what did you do now?" around the south kitsap region.