Another suggest a bike thread (but classic).

[Irezumi aka Reuben]

I am looking to get a small capacity (up to 400 though open to suggestions) classic bike for occasional use to go alongside my main transport. Nothing fast, just for pottering. Around £1500 would be my upper budget for a good working bike, not a restoration project or concourse. Just good condition and roadworthy.

Does anyone have any suggestions for a good cheap classic that might be worth looking in to. I had been looking at Morini 3 1/2 but they seem to be fetching too much (unless a bargain pops up). Suzuki GT250 (around mid-late70's) seem to crop up in condition for around this. Not bothered if its Brit, Jap, Italian. Reliability isnt a major issue either as I'm reasonably competent at mechanics.

Any members (BlueX5, ZX6R etc) able to point me in the right direction?
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Pictorgraphicalfantastical

[MarJay]

You could probably get a half decent RD250LC for that money.

Or alternatively a much newer but still classic Enfield Bullet. Depends what you want really. A genuine classic in good nick for £1500 is probably impossible. You can probably have two out of three of those max.
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British beauty: Triumph Street Triple R; Loony stroker: KR1S; Track fun: GSXR750 L1; Commuter Missile: GSX-S1000F; Cheap project: CBR900RR FireBlade
Remember kids, bikes aren't like lego. You can't easily take a part from one bike and then fit it to another.

[Kickstart]

Hi

Morini sounds good, although make sure the ignition system is fine (from memory it is a bit of a pain to get bits for, with a couple of incompatible variations). Similar capacity maybe a Honda 400/4 (the 2 were competitors when new). Or a bit bigger a Ducati Pantah or Guzzi V50 (Pantah might have got a bit pricey now but the V50s should be pretty cheap).

For Morinis NLM are expensive, but then they are also aiming at the decent end of the market rather than just reasonable and roadworthy.

All the best

Keith
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Traxpics, track day and racing photographs - Bimota Forum - Bike performance / thrust graphs for choosing gearing

[Irezumi aka Reuben]

[Kickstart]

[T0MMY]

[hmmmnz]

1981 BENELLI 350RS
green meanie
can am norton navagator trailblazer b40 cl250


just to name a few.

i really like the can am
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the humans are dead
I kick arse for the lord
Wiring Diagrams BIDNIP it bitches

[Irezumi aka Reuben]

Cheers Tommy never considered the Kawasak 2-strokes. Thought they would be too highly priced but will look in to them further.

Thanks hmmmz, I had seen that Norton & will try to look in to them a bit more. The Benelli looks nice as well, hadnt spotted that in my searches.
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Pictorgraphicalfantastical

[T0MMY]

Just go to Ebay and look at "completed listings", filter for year and price and you'll have a massive list to give you inspiration.
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ZX6R + CBR600RR

[The Shaggy D.A.]

I've always fancied a Moto Guzzi V35 after swinging a leg over one when I had the CB250RS. Was too pricey back then, I'd imagine they're stupid prices now.

https://www.motociclismo.it/edisport/moto/MotoCiclismoR2.nsf/resources/Epoca--Anni-Settanta-%E2%80%93-Moto-Morini-Morini-3-%C2%BD-standard-e-Sport.-Moto-Guzzi-V35-e-V35-Imola-5-Moto-Guzzi-V35-07.jpg/$file/07.jpg
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Chances are quite high you are not in my Monkeysphere, and I don't care about you. Don't take it personally.
Currently : Royal Enfield 350 Meteor
Previously : CB100N > CB250RS > XJ900F > GT550 > GPZ750R/1000RX > AJS M16 > R100RT > Bullet 500 > CB500 > LS650P > Bullet Electra X & YBR125 > Bullet 350 "Superstar" & YBR125 Custom > Royal Enfield Classic 500 Despatch Limited Edition (28 of 200) & CB Two-Fifty Nighthawk > ER5

[Blau Zedong]

LC's are a bit expensive. Aircooled RD250's can be good value for money still and are a piece of piss to fix and source parts for, in standard trim they are actually pleasant to ride. Also easily converted to 350 if you come across the bits. GT250's are ok, not got quite the spares availability of the Yams and the "Ram Air" models are slow as shit, however the later ones without bits of tin bolted to the head are quite quick (A, B and C models i think). All pre X5 / X7 Suzuki's are a cunt to work on too. The only good thing about the KH250 is the noise they make, they are detuned and glacially slow. KH400's are ace (smooth and quite torquey, CDI ignition as standard), but I venture a good one might push the budget a bit.

Obviously it's the 2T's that I know about, if you want my wisdom on any ebay tat I'll be happy to help.
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18:54:48 Rob Fzs: jews don't give away stuff for free

18:54:59 Rob Fzs: unless its their clothes/ hair/ golden teeth

[monty's double]

[Kickstart]

[Irezumi aka Reuben]

[hmmmnz]

why not a gb400 or gb500, they are really quite collectable here in nz, and there seems to be quite a few about,

pretty easy to work on and have plenty of hot up parts being based on the xr400/500 engines
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the humans are dead
I kick arse for the lord
Wiring Diagrams BIDNIP it bitches

[Blau Zedong]

[27cows]

Might be tempted by one of the 250 4s. Maybe a Hornet 250.
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The RXS100: vehicle of choice for Chuck Norris

[Irezumi aka Reuben]

[Dibble]

I've got a Guzzi V50 and there lovely charming little bikes and you do see a few nice one owner from new/ selling for my 89 year old father bikes coming up.

I've got a buying guide from Classic Bike I can scan and send to you but the gist of it is buy a mk III or a monza (the 500cc version of the Imola shown above) £1500 will get you a nice one.

Look out for a Moto Guzzi Lario as well it's still a 160Kg ish small block but 650cc(?) and a 4valve head.

There all just modern enough to be really usable: disc brakes, modern (ish )suspension ,electric start etc.

[ms51ves3]

TZR250?

Reliable, pretty quick and you'll easily get a decent one for £1,500.

Or if you want something a bit different, this just came up on eBay.

Clicky

[Irezumi aka Reuben]

[Blau Zedong]

SDR's are hard to price as there are not many about, and even fewer people who know what they are. The one on the ebay link is a fucking shed though.

You don't want to buy a Suzuki X5 do you?
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18:54:48 Rob Fzs: jews don't give away stuff for free

18:54:59 Rob Fzs: unless its their clothes/ hair/ golden teeth

[Irezumi aka Reuben]

[stinkwheel]

There was a pretty tidy Morini 3 1/2 going near me for £1,500. Nearly bought it for Kat if it hadn't been for the kickstarting issue.

You'd get a pretty good example of a BSA B40 for that sort of money. Just expect to do a fair bit of low-level tinkering and definately don't expect to go fast.

Classic Enfield Bullets have a distinct advantage in that they are still being made. As such, you can cheaply and easily obtain parts for them.
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“Rule one: Always stick around for one more drink. That's when things happen. That's when you find out everything you want to know.”
I did the 2010 Round Britain Rally on my 350 Bullet. 89 landmarks, 3 months, 9,500 miles.

[hmmmnz]