Hello ladies and gents

[mattyfattyboo...]

Just a quick intro, been lurking for a few days now so thought it about time I sign up.

I'm 24 and currently on my journey to motorcycle freedom. I rode bikes at 16/17 on L plates then bought a car to woo the punani. I always wanted to return to 2 wheels, my dad and 2 uncles ride, last year my brother and best mate done their tests. So, the Mrs has finally agreed and it's time I got on with it.

I done my CBT, passed and managed to bag me a go on a ER6, massive grin on my face after! Theory is booked for 2 weeks time, then crack on with lessons. Instructor reckons 2 lessons for Mod 1 and 3 lessons for Mod 2, I'm aiming for passing by the second week of march. I'm slightly worried about the Mod 1 but cant wait to get going!

Bought some basic kit, although I'm looking for some better trousers asap, being a fat shit it's hard getting decent fit. I'm considering some with braces now. I'm losing weight too, so dont want to spend £1000's on kit that wont fit in a year or so. Still need a lid and gloves before I start lessons too!

I've started eying some bikes up too. Initially I was looking at ER6 and GSR600's but I'm thinking I might just get something older first for a few months. I'm 6ft 1 so want something comfortable too. My Uncle has a Vespa and CB500, he prefers the Vespa for looking cool about camden so is flogging the CB. It needs a full service and tyres but is in good nick. I'm going down at the weekend to try it for size, no doubt it'll not set the world on fire speed wise but I'll get me going right? Even if I trade it in in 6 months it'll return the investment no doubt.

Anyway, thats me at the moment, no doubt I'll get stuck into other threads soon!

Cheers!
Matt

[-Matt-]

Ello, welcome

Mod 1 isn't worth worrying about (or mod 2). The calmer and more collected you can reman the better it will go. Stress is a big disadvantage, just try enjoy it and treat it as a learning experience rather than 'argh test!'. Worst case, you have a second go

Lots of good used gear for cheap on ebay if you keep an eye out can get decent new helmets for 40-60 too if youre on a budget. Nitro do some good ones.

Good luck with the training n tests

[trevor saxe-coburg-gotha]

Two questions about the 500 are - inevitably - price and condition. They are often high milers - being a utilitarian breed, commuter oblique stroke "winter hack." But they do tend to survive. Looking at between 500 and a grand. More for something very good with 10k or less on it. Consumables can soon bump the price up - chain, sprockets, tyres etc. - so factor them in if necessary. Might be a bit low for you at your height, so check it doesn't feel crampy on the hips. I rode a lowered CBF600 once and it's the only time I got cramp.
____________________
"Life is a sexually transmitted disease and the mortality rate is one hundred percent."

Mobylette Type 50 ---> Raleigh Grifter ---> Neval Minsk 125

[Rogerborg]

Pip pip, full steam ahead.

There's nothing particularly tricky in Mod 1, and it's easy to pass. It's also easy to fail, by dabbing a foot down. Don't sweat it if you do, just get back on the whores and have another go.

CB500 sounds like a plan if it's in decent nick. If it feels cramped, you can ghetto-raise the seat by sticking an air cushion or similar on it. The bars can also be rotated to find the most natural position for you.
____________________
Biking is 1/20th as dangerous as horse riding.
GONE: HN125-8, LF-250B, GPz 305, GPZ 500S, Burgman 400 // RIDING: F650GS (800 twin), Royal Enfield Bullet Electra 500 AVL, Ninja 250R because racebike

[Benjums]

Welcome and good luck with it all, somebody else has just done their mod one on here and kindly posted the video of what you will have to do for that. Mod 1 is only about tem mins long and before you know it, it's all over and done with, nothing too difficult and mod 2 is just a ride around town with someone following you giving you directions, best way to look at that is it's your own personal sat nav. Good luck with it all.

[Benjums]

Edit :- double post

[mattyfattyboo...]

Thanks for the replies guys!

With regards to the CB, I'm told it's in reasonable nick. 2001, 27,000 miles.

[URL=https://s7.photobucket.com/user/matt1chelski/media/9BCEA6BD-ED03-4FDE-A0CD-9C8949454881_zpsgdtis3e3.jpg.html]
It does need a service, chain, tyres & brakes and he said he would change the rear shocks too. I've eyed up the parts needed, I'm looking at £4-500 for everything so I reckon I should have it on the road, bike included for less than a grand. Going to go down saturday and have a look anyway and I'll take it from there.

[TheSmiler]

Welcome
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CB125>CG125>GN125>ER5>K100RS>R1100RS>K100RS
A2 completed 23/07/15 Ready for the Golden Crisp Packet

[-Matt-]

Nice cb, favourite colour scheme

If its running smooth and it good nick now you should get a ton of life out of that still at 27k, i'd be going for that personally.

My best mate from school days bought used and sold 3 CB500's over the last 6 years [all in terrible condition when he got them] and with a bit of basic work they all were totally useable and have been used by the new owners without problems since, seem bullet proof.

I've been on his a fair few times restricted to 33bhp and without and in both cases its plenty to keep a new rider entertained IMO

[Mumrah]

Hi Matt and welcome Good luck for your forthcoming tests!

[mattyfattyboo...]

Little update. Took a run down to my Uncles yesterday morning. Took the bike for a little spin and have agreed to buy it. Didnt feel too small, I got a little cramp when I first got on although I think thats down to not being on a bike for a while, had the same on my CBT and it soon went. Nice comfortable position, can ride fairly upright or hunch down a bit, there was even room for my brother on the back.
https://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y255/matt1chelski/Motorbikes/620F5F85-DFAE-4AD8-8424-4965481FAFB1_zpswtdodqri.jpg
For what is a basic commuter bike it's quite nice looking, basic clocks and setup but perfect for a first bike. It does need a fair few bits doing, the following list has been compiled;

Rear brake works but sticks down when used so has to be lifted back up with foot
Pair of tyres
My uncle thinks the forks are a bit naff, no leaks of anything but he said when he compressed them to put on trailer they took ages to raise back up
Service and battery
MOT & Tax
Chain needs lubing/adjusting or possibley replacing
Rear shocks are fine but they seem to be replaced often by CB owners for Hagon adjustable ones. I'll maybe see how they go first.

So, a fair few bits to sort but nothing major, engine starts, idles and runs lovely, only used first 3 gears but changes spot on. Body work and wheels look nice, bit of a dink on the tank but no broken paint. Going to get a van maybe later this week and go pick it up. My Uncle has got a haynes manual for it, my mate has done a few bits on his bike (CBR600) so we are going to clear some space in the garage and give it a bash, see how we get on. The only bits that might be a pain are the forks if they need work and sorting the rear brake. Saying that, if a bit of lube and adjustment doesnt help the issue a whole caliper is less than £30 on ebay. It's easy to get carried away and start looking at other bits, maybe once it's on the road a exhaust might be added & some slightly higher bars. I've worked out a rough price if everyting is worse case senario of £500 ish to get it on the road, so with the bike it'll have cost me less than a grand. I'll update as and when things happen along the way. Off to look at van hire now........

Cheers