My mistake (with pics)

[SpeedSouth]

The bike is runnable. It just vibrates, and the more I ride it, the more I notice the vibrations. I finally got a tag light mounted up and rode it to bike night last night. I was very pleased with the light it provides for riding at night.

I was watching a front wheel for sale on ebay, ready to bid this evening if hadn't gone too high. In the last 10 minutes it went from just over $100, to over $300. 8O I did not bid.

I am working on getting that rear for $200 +shipping. The rear is bent twice, so that's the priority of the two...I just need the guy to get back to me.

I put new clutch springs in today, but it's still slipping a bit. I'll have to get out in traffic to know if the springs helped any, but I'm afraid they didn't. I got a fresh oil filter and fresh oil in though, so it wasn't a total waste.

I am still kicking everything around, but I'm pretty sure I'll just resell. I've ordered a few items to dress it up a bit, and I'll keep doing whatever I can, but I don't think I'm going to put too much money into this.

I watched a salvage bike on ebay go for more than I paid, and there was a wrecked bike on CL selling for exactly what I paid, so I'm quite sure I can get my money back, if not a few dollars extra.

I do still have buyers remorse, no doubt about it. The fact is, I would not have paid what I did if I had seen the wheels and shifter. I doubt I would have even offered half of what I paid, if anything at all. :roll:


Oh well. Live and learn.
I'll toss this fish back in the water and try again. 8)

[knothead]

Are there any other wheels that will fit the bike? If you can get a list together I'll look around. There is a large M/C slavage yard within 100 miles of my house and I know about three smaller bike breakers closer to home. If I find something for a good price I can PM you and we can work something out from there.
If the wheels are bent that bad, I might think twice about riding the bike. At least pull them off and have them inspected for cracks. It would really suck if a hunk flew out of the wheel while you were going down the road. Most machine shops should be able to Magnaflux them for a small cost.

[AZ200cc]

Knothead has a good idea about checking boneyards

http://cyclewarehouseonline.iarbiz.com/QoBNS5RFI5o=

http://www.gdlcycles.com/

http://www.mrcycleparts.com/

http://www.drumhillcycle.com/

Theres a few, You know how to google haha

[SpeedSouth]

Thanks for the links and the reminder to look around. The only boneyard around that I ever knew of is now gone, but I'll ask around. I'm sure I can locate one or two more around here.

And you make a good point about the wheels, Knothead. I will certainly reconsider the notion of riding it a bit as-is. I wasn't planning any long rides as it is anyways, but it could easily happen on a short ride too.

I know there are a few wheels that cross over but I'll have to check again to see what years/models exactly. I found one of the crossovers on ebay for $200 starting bid and $400 BIN. 8O

I know there are other wheels that will fit, but they also require caliper/rotor changes. :?


I'll do what I can, while I can, but I'll list it for sale when the title arrives. If I can sell it quick I will, or I'll keep it and keep making it better until it does sell.


Thanks again guys.

[SpeedSouth]

I got the title in the mail today, so I posted an ad on CL. I'm asking $3000 obo. I made up a story about the way I got the bike, but I was honest about the issues.

I still haven't paid for that rear wheel yet, but I have gotten a reply from the guy selling it, and expect to get that paid for this weekend and hopefully shipped out on Monday.

Wish me luck!


Or not. 8)

[SpeedSouth]

While I was waiting to hear from the guy w/ the rear wheel for $200 I decided to try a little different strategy when looking around on ebay. I've known for years that changing search terms in search engines would yield different results, but I often forget that on ebay.

After a few different tries, I found a word combination that produced no less than 5 rear wheels for sale. 8O

I ended up buying one for only $120 (inc. shipping). That helps. Now if I can find a front I'll only have the clutch and the shift shaft to deal with. I'll still sell it though, just to avoid buying bars and a stock exhaust.


Patience isn't my thing..lol

[SpeedSouth]

Little by little, I'm getting there.

My rear wheel arrived yesterday afternoon. I got that mounted up and back on the bike this morning. My brake light switch arrived Monday, so that was a quick, single-screw install.

I picked up a couple of fairing parts for the upper inner cowl, they run about $130 each new, I got both for $36 shipped. They arrived yesterday as well, so both are in place now and looking good.

I found a gas cap from another model that should interchange, so I'm hoping to get that installed quickly when it arrives; hopefully tomorrow. I also found a set of OEM friction plates for $15 less than expected, and they arrived today. I went by my local dealer today and ordered a clutch cover gasket, so I'll put the new plates in when the gasket arrives.

I'm still searching for a front wheel and the stock handlebars. The wheel seems rather elusive, so I may have to send mine off to be repaired. The bars are equally frustrating. So many people rave about aftermarket bars on this bike that I expected the stock bars to be easy (and cheap) to obtain, but I've not had any luck yet. I've considered aftermarket/other bars, but I don't want to have to make another set 'work'...I want the bars that were meant for the bike.

Tendinitis + sporty riding position + long rides = very unhappy me!


And I'm still in a love/hate state of mind with this bike. I let my CL ad run over the weekend and pulled it Monday. I'll probably spend all week searching for parts again and list on CL again for the weekend. I located an engine that I could pick-up (and not pay shipping) for a pretty reasonable price, w/ a warranty, that I'm considering. If I keep the bike, I'm thinking I'll want a spare engine around...if for nothing else, peace of mind.


I was also planning to rant a bit about how badly the ebay search function works, but I've rambled enough already. You've been spared, for now. 8)

[AZ200cc]

I found this on my local, Notm uch help but maybe he has one and will ship it to ya.


http://phoenix.craigslist.org/wvl/mcy/1155091154.html

[SpeedSouth]

Thanks for the link.

I sent the guy an email. If nothing else, maybe he can point me in the right direction.


My gas cap arrived today but I was unable to swap out the lock cylinder. I guess I'll take it to a locksmith and see if I can just get a key cut to fit the new cap. I think that will be the easiest, but I guess I'll find out. Another option is the keyless caps sold in various places, but they aren't cheap. I think I'd rather spend less and just carry an extra key.

[SpeedSouth]

The guy from the Craig's ad replied...but his best advice was eBay. 8O

I'll have to see if I can remember that.



And since I'm a glutton for punishment....I went and bought a whole other project today. It's a 2005 Ninja 250 w/ only 277 miles on the clock. Since it's been sitting for the better part of the last 4 years, I will need to clean the carbs and put some fresh gas in the tank. I'll have to see if the battery will hold a charge and flush the coolant, brake fluid and get rid of the factory rocks they call tires.

It isn't perfect. It was dropped on the right side, busting a signal, putting a small crack in the fairing and scuffing up a few other bits, but for the most part, it looks like brand new bike.

I'll post some pictures soon enough.


I noticed I've been working backwards. My first bike after a dozen years of not riding was the 2008 Lifan. Then I got the 07 250, then the 06 650R, and now a 05 250. I guess I need to find a 2004 model next...lol

[AZ200cc]

Originally Posted by SpeedSouth

The guy from the Craig's ad replied...but his best advice was eBay. 8O

I'll have to see if I can remember that.



And since I'm a glutton for punishment....I went and bought a whole other project today. It's a 2005 Ninja 250 w/ only 277 miles on the clock. Since it's been sitting for the better part of the last 4 years, I will need to clean the carbs and put some fresh gas in the tank. I'll have to see if the battery will hold a charge and flush the coolant, brake fluid and get rid of the factory rocks they call tires.

It isn't perfect. It was dropped on the right side, busting a signal, putting a small crack in the fairing and scuffing up a few other bits, but for the most part, it looks like brand new bike.

I'll post some pictures soon enough.


I noticed I've been working backwards. My first bike after a dozen years of not riding was the 2008 Lifan. Then I got the 07 250, then the 06 650R, and now a 05 250. I guess I need to find a 2004 model next...lol

Right because nobody ever heard of EBAY before, LOL

[SpeedSouth]

Yea, that was worth a little chuckle...but it's cool.
He's not the only person I've emailed about the wheel, and at least he replied. That's more than I can say for some.



Here's a couple of pics of the new project. I'm hoping it never feels like a mistake, but only time will tell.






The 'major' damage....lol


The odometer...

[AZ200cc]

Looks like it should be easy to fix the small problems, How much was it.

[SpeedSouth]

$1000

[knothead]

Originally Posted by SpeedSouth

$1000

SCORE! 8O

Really, that is a good score. After sitting that long it'll take some elbow grease, but heck, 277 miles??!!