04-29-2009, 08:51 PM | #16 |
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: Atlanta, Ga
Posts: 710
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Update
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)
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2008 American Lifan LF200 GY-5 (930 km) - Sold 2007 Kawasaki EX250 - Sold 2006 Kawasaki EX650R - My new ride! 2005 Kawasaki EX250 - A new project |
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04-29-2009, 11:50 PM | #17 |
Join Date: May 2007
Location: In the land of the busted up ricebowl
Posts: 815
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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. |
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04-30-2009, 12:41 AM | #18 |
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: Show Low Arizona
Posts: 2,889
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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
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<br />2001 Suzuki DR200SE<br />1997 Suzuki RM250 YIKES<br />1995 Yamaha Breeze 125 daughters<br />1991 Honda XR80r Restored<br />maybe a 2003 Yamaha TTR90 |
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04-30-2009, 01:06 AM | #19 |
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: Atlanta, Ga
Posts: 710
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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.
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2008 American Lifan LF200 GY-5 (930 km) - Sold 2007 Kawasaki EX250 - Sold 2006 Kawasaki EX650R - My new ride! 2005 Kawasaki EX250 - A new project |
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05-01-2009, 06:53 PM | #20 |
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: Atlanta, Ga
Posts: 710
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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)
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2008 American Lifan LF200 GY-5 (930 km) - Sold 2007 Kawasaki EX250 - Sold 2006 Kawasaki EX650R - My new ride! 2005 Kawasaki EX250 - A new project |
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05-02-2009, 03:53 PM | #21 |
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: Atlanta, Ga
Posts: 710
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Good idea
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
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2008 American Lifan LF200 GY-5 (930 km) - Sold 2007 Kawasaki EX250 - Sold 2006 Kawasaki EX650R - My new ride! 2005 Kawasaki EX250 - A new project |
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05-07-2009, 03:25 PM | #22 |
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: Atlanta, Ga
Posts: 710
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Bit by bit
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)
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2008 American Lifan LF200 GY-5 (930 km) - Sold 2007 Kawasaki EX250 - Sold 2006 Kawasaki EX650R - My new ride! 2005 Kawasaki EX250 - A new project |
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05-08-2009, 02:21 AM | #23 |
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: Show Low Arizona
Posts: 2,889
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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
__________________
<br />2001 Suzuki DR200SE<br />1997 Suzuki RM250 YIKES<br />1995 Yamaha Breeze 125 daughters<br />1991 Honda XR80r Restored<br />maybe a 2003 Yamaha TTR90 |
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05-08-2009, 09:09 PM | #24 |
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: Atlanta, Ga
Posts: 710
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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.
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2008 American Lifan LF200 GY-5 (930 km) - Sold 2007 Kawasaki EX250 - Sold 2006 Kawasaki EX650R - My new ride! 2005 Kawasaki EX250 - A new project |
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05-10-2009, 07:46 PM | #25 |
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: Atlanta, Ga
Posts: 710
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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
__________________
2008 American Lifan LF200 GY-5 (930 km) - Sold 2007 Kawasaki EX250 - Sold 2006 Kawasaki EX650R - My new ride! 2005 Kawasaki EX250 - A new project |
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05-10-2009, 08:23 PM | #26 | |
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: Show Low Arizona
Posts: 2,889
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Quote:
Right because nobody ever heard of EBAY before, LOL
__________________
<br />2001 Suzuki DR200SE<br />1997 Suzuki RM250 YIKES<br />1995 Yamaha Breeze 125 daughters<br />1991 Honda XR80r Restored<br />maybe a 2003 Yamaha TTR90 |
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05-10-2009, 10:30 PM | #27 |
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: Atlanta, Ga
Posts: 710
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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...
__________________
2008 American Lifan LF200 GY-5 (930 km) - Sold 2007 Kawasaki EX250 - Sold 2006 Kawasaki EX650R - My new ride! 2005 Kawasaki EX250 - A new project |
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05-10-2009, 11:04 PM | #28 |
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: Show Low Arizona
Posts: 2,889
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Looks like it should be easy to fix the small problems, How much was it.
__________________
<br />2001 Suzuki DR200SE<br />1997 Suzuki RM250 YIKES<br />1995 Yamaha Breeze 125 daughters<br />1991 Honda XR80r Restored<br />maybe a 2003 Yamaha TTR90 |
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05-11-2009, 12:04 AM | #29 |
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: Atlanta, Ga
Posts: 710
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$1000
__________________
2008 American Lifan LF200 GY-5 (930 km) - Sold 2007 Kawasaki EX250 - Sold 2006 Kawasaki EX650R - My new ride! 2005 Kawasaki EX250 - A new project |
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05-11-2009, 02:00 AM | #30 | |
Join Date: May 2007
Location: In the land of the busted up ricebowl
Posts: 815
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Quote:
Really, that is a good score. After sitting that long it'll take some elbow grease, but heck, 277 miles??!! |
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