Just picked up a rat bike Sunday. 87 1000, fuel full of water Gas cap drain was blocked, it sat outside. It had been "repaired" using the duct tape, wire and pliers method. Rode hard, put away wet, you get the idea. Anyway I went through the fuel system and carbs, (jelled gunk everywhere. one diaphram had been installed pinched, petcock had been epoxied open!). PO had ridden it this summer as a three cylinder. The compression came in 150 to 160 on all 4. Took the first ride (came back tightened the carb boots) and second rides today. Starts, idles runs fine, slightly lean around 7 to 9 but with a gentle throttle got it to red line a few times. It's got a V&H full pipe and a K&N in the stock airbox. Generally an old flogger and it'll never be pretty but first impression is it's fun ride and a better position than my last gxxr My old back could do this for an hour or a little more maybe. Any comments? It has 107.5 main jets in it which seems pretty lean? did not check the mids to be honest (wish I had) there is one washer under the taper jet not sure if htat is stock or has been added. I just scored the factory manual on fleabay so I will know more in a bit. Riding season is getting down there here in Wisconsin USA but I'll get a couple of runs in before ice and snow puts an end to it till spring. Well that's my story and I'll be snooping around here. Glad there is an active site, specially this corner for the oldy's. Thanks for the welcome Kilgore! I have all the plastic but it's pretty rough. My usual ride is a Shadow ACE but I still get that twitchy right wrist now and then.

 

Welcome !
Plenty of technical stuff in the top section, including manuals, etc etc and plenty of how to-s.
The washer is put in to run the bikes a bit leaner as they run rich from the factory.

Fix her up, and you won't want to ride anything else.............

 

G'day Garry. It looks like you'll have plenty to keep you busy in the shed over Winter so she rises again in the Spring. What are your plans for the bike? Are you going to put all the fairings on and re-paint it? They're a great bike, especially the motor so if that bit's sweet you're laughing. I'm not sure if it's rude to ask, but what did you pay for it?

Heaps of info in this place and a great bunch of really helpful (if a little odd ) people.

 

yeah the motor's good just noticed a dented front rim tonight, that would explain the wobble. Plastic is all here and was on the bike when I got it. Probably try to get the mechanicals sorted out before it goes back on. Lots of broken tabs, cracks, and crappy bondo holding it all together. Paid $600 USD Which is a bit much. Most likely it's worth more as parts than running but hey it's a cheap scratch for my sport bike itch. Speedo shows 21000 miles which may or may not have anything to do with the bike. Lot's of good ideas around here and some serious fans of the hurricane to be sure.

 

Pretty easy to get $600 worth of fun once you sort the rim out. I know what you mean about the "sport bike itch" too. I thought about a cruiser style bike once but it's just not for me. Not as my only bike anyway, and I've got bugger all chance of sneaking another one into the shed without my wife noticing the dent in our finances . As an all round bike the cbr does the trick. Quite a few of us more mature age riders have put vfr bars or risers on to get a bit more upright..might be worth thinking about if your back gives you grief. They go hard too..more than enough power to put a silly grin on my head anyway. Have fun, catch you later.

 

The cruisers, that's my wife, Allison

Best for the slow rides, but sometimes slow isn't it. The thing is the cruisers tend to be easier on my drivers license. Wife rides more days than I do. But I put more miles on a bike. I also have a bad XS650 habit but thats different forum.

 

Very cool! I'd like a couple more bikes in the shed some day..don't think I could get rid of the cbr. It's really got under my skin. Trouble is paying registration on more than one bike would hurt. My wife has talked about getting a bike when the kids are older (11 and 13 atm). I'd rather that than take a pillion, I just hate that.

 

Plastic license plate bolts, changes are fast and easy. Both bikes are big older Hondas?

 

Ratticane that made me lol. Great pictures too!

 

Yes. Welcome. I do the cruiser plus CBR shuffle too. Except my wife won't get near either one. I love those ACE's, they were the class of the retro-cruiser field in the looks department. Isn't it amazing how these engines will just keep running after all that lousy care? You are obviously one of those mechanically experienced guys, who I can barely communicate with, but there are lots of knowledgeable folks just like you around here. Good luck on all your tinkering. Oh, and if you thinK $600 is too much, then I got RAPED.