Hillsy
28-05-2011, 10:39 PM
Well, there's photos in this post so don't panic boys..... but there's a bit of a story .....
I have a mate who works in accessories in a bike shop, and he often takes a walk down to the workshop to see what is coming through. Sometimes there are trade ins from punters who are buying new bikes, and if these bikes are too old for the shop to resell (or too far gone), they get offered to the staff for very little $$$. This is how I came across an old XJ750 a few years back for $300 (still registered too ;))
Anyway, I had put the word out that I was after an "economically priced commuter" (IE: shitbox) as my daily rider XT500 was starting to get a little clunky and I was wanting to take it off the road to restore it before it started to get too far gone (it's pretty original). So I get the call the other day which went something like this:
"Hey hillsy, I think I've found you an "economically priced commuter"
Me - "Oh yeah? Whatcha got??
"it's a ZZR1100.......it's pretty ugly..."
Me - "Sounds perfect [:0] Is it running?"
"No......but the guy says the motor is good. He's a regular customer in the shop, so I don't think he's bullshitting. He brought it in to get the carbs serviced but when we told him it was going to be around $1500 he's turned white and asked if we wanted to buy it. What would you pay for one of these, do you think?"
Me - "Phew.....ahh.....I dunno......It's not running??........maybe $500??....I dunno....."
"That's OK then - I got it for $300 "
Me - "OK - deal!"
SO.........
Here's a pic or 3
http://i428.photobucket.com/albums/qq6/hillsythegreat/P5270001.jpg
http://i428.photobucket.com/albums/qq6/hillsythegreat/P5270003.jpg
http://i428.photobucket.com/albums/qq6/hillsythegreat/P5270002.jpg
http://i428.photobucket.com/albums/qq6/hillsythegreat/P5270004.jpg
Yes - the taillight is just "sitting" in the rear cowl....and the eagle eyed among you might notice the rear subframe is a little twisted. Looks like it's had a fall on the LHS.......hang on......I'm pretty sure they're supposed to have a 4-2 exhaust.......wheres the left muffler??
http://i428.photobucket.com/albums/qq6/hillsythegreat/P5270006.jpg
Someone's cut off the muffler and just plugged the header. Oh dear.....
And the centre stand is supposed to have a foot lever on it, isn't it??
http://i428.photobucket.com/albums/qq6/hillsythegreat/P5270005.jpg
Fuckin ace...
Anyway, closer inspection has revealed the bike also has no air filter, no water in the radiator, about a litre of petrol in the sump and about a kilo of bog in the bottom of the tank (to stop it leaking through the rust holes...). Some people don't deserve motorcycles....
BUT....I did a very quick carb clean, changed the oil, threw in a charged battery and the bike fired up. All sounds were pretty good.
So, I think this one might be a keeper as a daily rider. Not sure if it will be a fighter.......we'll see :D
I have a mate who works in accessories in a bike shop, and he often takes a walk down to the workshop to see what is coming through. Sometimes there are trade ins from punters who are buying new bikes, and if these bikes are too old for the shop to resell (or too far gone), they get offered to the staff for very little $$$. This is how I came across an old XJ750 a few years back for $300 (still registered too ;))
Anyway, I had put the word out that I was after an "economically priced commuter" (IE: shitbox) as my daily rider XT500 was starting to get a little clunky and I was wanting to take it off the road to restore it before it started to get too far gone (it's pretty original). So I get the call the other day which went something like this:
"Hey hillsy, I think I've found you an "economically priced commuter"
Me - "Oh yeah? Whatcha got??
"it's a ZZR1100.......it's pretty ugly..."
Me - "Sounds perfect [:0] Is it running?"
"No......but the guy says the motor is good. He's a regular customer in the shop, so I don't think he's bullshitting. He brought it in to get the carbs serviced but when we told him it was going to be around $1500 he's turned white and asked if we wanted to buy it. What would you pay for one of these, do you think?"
Me - "Phew.....ahh.....I dunno......It's not running??........maybe $500??....I dunno....."
"That's OK then - I got it for $300 "
Me - "OK - deal!"
SO.........
Here's a pic or 3
http://i428.photobucket.com/albums/qq6/hillsythegreat/P5270001.jpg
http://i428.photobucket.com/albums/qq6/hillsythegreat/P5270003.jpg
http://i428.photobucket.com/albums/qq6/hillsythegreat/P5270002.jpg
http://i428.photobucket.com/albums/qq6/hillsythegreat/P5270004.jpg
Yes - the taillight is just "sitting" in the rear cowl....and the eagle eyed among you might notice the rear subframe is a little twisted. Looks like it's had a fall on the LHS.......hang on......I'm pretty sure they're supposed to have a 4-2 exhaust.......wheres the left muffler??
http://i428.photobucket.com/albums/qq6/hillsythegreat/P5270006.jpg
Someone's cut off the muffler and just plugged the header. Oh dear.....
And the centre stand is supposed to have a foot lever on it, isn't it??
http://i428.photobucket.com/albums/qq6/hillsythegreat/P5270005.jpg
Fuckin ace...
Anyway, closer inspection has revealed the bike also has no air filter, no water in the radiator, about a litre of petrol in the sump and about a kilo of bog in the bottom of the tank (to stop it leaking through the rust holes...). Some people don't deserve motorcycles....
BUT....I did a very quick carb clean, changed the oil, threw in a charged battery and the bike fired up. All sounds were pretty good.
So, I think this one might be a keeper as a daily rider. Not sure if it will be a fighter.......we'll see :D