Motorcycle and Scooter appreciation

What bike is it, and what problems have you got with it?

Its a 77 cb550. Well i'm not sure where to start. I'm figuring it out bit by bit but i cant figure out where to wire the safety switch and engine start switch. I i'm also not sure of the best way to put 3 wires in to one.

This is the bike in question... bit of a shit pic

Wiring on a bike of that age will be relatively simple.
Start here
http://www.sohc4.net/honda-wiring-colors/
and here
http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=93110.0

Then end up here
http://www.returnofthecaferacers.com/2010/09/honda-cb550-cafe-racer.html

And what ever you do don't buy something on finance. It becomes a liability when you realise you no longer like it and want shot of it.
Much better to get something cheap and simple (an old BMW!) and learn all about motorcycling. A scooter will only replace a bike, it won't do an awful lot more. A BMW will sit at 80 on the motorway without any stress at all, and suddenly opens up much longer journeys than are feasible by bike (or scooter)

You make a good point. I'd like a scooter, but I'd also like to be able to whizz off to France, Wales or wherever.

Its a 77 cb550. Well i'm not sure where to start. I'm figuring it out bit by bit but i cant figure out where to wire the safety switch and engine start switch. I i'm also not sure of the best way to put 3 wires in to one.

This is the bike in question... bit of a shit pic

That bike is lovely. Would really love a 750 but James May keeps going on about them in Classic Bike and the price of a '71 or '72 in good condition now seems to be around £8k...

This is the bike in question... bit of a shit pic

That could be fun... It's bad enough dealing with old looms and switch gear, let alone working out what some else has removed or modified from the standard set up.

Thanks for the help guys.

Wiring on a bike of that age will be relatively simple.
Start here
http://www.sohc4.net/honda-wiring-colors/
and here
http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=93110.0

Then end up here
http://www.returnofthecaferacers.com/2010/09/honda-cb550-cafe-racer.html

That first link was the most helpful yet. Although i doubt any of the wires are there original colour.

That could be fun... It's bad enough dealing with old looms and switch gear, let alone working out what some else has removed or modified from the standard set up.

Yeah its a fun bike to ride and not powerful enough to get me in trouble. Your telling me... the guy has just twisted most of the wires together!

can anyone tell what forks these may be? defiantly not 550 forks. I will try and get a better picture of them. They have a ridge down the front.

Any thoughts or opinions on these as a first bike?

http://www.motorcyclenews.com/MCN/bikes-for-sale/searchresults/detail/Triumph/STREET-TRIPLE-675/2009/_/R-NXGN-7606441

I don't know about as a first bike, cos they aren't slow, but the general consensus is that they are fucking fantastic.

Any thoughts or opinions on these as a first bike

I've been out of the loop for too long to know what 'modern' Triumphs are like, reliabilitywise, but if you're looking at that sort of thing, an equivalent, or older, Honda may be easier to get on with. Triples suffer from predictable alternator drive failure, which gave the earlier Triumphs a bit of a headache. And while it may be a good tool in town, Norwich will still seem a long way away behind that screen. Which ever way, fill that parking space!

Which ever way, fill that parking space!

I'm working on it. But the solicitors, tax man and previous owner of my flat have stripped me bare. I'll get there eventually.

That Triumph is owned by a friend of mine who's looking to sell it. Just wondered what people thought of them.

New Triumphs are generally meant to be very good - the street triple is repeatedly voted 'best in class'. its usually the one to beat for any mid-size naked bike.

The exhaust lets it down though.

I have a triumph sprint ST (2003) and I love it. Relatively cheap, reliable, full fairing so very comfy for long journeys, sits at 80mph at 2.5k less revs than my bandit and has tons of midrange power. Performed impeccably around Europe last summer for a few thousand miles, recommended.

Full test, yeah. I was looking at a DZR400 or similar.

Keep an eye out for something like a ttr250 in that case or an xr250/400. They can be supermoto'd fairly easy if that's your thing.

I got a Kawasaki ER6-F recently - 2012 model. Will probably chop it in for a Street Triple next year, they're awesome bikes. Kinda wish I'd just done that first off

How tall are you? I've never ridden the Street Triple but they look quite dinky, anyone has any experience?

Why not get a cheap SV650 for 6 months then workout what you want?

I'm 6' 2" - Kawasaki felt cramped at first but it's not too bad now. I tried a Yamaha Fazer and I looked like a circus elephant on it!

Anyone camped at Isle of Man TT, there's a choice of a few sites, Union mills is sold out so I guess that was the best...?

I'm 6' 2" as well. The guy who currently owns the Triumph is the same height as me - which could be handy as he said he'd throw in some gear (he's giving up bikes for good).

sounds like a bargain just waiting to be snapped up.

i'm also 6'2" (join the club)!

http://www.visordown.com/motorcycle-news--general-news/motorcyclists-23-better-behind-the-wheel-of-a-car/23971.html

reen showed me this and i cant get it out of my head

‘Baula’ is based on a 1969 BMW R75/5 and it’s the result of six months’ hard work, from design to the fabrication of dozens of parts. “The inspiration was a mixture of the 1939 TT-winning BMW Rennsport and the art deco henderson ,” Borras reveals.

El Solitario completely rebuilt the motor and suspension, and the restored frame is now nickel-plated. The fishtail pipes are from a Velocette Thruxton, but it’s the huge Hoske long-range tank that dominates the looks.

more here

It's true

Thanks to the uninsured git that drove into the back of me a couple of years ago (my, how time flies) I had to put down the claim details when I was looking to insure the Panzerwagen. The cheapest quote was about £1050. Once I got on the Admiral website to buy the cover their 'type of claim' checkbox had 'motorcycle claim' as one of the options. I selected that and the premium immediately went down to £750.