View Full Version : My New Bike
on yer bike
15-07-09, 04:17 PM
Ok, So it's an old skool bandit 600! :elephant:
Been sitting in a garage for 4 years completely forgotten about by it's owner after failing an MOT. So I offered to do it up for him at half the cost he was quoted for the repairs, but his wife managed to crash his car so he needed the cash instead.. So I ended up owning the thing.
Things needed doing -
Bearings needed replacing, most of them, steering was ok.
Monoshock was so worn out that there was a hole in the undertray from the tyre.
Indicators needed replacing, not just the bulb as the whole unit had rusted and wealded itself together.
Brake switches, one needed replacing, the other needed adjusting.
Seat needed recovering.
Downpipes, way too tanned for my liking
Rear tyre needed replacing - the only job I got the pros to do (and at a very good price from Saltire :smt023).
Since I had access to most of the swingarm once the tyre and monoshock were removed, and had lots of spare autosol from the downpipes I gave it a polish too (with a bit of help from a drill and polish mops, it's not cheating, honest). I think the frame needs a bit of welding and paint but will survive this summer and possibly next.
I have pictures of the work and can guide you through it if anyone is interested, but most people have seen a swingarm, monoshock and bolts before. So will just post the pics of the bike.
I'm very rusty at the riding just now, but got it to the MOT and back today without too many problems (and it passed with flying colours) so I am happy with what I have achieved in all, even getting on the thing was making me tear my hair out.
http://img194.imageshack.us/img194/4159/p1007091323.jpg
http://img145.imageshack.us/img145/3300/p100709132301.jpg
That looks very nice mate, good job :)
Like the blue plastics and the white wheels :p
Looks like a comfy seat though.. Me, not jelous at all :(
ibshort
15-07-09, 04:42 PM
looks in good nick now, but after 4 years do you not think you should change the front rubber aswell?
________
Club Royal Condos Wong Amat (http://pattayaluxurycondos.com)
on yer bike
15-07-09, 04:49 PM
looks in good nick now, but after 4 years do you not think you should change the front rubber aswell?
It was pretty new when it went on and looks ok, I see what you're getting at that the rubber wont be what it used to after 4 years which I didn't consider (I aint good at diagnosing stuff, just fixing stuff) Will look into it though and maybe take it in for a check.
nice find m8... all you need to do now is get out and ride...
shonadoll
15-07-09, 05:10 PM
That looks great hun, glad you are back on the road.
Tiger 55
15-07-09, 05:18 PM
That's mint shipmate, good work. What sort of wedge we talking?
on yer bike
15-07-09, 05:47 PM
It was £500. I think it was reasonable considering the work and parts required to get it back on the road.
appollo1
15-07-09, 05:57 PM
That is a very nice looking bike. I like it a lot.
Keep practising and get out to make the most of your nice bike.
gerbrox
16-07-09, 06:41 AM
Looks in better nick than my SV, whats the vintage?
Looks lovely!
Well done you.
Kilted Ginger
16-07-09, 08:39 AM
Did you recover the seat yourself M. or get it done somewhere. I've recovered the spare one i acquired after fitting a gel pad, its not perfect but ok.
plowsie
16-07-09, 08:42 AM
Not part of the Ecosse, but remember your meeting with the Combine Harvie, glad to see you all built up and looks a great little project has come out nicely for you :)
Tiger 55
16-07-09, 08:52 AM
It was £500. I think it was reasonable
Reasonable? Oh no. It's a deal, it's a steal, it's the sale of the century.
Good work. :thumbsup:
on yer bike
16-07-09, 12:28 PM
Looks in better nick than my SV, whats the vintage?
It celebrated it's tenth birthday last month. :)
Did you recover the seat yourself M. or get it done somewhere. I've recovered the spare one i acquired after fitting a gel pad, its not perfect but ok.
I did it with help from the guy that used to own it as he has an industrial staple gun, just picked up the fabric of ebay and I'm really happy with the finish.
Reasonable? Oh no. It's a deal, it's a steal, it's the sale of the century.
Good work. :thumbsup:
Local bike workshop think I overpaid for it, but they would say that, lol. I've managed to keep costs fairly low, but spent a lot of money on tools that I probably wont use again - bike jack etc. The plan is still to sell it at some point this summer where I think I may manage to make a reasonable profit for the work put in.
Kate SV650
16-07-09, 05:21 PM
Your new bike looks fantastic! Well done! I take it has not got a high mileage even though it is ten years old?
on yer bike
16-07-09, 05:32 PM
Thanks :)
It's just under 17,000 miles so it's got plenty of miles left. I couldn't believe that it started on the button without anything needing done except a fresh battery charge after getting it out the garage. These engines seem to last forever.
on yer bike
11-08-09, 02:49 PM
Well thats the bandit sold, new owner picking it up on friday... Will hopefully do something similar a little earlier next year so I can come and play at the massacre..
booooooooo
so yer bikeless... just as well we took you for a nice wee run before you sold it...
ooohhh well, roll on next year...
Jillyburd
11-08-09, 09:35 PM
Ocht, that's a shame! You SOO have to get another in a couple of months when the prices come down for winter. :p
on yer bike
11-08-09, 11:51 PM
Ocht, that's a shame! You SOO have to get another in a couple of months when the prices come down for winter. :p
Yeah, I wish I could have kept longer and seen a few more folk out and about, but I'm moving into central Edinburgh at the end of August so the cash is handy as I got a really good deal on the bike..
I'm happy with what I achieved this year anyway, the main goal was to get on a bike again and get over the fears which took me quite a while after repairing the bike to get the courage and weather to do, but it was done and I couldn't be happier about it.
Plus I managed one reasonable rideout and met up with a few folk. Although i was pretty worn out afterwards and slept for a few days after, I managed it and so happy that I did. It will also be so much easier to get back on a bike in the future.
I also know how hard it was for my parents to come to terms with me getting on a bike again, especially my dad. So it was only fair that I kept to the agreement and respected their opinion. So if the bike wasn’t sold, it would have just been put back into storage in September anyway.
shonadoll
12-08-09, 05:12 PM
I think that's really sensible, and exactly the way to have the parents on side. Good for you fixing it up, and I#m glad you managed the riding it too, it's a feeling of relief when you conquer that one.
carelesschucca
13-08-09, 06:26 PM
Like the blue plastics and the white wheels :p
oh he'll learn to hate the white wheels ASAP!!! i hate them on the GIXER!!!
but non the less its a sweet looking bike.
oh he'll learn to hate the white wheels ASAP!!! i hate them on the GIXER!!!
but non the less its a sweet looking bike.
He doesn't have to learn, its just sold.. :(
TheRamJam
13-08-09, 07:52 PM
Nice looking bike you have there. Love the white wheels man, gonna by hard to keep them looking nice and shiny though :D
Jillyburd
13-08-09, 11:53 PM
Go for it OYB, you have your confidence back and a pootler for Edinburgh seems like the way to go. A wee 125 in the traffic'll boost your confidence no end and get you back on the road. :smt023
Tiger 55
14-08-09, 10:24 AM
A wee 125 in the traffic'll boost your confidence no end and get you back on the road. :smt023
Van Van! They rock!
STRAMASHER
14-08-09, 10:48 AM
Nice looking bike you have there. Love the white wheels man, gonna by hard to keep them looking nice and shiny though :D
White wheels, as everybody should know, drops 20kg off the weight of your bike. Er, visually only pedants ok?!
Saves a fortune on chain lube and front brake pads too. ;) (Used sparingly, both!)
The nice and shiny bit is taken care of by free rags and WD40. Tennis elbow hello.
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