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Just random stuff on my mind

Discussion in 'Hangout Lounge' started by saftie, Mar 28, 2016.

  1. saftie

    saftie Well-Known Member Premium Member

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    So...
    I am not even close to being an expert or someone who thinks he knows much about bikes.
    Working on them and learning as I go is a great hobby though and gets me a nice break from the kids for a few hours here and there.
    Once every year or two, I buy a motorcycle and fix it up. And there is always a surprise waiting. I'm sure you all know what I'm talking about. And it doesn't necessarily have to be the PO's fault.

    I have this 85 GPZ550, it runs, needs some cosmetical love though. Two weeks ago, I rode it up and down the alley behind my house. Great fun. I remember thinking "not bad, I should just clean it up and it's a great ride".
    Last week, I decided to completely disassemble it, either to restore or mod it, no idea yet.
    Anyway, as I was taking it apart, I found lose bolts on important parts, bent handlebars that look like they want to give up on life, oil sitting where i would not expect it, random wires here and there, some chewed up badly etc.
    At that point, my "great bike" thoughts turned into "dude, I'm glad I survived that alley ride the other day".
    My lesson here was to always take a bike completely apart, or at least to a point where i have access to everything and to be able to see what going on. There are so many things hidden and/or not obvious, it's scary.

    Next on my mind is "cafe racers".
    Now, i scan the internet for used bikes frequently and/or just look at bikes others have done.
    One thing I noticed is that people slap on clubman style handlebars, bar end mirrors and try to sell their bike as cafe racer. Everything else is untouched. Boggles my mind. Why?
    Wasn't the idea behind a cafe racer to shed a lot of weight in order to make a bike faster?
    I guess putting clubman bars on helps with wind resistance and are therefor part of the setup, but the rest?

    Yes, I did set up my bike in a similar way, but it's because I like that riding position. But I would not call it a cafe racer. It's miles away from that.

    Anyway, just had to throw it out there as I do not have any motorcycle friends I can talk to about this kind of stuff.


    Gabor
     
    Ray likes this.
  2. Stumplifter

    Stumplifter Well-Known Member

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    When things become trendy it is part of human nature to 'jump on the band wagon' and be like the cool kids.
    So the majority of people start changing their bikes to 'look' cool* so that they can fit in.
    The reason for that is because as you noted, it is easy to swap out handle bars and mirrors instead of doing it right.

    * pods look cool. :confused:
     

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