I've started shopping for a "new project" bike.

[Momz]

With all the HD's crowding the classifieds, Craigslist, Ebay and at the dealer showrooms, I'd thought I need to keep an open mind.

But I can't see buying a traditional air-cooled twin. So I concentreted on the V-rods. It seems that soo many individual sellers feel that V-rods are rare! And it seems dealers don't want them littering their showrooms. To be honest most HD salesmen I spoken with in the past week would rather not sell V-rods at all. 

Why the disparity in showroom verus indidual perceived values?


(Maybe I'll just look at Suzukis from the seventies.)

[BF]

Alot of Honda 1100s out there for sale if your looking for a v-twin to play with. 

[Disco]

Yamaha XS650s seem to be a very popular blank canvas these days.   

[Romeo]

How about a 2 stroker, George?

[PAVALKER]

Do an In Line Honda 4 Cylinder.... or if your pockets are deep... an In Line Six (CBX).

[Momz]

Romeo

I do have a lead on a mid-seventies Suzi 500 twin two stroke, however the early 550-750s can be bought for next to nothing. Parts may br the problem however.

My next project is to be built for "profit", thus my leaning btoward the HD V-rods.

Just going to keep looking until "it" finds me.

[Dogg]

Might want to consider an opposed twin like a triumph or old yami 650 special or along those lines. Those bikes, ratted or turned into cafe style bikes are bringing top dollar right now. Especially the cafe craze. Just something to think about.

[BF]

Might want to consider an opposed twin like a triumph or old yami 650 special or along those lines. Those bikes, ratted or turned into cafe style bikes are bringing top dollar right now. Especially the cafe craze. Just something to think about.

+1.  I've seen a few Triumph America's and Bonnie's go for fairly cheap.  There are aftermarket chassis makers that are making chopper and bobber frames from them now. 

The XS650 has an almost cult like following......with more than plenty of chassis and parts available for them.  You can find a complete bike for fairly cheap too. 

[donaldcc]

 
  good for you momz.  take your time and keep us informed.  i like to see good work on a bike and you seem like a guy who can do it!  nice to hear your thoughts on what bike to pick and your plans for the "project".

[Momz]

Any future project bike must be considered a "commercial venture", that is it must make money for my labors.

Not looking to build a "Bobber or Rat", rather an eye catching custom. There are so many bikes available now, but I need to find just the right machine that causes people to throw money at me.

Being (semi) disabled and without a regular job, I need to fall back on what I've done in my former career.

[Dogg]

The more reason to look at opposed twins. No doubt, you will make your money back and the possibilities are endless...

[Valker]

The more reason to look at opposed twins. No doubt, you will make your money back and the possibilities are endless...

Sorry, but it is a minor point that the Triumphs and XS650s are parallel twins. Opposed twins are like the BMW twins or the much less popular French Voxens, Urals, etc.

[jimmytee]

Valker, my thoughts exactly,  wasn't goin' to say anything 

[Dogg]

Ok fine, wrong word used. Sorry. My mistake. I thought it didnt look right but, oh what the hell, yall got my point.

[G-Man]

Alot of Honda 1100s out there for sale if your looking for a v-twin to play with. 

Yes, but the owners think that they're made of gold.  15 and 20 year old 1100's going for $3,000?  10 year old ones going for over $4,000.  These guys want to get paid for riding them!

[Valker]

Alot of Honda 1100s out there for sale if your looking for a v-twin to play with. 

Yes, but the owners think that they're made of gold.  15 and 20 year old 1100's going for $3,000?  10 year old ones going for over $4,000.  These guys want to get paid for riding them!

My youngest son is thinking of selling his 2006 1100 Shadow Spirit for $3000. It is only showing 700 miles... this time around. 

[Momz]

Valker

A few years back, a friend of mine and I had tossed around the idea of a truely fast custom Spirit 1100. But the really good performance stuff was extremely expensive (single carb units, F.I. units, cams, and 2 into1 pipes). And using an ACE motor cost you power (single crank pin versus dual crank pin).

The market for 1100 ACEs, Sabres, and Spirits was pretty hot. But the Honda 1100 V-twins values are going down. But I may keep an 1100 in mind.