Get this project bike or pass?

[MistahT]

I'm considering getting this bike for my best friend, John. He used to ride my extra scooter when we were all on 150s, now everyone else has motorcycles and he doesn't have a bike to ride, and (after an afternoon in a parking lot with my wife's 250) doesn't want to go back to a scooter. They have a 6 month old and money troubles, but he loves riding and working on stuff.

Enter the project bike, 1977 Suzuki GS550e
1977 Suzuki GS 550e

This thing is right up his alley. He loves this cafe look, old bikes, and even older cars. Neutral pegs and bars, and some research says they are pretty good for beginners and that the motors are about bulletproof. Finally got in contact with this guy but he doesn't know what he wants for it. My wife is yelling at me about money too, but I figure $200-300 for the bike wouldn't be bad. Spend about $100 a month over the next 6 months for tires, battery, carb rebuild kit, and the bike will hopefully be street worthy.

The only other hurdle is his wife. My wife thinks that his doesn't want him riding because of their daughter. I understand it, but he wants to ride. My wife laid on the guilt thick and said if he dies, his wife will blame me. Ouch....

What do you guys think?

 

[dart1963]

He's a grown man and has to make those decisions himself... I wouldn't push him, but if he wants to do it, be there...

I don't think I could have done it when my kids were younger, money is tight with kids and there is risk involved.... mind you, my four kids are all within two years of each other (now almost 15, 14, 13 and 13).

There are ways to minimize the risk, gear, keeping speed under control, only riding in fair weather on less traveled roads, but there is always risk and we all have to make that decision ourselves.

 

[godwearsblack]

I would say, present what you have to him and back him up, but always remember to let him be making the final choice or say in it.

 

[leprecaun jon]

I would say, present what you have to him and back him up, but always remember to let him be making the final choice or say in it.

what he said --^ support him but dont take the fall for him....however 71 is getting a bit dated parts may be hard to find and or expensive and others may go bad or fail... he has money trouble he doesnt need a bike that wil nickle and dime him.... or possibly kill him because of mechanical failure....just my .02

 

[bleedinblue]

I wouldn't buy him a bike.Its a lifestyle not a hobby.If you don't understand that, and prepare for it.Its not going to work out very well.

Used bikes are insanely cheap, if he wants one bad enough, he will find it.Then be a good friend, and make sure hes safe, comfortable and on something capable of getting him home.Adding to any of those 3 things is alot more important than kicking off his project for him.

 

[nismos14]

I would not do this, and if he wants one he will work it out and get one on his own. Plus if he can't afford to get one, but you get him one, how will he afford all the maintenance, etc.?

 

[MistahT]

Thanks for all the advice. I realize the bike would just make things harder for him at home. Even if the bike would make him happy, his wife might be mad. Happy wife = happy life.

Maybe I want to ride with my best friend again, do something nice for him, or have a project bike. BUT, it might not be the best time for him right now. I think I was blinded by the love of bikes. Thanks for bringing me back down to earth. :thumbup:

 

[JT]

I'm considering getting this bike for my best friend, John. He used to ride my extra scooter when we were all on 150s, now everyone else has motorcycles and he doesn't have a bike to ride, and (after an afternoon in a parking lot with my wife's 250) doesn't want to go back to a scooter. They have a 6 month old and money troubles, but he loves riding and working on stuff.

Enter the project bike, 1977 Suzuki GS550e
1977 Suzuki GS 550e

This thing is right up his alley. He loves this cafe look, old bikes, and even older cars. Neutral pegs and bars, and some research says they are pretty good for beginners and that the motors are about bulletproof. Finally got in contact with this guy but he doesn't know what he wants for it. My wife is yelling at me about money too, but I figure $200-300 for the bike wouldn't be bad. Spend about $100 a month over the next 6 months for tires, battery, carb rebuild kit, and the bike will hopefully be street worthy.

The only other hurdle is his wife. My wife thinks that his doesn't want him riding because of their daughter. I understand it, but he wants to ride. My wife laid on the guilt thick and said if he dies, his wife will blame me. Ouch....

What do you guys think?

well its always a risk we all are willing to take but I do have a 5 year old so I got life insurance as soon as I got the bike.

 

[bleedinblue]

Thanks for all the advice. I realize the bike would just make things harder for him at home. Even if the bike would make him happy, his wife might be mad. Happy wife = happy life.

Maybe I want to ride with my best friend again, do something nice for him, or have a project bike. BUT, it might not be the best time for him right now. I think I was blinded by the love of bikes. Thanks for bringing me back down to earth. :thumbup:

It happens, I went through the same situation with my cousin last summer.He bought a 20 year old ninja 250 thinking he could simply insure it, then keep miles off of his truck with it since the engine ran.It has a tank full of rust, no fuel filter or clamps on any of the lines, bald tires, bad brakes, you can even bottom the forks with one hand lol.17,000 miles on the bike and it only received oil changes (wich was also due).

I started buying filters and crap for him, and offered my time.A year later and it has just gotten worse from sitting, dead batt, stale gas etc.He finds time for his gf every day, but if he cant find a weekend throughout the year to take care of basic maintenance he really doesn't deserve to ride.

 

[yfz6r]

If he has money trouble then he does not need something that will cost him money or time. That time could be spent doing a part time job or helping around the house. Riding is a luxury and his needs must be met first

 

[nismos14]

Get it for yourself as a project, and maybe he can ride it once in a while?

 

[MistahT]

Well, I've talked to the wife and my friend. Everyone tells me to pass. However, my wife said if I can get it home for $200 and the brakes aren't locked to the rotors, I can get it - as a project for me! >: )

The FZ is my third motorcycle (counting my wife's 250) and they've all been standard/sporty. Had a few scooters where I swapped motors and replaced every nut and bolt, but this would be different. New kind of bike, new kind of build. I could either put on some new bars and cafe it, or chop the rear and try to make a bobber. Heck, I'm a teacher with the summer off. Most of what this bike needs is time. Come June, I'll need something to do.

I figure about a grand worth of parts should have this in good running condition. I can afford $100 a month til summer. Brake pads, fuel lines, battery, tires, carb rebuild kits, chain. If you can find the parts for these things, they're actually pretty cheap.




...and maybe one day my friends ride it..... maybe.....

 

[MNGreg]

Good luck with it. Hope it goes well for you.

Sent from my Galaxy S3 using Tapatalk 2.

 

[Scott_Thomas]

Get it for yourself as a project, and maybe he can ride it once in a while?

I agree 100%. It will make everyone involved happy. You got someone to ride with, you didn't give it to your friend so your wife and his should be happy and you get to have some fun restoring it.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I777 using Tapatalk 2

 

[CDN6R]

You are going to love this site..I know do and it makes me droool like crazy.
Laurie
CB750Cafe.com & Nostalgia Speed And Cycle

 

[CDN6R]

Honestly,,if this does nothing for you,,,, your heart stopped beating