Welcome to the MacNN Forums.

If this is your first visit, be sure to check out the FAQ by clicking the link above. You may have to register before you can post: click the register link above to proceed. To start viewing messages, select the forum that you want to visit from the selection below.

You are here: MacNN Forums > Community > MacNN Lounge > My Motorcycle

My Motorcycle
Thread Tools
Laminar
Posting Junkie
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: Iowa, how long can this be? Does it really ruin the left column spacing?
Status: Offline
Reply With Quote
Sep 4, 2008, 12:25 PM
 
I picked up a Honda CB200T a couple weeks ago. I found it on Craigslist in my city (actually only a few blocks away from my house) for $75. I've been wanting a project to work on in my spare time, and I've always wanted to learn to ride a motorcycle, so I figured this could be fun. It has a 200cc 2 cylinder engine putting out 17 horsepower. It tops out at about 77mph and gets 60-70mpg.

When I got it, the engine was seized, and quite a few parts were missing.





Presently, the engine is free to spin, everything is cleaned up, rust is removed, all parts have been repainted, and it's looking a lot better.





I'm waiting on a bunch full of parts like handlebar controls, carbs, and exhaust before I can get it running. Once I do that, I'll work on brakes and replacing the tires. Once it's running I have to go through the trouble of getting a title for it, then getting my motorcycle license.

I'm still deciding what to do about the design. My first idea was similar to the car in Death Proof:



but the general consensus from my friends was that skulls were dumb. Now I'm thinking something with either a biohazard symbol or lightning bolts. My roommate has a vinyl cutter so I can get any type of sticker made. My plan is to get a flat black helmet and make it match the design of the bike.

I'm tracking my progress at a blog I made: Rebuilding the CB200T

Thoughts? Comments? Suggestions?
( Last edited by Laminar; Sep 4, 2008 at 02:01 PM. )
     
Laminar  (op)
Posting Junkie
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: Iowa, how long can this be? Does it really ruin the left column spacing?
Status: Offline
Reply With Quote
Sep 4, 2008, 02:02 PM
 
Well, apparently there's an issue with linking images from Blogspot, so I re-hosted everything and I think the pictures are working.
     
brassplayersrock²
Addicted to MacNN
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: California
Status: Offline
Reply With Quote
Sep 4, 2008, 03:49 PM
 
What a beautiful piece of crap Laminar! Hope you enjoy it when it's all back together, and you get the paperwork and classes done.
( Last edited by brassplayersrock²; Sep 7, 2008 at 05:29 PM. )
     
Nivag
Mac Elite
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: Body in London, mind elsewhere
Status: Offline
Reply With Quote
Sep 7, 2008, 05:27 PM
 
Nice purchase. I've been thinking of getting an old/classic bike to do up. Can't wait to see what you come up with.
     
klb5090
Mac Elite
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: Pittsburgh, PA
Status: Offline
Reply With Quote
Sep 7, 2008, 11:33 PM
 
always wanted to start an old project bike consider me interested and subscribed to checking the blog to see the progress! good luck on the build
     
Laminar  (op)
Posting Junkie
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: Iowa, how long can this be? Does it really ruin the left column spacing?
Status: Offline
Reply With Quote
Sep 8, 2008, 09:36 AM
 
The idea of doing a cafe racer has crossed my mind. I'll need a new seat so I was thinking about picking up a nice cafe racer seat, except that I'd like to be able to hold two people on the bike. Once I get it running, though, I'm considering intake pods, stripping off all of the extra plastic and metal, fenders, and installing clubman handlebars. Like this, but even without the panels that say "CB200."

( Last edited by Laminar; Sep 8, 2008 at 06:31 PM. )
     
IceEnclosure
Moderator Emeritus
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: Fort Lauderdale, FL
Status: Offline
Reply With Quote
Sep 8, 2008, 01:21 PM
 
cool project. I saw this a while back, dunno what era or type of bike beyond it being a bmw. seems older than yours but the dimensions are all similar.

ice
     
vmarks
Moderator Emeritus
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: Up In The Air
Status: Offline
Reply With Quote
Sep 8, 2008, 02:32 PM
 
Originally Posted by IceEnclosure View Post
cool project. I saw this a while back, dunno what era or type of bike beyond it being a bmw. seems older than yours but the dimensions are all similar.

mid 60s-70s, 2 cylinder horizontally opposed air-cooled.

This is a bike that people put VW beetle engines in, or Porsche 4 cyl (912, 914) style engines in. The longitudinal alignment of the engine makes that easy, versus most motorcycles that are transverse.



shows the same bike model with a 4cyl VW engine in place of the 2cyl BMW.
     
RAILhead
Addicted to MacNN
Join Date: Mar 2001
Location: USA
Status: Offline
Reply With Quote
Sep 8, 2008, 05:11 PM
 
Here you go:

"Everything's so clear to me now: I'm the keeper of the cheese and you're the lemon merchant. Get it? And he knows it.
That's why he's gonna kill us. So we got to beat it. Yeah. Before he let's loose the marmosets on us."
my band • my web site • my guitar effects • my photos • facebook • brightpoint
     
Laminar  (op)
Posting Junkie
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: Iowa, how long can this be? Does it really ruin the left column spacing?
Status: Offline
Reply With Quote
Sep 8, 2008, 06:32 PM
 
We have a winner.
     
scaught
Addicted to MacNN
Join Date: Jan 2001
Location: detroit,mi,usa
Status: Offline
Reply With Quote
Sep 8, 2008, 07:58 PM
 
Originally Posted by Laminar View Post
but the general consensus from my friends was that skulls were dumb. Now I'm thinking something with either a biohazard symbol or lightning bolts.
Grow a pair and do what you want.

Except a biohazard symbol.
     
zro
Mac Elite
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: The back of the room
Status: Offline
Reply With Quote
Sep 8, 2008, 08:33 PM
 
Skulls ain't dumb. Skulls are badass! Tells your friends to like it or lump it.


By the way, can't wait to see a pic of your frame sitting on that petite cycle. I sense it will be a sight most grand.
     
- - e r i k - -
Posting Junkie
Join Date: May 2001
Location: Brisbane, Australia
Status: Offline
Reply With Quote
Sep 8, 2008, 10:56 PM
 
Skulls > Biohazard.

[ fb ] [ flickr ] [â™Ĵ] [scl] [ last ] [ plaxo ]
     
sek929
Posting Junkie
Join Date: Nov 1999
Location: Cape Cod, MA
Status: Offline
Reply With Quote
Sep 8, 2008, 10:57 PM
 
Yeah, biohazard symbol is kinda lame, I say go with the tried-and-true skull.
     
Laminar  (op)
Posting Junkie
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: Iowa, how long can this be? Does it really ruin the left column spacing?
Status: Offline
Reply With Quote
Sep 8, 2008, 11:19 PM
 
Originally Posted by zro View Post
Skulls ain't dumb. Skulls are badass! Tells your friends to like it or lump it.


By the way, can't wait to see a pic of your frame sitting on that petite cycle. I sense it will be a sight most grand.
I can sit in the rear passenger's spot and comfortably reach the handlebars.

I got a whole bunch of stuff ordered today: carbs, headers, misc. hardware, a plastic cover, a rubber intake tube, the throttle cable, and I bought the handlebar assembly from an old Honda dirtbike with the intention of taking the grips and switches off and rewiring them for my bike.
     
RAILhead
Addicted to MacNN
Join Date: Mar 2001
Location: USA
Status: Offline
Reply With Quote
Sep 8, 2008, 11:21 PM
 
What about the HA! HA! Guy?
"Everything's so clear to me now: I'm the keeper of the cheese and you're the lemon merchant. Get it? And he knows it.
That's why he's gonna kill us. So we got to beat it. Yeah. Before he let's loose the marmosets on us."
my band • my web site • my guitar effects • my photos • facebook • brightpoint
     
Ratm
Mac Elite
Join Date: Dec 2001
Status: Offline
Reply With Quote
Sep 8, 2008, 11:42 PM
 
Originally Posted by Laminar View Post
Dude, nice.....and sexy!
     
Buckaroo
Professional Poster
Join Date: Mar 2002
Status: Offline
Reply With Quote
Sep 9, 2008, 11:39 AM
 
I owned a Kawasaki G5 100cc when I was 15.

( Last edited by Buckaroo; Sep 9, 2008 at 11:55 AM. )
     
Laminar  (op)
Posting Junkie
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: Iowa, how long can this be? Does it really ruin the left column spacing?
Status: Offline
Reply With Quote
Sep 13, 2008, 09:48 PM
 
     
ghporter
Administrator
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: San Antonio TX USA
Status: Offline
Reply With Quote
Sep 13, 2008, 10:02 PM
 
That makes me wish I could find an old Honda C70 in decent shape. It was my first motorcycle, and I just loved that little thing. It got a gazillion miles per gallon and carried my sorry butt up to 60 MPH UPHILL! Great little bike...

Glenn -----OTR/L, MOT, Tx
     
Laminar  (op)
Posting Junkie
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: Iowa, how long can this be? Does it really ruin the left column spacing?
Status: Offline
Reply With Quote
Sep 17, 2008, 01:17 PM
 
It's running pretty well now:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aD1w_Sje0zQ

I got some of the parts painted up with a high temp enamel:


I had to "engineer" a new gas cap latch:


Tires, tubes, pod filters, fuel filter, flat black full-face helmet, and a bunch of other stuff is on the way.
     
vmarks
Moderator Emeritus
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: Up In The Air
Status: Offline
Reply With Quote
Sep 17, 2008, 01:26 PM
 
so what's your running total cost so far?
     
Laminar  (op)
Posting Junkie
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: Iowa, how long can this be? Does it really ruin the left column spacing?
Status: Offline
Reply With Quote
Sep 17, 2008, 01:30 PM
 
I haven't kept a strict total, but I'd say it's between $300-$350.
     
Laminar  (op)
Posting Junkie
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: Iowa, how long can this be? Does it really ruin the left column spacing?
Status: Offline
Reply With Quote
Sep 17, 2008, 04:59 PM
 
It seems that's a bit of an underestimation. I just went through and totaled everything up. Counting the cost of the bike itself and the pile of stuff I bought yesterday, but not counting the helmet, tools, or chemicals/solvents I bought, it's just a tad over $500.
     
imitchellg5
Posting Junkie
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: Colorado
Status: Offline
Reply With Quote
Sep 17, 2008, 06:52 PM
 
Still, not bad at all for a long time of enjoyment.
     
Laminar  (op)
Posting Junkie
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: Iowa, how long can this be? Does it really ruin the left column spacing?
Status: Offline
Reply With Quote
Sep 17, 2008, 07:10 PM
 
Definitely, especially when considering that bikes like this go for $700-1000 on eBay.
     
vmarks
Moderator Emeritus
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: Up In The Air
Status: Offline
Reply With Quote
Sep 17, 2008, 08:11 PM
 
So then your labor is worth 200-300 bucks?
     
- - e r i k - -
Posting Junkie
Join Date: May 2001
Location: Brisbane, Australia
Status: Offline
Reply With Quote
Sep 17, 2008, 08:38 PM
 
If it's a labour of love, does it matter?

[ fb ] [ flickr ] [â™Ĵ] [scl] [ last ] [ plaxo ]
     
vmarks
Moderator Emeritus
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: Up In The Air
Status: Offline
Reply With Quote
Sep 17, 2008, 10:21 PM
 
Originally Posted by - - e r i k - - View Post
If it's a labour of love, does it matter?
No, not really.

There's quite a lot to be said for knowing the ins and outs of the vehicle to which you trust your life.

Be kind to your ass, for it bears you, I say.
     
Laminar  (op)
Posting Junkie
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: Iowa, how long can this be? Does it really ruin the left column spacing?
Status: Offline
Reply With Quote
Sep 26, 2008, 04:37 PM
 
I went for my first ride today. The mailman brought my front tire as I was going through the carbs and running a new fuel line. I got the tire mounted (PITA!) and everything put back together and took it for a spin. I still need to rebuild the front brake and get it to idle, and papers are on the way to get a bonded title. I ran into a couple snags because I'm trying to run with bigger tires, but it's nothing a little engineering couldn't overcome. I'll post a video as soon as I'm able to copy and paste again.
( Last edited by Laminar; Sep 26, 2008 at 11:43 PM. )
     
mattyb
Addicted to MacNN
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Standing on the shoulders of giants
Status: Offline
Reply With Quote
Sep 26, 2008, 04:47 PM
 
Hats off. Nice little bike that you've got there.

PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE - don't go riding past my house after midnight.
     
Laminar  (op)
Posting Junkie
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: Iowa, how long can this be? Does it really ruin the left column spacing?
Status: Offline
Reply With Quote
Sep 26, 2008, 04:52 PM
 
Ha- I got chewed out making the burnout video at a quarter til eight by someone living in the area because my neighbors have a baby. I cut that part of the video out, though. The mufflers make it a tad quieter, but it's by no means quiet.
     
brassplayersrock²
Addicted to MacNN
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: California
Status: Offline
Reply With Quote
Sep 26, 2008, 05:52 PM
 
ha HA. so my youtube comment was correct. unless you deleted that one as well.

edit:
nope, you haven't
     
Laminar  (op)
Posting Junkie
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: Iowa, how long can this be? Does it really ruin the left column spacing?
Status: Offline
Reply With Quote
Sep 26, 2008, 06:00 PM
 
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=atw1HwnH4to

Here you go, have a blast laughing at my frame on that bike. FWIW after riding around for about a half hour, my hips kind of hurt. I'm going to need to figure out how I can sit and stay comfortable.
     
Laminar  (op)
Posting Junkie
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: Iowa, how long can this be? Does it really ruin the left column spacing?
Status: Offline
Reply With Quote
Sep 26, 2008, 06:10 PM
 




     
Laminar  (op)
Posting Junkie
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: Iowa, how long can this be? Does it really ruin the left column spacing?
Status: Offline
Reply With Quote
Sep 26, 2008, 06:17 PM
 
Also, for further hilarity:
     
Railroader
Banned
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: Indy.
Status: Offline
Reply With Quote
Sep 27, 2008, 02:09 AM
 
Downloaded, backed up, redundant back up, launching PS in 3, 2, ...
     
brassplayersrock²
Addicted to MacNN
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: California
Status: Offline
Reply With Quote
Sep 27, 2008, 02:10 AM
 
thanks for the lol

serious note, i dunno the coldness where you're at, but you might want to invest in a slightly thicker jacket. it looks a tad thin in the pic.
     
Laminar  (op)
Posting Junkie
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: Iowa, how long can this be? Does it really ruin the left column spacing?
Status: Offline
Reply With Quote
Sep 27, 2008, 09:24 AM
 
Wait...you're telling me about the thickness of a jacket by looking at the outside of it?
     
Maflynn
Professional Poster
Join Date: Mar 2002
Location: Boston
Status: Offline
Reply With Quote
Sep 27, 2008, 09:55 AM
 
we really need an automotive subforum
~Mike
     
stevesnj
Mac Elite
Join Date: Apr 2003
Location: Southern, NJ (near Philly YO!)
Status: Offline
Reply With Quote
Sep 27, 2008, 10:12 AM
 
My Baby!!

MacBook Pro 15" i7 ~ Snow Leopard ~ iPhone 4 - 16Gb
     
Railroader
Banned
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: Indy.
Status: Offline
Reply With Quote
Sep 27, 2008, 12:04 PM
 
Originally Posted by Maflynn View Post
we really need an automotive subforum
Yeah, I think the lounge has served it's usefulness, that would be the nail on the coffin.
     
IceEnclosure
Moderator Emeritus
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: Fort Lauderdale, FL
Status: Offline
Reply With Quote
Sep 27, 2008, 12:53 PM
 
saw this yesterday, jeez:


ice
     
ShortcutToMoncton
Addicted to MacNN
Join Date: Sep 2000
Location: The Rock
Status: Offline
Reply With Quote
Sep 27, 2008, 01:34 PM
 
oh so pimp! That's just outrageous!

greg

Edit: love the no-helmet too, don't see any of that anymore in Canada...
Mankind's only chance is to harness the power of stupid.
     
ghporter
Administrator
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: San Antonio TX USA
Status: Offline
Reply With Quote
Sep 27, 2008, 02:40 PM
 
Cool bike; I can't see having any side-chatter in a curve with a back tire that's as wide as your butt...

 

Glenn -----OTR/L, MOT, Tx
     
IceEnclosure
Moderator Emeritus
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: Fort Lauderdale, FL
Status: Offline
Reply With Quote
Sep 27, 2008, 02:53 PM
 
I too am a proponent of motorcyclists wearing helmets. Florida only lifted the helmet law less than 10 years ago.
ice
     
imitchellg5
Posting Junkie
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: Colorado
Status: Offline
Reply With Quote
Sep 27, 2008, 02:57 PM
 
Originally Posted by Laminar View Post
Also, for further hilarity:
[img]http://photos-b.ak.facebook.com/photos-ak-sf2p/v333/79/43/16908665/n16908665_37890881_6638.jpg
Looks like Top Gear's Stig in his first season.
     
ShortcutToMoncton
Addicted to MacNN
Join Date: Sep 2000
Location: The Rock
Status: Offline
Reply With Quote
Sep 27, 2008, 02:57 PM
 
They lifted it?

Jebus. It seems sort of stone-age to me, to be honest. The only argument against them can be generally summed up as "I like the feel of wind in my hair!"

It's like the seatbelt debate, way back in the day. Seems almost infantile now, that people would be so against not wearing a simple device that's proven to save your life.

greg
Mankind's only chance is to harness the power of stupid.
     
Laminar  (op)
Posting Junkie
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: Iowa, how long can this be? Does it really ruin the left column spacing?
Status: Offline
Reply With Quote
Sep 27, 2008, 03:18 PM
 
I got the front brake installed and working today, it's nice to have two brakes. But it seems that I must have punctured the innertube when I was mounting the front tire, because it will only hold air for a few minutes before going flat again. Mounting tires was the worst ****ing part of this whole experience, so at this point I'm going to find someone that I can just pay to do it.

And I plan on always wearing a helmet when I ride. After seeing what I can do to myself on a bicycle, I don't want to think about what I could do at real speeds.
     
 
Thread Tools
 
Forum Links
Forum Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts
BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Top
Privacy Policy
All times are GMT -4. The time now is 01:03 AM.
All contents of these forums © 1995-2017 MacNN. All rights reserved.
Branding + Design: www.gesamtbild.com
vBulletin v.3.8.8 © 2000-2017, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.,