The r3v motorcycle thread

[bikerbill2021]

Looking at a 79 suzuki GS 550e tomorrow. It does not run. Owner claims it has good compression but is "having trouble with the points". This is my first motorcycle inspection/purchase. What should I look for to avoid getting fucked over?

I'm not familiar with that specific bike per se, but it is part of the "Big 4" i.e. Honda, Yami, Kawi, and Suzuki. Most jap bikes are cookie cutters of them selves, even to this day, so they share similar issues. That being said, if its sat for a while, the carbs will most likely need to be cleaned, rubber is most likely dry rotted, so possibly tires, brake lines etc., bike will just need a good going through and some TLC. The worst with old bikes like these is if some one in its past attempted to "modify" it in some way, so if its unmolested and stock then would def be a nice lil project.

Throw up some pics of it or the ad, lets see this bad boy

What about a license plate flipper? What y'all think? In soCal it's all too easy to run from the Police, just like it's all too easy for them to pull you over. #rebelwithoutacause#growup#still...

http://flipperplate.com/products/lic...cycles-flip-up

Lol I try to never judge what others do with w/e, but for me, I'm too much of a waffleswaffleswaffleswaffleswaffles to run from the cops or speed for that matter, if I know I'm busted I just pull right over, gotten too many tickets. Not to say I haven't pushed it, but 171 on my old R1 was enough for me for a lifetime :loco:

[varg]

What about a license plate flipper? What y'all think? In soCal it's all too easy to run from the Police, just like it's all too easy for them to pull you over. #rebelwithoutacause#growup#still...

http://flipperplate.com/products/lic...cycles-flip-up

Most likely illegal to even have on the bike, and in california they'll probably impound and crush it or something like that. Would not do, myself. Just would pay attention to the road an keep an eye out for cops.

[Dozyproductions]

What about a license plate flipper? What y'all think? In soCal it's all too easy to run from the Police, just like it's all too easy for them to pull you over. #rebelwithoutacause#growup#still...

http://flipperplate.com/products/license-plate-flipper-for-motorcycles-flip-up

[anabolice30]

Looking at a 79 suzuki GS 550e tomorrow. It does not run. Owner claims it has good compression but is "having trouble with the points". This is my first motorcycle inspection/purchase. What should I look for to avoid getting fucked over?

[bikerbill2021]

what did you end up doing with the diamond plate? if this is the same bike.

Ya same bike, I ended up just wrapping over the diamond plate with some faux leather to try and give it a bit of a better look, it came out decent, gives the seat a nice texture. If I had more time to keep it I'd have made a more comfortable seat rather then this "cowling", something like this, which is what I'm aiming to do on the CX and XS

[kickinindian]

what did you end up doing with the diamond plate? if this is the same bike.

[E30SoD1rty]

Thanks for the replies everyone. I'm really looking forward into riding. I have my motorcycle safety course this coming Thursday. I hope all goes good. As for the bike goes, I'm thinking of getting a used (2009+) CBR.

[bikerbill2021]

Riding this lil guy to work tomorrow, hopefully no issues so I can sell it on and continue my 12 other projects, dat two stroke life!

[bikerbill2021]

Interesting! Then again, I don't have a good mesh!

yup, the sun out here is intense, and Im fair skinned/Irish, so I burn bad. Another trick I do is soak my t-shirt with water, toss it on, then throw the jacket over that, kinda like a swamp cool effect, usually do this in the dead of summer when I know ill be riding for a while.

[Dozyproductions]

I will have to dig up the link but its actually been shown that in many circumstances the benefits of a good mesh jacket in hot weather. Just get a light color. It shades the surface of the skin creating a microclimate.

Interesting! Then again, I don't have a good mesh!

[Ryan Stewart]

Wut? Or is there's just no difference after 110F?

Either way, I do advocate wearing gear though. A truck merged into me, I was layed down and slid for over 100ft @ 70 mph. All I had was a rug burn on my knee and scratches on my jacket and gloves.

I will have to dig up the link but its actually been shown that in many circumstances the benefits of a good mesh jacket in hot weather. Just get a light color. It shades the surface of the skin creating a microclimate.

[Dozyproductions]

Engine heat alone makes wearing shorts pretty damn shitty, but riding with just a shirt feels great. That's why all the harley people do it lol.

[TeXJ]

It actually is true. If I wear shorts and it's a hot day, wearing pants is cooler. One the sun isn't beating down on your skin. Two, while stopped the heat from the road isn't being reflected back onto your legs, plus the heat of the motor is blocked as well with pants.

I've been down and had jeans on, I was able to slow down enough that I didnt even get a tear on my jeans, I rolled. My helmet was scuffed and my elbows and hands were fine because I wear my gear. I mainly dont wear leather cause when I commute to work not sure what to do with my boots and pants while I'm at work. I'd have to bring a change of pants and shoes with me...that's not happening.

[Dozyproductions]

I'm actually cooler covering up my skin

Wut? Or is there's just no difference after 110F?

Either way, I do advocate wearing gear though. A truck merged into me, I was layed down and slid for over 100ft @ 70 mph. All I had was a rug burn on my knee and scratches on my jacket and gloves.

[bikerbill2021]

Oh and dont skimp on riding gear. Helmet, jacket and gloves at the very least. That is what I ride with and pants. I know I should have better leg protection but it gets to dang hot here in Texas. They do make kevlar pants now so that is also an option for ya.

I started with a CBR600rr and it was a really nice first bike. Just respect it and spend time learning how to ride. Also buy gear and always wear it. Took one of our friends out last week as he just got a new Speed Triple. Came over to my house not wearing much gear. I warned him to ride safe and not to push his bike till he learned to ride. 3 hours later I watched him wreck in a slow slide half way though a big sweeping turn. A trip to the hospital with major road rash and about 1k in damages to his bike.

Just be careful in what ever decision you choose.

Yes yes yes, as the saying goes, AGATT, or All Gear All The Time. I haven't gone down yet (knock on wood) but I've tipped over a few of my machines, and while it is a heartbreaker, parts are replaceable, and you are not. I used to roll around when I was younger with just a helmet and gloves, now I feel naked with out my gear, leather jacket with pads, gloves, helmet, kevlar jeans, boots etc, you get used to wearing it, it becomes part of the experience, part of you.

I've heard some insidious stories of road burn, its basically a third degree burn, but the best part is the doctors have to "scrub" the wound to get all the debris and shit out of it...yea, id rather avoid that.

Ive heard the excuse from my friends who wear no gear that "Its too hot meeehh", I literally live in hell, and wear mostly black gear, and I'm actually cooler covering up my skin, as well as avoiding sun burn. I rode one of the bikes I purchased recently without my helmet (impulse buy lol) around the corner to my shop, and I thought my face was going to fall off, so damn hot