Posted by James Patterson on April 3, 2009, 2:25 pm
I was considering buying an old 83 750 honda shadow.
The bike looks mint, runs perfect, it is obviously well maintained. Shiny
chrome, nice paint. New tread front & rear, all cables smooth working, etc.
No signs of any mishap or accident. I'm a former mechanic, so not too
worried about it needing a bit of work. I'm a little concerned about the
age, parts availability, etc. It has high performance exhaust, air intake
and jetting to match.
The ( original ) owner says it might be due to a fresh top end, the bike
has 38,000 miles on it, although it has good compression and does not leak
or burn any oil. It looks pretty simple, as it is prior to any extra EPA
garbage. The owner claims this model puts out a little over 75hp when it
was "tuned" 15 years back, which seems kind of high for a 2 cylinder 750.
It does seem pretty quick. I drove it for about 30 minutes and couldn't
find a flaw with anything.
Is this a good beginner bike for a hobbiest mechanic that loves to "tinker"
with engines?
Any pitfalls I should know about with this model?
Are parts generally available for 25 yr old hondas?
What would be a fair price for this bike? ( us located )
Posted by frijoli on April 3, 2009, 10:40 pm
James Patterson wrote:
> I was considering buying an old 83 750 honda shadow.
>
> The bike looks mint, runs perfect, it is obviously well maintained. Shiny
> chrome, nice paint. New tread front & rear, all cables smooth working, etc.
> No signs of any mishap or accident. I'm a former mechanic, so not too
> worried about it needing a bit of work. I'm a little concerned about the
> age, parts availability, etc. It has high performance exhaust, air intake
> and jetting to match.
>
> The ( original ) owner says it might be due to a fresh top end, the bike
> has 38,000 miles on it, although it has good compression and does not leak
> or burn any oil. It looks pretty simple, as it is prior to any extra EPA
> garbage. The owner claims this model puts out a little over 75hp when it
> was "tuned" 15 years back, which seems kind of high for a 2 cylinder 750.
> It does seem pretty quick. I drove it for about 30 minutes and couldn't
> find a flaw with anything.
>
> Is this a good beginner bike for a hobbiest mechanic that loves to "tinker"
> with engines?
> Any pitfalls I should know about with this model?
> Are parts generally available for 25 yr old hondas?
> What would be a fair price for this bike? ( us located )
>
>
Is it cheap? The Only way I would buy one, because I think they are ugly.
Not a bad bike. fairly docile, pretty reliable. I don't think 75HP is
realistic though, but I can't remember that particualr engine rating
It's a Honda so it worth a little because of that.
You shouldn't need to tinker much with that one.
Clay
Posted by James Patterson on April 4, 2009, 3:24 pm
> Is it cheap? The Only way I would buy one, because I think they are ugly.
> Not a bad bike. fairly docile, pretty reliable. I don't think 75HP is
> realistic though, but I can't remember that particualr engine rating
> It's a Honda so it worth a little because of that.
> You shouldn't need to tinker much with that one.
> Clay
Found the specs for it, stock it was 68HP @ 7500 rpm. Personally I really
like the looks of it. Looks exactly like:
http://www.totalmotorcycle.com/submittedphotos/1983HondaVT750Shadow-SusanRobertson.jpgThink
I'm going to make a low ball offer!Thanks!
Posted by Anonymous on April 4, 2009, 5:43 pm
>> Is it cheap? The Only way I would buy one, because I think they are ugly.
>> Not a bad bike. fairly docile, pretty reliable. I don't think 75HP is
>> realistic though, but I can't remember that particualr engine rating
>> It's a Honda so it worth a little because of that.
>>
>> You shouldn't need to tinker much with that one.
>>
>> Clay
> Found the specs for it, stock it was 68HP @ 7500 rpm. Personally I really
> like the looks of it. Looks exactly like:
>
http://www.totalmotorcycle.com/submittedphotos/1983HondaVT750Shadow-SusanRobertson.jpgThink
> I'm going to make a low ball offer!Thanks!
http://www.totalmotorcycle.com/submittedphotos/1983HondaVT750Shadow-SusanRobertson.jpg
It's probably loud enough ti piss-off your neighbors.
Posted by James Patterson on April 5, 2009, 10:40 pm
> It's probably loud enough ti piss-off your neighbors.
Picked it up today! It does have a nice sound to it.
Was cold ride, about a 20 mile drive in 30 temps. Bike seems a little
light at expressway speeds and 35mph cross/head winds. Otherwise running
strong, no oil leaks, etc.... Happy with my purchase so far.
For good measure when I got home, I pulled the carbs off, soaked in carb
cleaner, just ordered a fuel filter, new set of floats, and needle valves.
Do the diaphragm springs ever wear out or lose tension? The fuel lines
seem a little hardened so probably be replacing them also with the filter.
Will also be changing all fluids, engine oil, forks oil, brake & clutch
fluid.
Anything else I might want to do or check on a 26 yr old bike before riding
season?
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>
> The bike looks mint, runs perfect, it is obviously well maintained. Shiny
> chrome, nice paint. New tread front & rear, all cables smooth working, etc.
> No signs of any mishap or accident. I'm a former mechanic, so not too
> worried about it needing a bit of work. I'm a little concerned about the
> age, parts availability, etc. It has high performance exhaust, air intake
> and jetting to match.
>
> The ( original ) owner says it might be due to a fresh top end, the bike
> has 38,000 miles on it, although it has good compression and does not leak
> or burn any oil. It looks pretty simple, as it is prior to any extra EPA
> garbage. The owner claims this model puts out a little over 75hp when it
> was "tuned" 15 years back, which seems kind of high for a 2 cylinder 750.
> It does seem pretty quick. I drove it for about 30 minutes and couldn't
> find a flaw with anything.
>
> Is this a good beginner bike for a hobbiest mechanic that loves to "tinker"
> with engines?
> Any pitfalls I should know about with this model?
> Are parts generally available for 25 yr old hondas?
> What would be a fair price for this bike? ( us located )
>
>