OzVMX Forum
Clubroom => Bike Talk => Topic started by: Tahitian_Red on June 14, 2013, 05:09:56 am
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Well after my recent "Near Death Experience" I think it is decision time on some of the bikes that are in the que. Looking for some opinions on what should go on the list and what should stay. Here are the bikes I need to decide on:
1. '79 KX250 spare (complete with title and should run, but in need of resto)
2. '76 Husky 360CR project
3. '75 KTM 250MX project (nearly finished)
4. '72 RT2MX (frame, engine and parts)
5. '88 Honda CR250 (nice)
Bikes I never thought I would put on a list:
1. '83 Honda CR480 (Great spare that was gonna become my ME480)
2. '78 Husky 250CR (Great bike, but not sure if I'll ever race it again)
3. '81 Can-Am MX-6b 250 (One of my favs, but will probably not race it again)
4. '74 Montesa VR (in boxes)
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Not sure what age group you are in Tahitian, but let's not jump to descisions too early.
Also might be a good time to select someone to do some riding of you bikes on your behalf. It's very gratifying to watch someone else do well on a bike that you've prepared and mentored over.
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Do you have any pics of the KTM?
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I like your taste in bikes, Jay. Very similar to my own ;).
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Not sure what age group you are in Tahitian, but let's not jump to descisions too early.
Also might be a good time to select someone to do some riding of you bikes on your behalf. It's very gratifying to watch someone else do well on a bike that you've prepared and mentored over.
Just trying to limit expenditures on finishing what I keep, so decisions need to be made. I was thinking about the sponsorship part this afternoon. I might do that until I sort out the health and risk/reward issues.
Slakewell,
I'm leaning towards keeping the KTM, just because it would be cheaper to finish than most of the others, but the VR would finish my Spanish Ladies trio.
The problem is I have "Firko-itis". ;)
I buy future projects and then start stashing away trick parts for them. The Husky 360CR for example already has a set of Ohlins built for it along with a set of billet triple-clamps and I haven't even started to work on it yet.
;D
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Red, I'm in a similar boat to you where I did a superman off a bike doing 50mph and smashed my pelvis amongst other things, the Doc's have said 12 to 18 months off for recouperation. My initial thoughts where to flog most of them off ( I have 20 odd) and keep my favorates. I also have quite a few in the "one day" basket. My wife who never really likes what I do as far as bikes go said to me after a few days in hospital just to slow down when I get better and not to sell any....go figure that....mate, just sleep on it for a few weeks and it will come to you what to do.
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red you really have to look after your ticker ,a broken pelvis is a different kettle off fish
don't sell till you give it a bit off time there are other options ,I love building old maico but I don't race since my forkked liver and diabetes took over my life ,im just happy now to find good bargains and tinker and bling :P
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Red, I'm in a similar boat to you where I did a superman off a bike doing 50mph and smashed my pelvis amongst other things, the Doc's have said 12 to 18 months off for recouperation. My initial thoughts where to flog most of them off ( I have 20 odd) and keep my favorates. I also have quite a few in the "one day" basket. My wife who never really likes what I do as far as bikes go said to me after a few days in hospital just to slow down when I get better and not to sell any....go figure that....mate, just sleep on it for a few weeks and it will come to you what to do.
Joan that's because Sue is a keeper ;D you give her a big hug and get her some flowers ;) your a lucky fella most women would seize the opportunity to get rid of blokes toys ::)
Red as the Boys have said don't be to Hastie in getting rid of stuff , I know exactly where your coming from but just don't rush in to soon :)
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I'm the same, I'm selling off the bikes that I don't have an emotional relationship with. Last years health crisis and turning 63 has made me realise that I'll never finish all of my bikes or ever ride motocross again. There was a time when I'd build three or four good bikes a year but it's now down to one, maybe two per year. I've (sort of) worked out which bikes are going and which are staying.....I'm leaning more towards keeping the dirt trackers because I can still ride them and just maintaining my core motocross favourites,the Cheney RT1, Maico 350, TriBSA, Hindall RT2MX and Maico Metisse pre 65 project to let my mates race at the big meets....... I've pretty much decided that the Hindall Ducati, Hindall DT1, Boyd and Stellings TM400 and Rickman Zundapp/Maico project are all on borrowed time (and all pretty much spoken for already). My problem is that I love building them so I'll keep a few of the projects like the C77 Honda twin flat tracker, TM250 flat tracker and TriBSA pre 60 project and Trackmaster 650 street tracker Triumph project to tide me over for the next couple of years. The Shell Yamaha 750 arrives in a couple of weeks so it jumps to the head of the queue and will be the exclusive 'only' project until its ready for the track. Luckily it's all restored so it should just be an assembly job.....(famous last words)..........and then there's the frames, wheels, tanks and engines.....all going unless they're for one of my keeper projects.
Someone recently told me that getting rid of stuff is like cleansing the soul.......I'll soon know what they're talking about ???.
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Firko my old mate dont be to hasty selling bikes to fund the "kiwi tee shirt" parcell.AB's rebuilding and some good auzie forwards emerging you could have a good year!!
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Firko my old mate dont be to hasty selling bikes to fund the "kiwi tee shirt" parcell.AB's rebuilding and some good auzie forwards emerging you could have a good year!!
After watching the All Blacks last week against a piss poor France I don't think I've got any worries about sending t shirts over to NZ this year......
sorry for thread hijack, resume normal viewing ;).
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I love the husky 360 here is a pic of mine.
(http://i1357.photobucket.com/albums/q747/Slakewell1/husky01_zps4ed396c6.jpg)
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Not sure what age group you are in Tahitian, but let's not jump to descisions too early.
Also might be a good time to select someone to do some riding of you bikes on your behalf. It's very gratifying to watch someone else do well on a bike that you've prepared and mentored over.
Wait and see , you may change your mind.
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Jeez you guys are depressing me, not sure what to do--nearer 70 than 60 & thought i might sell all my crap but it's worth 'nothing' [if you've seen a sample up here somewhere]. Only worth something to 'me' & [as happened once before, many years back] only i'd know how to start them or keep them running. Sold my regular RT2 thingy & took it back a week later--took pity on the guy. [probably still suffering from RT2 itis 20+ years later from not knowing how to start it]. Actually saw him coming out of the doctors the other day so waited till he'd gone before i went in, [true]. Even dragged my Lada Niva 4wd [no jokes please] out of the hay shed today [what a mess], been probably 2-3 years since it ran but hand primed the fuel pump, blead the clutch, hooked a couple of suspect batteries together & it "just" crawled over & bugger me it started & sounded good. Has quite big [good tread] tyres on that i got out of Beaurepaires rubbish bin way back. Got them home & had--had a knife put through the side of all of them F@#K it, so got 4 big special patches for the inside & glue gunned the split from the outside & seem ok for around here. Trouble is, i gave it a wash & vacuum & now i don't want to sell it [worth nothing anyway, like my bikes] so what does one do!!. When i go--the kids will just dig a "big" hole & push em in, 'they told me'!!, AHHH.
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Be carefull guys, I heard about one split where the frau said " you can have the house....but I'm having the shed!"
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Here is an update to the list. ;D
1. '79 KX250 spare (SOLD)
2. '76 Husky 360CR project (SOLD Tank, Motor & Billet Clamps-Keeping Frame)
3. '75 KTM 250MX project (Finishing up now and will probably keep)
4. '72 RT2MX (Keeping as RT2MX?YZ hybrid project)
5. '88 Honda CR250 (On eBAY Now)
Bikes I never thought I would put on a list:
1. '83 Honda CR480 (50/50)
2. '78 Husky 250CR (Could go either way at this point)
3. '81 Can-Am MX-6b 250 (Will keep and install Fox Factory Suspension)
4. '74 Montesa VR (Taken out of boxes to evaluate)
5. '74 Ossa Phantom #2 (Added to list and on eBAY Now)
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Some very hard decisions there friend, may the new owners all be as passionate as yourself. Cheers mate and good health Tim754
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Latest Update:
1. '79 KX250 spare (SOLD)
2. '76 Husky 360CR project (Gave roller frame away to someone who raced one in his youth)
3. '75 KTM 250MX project (The "Falta-nator" is a keeper)
4. '72 RT2MX (Keeping as RT2MX Barry Watkins Replica project)
5. '88 Honda CR250 (SOLD)
Bikes I never thought I would put on a list:
1. '83 Honda CR480 #2 (Still 50/50)
2. '78 Husky 250CR (Gonna keep it for now)
3. '81 Can-Am MX-6b 250 (Will keep and install Fox Factory Suspension)
4. '74 Montesa VR (Almost ready to start putting together)
5. '74 Ossa Phantom #2 (Did not sell on eBAY ??? Will think about my options)
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What about the El Camino mate? ::)
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Firko,
Holding on to it for now and hoping to win the Lotto and restore that baby! ;)
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I would have thought the Ossa was special one... are they more common than I thought?
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John,
It is a racer and not completely stock. The frame is modified and the lower end is from a '71 Stiletto MX (close ratio 5 spd) with rebuilt Phantom top end and the Yamaha rod conversion, but I was offering it with a perfect '74 Phantom frame and a very hard to find '75 Phantom GP lower end (better gearbox). I thought I had it at a reasonable starting bid of $1899 USD. 30 watchers and no bids. I was shocked. Oh well it doesn't hurt me one bit to keep her in the stable.
;D
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That is interesting that no one bid... I would have thought they were sought after
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Oh well it doesn't hurt me one bit to keep her in the stable.
Yeah, I'm very surprised it didn't sell, either to here or the US. Oh well, it might just be a blessing in disguise.
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Be carefull guys, I heard about one split where the frau said " you can have the house....but I'm having the shed!"
I said the exact opposite to my former other half...... She can have the house but keep your grubby paws off of my shed!
The thing with all our toys (bikes, cars etc.) is that we are only custodians of them. I've spent countless hours on bike resto's and said to myself "I will never let this one go"..... BUT, someone comes along who offers good money (ie, I don't lose money) and before I know it, that keeper has gone to a new home where it will get ridden or admired by someone else. Besides, there is another bike waiting to be built........
Then there are the times where life isn't going so well and a "NEED" takes precedence over a "DESIRE". It seems most of us go through some sort of bullshite with health or finances and something has to give.
Don't be too hard on yourself for having to make some hard decisions on what to keep and what to let go. Without our health, all the toys are not worth much to us. Besides, most of our bikes go to good homes for someone else to enjoy.
Keep a few projects to keep the eye in.... you never know what might be around the corner :D
Cheers,
Mark
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That was the reason the Frau said she wanted the shed TBM ;)
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Had an epiphany moment walking back from the Super Market today; I'm a Hoarder! :(
Latest Updates:
1. '79 KX250 spare (SOLD)
2. '79 KX250 racer (Cleaning up for sale now)
3. '76 Husky 360CR project (Gave roller frame away to someone who raced one in his youth)
4. '75 KTM 250MX (50/50)
5. '88 Honda CR250 (SOLD)
Bikes I never thought I would put on a list:
1. '83 Honda CR480 #2 (Keeper)
2. '78 Honda CR250 (Fixing up for sale)
3. '78 Husky 250CR (50/50)
4. '81 Can-Am MX-6b 250 (Probably best to let it go)
5. '74 Montesa VR (Selling as project)
6. '74 Ossa Phantom #2 (SOLD)
7. '71 RT1 (Sell after racing it a bit first)
The two 100's (MX and TM) may be up for sale soon and (Blashpemy) maybe even Phantom #3. :'(
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So what's wrong with being a Hoarder . Iain
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Nothng, actually I'm an S.O.H. ( Son of a Hoarder). ;)
Just gotta make life less complicated. A garage full, a few in the backyard and two storage units is just too much, especially when death could be around the next corner (trying hard to not think that way though).
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I'm an S.O.H. ( Son of a Hoarder).
I'm the opposite, my dad was a minimalist who saw no need for 'stuff' he didn't use or need. He had one watch while I've got 28, one car at a time while I've always had at least two, he had three pairs of shoes but I don 't know how many I've got, he had one hammer while I have 14 (out of curiosity I counted them the other day)......and so on, you get the idea. I think I'm rebelling against my dads austerity. Ironically, while Dad was alive my mother was the same as him but now 35 years after his death she's got an Imelda Marcos style shoe collection and more jingles jangles and watches than a 94 year old can handle. I didn't call myself a hoarder until one of my neighbours came over to borrow a spanner (wrench) and saw just how much 'stuff' I had. What I thought was typical of most blokes sheds collection totally freaked him out. He reckoned it was like being in a grown up toy shop. Thankfully I haven't got half a dozen old cars on the front lawn that "I'm going to restore one day" and bikes in the spare bedroom as one bloke I once knew had.
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I don't believe a bloke can have too much "stuff" in the shed. Like you Firko, my family was very minimalist. I didn't inherit those values! It's great to always have "the next project" waiting. For a while there, I did indeed have bikes in the house. They were the restored "keepers" that I didn't want schwarf and dust all over so the house was the obvious choice. The hallway looked excellent with 74, 76 and 79 Elsinores and my beloved B50 adorning it. There were 3 mini XR's in the spare room. Now the house is empty of bikes, bar one XR, as I've slowly made a dent in the resto's and most have gone to new homes. They ended up being too good to ride....The 79 elsinore and B50 are now racers living in the shed and the others are long gone. There's still a few projects waiting in the shed. As a matter of fact, I've just started on the B44 after painting the frame and collecting all the parts well over 2 years ago. I assembled the wheels yesterday. It took just as long to clean them up to how they were when I first started 2 plus years ago as it did to reassemble them! Then there's the 2 Bedford vans waiting patiently to be transformed into 1 race bike transporter. Lucky I decided to move the Statesman project on. It was all getting a bit overwhelming every time I looked at them. What am I doing here, I need to be in the cave with tools in hand ;D
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Yes Firko, i hoard 'Reading Glasses' like they're going out of fashion. When my parents were alive, dad had cheapy reading glasses everywhere---now i have $2 shop glasses in ever increasing strength spread from here to the farm to the car to the shed etc. Still prefer mums old granny glasses for close up stuff & arc welding [in the helmet of course]. Plus 27 bikes--but i Don't hoard bikes--'do i'!! Cheers. ps just counted 5 cars but only two legal ones.
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Latest Updates:
1. '88 Honda CR250 (SOLD)
2. '83 Honda CR480 (50/50)
3. '81 Can-Am MX-6b 250 (Listed for sale locally)
4. '79 KX250 spare (SOLD)
5. '79 KX250 racer (Fixing up for sale now)
6. '78 Husky 250CR (50/50)
7. '76 Husky 360CR project (Given away)
8. '75 KTM 250MX (Getting ready to sell)
9. '74 Montesa VR (SOLD)
10. '74 Ossa Phantom (SOLD)
11. '74 Suzuki TM100 (Fixing up for sale now)
12. '71 Yamaha RT1 (Selling after racing it a bit first?)
I didn't realize until I stuck the lists together that by next Spring it would be a dozen bikes. What a difference the past 5 months have made in life's priorities. After listing the Can-Am MX-6 (my favorite racer) for sale I realized there is a good chance I may never race Vintage MX again. The thought of going off somewhere by myself to race and possibly never coming back is looming large. It used to be my little weekend escape (like a fishing or hunting trip), but now getting away from my family isn't as an exciting proposition as it once was. Maybe that's a good thing.
;)
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Red,I guess most of us have done or will reach that point at some stage...whatever is right for you is the right thing to do ;)
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EXACTLY as above, whatever makes YOU and your FAMILY comfortable is what really counts Mr Red, if it makes you smile and your family is ok with it, DO IT MATE! I know i am, a year ago, came across an RM465 good clean bike, needs some love, bought it, now whilst picking it up the seller, a guy i now consider a friend, showed MY WIFE a very very original and 9 out of 10 RM500, my Wife insisted i buy that one too, she now has me chasing a MC490 Maico, she says life is too short and that we should do it NOW! She is currently having Cancer treatment but her attitude is the same as always, LIVE it up, doesnt mean live it "large" or expensively, just ENJOY the short time wall have on this planet, IF IT MAKES YOU SMILE DO IT! Its about time you come visit our great land too?
all the best to you and yours,
Kt
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Jay, I can understand your dilemma. After last year twice shaking hands with the ICU unit Nurse Ratchet, seven separate stays in four different hospitals and 3 months with a cholestomy bag hooked up to my dick I thought it was all over, red rover. I didn't see any future for me in the sport I loved, in fact I didn't see myself having much more time on Planet Earth. Then I slowly got a bit better and then eventually a lot better and along with my increased health came a renewed interest in my old bikes. I'm still not 100% but my lifestyle is almost back to normal, I'm building new bikes and now understand and accept that I probably won't race motocross again....and I'm cool with it. The plan now is to continue to get better, lose another 25 kg and start up a new career as a pit boss/team owner, offering my bikes to friends and young guys so they can experience vintage racing. I've not hung the helmet up all together though, I've figured (correctly) that Vintage Dirt Track is a lot easier on old bones so I'm assembling a little stash of dirt trackers to keep me racing.
That heart attack frightened the shit out of you mate, it's a totally normal reaction. I've never met you but I've come to understand that you really have a passion for old bikes so before you sell up all of your stash and revel in the empty garage and wonder what you ever did with your time before old bikes, hold on to the few bikes that ring your bells, go through the rehabilitation phase and see how you feel on the other end. The bikes can be a great tool in the 'getting well' process as I've discovered. They offer you a goal to get well and give you something to concentrate on instead of the worry of being sick.
Its about time you come visit our great land too?
Yep....You've got mates down here so why not consider a trip down here once you're feeling a bit better........mi casa su casa ;D. Classic Dirt's a good place to start or a road trip to Port Augusta for the Nats.
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The thought of going off somewhere by myself to race and possibly never coming back is looming large. It used to be my little weekend escape (like a fishing or hunting trip), but now getting away from my family isn't as an exciting proposition as it once was. Maybe that's a good thing.
Death passed our door a lot in September and I've come to the big realisation that its you that's dead, not your family, not your friends, nor your mates and everything else you leave when your gone.
So don't sit around moping and sad, worry about spending extra time here or there,just get right in and just do it for yourself :P :) 8)
ps good movie the "Bucket List"
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What Firko said! But i reckon the Conondale Classic is a better bet, at least you can be sure that will actually be happening!!!
All the rest of Firkos post (too graphical parts aside) is spot on!
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Jay, don't sell all your bikes, your 'factory' rider's coming over and needs a good bike with team support ;-) Plus if you come here I have a bike and a track for you to ride on as much as you like.
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Thanks fellas! :)
I told my wife once that when I turned 50 I wanted to go to Australia, but that passed me by. What the heck maybe I will come down and play with the spiders, snakes, crocs, great whites, jelly fish and VMX bikes.
;)
John,
I'm not selling all of them (look at the large list in my signature line). I'm still looking forward to being the Vintage MX version of Mitch Payton, it's just that I may not be joining you out on the track.
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Red do I have to come over there and kick your butt . Like a lot of others here Ive had the hand shake with the Reaper and spat in his eye . After my heart attack and quad bypass (full port and polish of which a few members said they could have done instead of going to hospital ) I couldn't ride for a while but if I didn't have my stash of junk or something to live for I would have possibly given up . Tinkering in the shed saved me man, now 7 years later Im back a bit slower (its always in the back of your mind ) just remember he who dies with the most stuff wins . Iain
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All of the above Red man. I'm a paramedic and I see em come and see em go all the time. Big lesson for me is your a long time dead. Their going take me out kicking and screaming. J
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Addition to my last post when I go you can all fight over my stash just pay my partner a fair price , its my super . ps I intend to out live most of you lot so I can increase my hoard with all of the treasures you lot will leave behind . lol Iain ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D
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I'd like to take the opportunity to thank Jay on a great transaction of money for a very good bike. I got a fantastic deal!
Don't hesitate as he is a top bloke and eager to please.
Cheers mate.
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Brad,
You make me sound like a Filipino Bar-Girl. ;D
Great working with you too! I posted in another thread, but I might have an extra Phantom tank, if you need it.
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Mr Red, like Firko said, having bikes around is great therapy. I've danced with the reaper a few times and each time I thought that all my fun times were over. It has always been bikes that kept me sane and determined to get well again. Once they're in your blood, ya can't live without them, however that may be. Even just going to shows or a wander to the race track to watch, listen and smell is good for the soul when times are bad. Just recently I've been "stuck" in a vicious circle BUT being able to get in the shed and tinker with my bikes has kept me "entertained" and my mind busy on things other than my health problems. Hang in there mate, you're a long time dead.....
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Mr Red, like Firko said, having bikes around is great therapy. I've danced with the reaper a few times and each time I thought that all my fun times were over. It has always been bikes that kept me sane and determined to get well again. Once they're in your blood, ya can't live without them, however that may be. Even just going to shows or a wander to the race track to watch, listen and smell is good for the soul when times are bad. Just recently I've been "stuck" in a vicious circle BUT being able to get in the shed and tinker with my bikes has kept me "entertained" and my mind busy on things other than my health problems. Hang in there mate, you're a long time dead.....
"You will never see a bike parked outside a phsychiatrists"
So said someone once. :)
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Red, you could keep a few and play ride, maybe something like ISDT reunion, which I'm doing next year. Who would have thought I'd ever love a Husqvarna and compete away from the mx track? Had more challenges with kids past few years, but they always love a track day, getting bikes going for them. Take care of your health, and stress level too. I have a t shirt with that on it, you never see a motorcycle parked outside a psychiatrist office.
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Red I know it may not be wise to trust someone that says "Trust Me" but um Trust Me as I have or moreover are.. now and then... on the not so flash health side of things.
All I wish to pass on to you is I too have kept a small core of the biggest personal smile bringing and tinker time bikes. Found not only does it make the old body sit up and feel strong, it also greatly assists trap and keep caged a truly insidious soul destroying killer, the black dog of depression that latches on to your back. Tim754 ;)
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Brad,
You make me sound like a Filipino Bar-Girl. ;D
Great working with you too! I posted in another thread, but I might have an extra Phantom tank, if you need it.
And he love you long time…
About that phantom tank. Price and condition please.
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The Latest:
1. '88 Honda CR250 (SOLD)
2. '83 Honda CR480 (Getting ready)
3. '81 Can-Am MX-6b 250 (I think I have it sold)
4. '79 KX250 spare (SOLD)
5. '79 KX250 racer (Fixing up for sale now)
6. '78 Husky 250CR (Gonna get it ready)
7. '76 Husky 360CR project (Given away)
8. '75 KTM 250MX (Getting ready to sell)
9. '74 Montesa VR (SOLD)
10. '74 Ossa Phantom (SOLD)
11. '74 Suzuki TM100 (Fixing up for sale now)
12. '71 Yamaha RT1 (Selling after racing it a bit first?)
I think I'm gonna keep my old bike total to single digit. That means that one of the bikes listed below will have to go sometime.
;)
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Numbers are all single digits strung together....