Not so much a problem, more a quandry

[guest7]

I need a gruntier bike to haul my work sidecar around. I'm retiring the venerable XBR to family sidecar duties only.

I would like a middleweight twin, preferably shaft drive, definitely cheap. My first thought was the Honda VT500, which would be ideal as long as I can graft on a different front end.

But what other bikes would fit the bill?

The CB500 is an obvious choice, despite being chain drive, as is the ER5, but both are at the wrong end of my price range.

Any ideas?

Cheers
GC

[guest18]

The suzuki 500, can't remember the letters  They seem to be dirt cheap as the finish is s***e and the journos prefer the Honda because it's a gnats whotsit faster round some irrelevant circle of tarmac

Or look for a low miles owned by an old guy gt550 or 750 Kawa. Bl**dy marvelous bikes!

VT500's are all couriered to death or overpriced when I've seen them.. buy with *great* suspicion.

I would say don't limit yourself to a twin, in fact don't limit yourself to any particular "sort" of bike. You're looking for value here... a working bike not a toy.. watch carefully and get a cynic to go with you... then look for a good price on a reliable motor in *standard* trim (if modified AT ALL walk away very quickly) you want local (no point paying good money travelling and like the threat goes "you know where they stay") and you want a bargain that wont cost money to maintain. Ask friends in garages to look for trade ins...

There's more but it's bedtime!!
Good luck 

[guest7]

Suzuki GS500 is a good idea, but the frame 'tubes' are square so I'd have to shell out on new fittings... which are not cheap.

GC

[Andy M]

BONNEVILLE 

Air cooled, both pistons rise and fall together so it runs like a two stroke single, hard to break, pretty corrosion resistant (except the silencers), fantastic choice of accessories, made in Britain, has a proper frame with bolt out sections, huge alternator for the style of bike, decent amount of spares on e-bay etc. etc.

Ok, not shaft drive, but at 12000 miles I'm maybe halfway through the first chain, which I've adjusted four times (including punctures). You'll pick up a 2000 or 2001 for a couple of grand and sidecar fitting will only require a subframe for the centre stand mounting point, the rest is round tube.

Andy

[SteveC#222]

Suzuki GS650?  ok it's a four but it's shaft drive, proper bike (round tubes) old enough to be cheap and suzi 4' are generally pretty reliable (apart from reg/rec's).I know a bloke who had one for years with few problems.

[img]www.totalmotorcycle.com/.../1982SuzukiGS650G.jpg[img]

[SteveC#222]

Bugger! that didn't work!  try this

[guest7]

Good call, although I remember Jethro moaning about how thirsty his was (hitched to a light Velorex chair).

I might keep an eye open for one. I did have a 650 Katana for a while and that was a lovely bike to ride.

GC

[trophydave]

I think that VT500s have died a death,I don't remember seeing one in years.How about an NTV 600/650?Shaft drive,v twin.Either owned by couriers or steady riders,nice ones do come up now and again.Transalps are a bit tall but I have seen pictures of them with chairs.Kwak GTs will do immense mileages.My GT750 was the worst handling bike that I have owned and it seemed to rust before your eyes.
It depends how big you want to go.VX800 Suzuki if you can find one.900 Diversion.Hinkley Triumph triples are cheap now especially the basic Trident.Strong engine,big solid spine frame,no frame tubes under the engine if that makes a differance.Two up and a ton of luggage did not seem to affect my Trophy.
Getting silly now,GSX 1100G,the shaft drive version of the GSXR1100,that would shift with a chair.

[SteveC#222]

GC have you seen this?

GS 650

[Steve Lake]

Now if it's grunt you want....try a Confederate  :-)

[squirrelciv]

GC My brother-in-law has a NVT650, '95 with18K miles, MOTed till Oct wants £800. Any good to you? Slim, water cooled, shafty. Sounds ideal to me.

[guest7]

I agree it's ideal, but
1. too much for my limited budget
2. not much of a frame to speak of so would need an expensive fitting kit

But... thanks for suggesting it. ordinarily I'd have jumped at it.

Cheers
GC

[squirrelciv]

Nearly jumped at it myself! If only he didn't want money for it

[guest7]

I don't suppose the fact that I once gave him a complete running 400/4 would sway the price at all? 

GC

[squirrelciv]

Might be a good opening line in negotiations If you want to try your arm, ring me and I'll give you his number