It's finally time...

[chopped]

So it's finally time for me to start a bike project, I have found a few good CL deals and wanted everyones opinion on a good palce to start.

'84 honda shadow vt500..I like the look of the vtwin but it's shaft drive, would hardtailing this bike be difficult?

'78 yamaha xs650...parts are available everywhere...

both cost about the same- which would you buy, any other suggetions? My buget is right around $500 for the the bike, and you can find both the above bikes all day long on ebay and CL for that price.

the ultimate goal is a bobber, rigid frame solo seat (maybe a pad on the back fender for the girl- undecided) just a cruiser more a less, something to play with and save me some gas during my commute

[ZappBranigan]

So it's finally time for me to start a bike project, I have found a few good CL deals and wanted everyones opinion on a good palce to start.

'84 honda shadow vt500..I like the look of the vtwin but it's shaft drive, would hardtailing this bike be difficult?

'78 yamaha xs650...parts are available everywhere...

both cost about the same- which would you buy, any other suggetions? My buget is right around $500 for the the bike, and you can find both the above bikes all day long on ebay and CL for that price.

the ultimate goal is a bobber, rigid frame solo seat (maybe a pad on the back fender for the girl- undecided) just a cruiser more a less, something to play with and save me some gas during my commute

How about an old Honda 750? I saw a couple of 750 hardtail choppers at the show-and-swap earlier this month.

However, given the two you mentioned, I'd say the Yammi would be the better choice. I don't know how difficult it would be to hardtail a shaft-driven bike but I don't think it'd be easy. Also recall that the Shadow is a water cooled bike which means you have all the water cooling stuff to consider.

[chopped]

I would consider a cb as well, but I'm not too keen on the 4 cylinders, I'm going to be putting enough effort into the bike without having to worry aboug tuning 4 carbs ;) however...if the right deal came along I'd certainly consider it!

that shadow is water cooled, I didn't even think of that, thanks!!

[ZappBranigan]

I would consider a cb as well, but I'm not too keen on the 4 cylinders, I'm going to be putting enough effort into the bike without having to worry aboug tuning 4 carbs ;) however...if the right deal came along I'd certainly consider it!

that shadow is water cooled, I didn't even think of that, thanks!!

All of the Honda Shadows are water cooled. For an air-cooled alternative look at the Yamaha Virago or V-Star. The Vulcan 750 and 800 and the Suzuki Intruder 800 are also all water-cooled motors. The Suzuki Intruder 1400 is air/oil cooled so no radiator, cooling jacket or water pump to mess with.

I've owned a Virago before and it was a nice bike. Watch out for the starter, though, it's a notorious weak point. Something about the gears in the starter motor being made out of plastic or some such. Google "virago starter" and you'll find lots of info as well as a fix.

[chopped]

thanks for the info!! I like the looks of the Virago but I haven't found one that has a clean title in my price range yet...but the search continues! :beer:

[JeepWheelin02]

I don't know how difficult it would be to hardtail a shaft-driven bike but I don't think it'd be easy.

Its actually not that hard to do. A little bit of research, google is your friend, and you will know how. I did this on my first bike a long time ago.