Questions On Refurishing

[solisity]

Hello all,

 

I lack the required information but I would like to build a rough plan for financing. Please help if you can, thanks!

 

I'm getting a Suzuki Intruder 125 from a good buddy.

Checked it out, engine's good and all. However I, soon to be the 3rd owner of her would like to refurbish, shine and make her look like new again.

 

Heres the check list:

Her exhaust has a slight dent but it's hardly noticable. (Any ideas?)

 

I'm looking to re-chrome her again (Estimated costs? Any good deals in town?)

 

One of her signal lights are being held together by duck tape. Yup..!

(Any idea of how much the replacement will cost? I don't mind after-market lights)

 

The engine blocks are losing their shine.

(Any idea how much or how I can shine them back up?)

 

Some screws are brown.

(Is metalic paint a good idea? Or should I change them? If so how much?)

 

I need to change the cluch plates. (It should cost $250?)

 

Last but not least, insurance. Being the 3rd owner of this bike, any rough idea how much it would be for a 19 year old?

 

Too many questions, my apologies. I'm still quite new to this but I would really like to renew and care for this cruiser I'm getting. Please drop some tips or information if you can.

 

Thank you for your time,

Cheers!

[maniahk]

hmm for a start i think u mite want to ride the bike for some time first before deciding to spend on stuff more cosmetic like re-chroming and ur exhaust.. as for the signal lights maybe u can make a trip to LAB c wad dey haf to offer? not sure which engine block losing shine u referring to coz i dun rmbr engine block shld shine anw.. haha.. but if its chrome u'r referring to, i'd recommend turtle wax chrome polish.. cant rmbr e price but shld be less den 7bucks.. u can replace rusted screws w stainless steel ones if u wish, dere's a shop selling near LAB.. clutch plates not so much la.. abt 60 i think ba.. n add in another bottle of engine oil.. as for how much insurance will cost u may wanna chat thru pm w me.. will not recommend u spend too much money cosmetically ba.. in my opinion u'd wanna ug to 2a in a yr's time b4 u noe it..

[solisity]

Originally posted by maniahk@March 13, 2007 02:00 am

make a trip to LAB c wad dey haf to offer?

Thanks maniahk,

 

If I'm not wrong LAB is Ah Boy's shop right?

 

Anyway, I found a link on refurbishing your bike. Here it is: http://www.totalmotorcycle.com/restoring.htm

 

If anyone has any other tips or opinions please share.

[Demon]

This is usually what I do :

 

1. I will get everything working in stock condition. Give her a complete servicing, change all fluids, spark-plugs, brake pads and shoes, and see how well runs. If she still runs like crap, then you may want to abort. You wouldn't want to finish restoring it only to discover that a major item, such as crankcase, needs replacing. If the engine and gears need works, you may want to re-consider restoring it especially for a bike which has little or no collector's value.

 

2. You should have an idea what the finished bike going to look. There are alot of pics on the net, so do a search. Do you have enough funds to complete the restoration to your expectation ? What's the level of your skillset, or you plan be totally dependent on outside mechanics.

 

3. Do you have dedicated space to dismantle the bike, otherwise, you have to cater extra time to pack and unpack everytime to work on the bike.

 

4. Stainless steel screws and nuts are cheap, and doesn't affect downtime. Chroming works will easily take 1 week. Also check part's price, because a good chrome may cost slightly less than a new part.

 

5. Try to get hold of the bike manual.

 

Good luck

 

 

 

 

[plasticblackspecs]

Originally posted by Demon@March 13, 2007 06:26 pm

This is usually what I do :

 

1. I will get everything working in stock condition. Give her a complete servicing, change all fluids, spark-plugs, brake pads and shoes, and see how well runs. If she still runs like crap, then you may want to abort. You wouldn't want to finish restoring it only to discover that a major item, such as crankcase, needs replacing. If the engine and gears need works, you may want to re-consider restoring it especially for a bike which has little or no collector's value.

That's good advice. Very good. Oh you might wanna try some elbow grease. I know a friend of mine who always cleans his bike. After a few years, his bike looks better than a brand new bike. But you need discipline for that la. I damn lazy, just clean teh exterior, all the interior never clean. I see also all the dust and dirt, I start to clean abit, 2 secs later i give up. LOL

[solisity]

Thanks guys,

 

I know there is plenty of work to be done on the coming ride of mine. I really don't mind the effort. I like to take things and make them look like new again. But true, being the 3rd owner I should be more concerned about the engine and interior before I consider the exterior.

 

I really like this ride and the Honda Shadow 125. (Basically cruisers in this field, excluding Phantoms) However, I've walked down Lavender and looked at some of those bike shops near Queen's Town area. Like I-Motoring, Hong Nan Motor Agency or Universal Motors. Basically spent a whole day sweating it out scouting shop to shop. But none had the kind of ride I was looking for.

 

If anyone has a good lead of a bike shop selling a good range of 2nd hand cruisers, do leave the address or telephone so I can call and ask them what rides they have in the house. I don't mind walking in either.

 

Thanks a lot!

Cheers!

[plasticblackspecs]

That's the fun of riding. Bike hunting. I saw a Shadow 125 once. Must say I quite disappointed it looked like the Shadow 400. I dun like Phantom and dun want ppl to associated my Shadow with a 2B bike. That's me la lol

 

How bout Daelim bikes? Daystar and Magma? Or Yamaha Virago? Or Rebel? Or Bajaj? The rest I not sure. Actually I quite like Magma. My old bike You might wanna consider that?

[solisity]

Thanks bro but I think I'm sticking to Honda and Suzuki.

 

I like the Intruder's and Shadow's basic design. Long exhaust pipes, nice V-twin, to sum it up I like the feel these rides impose. The style, nice chrome shine, kick back relax feel.

 

The shops that sell them however, are really hard to find as these are 2000, 2001 makes.. (If I read up correctly)

[plasticblackspecs]

Tahan and go for 2A

[maniahk]

Originally posted by solisity@March 14, 2007 01:17 am

Thanks bro but I think I'm sticking to Honda and Suzuki.

 

I like the Intruder's and Shadow's basic design. Long exhaust pipes, nice V-twin, to sum it up I like the feel these rides impose. The style, nice chrome shine, kick back relax feel.

 

The shops that sell them however, are really hard to find as these are 2000, 2001 makes.. (If I read up correctly)

hmm e only 2b v-twin i noe is e hyosung aquila.. size wise i feel its v big for a 2b, abt e size of daystar but i think it looks better.. u mite wanna check it out too.. i rmbr dere was 1 on sale a while back, dunno if its sold already.. gd luck

[solisity]

Originally posted by Demon@March 13, 2007 06:26 pm

Give her a complete servicing, change all fluids, spark-plugs, brake pads and shoes, and see how well runs.

Any idea how much this will cost? $200-300 I guess?

[Demon]

Originally posted by solisity@March 14, 2007 01:12 pm

Any idea how much this will cost? $200-300 I guess?

DIY, less than $100

 

[solisity]

Alright, thanks a lot folks.