Impulse buys are the best.

Today I got a hankerin to look at the massive amount of people attempting to recoup some of that capitol they poured into the two-wheeled moneypit they purchased just after the weather got nice. I'm not picky about what I look at on craigslist's motorcycle page, but I do have a thing for vintage jap bikes.

My first was a 1983 KZ550. Bought for $350.00, partially rode but never fully, then turned around after a few cosmetic fixes for $500.00. God she was hot! Enjoy gawkinging at her below.

I've missed her so much over these past few years that I always said I'd get another. Well toay this showed up on craigslist: 1971 Honda CB500: seized engine. $199.00 . Long story short, the guy agreed at 200 for Saturday morning, then reposted it at 175. So I picked it up today instead for $25.00 off. Apparently someone wanted it gone. The only picture I have of it is right here in the truck.

What I can't believe is that it has only 3300 miles, and that there's almost no rust! The casings are pitted, but not beyond a good buffing. The forks have good compression, and all the blinkers look good. The tank is at about a 85%, with nearly no rust inside it and pretty nice paint still outside.

As these adventures in learn mostly what not to do when bringing a bike back to life, I encourage you to post your thoughts below on what I'm doing, and offer any insight that comes to mind.

I sprayed a whole buncha blaster into the cylinders, though I feel like it wasn't enough for some reason. The two center spark plug holes are so small that the outer diameter of my deep-well socket won't even fit in! The last gentleman had removed the plugs, and didn't put them back. Grrr, there's a whole bumch of bird/squirrel crap over the holes, and inevitably some in the chambers. What are your thoughts - should I try to vaccuum them out? Or just get it moving and burn it up?

The next step is to pickup a battery to check the electricles, hopefully they weren't a chew toy for some rodent! Also need to pickup a cheap set of clubman bars. about 30 a set, and will mount right up. Can't forget fresh grips! And a cafe-bump seat, and a. . . and a. . . and a. . . anda I should probably just focus on the running of the engine.

Cross your fingers!