Next project?

bosco659

bosco659

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Now the Shadow has been completed, I’m looking for the next project bike (post beetle). I’ve always been intrigued by thumpers. Last summer I attended a bike meet and met up with a guy that had a really cool Suzuki Savage. Any thoughts on what I might look out for? I’d most likely keep it close to stock.
 
Just doing more research on this, it looks like the Savage / S40 is kind of the same bike as my Shadow - entry level cruiser. Perhaps the wrong direction to go? What I’d really like (but probably can’t afford), is a vintage Ducati scrambler like a 450 Jupiter (and I know someone here has one - I’m jealous).

IMG_4083.png
 
There's something about a single. I've had too many, mostly supermotos - light, quick, great handling, fling 'em around, stop quick-as-you-can-think, uncomfortable, impractical, hooligan.

There's the XT500 or SR500 Yamahas? They still make an SR400 version - I have been tempted but can't help thinking it's got 100cc missing?

The Savage is kinda similar to the Shadow. Not a bike I knows as there ain't many around in the UK.

If you fancy the idea of a genuine 1940s motorcycle, buy any Bullet up to 2008. Will probably mean a resto project and there's precious little support available in N America. BUT easy to work on, parts are cheap and Hitchcocks send stuff anywhere in the World.

Or there's the UCE version post 2009, which comes in classic stylee similar to the older ones to look at?

OR the pretty-as-pie café racer Continental 535, made 2014-2019?

royal-enfield.jpg
 
Raymond said:
There's something about a single. I've had too many, mostly supermotos - light, quick, great handling, fling 'em around, stop quick-as-you-can-think, uncomfortable, impractical, hooligan.

There's the XT500 or SR500 Yamahas? They still make an SR400 version - I have been tempted but can't help thinking it's got 100cc missing?

The Savage is kinda similar to the Shadow. Not a bike I knows as there ain't many around in the UK.

If you fancy the idea of a genuine 1940s motorcycle, buy any Bullet up to 2008. Will probably mean a resto project and there's precious little support available in N America. BUT easy to work on, parts are cheap and Hitchcocks send stuff anywhere in the World.

Or there's the UCE version post 2009, which comes in classic stylee similar to the older ones to look at?

OR the pretty-as-pie café racer Continental 535, made 2014-2019?

View attachment 260311
Click to expand...
Love the look of the Continental.😍. Perhaps I should look into a RE.
 
An acquaintance of mine, new to motorcycles, bought an SR400. After a few days, he brought it to me thinking something was wrong with it. Seemed underpowered to him.

I test rode it and came back and gave him the bad news: It IS underpowered, but there's nothing wrong with it, it's just a pooch.

He traded it for a TW250 and went away happy.

I felt the same way about my SR500 back in the day. Uninspiring in stock form. Traded it for a Honda XL500 and went away happy.

They're pretty, but I've never been able to like one.
 
Downeaster said:
. . . I felt the same way about my SR500 back in the day. Uninspiring in stock form . . .
Click to expand...
Bought a new SR500 back in 1979, ran it in, then headed to Dixon Racing in Godalming to fit a 10.7:1 forged piston, a Kenny Harman drag racing camshaft, stronger valve springs and an uprated oil supply to the exhaust rocker shaft.

It went like stink - the change gave a helluva lot more torque. Well, for a while . . .
 
Raymond said:
That orange sickle looks fun for local errands. Kinda like what the VanVan coulda been but a lot better.
Click to expand...
I was thinking exactly the same thing. Wonder how difficult a build that would be? If it was primarily bolt on stuff that would be nice. Cool looking ride😍
 
Forest said:
I was shopping for a beginner bike in the summer of 2004. When I saw the Savage, I was sold.. I think it was the large single head/cylinder (and the thick pipe of course).
It was my beginner bike, but I'm still riding it 😁

(Has it really been 20 years!?)
Click to expand...
Still in stock form? The orange Savage posted above - do you think they are all custom parts (tank, seat, side covers)?
 
Pretty much.. except for the dragbar, Raask exhaust, a homemade LiFePO battery and a few missing parts (can you see my profile picture?).

On the orange one, I only recognize the frame, the headlamp and the fork. 😊 It looks heavily customized.
 
jetmechmarty said:
I like the Savage.

View attachment 260341View attachment 260342
Click to expand...
An elder English BSA mentor friend who moved to the area long ago stops occasionally to see mine and tries to talk me out of them cheap lol ,rides a Savage he’s personalized.It is a definite good choice for a build option.Not real commonly up for sale reasonable in this area.Those both are very appealing.🧐👍
 
Is the engine basically the same internally as the DR? If so then lots of performance stuff you can do and pretty durable
 
If I were desiring a single to build a custom around the 02 era BMW 650 CS with a healthy Rotax catches my eye.
The Very Strange body could become much more appealing easily by removing tail and tank exaggeration molding. Definitely a higher more flat seat. Fast and good handling is already there.
IMG_6407.jpeg
 

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