My apologies, in retrospect, my post sounded a bit too harsh on second hand bikes. For what it's worth, the point was merely to watch out when buying from strangers. Don't accept candy from them either!
+1 on the modification philosophy. Folks can easily go way, way overboard, especially if they become trapped within a small group of mod-crazy, self ordained "expert" types.
Here is a shining example of... odd things to do with good money?
MC Project: Triumphant Scrambler - Motorcyclist Magazine
Throughout this article, it is difficult to tell if the author is serious, or trying to make a sardonic point about spending heaps of money for... whatever. The end result is (if you add the purchase price of the bike) a $20,000 low performance (80 HP) bike that you would never recoup the costs on... ever. Remind me again about WHY a person would want to do this?
I see this a lot on a few of the (new) Royal Enfield and (new)Triumph Bonneville sites. It's perfectly OK to modify, and accessorise, don't get me wrong, but it needs to be percieved for what it is - modifying for mere fun, and localised - within the group - achievement. Problem is; It gets way out of hand when these guys start to believe they actually have built "High Performance" (I assume as opposed to walking... or a push bike) motorcycles. The next step is to belittle anyone who hasn't, and actually "bragging" about their super high performance, 85 HP offerings? One fantastic quote: "If the average rider rode my bike, it would scare the crap out of him". This, in reference to an 80 HP machine he had devised. Should this misguided fellow ride say a Hyabusa, better get out the Depends!
Imagine the long list of real "High Performance" bikes you could buy with $20,000. And under full warranty! And designed and manufactured throughout to support that performance. And with actual resale value!
Again, these are definitely noble attempts, and great fun, but when these guys start to take themselves waaay too seriously, look out! Otherwise I say go for it, if that is what floats yer boat. There IS perhaps something to be said about being the tallest dwarf in say, Des Moines, Iowa. Good for ya'.
Ride Safe! (and wear depends if necessary!)
Bob
Triumph in the Urban Enviroment
