Time for me to move on.

[LesterPiglet]

After my two bikes were nearly stolen and the way the 550 is going downhill without a garage I've decided to get a new bike that won't rust outdoors.
Two choices at the minute.

[UK Pete]

I like both colours, which is your favourite
pete

[matthewmosse]

I know where you are comming from, my current daily ride is an ntv 650, cost £380 with tax and test, looks shockingly scruffy but years left in it - shaft drive is a boon for an easy life. One of the issues affecting my cb500/4 was that some scrote was meddling with it when it was parked outside work at 2 am, and though I never could find that they had actually done any more than try starting it , it never ran right afterwards for any length of time. The old cb500 and 550 dont appriciate rain and outdoors living if not looked after, especially if equipped with original tinwork. I would tentatively suggest a cb550 with a fiberglass rear muddy, seatbase and really well treated front gaurd would be no more likely to suffer from outdoor storage than those bikes.

[LesterPiglet]

Well, my 550's rear wheel is starting to go, the headlight and indicators all starting to rust. So I figure the less chrome the better.
I prefer the yellow but the r/w/b one only has 19k on the clock.

[matthewmosse]

As long as the spokes are not pitted it is shocking how bad cb wheels can look and last and still be sound. But it is a shame to watch them deteriorate if they could still be restroed to very good. A good wash down with wash and wax shampoo and spray with duck oil does do wonders to preserve them though.

[petersy]

I find that the spokes come up a treat with a scouring pad.

I used 3 types on my CB550, red , green and grey, depending on how bad they are pitted.

It takes some time to do each individual spoke, but it's worth it in the end.

[Trigger]

Les, the CBR is a bullet proof engine as long it has it has been serviced right. Things to look out for are the disc crack beween the holes when they start to get on the thin side. Good chain and sprocket kit can set you back £75+ 

[LesterPiglet]

I did that and I'm sorry I did. Rusted 100 times quicker.

[LesterPiglet]

r/w/b bike is a 1 owner 19000 mile bike Trig. Going to see it tomorrow

[Green1]

Can't go far wrong with a CBR Les I know someone that buys them almost religiously I think the last one he sold had one hundred thousand on it.
They seem to be bolted together well and stand up to being left outside quit well.

Mick

[LesterPiglet]

Yeah Mick. I did a bit of research beforehand. Only 600's. Suzuki has an awful wide seat, just don't really like Yamaha, Kawasaki is a bit extreme. I don't like those Bandit/Hornet/Fazer things. The CBR seems like a good all-rounder. I haven't been on anything this extreme since the 80's GSXR1100, it should be fun.

[Green1]

I couldn't believe how small the CBR felt compared to my Speed four.I wish I went for the Honda as it would have been more reliable than the Triumph.The clip ons will feel a bit extreme for awhile.   

Mick   

[Green1]

If you go for a CBR its got to be red,white&blue. 

Mick

[LesterPiglet]

That rwb above is within walking distance from me. Going to try and view it tomorrow.


I love yellow. 

[LesterPiglet]

The clip ons will feel a bit extreme for awhile.   

Mick

I'll look for some adjustable replacements.