[benhur]

Hi there...

so, my recent mechanical "exploits" have encouraged me to look for a project bike...I have seen the africa twin/dominator threads but I am scared of approaching anything that big/difficult myself. The idea is to buy something cheap, and slowly do it up to new/better than new myself, learning about engines in the process...

I am looking for something
1. Japan made
2. cheap
3. simple to maintain/rebuild/improve
4. something which i could use to improve my offroad skills once its done
5. i am 90+kg so a 250cc?? could i get away with a 125?


what are your suggestions?


R.

 

[alanvendy]

For a first atempt I would recomend a single cylinder engine, a lot of what you learn on a single can be adapted to a twin etc.
The simplest engines to work on have to be 2 strokes (but they do smell :-D). The top end of a 4 stoke engine has all those cams and valve things.
I'm sure what ever you decide on the knowledge available on this forum will be a great help.
Consider wether you want to use it yourself or sell it on afterwards.

If you want to use iy yourself I think the choice of model is very personal needs.

Good luck.

 

[benhur]

I will definitely not be selling it....

the idea is to use it for

1. mucking around in muddy fields
2. mucking around on the beach (as in riding it to the beach/swimming/snorkelling etc)


R.