Subject: cheap geese
Author: Michael Jones
Date: Mar 15, 2003, 6:59 PM
Post ID: 1712260447
ianad-@linkamerica.net
Hi, Ian. I bought my Ambo as a basket case back in �96
or so for $250. I put almost $2000 into it to get it
road worthy. The expensive items were the nigusil
cylinder/piston sets ($600) and the final drive
($300). There were lots and lots of small things that
needed fixing and replacing. I saved some money by
using the shocks and headlight bulb from my old Yamaha
XS750 (which are still on the bike, the shocks work
great on it) and the mufflers from my old Honda GL500.
I did all the sandblasting and painting myself, in the
fab shop of the packing plant that I was working at
(nothing got powdercoated). I did everything myself,
as a matter of fact, and I am not a mechanic (what
could be further from being a mechanic then being a
philosophy student?).
It cost me less then $2500, but that was for from a
showroom restoration. I have continued to make little
improvements ever since, but I have put some miles on
it, too, so it still looks like just a "nice old
bike." I like making the small improvements - it adds
to the fun of motorcycle ownership. In the near future
are new, softer front brake pads, and I have been
considering trying the semi-electronic ignition module
that Harper's has.
I really like riding a bike that I restored (ok,
"fixed up" would be more like it) myself. OTOH, I
really think buying an ugly but ridable loop and then
making improvements as you go would be better for many
people.
-Mike (69 Ambo)
------------------------------------
"THANK YOU Hey All, Correct me if I am wrong but a
rough number for a decent restoration (doing a lot of
the assembly yourself) runs about $2500-$3000. That
includes purchase price of the "barn queen". I
remember a few years ago I could have bought a decent
running Eldo for $1200. To me what will be significant
is when the supply of restorable Loops disappear. Not
a lot of people are interested in a $10k restored bike
but lots are interested in fixing them up and getting
them running. Could we call the Loop the "garage
mechanic's" bike of choice?"
=====
M.Jones, student of philosophy and religion at Temple University, Philadelphia, PA.
"The heart has its reasons which reason does not know." -Blaise Pascal
"With man, instinct and reason avoid each other with adversity, yet, by repudiating each other they lure each other to reach mutual correction." -Lucian Blaga
__________________________________________________
Do you Yahoo!?
Yahoo! Web Hosting - establish your business online
http://webhosting.yahoo.com