@@jonathontsamantanis Some do. If you roll the throttle forward it will deactivate the rear cyl. At least they use to. I don't know if they still have it.
i'd gladly buy a 400cc bike like those with prices like that..brand new bikes cost way to much.. especially here in the philippines where high cc bikes are rare or way to expensive even if its 2nd hand.
My first street legal motorcycle was a kawasaki 125 that I bought from my neighbor for $300. After putting about $500 bucks worth of parts into it I had a running safe bike. I later sold the bike a couple years later for $1200 bucks to a guy that wanted to ride it to Costa Rica from NC.
The what you think is a choke, really isnt , it's an enrichment valve that let's fuel directly into motor .... your carbs are dirty and need to be cleaned........ 40+ yrs as a motorcycle technician
Yeah, I know what you mean. I saw a 1981 KZ 750 under a deck at a garage sale one day and asked the guy how much he wanted for it. He said make me an offer, so I said $100 and he said OK, doh! After about $500 later (mostly just tires, carb rebuild, breaks, etc.) it runs great now. I don't regret it but I never ride it anymore so maybe I do regret it but it was fun getting it running. I'll prolly sell it one day for what I got into it so it's all good.
@Nooby Vapor Good luck with that!!! You have claimed that you have $600 invested in the bike, but it is a 1981 Kawasaki KZ 750 which is a 30 year old bike! I’m not super knowledgeable about motorcycle valuation, so I hope you do get what you have invested out of the bike when you sell it! However, that bike Shawn is selling, I’d be afraid to make an offer and find out, first; that I got the winning bid, second; how much I’m gonna have to spend to fix all the things that are wrong with it! Complete exhaust replacement, probably have to remove the gas tank and have it purged or replaced, turn signal assemblies replaced, carburetor rebuilt or buy a new one, just that sounds like a couple thousand dollars just to make it a reliable bike!!! Plus factoring in the shipping cost or the cost to drive there and haul it back! I’d like to own a good bike, but I just went through hell when my pickup truck blew its transmission and I needed to replace the motor that a mechanic said that it would be easier to tell me where it wasn’t leaking fluids from as opposed to listing all the places it was leaking! That fiasco has cost me almost $10,000 dollars to date!!! I’ll never get that money back out of that pickup!
I love the way you get old cheap bikes and get them on the road. At one time the '86 Virago was one of my dream bikes. However, it came out a couple of years after I had a spectacular wreck that ended my riding for the most part. Now I'm old and disabled. Keep dreaming about riding. If I ever get cash I may buy a trike, but social security isn't conducive to such things. Keep up the good work.
Running on one cylinder, but at least you hear the second cylinder kicking in sometimes, so once the needle valve is cleaned with the rest of the carbs, it will be good. They are great engines, when maintained.
Excellent video. What I get out of these videos is the belief in old fashion ingenuity and hard work. I'm in my late 60's and when I was growing up as kids we were working on our bicycles or whatever other kind of transportation (building go-karts, mini-bikes, mopeds). A bunch of us would sit at the end of a driveway with a few tools and had a great time, learning and "discovering how things work (or don't). My first experience with a motor bike was when one of the kids in the neighborhood got a beat up old mini-bike with a 3hp Briggs. All of us tinkering and riding that bike taught us valuable lessons. For those putting down this or that bike, or "I'd never own one of those bikes", you're missing the point. The idea is you can take something that has been beaten up, do some "tinkering" and accomplish bringing it back to life. I'd buy this bike for my 15 year old grandson, granddaughter or neighborhood kid in a second to get them thinking and discovering. Today, in my 100 home subdivision, the weather is clear and about 65 degrees. With 3 dozen kids (8-16 year olds), not ONE of them is outside riding a bicycle, let alone working on a old mini-bike, trying to get it running. They're all inside playing video games. What a sad state we've become.
I'm sure the bike is long gone but I just wanted to say i love what ya guys are doing in keeping bikes away from the scrap pile. God bless ya keep the knees in the breeze.
@Dallas Martins As well as his body would be if the bike came apart while moving forward down the road!!! Only the bike wouldn’t be moving forward with him!
I've been in tight spots most of my life! I still had a few bikes. From 300 to 900 dollars. There out there,and working on them yourself saves you money and you learn to fix your own bike!
My first was a 85 Shadow 500. I didn't fix it up very well but I learned a lot on it. When the novelty of it constantly trying to kill me wore off I sold it. With that said, I'll always have very fond memories of squiding on it and throwing out the rear end. Have fun and ride safe.
Writing this in June 2021. I'm 70 years old now and I own a '97 Vulcan 88. I'm the original owner. The engine and tranny on that beast are bulletproof witnessed by the fact that I just rode mine today and it is still running like a champ 24 years down the road. NEVER have had a serious mechanical problem or tranny problem. Never has left me stranded on many long cross country trips. Just a beautiful, reliable bike. BTW the '88 is a carbureted 4 speed bike, no ecu, and it still gives me 42mpg if I keep it below 75. It was originally called a "BUBF" -Butt Ugly But Fast. When the 88 was released in the '90s it was the largest production bike you could purchase. How times have changed.
I was delivering hey to a barn and I found a yamaha that was taken apart. The guy gave it to me, I put it together and it ran great. I gave it to a wounded veteran.
I love working on motorcycles and cars, I have given a few away. I always wished to do what you are doing. I am retired after 23 years serving in the Air Force. Currently I am a Pastor
Cloggy carb...probably ethanol-gooped. Depending on how long it was just sitting around, especially with that craptastic 10% ethanol fuel foisted on most of us, a couple-few "SeaFoam shock treatments" (a whole can of SeaFoam with a fresh tank of gas) might just bring it back to reasonable rideability even without a full carb disassembly and good cleaning. Ethanol is the devil.
@Mitch Conners I'm no expert on the various Vulcans, but some models' manuals recommend using 91 octane (premium), while others recommend 87. Meanwhile some owners on Vulcan online forums say they're getting by just fine on 89. First I'd see what the manual or manufacturer recommends for the specific model and year of bike. I tend to favor ethanol-free fuel because I've seen firsthand the havoc ethanol can play, particularly on the older carburetted kind of stuff I like to nurse along. Ethanol-free fuel, where it is still available at the pump, is rarely below 89 octane. Fortunately I can get that readily enough about 20 minutes from where I live, so that's what I run exclusively in my bikes, outboards, generators, and other small engines. It's especially recommended for seasonal storage, like winter storage for a bike, or for infrequently-run engines, since ethanol can begin bonding with water vapor and forming a sort of cloggy snot in less than a month. I can't provide a direct link to them or the UTube bots will likely torpedo my comment, but Google "pure gas" and then look for the "org" website with its state-by-state directories for places you can get fuel near you without that corn spew in it.
@Mitch Conners @Mitch Conners I'm not a big fan of "pack riding", nor should you be as a newbie, if you're smart. Maybe one trusted, experienced and level-headed companion to critique your chops on the road might be great, but a swarm? Groups tend to show off and press beyond their actual skills, making following dangerous. The highly-esteemed TH-camr FortNine has described this in several videos like his "5 Life-Saving Habits for Motorcycle Riders". If you're not familiar with his channel, studying his whole back catalog of offerings is about the most entertaining and useful thing you could probably do as a new rider apart from taking an MSF course. If the social aspect of riding is what you're seeking, and you're somewhere along the East Coast of the USA, I like those "Bikes and Breakfast" gatherings regularly held in various locales. They have a website and Facebook thing, if you partake. I personally attend most gatherings in Clifton, Virginia, held the 2nd Sunday of each month. I'll be there tomorrow on my elderly Royal Enfield Bullet 500 single. But there are lots of such gatherings held here and there. You'll often find such events advertised at bike shops or dealerships, Craigslist and so on. Brands often have clubs which hold local meets too. Just out of curiosity, what bike do you have or propose to get?
I agree with the Seafoam statement. Or even get Seafoam spray and spray it in the carb while engine is running almost full blast. Works every time for me whenever I need to clean a carb in one of my engines. Seafoam is amazing.
I really don’t have anything to trade, but hey, I can offer to drive out there from Connecticut and pick it up to clear that space in your shop. Lol. Seriously though, I’d pull the carbs, clean them properly, throw on a proper exhaust, seat and at some point address those likely chopped rear struts and horrific paint-work. In other words, with time, I’d do right by the bike and actually use it. As a new father and homeowner, my expenses are far too tight to justifiably afford a bike anytime soon on my own. I however, could take some pride in the project and turn out something nice. I’d be dedicated to saving it... In general though, good luck with your business, I truly appreciate all of your videos and reviews. Literally nobody covers as many models with such an unbiased perspective as you guys! 👍🏻
I inherited my dads old customized lowrider this year. I've been conflicted about keeping it. I love riding, but gave it up years ago to be a family man. Now, I can ride again and I'm afraid of opening up my foolish side, or my pride... trolling through videos about riding and I see your video. You put up a scripture about choosing humility... geez, it's simple. I just apply humility to my riding for a while and I'll have a new paradigm with riding... so simple... thanks for putting up that scripture. I subscribed and hit the bell. I love your mindset and love your channel. Be well..
My very first motorcycle I bought for $800 I love this thing so much its a 1981 suzuki gs650g ran right off the hop and I'm so glad I was able to get into it so easily! Thanks for your videos and your inspiration!
Get the engine revised, get rid of that rear wheel cover, put on a new set of custom exhausts, get a new bobber-like seat and you got yourself a wonderful new bike, you should definitely customise it!
I love this guy. He buys these dinosaur bikes, then posts these cheap prices. Dude, you gave what's worth. He's just lucky enough to find a buyer and make money. More power to him. It's just funny.
I'm not sure 100 per cent but I read that a million views can get you up to 5 grand on a monetized video, and then there are other ways to add to that figure by adding all kinds of sponsored content and advertisements etc. And I heard of some other things you can do but I can't remember the name something like and app that tracks the viewer info in some way and pays for that info So I am guessing that even if the bike doesn't make much the views probably make up for it plus it's good publicity for his business as well
I paid $800 for my 1981 Honda CB900c in 2009. It ran when I got it but it needed a little help. After some new tires, a brand new Vance and Hines 4-1 drag pipe with no baffles and a few other little things. Now it's an orange screaming flash that is a real head turner. I'd like to some day take a ride out to your shop and visit. I'm in Westmoreland county not far from Pittsburgh 👍. Love what you guys do keep up the great work my green brother 🤙 PRO PATRIA VIGILANS 🇺🇲🇺🇸🇺🇲🇺🇸
I hope it goes to someone down on their luck, and I hope you give it to them. A person with some mechanical skill can have it running good for not much money.
As someone who dreamt of riding his grandpa's Indian Chieftain, this is amazingly inspiring. Dying to get back on the road, gotta start looking for my 200 dollar bike for these Ohio roads
My first big twin was a 1996 vulcan 1500, bright yellow. Had no problems with people not seeing me on the road. Loved that bike. Powerful and fast! BTW, I like the flat black...just saying.
Bikes and Beard, I like to watch your program, you are honest and frank to the customer, I like Christian, and you are a good one. I go to Anglican church for 30 yrs. and now I moved, going to Alliance church near us, hopefully one day come to visit you and your shop. Good shows all the time. Isaac Lam in British Columbia, BC.
Now you're making me feel very old. When I started riding most motorcycles had fixed foot pegs that's right most of them did not fold, that came later.
@Scott Alan Having to run with the choke pulled out is not a good sign for a good running motor no matter what that motor is in! You are supposed to be able to turn the choke off after the motor starts running because the open choke is allowing fuel to pass through the carburetor freely and the carburetor is not functioning at all!!! That’s almost like having a fuel injection type system without having an injector in the cylinder head!
Scott Alan Very true but there’s another side effect of that in that it causes a greater pressure differential across the idol Jets and all of the Jets And forces more fuel through them which also results in the velocity of the fuel going through the restricted Jets eventually cleaning them out as a result overtime they will get cleaner and cleaner until you don’t even need to run with the choke on in the first place and don’t forget it’s cold out while he’s riding the bike
I had one of those Viragos, gold wheels and everything. 700cc Loved it. Had only one issue which was a clutch line leak. Fixed in about 15 minutes. And if you held the throttle wide open it would do 102mph...that's all she had. Rode the wheels off of it.
@@5staranis800 I remember when you could go out and buy a semi decent road legal runner for £100 - £200 on the used market, now you are lucky if you can find a total shit box for less than £500. The used motorcycle market in the UK is way overpriced these days.
These are some of my favorite kinds of your videos. I love cheap and cheerful bikes. Also Viragos and Vulcans are awesome. I also could watch hours of you walking the auction floor talking about bikes
I've been in your position..... Riding my Dyna is what keeps me going so don't sell this to anyone..... Give it to this guy sounds like he can use a break
After having half of my left lung removed a month ago, stage 3e cancerous tumor. My kids started a gofundme and hardly raised anything. Being out of work for 5 months and don't know when I'll be going back to work. I would love to get this bike but can't afford it even at 500-600. It would be a nice bike after new plugs and carb rebuild, with custom exhaust and seat.
Of all the bikes you’ve shown, this one probably ranks right on the margin of parts bike vs runner. I’d like to have it as a project but live in central Massachusetts and getting it home would be costly. However, I enjoyed your video and assessment of its condition.
Hey, I've got a 99 vulcan. Of your going to get one before 2000 make sure it doesn't have the bs plastic oil pump gear. Just had to replace it on mine that involves splitting the case
I could sure use it. I got a 2001 moped 50cc I could throw in and maybe some money maybe 300. I know you probably say it's to low, but when your 65 and living on ssi t is what it is.
i think your videos are good for troubleshooting some stuff like the thing with it running bad and one side being cold is mind blowing to me. i wish i could just go and buy bikes but i lack the money
I paid $1.500.00 for a 01 FLHRCI Road that got rear ended. I put about $600.00 in parts and did body work on the tank and front fender. I rode it around for a week or two and sold it for $3.800.00. I am sorry I didn't keep it I liked it better than my 03 FLSTC that I sold about a month later. Fun video
I’ll give you 100 bucks and put you on my family’s Christmas card list for life. The cards always come with a custom salt dough ornament from my kids so it’s totally worth it😂😂
It's backfiring because you're one carburetor is plugged up. Put some new plugs in it, seal the exhaust so it doesn't leak at the cylinder head because that won't foul spark plug every time, rebuild those carbs, which are miserable to access, make sure the wheels stay on, & the transmission don't leak, and then you got yourself a good one.
Do you know the virago was the first bike I ever own. A 750 or 700, I don’t remember. After that I traded it in on an 1100. I loved it. It never gave me any issues. I’m looking at my next bike being a Yamaha raider. They’re good reliable bikes and they are definitely worth the value.
So after not being able to so much as drive a car in 8 years, I was finally cleared to drive. I have had issues with seizures, which is not a good mix with riding bikes. I found this channel, and now I need to ride. I'm a bit late to riding, as I am 43, but maybe in the next couple years I can actually afford something. But I will ride, and , hopefully, across the US. Life has thrown a ton of obstacles, but I do hope to take that trip across the nation someday. Love the channel, thanks for sharing.
8:17, you are running on one cylinder (so far) You have a plugged idle jet. (the most common issue with bikes.) Nice turn signal :-) 12:00 still running on one cylinder. NOT AWESOME GUY.
I’d never recommend a new rider pick up someone’s garage project. It’s a good way to have an expensive paperweight taking up room in your garage, you’re already going to be learning how to ride, much less dealing with the bike’s ‘quirks’. Hell, I just picked up a $500, Ninja 250. The oil pan is full of gasoline, the clutch was shot, I’m probably going to have to rebuild the motor (top and bottom). All said and done, the $500 bike is probably going to be $1500 after the repairs. That said, I’m doing it for the education as I didn’t want to screw up on one of the bikes I ride daily.
@@christopherpape4823 it CAN happen, but is it LIKELY to happen? Bring someone who knows how to test out a motorcycle with you. A practiced hand will see all kinds of stuff you might not. My first used bike, I realized what happens when someone parks a bike for years… had to replace every piece of rubber on that thing… I got lucky that the carbs didn’t need to be balanced.. the electrical started going after that (signals, horn, etc). If you don’t have anybody, I can say: Test signals, check the headlight, toot the horn. Look at the tires for cracking and uneven wear, brake lines (same thing), clamp the brake and try to roll the bike (had one roll past it, which is NOT a good sign). Look under the seat for wiring hacks (someone chopping up the factory wiring), check the frame for cracks (had a buddy go backwards off the Highway and cracked the frame on his Triumph… bike LOOKED fine). Have the seller start the bike and let it run for a few minutes and then look for oil leaks (usually around here stator cover or crankcase covers, which are the parts that usually stick out). I tried to repair a bike with cheap parts and it leaked like a mutha. Also, aftermarket eBay stator motors have about a mile in ‘em before the voltage plummets and the bike won’t run. Inspect for rust (frame, wheels, tanks, motor, clamps, etc). If the bike is super old, shine a light in the gas tank. If it’s full of rust, pass. If it looks lumpy inside, pass. The sealants they can use inside gas tanks are NOT created equal and can be a real pain if they start flaking off. Check the suspension to make sure the fork seals aren’t leaking (front fork: if it looks like they have oil on them, they’re likely leaking). Check the tach with a quick throttle twirl. If you can have someone ride it, they can tell you if the gearbox and clutch are okay. I would HIGHLY recommend watching 44 teeth (TH-cam channel) doing their ‘Budget Bike Battle’ series as they run old bikes and some of the crap they have problems with range from annoying to ‘this will kill a novice rider’… stuff like total brake failure. Also, I usually recommend friends stay away from carbureted bikes if they don’t know how to work on them. With motorcycles, every cylinder has a carb, so four cylinders mean four carbs. Balancing, jetting and cleaning four carbs is a pain and I can say two is bad enough… That said, some older bikes can be a hoot (I would suggest staying away from old goldwings for the sole reason of weight, despite they tend to be better maintained than most old bikes… heavy bikes require a practice hand. You CAN learn with one, but I’d really recommend NOT doing that) and bikes like the KLR seem to come for abuse like a masochist at a BDSM party. Anyway, hope this helps.
Please... lower the volume of the music between speaking... your voice is so low we have to turn the volume up to hear you, then the music blasts us out.
I'm 72 and I got started with bikes at 14 exactly like this. Bought a POS, got it running, used it for a while, sold it and bought another, bigger POS, etc. My riding buds call me McGiver.
Maybe it's got GM's cylinder deactivation technology. It's a 1500 that drops to 750cc to save fuel. It was ahead of it's time.😉
I agree...I can't believe they put it on A C7 Corvette too.
@@maxfly7079
Putting cylinder deactivation on a vet is like putting a screen door on a submarine.
@@curtis1951 Surprise!!! There it is on my 2014 C7 Vette, unbelievible...go figure???... on that one.
Doesn't Harley use that for heat control on their air cooled bike they switch to one cylinder when hot
@@jonathontsamantanis
Some do. If you roll the throttle forward it will deactivate the rear cyl. At least they use to. I don't know if they still have it.
One of the best sounding Briggs & Strattons I've ever heard.
i'd gladly buy a 400cc bike like those with prices like that..brand new bikes cost way to much.. especially here in the philippines where high cc bikes are rare or way to expensive even if its 2nd hand.
@@johnkrisuytiepo7774 what counts as a "high cc bike" over there?
@@billhill7330 over 600cc id say. Most people are on scooters. Jakartaroads has good riding videos in southeast asia
Lmao true
My first street legal motorcycle was a kawasaki 125 that I bought from my neighbor for $300. After putting about $500 bucks worth of parts into it I had a running safe bike. I later sold the bike a couple years later for $1200 bucks to a guy that wanted to ride it to Costa Rica from NC.
I want a follow up video from the person who got the bike.
“Profusely leaking fuel from the exhaust” but still cranks it😂
aight imma give it a spin
Hold my beer
The what you think is a choke, really isnt , it's an enrichment valve that let's fuel directly into motor .... your carbs are dirty and need to be cleaned........ 40+ yrs as a motorcycle technician
isnt that the definition of a choke?
@@brentonb6429 choke does the opposite.
DirtBikeGuy04 choke restricts the air, which in turn draws in more fuel.
Needs carbs cleaned you are right the guy who makes these vids has no mechanical experience wish he’d just blow it up for a laugh
Less air means richer fuel to air.... Suction will continue and suck more fuel
I'd make an offer, but I'm afraid I'd get it.😂
Me too!
Lmfao
Yeah, I know what you mean. I saw a 1981 KZ 750 under a deck at a garage sale one day and asked the guy how much he wanted for it. He said make me an offer, so I said $100 and he said OK, doh! After about $500 later (mostly just tires, carb rebuild, breaks, etc.) it runs great now. I don't regret it but I never ride it anymore so maybe I do regret it but it was fun getting it running. I'll prolly sell it one day for what I got into it so it's all good.
Nooby Vapor i have an 83 kz750. Keep her and ride
@Nooby Vapor
Good luck with that!!!
You have claimed that you have $600 invested in the bike, but it is a 1981 Kawasaki KZ 750 which is a 30 year old bike!
I’m not super knowledgeable about motorcycle valuation, so I hope you do get what you have invested out of the bike when you sell it!
However, that bike Shawn is selling, I’d be afraid to make an offer and find out, first; that I got the winning bid, second; how much I’m gonna have to spend to fix all the things that are wrong with it!
Complete exhaust replacement, probably have to remove the gas tank and have it purged or replaced, turn signal assemblies replaced, carburetor rebuilt or buy a new one, just that sounds like a couple thousand dollars just to make it a reliable bike!!!
Plus factoring in the shipping cost or the cost to drive there and haul it back!
I’d like to own a good bike, but I just went through hell when my pickup truck blew its transmission and I needed to replace the motor that a mechanic said that it would be easier to tell me where it wasn’t leaking fluids from as opposed to listing all the places it was leaking!
That fiasco has cost me almost $10,000 dollars to date!!!
I’ll never get that money back out of that pickup!
I love how the right turn signal is just dangling there. Quality machine. At least it was only $200.
did the "big problem" turn out to be a massive vacuum leak on the forward cylinder? (the no run without the choke thing made me think so)
I love the way you get old cheap bikes and get them on the road. At one time the '86 Virago was one of my dream bikes. However, it came out a couple of years after I had a spectacular wreck that ended my riding for the most part. Now I'm old and disabled. Keep dreaming about riding. If I ever get cash I may buy a trike, but social security isn't conducive to such things. Keep up the good work.
I’m 40 out and would love a new project . Thanks guys and stay blessed
Running on one cylinder, but at least you hear the second cylinder kicking in sometimes, so once the needle valve is cleaned with the rest of the carbs, it will be good. They are great engines, when maintained.
Excellent video. What I get out of these videos is the belief in old fashion ingenuity and hard work. I'm in my late 60's and when I was growing up as kids we were working on our bicycles or whatever other kind of transportation (building go-karts, mini-bikes, mopeds). A bunch of us would sit at the end of a driveway with a few tools and had a great time, learning and "discovering how things work (or don't). My first experience with a motor bike was when one of the kids in the neighborhood got a beat up old mini-bike with a 3hp Briggs. All of us tinkering and riding that bike taught us valuable lessons. For those putting down this or that bike, or "I'd never own one of those bikes", you're missing the point. The idea is you can take something that has been beaten up, do some "tinkering" and accomplish bringing it back to life. I'd buy this bike for my 15 year old grandson, granddaughter or neighborhood kid in a second to get them thinking and discovering.
Today, in my 100 home subdivision, the weather is clear and about 65 degrees. With 3 dozen kids (8-16 year olds), not ONE of them is outside riding a bicycle, let alone working on a old mini-bike, trying to get it running. They're all inside playing video games. What a sad state we've become.
sad
Well said
I hag a Honda 50 at about 10 years old. Started tinkering with it. It twas a life lesson. Learned so much from that bike
they don't have to like the same things you did when you were younger.
Don't buy the things.
I bet the next guy that washed his car windshield really liked your gasoline additive!!
Bahahaha!!!
Most likely killed all the slime that grows in the water bucket because they refuse to ever change it.
It goes well with the pee that the homeless guy put in the washer bucket.
🤣🤣
WTF???
That bike has that new cylinder deactivation when you decelerate 🤣👌🏼👌🏼
I'm sure the bike is long gone but I just wanted to say i love what ya guys are doing in keeping bikes away from the scrap pile. God bless ya
keep the knees in the breeze.
LOL "for everyone who says they can't afford a motorcycle" as he rides down the road on one cylinder, parts falling off. hahahah
Still moving forward though 👌
@Dallas Martins
As well as his body would be if the bike came apart while moving forward down the road!!!
Only the bike wouldn’t be moving forward with him!
Man it would be a great project bike. Gotta love a Vulcan.
I've been in tight spots most of my life! I still had a few bikes. From 300 to 900 dollars. There out there,and working on them yourself saves you money and you learn to fix your own bike!
For what its worth, its a project bike that still gets you out.
I recently bought a '86 Honda shadow 500 for cheap fixed it up and it runs really well now, super excited about it because it's my first bike!
My first was a 85 Shadow 500. I didn't fix it up very well but I learned a lot on it. When the novelty of it constantly trying to kill me wore off I sold it. With that said, I'll always have very fond memories of squiding on it and throwing out the rear end. Have fun and ride safe.
Writing this in June 2021. I'm 70 years old now and I own a '97 Vulcan 88. I'm the original owner. The engine and tranny on that beast are bulletproof witnessed by the fact that I just rode mine today and it is still running like a champ 24 years down the road. NEVER have had a serious mechanical problem or tranny problem. Never has left me stranded on many long cross country trips. Just a beautiful, reliable bike. BTW the '88 is a carbureted 4 speed bike, no ecu, and it still gives me 42mpg if I keep it below 75. It was originally called a "BUBF" -Butt Ugly But Fast. When the 88 was released in the '90s it was the largest production bike you could purchase. How times have changed.
Enjoyed this one. My uncle had a 95 Vulcan 1500. Some of my best memories of him are on that bike. Appreciate it.
$0.25, a brand-new comb, and a perfectly good pack of gum that's only missing one stick
I’m sorry but the blinker being limp the whole time just kills me 😂😂
im from australia no one uses that shit anyway. we only have them to stop the police finding something else to fine us for.
@@noinfo9130 if I'm ever in Australia that should help
I was delivering hey to a barn and I found a yamaha that was taken apart. The guy gave it to me, I put it together and it ran great. I gave it to a wounded veteran.
Larry Hauser that’s awesome
I love working on motorcycles and cars, I have given a few away. I always wished to do what you are doing. I am retired after 23 years serving in the Air Force.
Currently I am a Pastor
@Larry Hauser
I almost qualify as one of those!
I always YELL "HEY" at cows, they're all like... GOT HAY? I"m like GOT MEWK? cat's are asking for it!!
At last someone doing a kind thing for a wounded vet loved to have seen the smile one the vets face good on you Larry from UK
Cloggy carb...probably ethanol-gooped. Depending on how long it was just sitting around, especially with that craptastic 10% ethanol fuel foisted on most of us, a couple-few "SeaFoam shock treatments" (a whole can of SeaFoam with a fresh tank of gas) might just bring it back to reasonable rideability even without a full carb disassembly and good cleaning. Ethanol is the devil.
@Mitch Conners I'm no expert on the various Vulcans, but some models' manuals recommend using 91 octane (premium), while others recommend 87. Meanwhile some owners on Vulcan online forums say they're getting by just fine on 89. First I'd see what the manual or manufacturer recommends for the specific model and year of bike. I tend to favor ethanol-free fuel because I've seen firsthand the havoc ethanol can play, particularly on the older carburetted kind of stuff I like to nurse along. Ethanol-free fuel, where it is still available at the pump, is rarely below 89 octane. Fortunately I can get that readily enough about 20 minutes from where I live, so that's what I run exclusively in my bikes, outboards, generators, and other small engines. It's especially recommended for seasonal storage, like winter storage for a bike, or for infrequently-run engines, since ethanol can begin bonding with water vapor and forming a sort of cloggy snot in less than a month. I can't provide a direct link to them or the UTube bots will likely torpedo my comment, but Google "pure gas" and then look for the "org" website with its state-by-state directories for places you can get fuel near you without that corn spew in it.
@Mitch Conners @Mitch Conners I'm not a big fan of "pack riding", nor should you be as a newbie, if you're smart. Maybe one trusted, experienced and level-headed companion to critique your chops on the road might be great, but a swarm? Groups tend to show off and press beyond their actual skills, making following dangerous. The highly-esteemed TH-camr FortNine has described this in several videos like his "5 Life-Saving Habits for Motorcycle Riders". If you're not familiar with his channel, studying his whole back catalog of offerings is about the most entertaining and useful thing you could probably do as a new rider apart from taking an MSF course. If the social aspect of riding is what you're seeking, and you're somewhere along the East Coast of the USA, I like those "Bikes and Breakfast" gatherings regularly held in various locales. They have a website and Facebook thing, if you partake. I personally attend most gatherings in Clifton, Virginia, held the 2nd Sunday of each month. I'll be there tomorrow on my elderly Royal Enfield Bullet 500 single. But there are lots of such gatherings held here and there. You'll often find such events advertised at bike shops or dealerships, Craigslist and so on. Brands often have clubs which hold local meets too. Just out of curiosity, what bike do you have or propose to get?
@@BilgemasterBill LOL @ "Couple-few". 🤣
I agree with the Seafoam statement. Or even get Seafoam spray and spray it in the carb while engine is running almost full blast. Works every time for me whenever I need to clean a carb in one of my engines. Seafoam is amazing.
B12 chemtool has worked miracles for me. Even freed up my brother's stuck float bowl without dissasembly. I've been a believer ever since.
I dont know if it’s on purpose or not, but i can see the string attached on the frontwheel to tip the bike at 00:04
Shhhh don't worry about it
Lmao i didn't notice that
Why did he do that lol
Oh man !!!!
I really don’t have anything to trade, but hey, I can offer to drive out there from Connecticut and pick it up to clear that space in your shop. Lol. Seriously though, I’d pull the carbs, clean them properly, throw on a proper exhaust, seat and at some point address those likely chopped rear struts and horrific paint-work. In other words, with time, I’d do right by the bike and actually use it. As a new father and homeowner, my expenses are far too tight to justifiably afford a bike anytime soon on my own. I however, could take some pride in the project and turn out something nice. I’d be dedicated to saving it... In general though, good luck with your business, I truly appreciate all of your videos and reviews. Literally nobody covers as many models with such an unbiased perspective as you guys! 👍🏻
I inherited my dads old customized lowrider this year. I've been conflicted about keeping it. I love riding, but gave it up years ago to be a family man. Now, I can ride again and I'm afraid of opening up my foolish side, or my pride... trolling through videos about riding and I see your video. You put up a scripture about choosing humility... geez, it's simple. I just apply humility to my riding for a while and I'll have a new paradigm with riding... so simple... thanks for putting up that scripture. I subscribed and hit the bell. I love your mindset and love your channel. Be well..
This is one of the best intros I've ever seen.
Change. My. Mind.
Also. That kaw runs like somebody runs without coffee.
Yes put some coffee in the gas tank
My very first motorcycle I bought for $800 I love this thing so much its a 1981 suzuki gs650g ran right off the hop and I'm so glad I was able to get into it so easily! Thanks for your videos and your inspiration!
Imagine the guy who customized that bike crying to TH-cam right now 😢😭
I can offer genuine friendship and tips on beard grooming.
LOL. LOVE this comment^^^ :-)
10000000000000
how about nut grooming ? : O
I need some friendship :c
Get the engine revised, get rid of that rear wheel cover, put on a new set of custom exhausts, get a new bobber-like seat and you got yourself a wonderful new bike, you should definitely customise it!
Who the hell asked you it's a piece of junk 😂
@@nickyklink6055 are you ok?
🤡
classic
Do more of these! I love these budget videos!
I love this guy. He buys these dinosaur bikes, then posts these cheap prices. Dude, you gave what's worth. He's just lucky enough to find a buyer and make money. More power to him. It's just funny.
I'm not sure 100 per cent but I read that a million views can get you up to 5 grand on a monetized video, and then there are other ways to add to that figure by adding all kinds of sponsored content and advertisements etc. And I heard of some other things you can do but I can't remember the name something like and app that tracks the viewer info in some way and pays for that info
So I am guessing that even if the bike doesn't make much the views probably make up for it plus it's good publicity for his business as well
its all about making videos bro. Hes not trying to become rich off of the bikes.
I paid $800 for my 1981 Honda CB900c in 2009. It ran when I got it but it needed a little help. After some new tires, a brand new Vance and Hines 4-1 drag pipe with no baffles and a few other little things. Now it's an orange screaming flash that is a real head turner. I'd like to some day take a ride out to your shop and visit. I'm in Westmoreland county not far from Pittsburgh 👍. Love what you guys do keep up the great work my green brother 🤙 PRO PATRIA VIGILANS 🇺🇲🇺🇸🇺🇲🇺🇸
"And the brakes work" he says miles away from the office 😂🤣
"somewhere, somehow there is a 200 dollar motorcicle waiting for you with your name on it" Right on!
... it's in my garage! 🤣
You have a great attitude. I wish that we had motorcycle shops like yours in our area.
That is the best beginning to a video EVER... Weather sucks in PA so I am binge watching your old videos...
just got a suzuki katana 600f for 200$ as my first bikie. replacing fluids and giving the carbs a clean this week
I hope it goes to someone down on their luck, and I hope you give it to them. A person with some mechanical skill can have it running good for not much money.
One of the most reliable motorcycles ever built.
As someone who dreamt of riding his grandpa's Indian Chieftain, this is amazingly inspiring. Dying to get back on the road, gotta start looking for my 200 dollar bike for these Ohio roads
My first big twin was a 1996 vulcan 1500, bright yellow. Had no problems with people not seeing me on the road. Loved that bike. Powerful and fast! BTW, I like the flat black...just saying.
Bikes and Beard, I like to watch your program, you are honest and frank to the customer, I like Christian, and you are a good one. I go to Anglican church for 30 yrs. and now I moved, going to Alliance church near us, hopefully one day come to visit you and your shop. Good shows all the time. Isaac Lam in British Columbia, BC.
Now you're making me feel very old. When I started riding most motorcycles had fixed foot pegs that's right most of them did not fold, that came later.
me: wow that bike sounds pretty good, nice and bassy.
two mins later; bike sounds terrible unless you are 12
FK
LMAO
Carbs def clogged up I had the same one it was doing the same thing with the front cylinder and cleaned the carbs it worked fine after that
That black Kawasaki 1500 Vulcan is a good bike. I've had 3 of them and that is the most fun bike I've had since my first Kawasaki in 1967.
I love the clutch lever! Completely bent from being dropped so many times
But why use it to shift gears??Is that a Yamaha thing??
I just recently bought a 94 xr250l for $200, and all it needed was gas 😆
Daaamn u so lucky
@@harambeyadang8452 Until the police report gets filed.
Cheater cheater..you need one with the carb all plugged up that can not ever be be cleaned out ..take that back no one needs that head ack
No fair
@@harambeyadang8452 i bought a honda 125 4 stroke for 100$ and all i needed was pistion rings
"... noooo! It runs bad now... Push the choke back in! Alright, so it runs ok..." 😂😂🤣🤣😎
$500 and I’ll do a video riding it back to Iowa 😂
Go for it
That’s an actual good idea 😂
You'd never make it!
Not in this weather ❄️
@@901pics never say never anything is possible mate
Fun to watch. Had a Vulcan 700 back in the mid 80s. Liked it.
Love it. Right at the beginning. Bike nonchalantly lays over.
The thing hanging off the filler cap, it's the fule level indicator...
Man I love Srk cycles, great content and deals
By pulling the choke out you're bypassing the pilot Jets that's why it's running
They need to hire a mechanic that actually knows what they're doing 🤦♂️
@@alotl1kevegas860 they have, there are videos on it
@Scott Alan
Having to run with the choke pulled out is not a good sign for a good running motor no matter what that motor is in!
You are supposed to be able to turn the choke off after the motor starts running because the open choke is allowing fuel to pass through the carburetor freely and the carburetor is not functioning at all!!!
That’s almost like having a fuel injection type system without having an injector in the cylinder head!
Scott Alan Very true but there’s another side effect of that in that it causes a greater pressure differential across the idol Jets and all of the Jets And forces more fuel through them which also results in the velocity of the fuel going through the restricted Jets eventually cleaning them out as a result overtime they will get cleaner and cleaner until you don’t even need to run with the choke on in the first place and don’t forget it’s cold out while he’s riding the bike
I had one of those Viragos, gold wheels and everything. 700cc Loved it. Had only one issue which was a clutch line leak. Fixed in about 15 minutes. And if you held the throttle wide open it would do 102mph...that's all she had. Rode the wheels off of it.
2:48 gotta say I like the way they customized the bike. Thought it looked great
How about my 10” Delta table saw? I am in Pittsburgh I can be there with a trailer this weekend......
Depending on what year the Delta was made, is it a FFU, etc you may be losing in this "bargain".
the most valueable part of this bike is the full tank of fuel he put in it! fun video..
I can just picture the guy on a stool in his shed with a beer in his hand and a rattle can in the other going at it. lol
Cool, Ride On, merci. Motorcycle Madness.
I used to love the Virago. In the 80’s, it was the only bike that rivalled Harley in style.
After one ride and he's like "Im getting rid of it". Like we were all shocked you'd be getting rid of such a good running bike.....lol
I really like the potential of that Vulcan. I'd pay €800 for that here in Ireland.
Pity we do not have motorcycle auctions in Ireland .There is just a very small one i know of in N.I.
I’d make an offer but shipping to UK would cost more than the bike is worth. Nice bike though. I still like my 2009 1250S Suzuki Bandit.
Space in someone else's container could get it to you for 400$
Ikr in the uk we cant get deals as good as this
@@5staranis800 I remember when you could go out and buy a semi decent road legal runner for £100 - £200 on the used market, now you are lucky if you can find a total shit box for less than £500. The used motorcycle market in the UK is way overpriced these days.
These are some of my favorite kinds of your videos. I love cheap and cheerful bikes. Also Viragos and Vulcans are awesome. I also could watch hours of you walking the auction floor talking about bikes
My 200 dollar bike was my 1983 Yamaha Maxim 750 and
I absolutely love it.
After cancer 5 times in 4 1/2 years, and a half-million in debt, need to be, and feel, relevant again...and, I ain't dead...let's do this.
^^^This guy^^^
I gotcha bill
I've been in your position.....
Riding my Dyna is what keeps me going so don't sell this to anyone.....
Give it to this guy sounds like he can use a break
I was gonna offer $600. Give it to Bill D. I say we start a gofundme thing to raise cash to bring the beast to life.
After having half of my left lung removed a month ago, stage 3e cancerous tumor. My kids started a gofundme and hardly raised anything. Being out of work for 5 months and don't know when I'll be going back to work. I would love to get this bike but can't afford it even at 500-600. It would be a nice bike after new plugs and carb rebuild, with custom exhaust and seat.
Runs like a low-level street thugs fake Rolex... Nice Score!
If you turned the bike over and looked carefully, there will be a "Made in China" label.
@@micheal49 hahaha
@micheal49
Thank you Captain Obvious!!!
It’s a Kawasaki, it’s guaranteed to either have a made in China or Japan label on it!!!
@@AzzKicker-bz1cb And a very merry Christmas to you, too!
If you people cant see a difference between China and Japan build quality, i dont know what to tell you
Of all the bikes you’ve shown, this one probably ranks right on the margin of parts bike vs runner. I’d like to have it as a project but live in central Massachusetts and getting it home would be costly. However, I enjoyed your video and assessment of its condition.
Roger you're joking...right? There was no assessment. There was misguided stumbling in the dark.
Hey, I've got a 99 vulcan. Of your going to get one before 2000 make sure it doesn't have the bs plastic oil pump gear. Just had to replace it on mine that involves splitting the case
I could sure use it. I got a 2001 moped 50cc I could throw in and maybe some money maybe 300. I know you probably say it's to low, but when your 65 and living on ssi t is what it is.
so funny how the second cylinder sometimes randomly fires and kicks in at like 20mph
Its like VTEC just kicked in yo! Poor mans VTEC lol!
It's like the cars that cut out cylinders to save gas as cruising speeds.
Literally you could do a couple great and simple budget builds with these, all Bolt ons of course
I love the way the first cylinder kicks in when you give it some gas XD
Fuel saving device
Vtec lol
i think your videos are good for troubleshooting some stuff like the thing with it running bad and one side being cold is mind blowing to me. i wish i could just go and buy bikes but i lack the money
I paid $1.500.00 for a 01 FLHRCI Road that got rear ended. I put about $600.00 in parts and did body work on the tank and front fender. I rode it around for a week or two and sold it for $3.800.00. I am sorry I didn't keep it I liked it better than my 03 FLSTC that I sold about a month later. Fun video
I mean I like the way they made the Vulcan look (other than that exhaust)
I’ll trade you a poorly taxidermied squirrel I stuffed in high school
XD
A squirrel you stuffed in high school ? I was into women myself ! X
Surely he would have to give you the bike and $500 cash for that squirrel
I’ll give you 100 bucks and put you on my family’s Christmas card list for life. The cards always come with a custom salt dough ornament from my kids so it’s totally worth it😂😂
It's backfiring because you're one carburetor is plugged up. Put some new plugs in it, seal the exhaust so it doesn't leak at the cylinder head because that won't foul spark plug every time, rebuild those carbs, which are miserable to access, make sure the wheels stay on, & the transmission don't leak, and then you got yourself a good one.
Do you know the virago was the first bike I ever own. A 750 or 700, I don’t remember. After that I traded it in on an 1100. I loved it. It never gave me any issues. I’m looking at my next bike being a Yamaha raider. They’re good reliable bikes and they are definitely worth the value.
At video start, when that motorcycle starts move, there is rope coming from front wheel😂
Tommorow I'm buying a gs500 for about 450. I can't wait!
Man I'm glad I just found this today, so I know it's long gone by now.
I was about to offer 500 and pay for shipping to Deep South Texas
So after not being able to so much as drive a car in 8 years, I was finally cleared to drive. I have had issues with seizures, which is not a good mix with riding bikes. I found this channel, and now I need to ride. I'm a bit late to riding, as I am 43, but maybe in the next couple years I can actually afford something. But I will ride, and , hopefully, across the US.
Life has thrown a ton of obstacles, but I do hope to take that trip across the nation someday. Love the channel, thanks for sharing.
It almost sounds like a bigger version of the Bubble Bike.😁👍👍
HAHAHA ohh man - how it rolled forward and fell over at the beginning. I laughed so hard!
8:17, you are running on one cylinder (so far) You have a plugged idle jet. (the most common issue with bikes.) Nice turn signal :-) 12:00 still running on one cylinder. NOT AWESOME GUY.
I’d never recommend a new rider pick up someone’s garage project. It’s a good way to have an expensive paperweight taking up room in your garage, you’re already going to be learning how to ride, much less dealing with the bike’s ‘quirks’.
Hell, I just picked up a $500, Ninja 250. The oil pan is full of gasoline, the clutch was shot, I’m probably going to have to rebuild the motor (top and bottom). All said and done, the $500 bike is probably going to be $1500 after the repairs. That said, I’m doing it for the education as I didn’t want to screw up on one of the bikes I ride daily.
So is it possible to get a really cheap bike (say, less than $1000) that actually runs well?
@@christopherpape4823 it CAN happen, but is it LIKELY to happen?
Bring someone who knows how to test out a motorcycle with you. A practiced hand will see all kinds of stuff you might not.
My first used bike, I realized what happens when someone parks a bike for years… had to replace every piece of rubber on that thing… I got lucky that the carbs didn’t need to be balanced.. the electrical started going after that (signals, horn, etc).
If you don’t have anybody, I can say:
Test signals, check the headlight, toot the horn.
Look at the tires for cracking and uneven wear, brake lines (same thing), clamp the brake and try to roll the bike (had one roll past it, which is NOT a good sign). Look under the seat for wiring hacks (someone chopping up the factory wiring), check the frame for cracks (had a buddy go backwards off the Highway and cracked the frame on his Triumph… bike LOOKED fine).
Have the seller start the bike and let it run for a few minutes and then look for oil leaks (usually around here stator cover or crankcase covers, which are the parts that usually stick out). I tried to repair a bike with cheap parts and it leaked like a mutha. Also, aftermarket eBay stator motors have about a mile in ‘em before the voltage plummets and the bike won’t run.
Inspect for rust (frame, wheels, tanks, motor, clamps, etc).
If the bike is super old, shine a light in the gas tank. If it’s full of rust, pass. If it looks lumpy inside, pass. The sealants they can use inside gas tanks are NOT created equal and can be a real pain if they start flaking off.
Check the suspension to make sure the fork seals aren’t leaking (front fork: if it looks like they have oil on them, they’re likely leaking). Check the tach with a quick throttle twirl. If you can have someone ride it, they can tell you if the gearbox and clutch are okay.
I would HIGHLY recommend watching 44 teeth (TH-cam channel) doing their ‘Budget Bike Battle’ series as they run old bikes and some of the crap they have problems with range from annoying to ‘this will kill a novice rider’… stuff like total brake failure.
Also, I usually recommend friends stay away from carbureted bikes if they don’t know how to work on them. With motorcycles, every cylinder has a carb, so four cylinders mean four carbs. Balancing, jetting and cleaning four carbs is a pain and I can say two is bad enough…
That said, some older bikes can be a hoot (I would suggest staying away from old goldwings for the sole reason of weight, despite they tend to be better maintained than most old bikes… heavy bikes require a practice hand. You CAN learn with one, but I’d really recommend NOT doing that) and bikes like the KLR seem to come for abuse like a masochist at a BDSM party.
Anyway, hope this helps.
@@DrTranofEvil very helpful thanks!!
You guys are awesome just the way you give back to the fans...
This is a fun motorcycle channel to watch, thank you!
I would make an offer but I'm from Philly and we steal window wipers. LOL
Where and when is your auctions at, I've been looking for a vehicle auction for sooo long
You know how to use Google ?
Please... lower the volume of the music between speaking... your voice is so low we have to turn the volume up to hear you, then the music blasts us out.
right on.
I just love how much cheap are the used vehicles in US. In Brazil this bike worth about 1200 bucks
I'm 72 and I got started with bikes at 14 exactly like this. Bought a POS, got it running, used it for a while, sold it and bought another, bigger POS, etc. My riding buds call me McGiver.