New Mustangs And Other Vehicles

Well, there's this:

That's right, it's a new old Mustang, upgraded but classic.

Pretty sweet. Starting about $120,000, not unreasonable compared to what other similar-ish vehicles cost. I tagged my best college pal, Doug Clark of Garage Knights and he replied "back to the good old days. Well, I'm down to just 5 of them now and only 2 run LMAO" (to which I answered, "I'll take one off your hands if you like; let me count my change jar...LOLOL").

That was fun. Somehow I ended up looking at motorcycles on Craigslist. (you know that I was looking at Things, right?) Now, I'm not in the market, shoot, I don't even have motorcycle temps, but here's some old bikes I like.

"1982 Honda 250 Custom. No title. Needs carburetor work. Easily repaired or used for parts. $400"

"I have owned this for MANY years! It has been in inside storage until 3 days ago and now it must go. If you are looking to restore it nothing is frozen. It rolls with ease and the cables are not frozen. Or you can part it out on eBay. There is no title but I will provide a bill of sale. It has been so long that I do not remember the year or CC of the bike. I have no interest in it anymore, it came out of storage and the first one to get here takes it home. $250"

"Honda CB360 for sale. Clean title, good cosmetic shape for a bike of this age. New brakes, brake lines, points, condensers, battery, rectifier/regulator. $1400."

Somehow I found my way to a page about these, and thought that it's right up my alley: a good beginner bike, on and off road, 70+ MPG. Reminds me of the Scramblers I like so much.

Let's retrace the steps, for fun:

A Supercompressor article about the aforementioned Mustangs led to

Please God, Let Jeep Make These Concept 4X4s which led to

Keanu Reeves' Motorcycle Company Debuts First Bike (I think) which came from this page of links.

However, my search history has me thinking that I just clicked on this Yahoo story after logging off my email. Not as much fun, eh?

I then Googled the TW200 and found this story and thought, "that's a bike I could ride!" There are plenty available on Craigslist, and they can be had pretty reasonably, if you ask me. New ones are around $4500.

Cars, Cars, Cars! I need a new hobby.

This is turning into a Friday thing with me!

An MG locally asking $1500 and it runs? Yup.

$2500 but reverse is acting up

Two in Dayton for $2500

To the south in Lexington for $1500, a rusty blue MG

A Thing in the Poconos for a reasonable $4000

A crusty Thing in South Carolina for $2195 (now $1275.00 obo)

Honda S65? Maybe....

*** Update:

It got promised to the guy that cuts the grass..... oh well!

A colleague is in the long process of sifting through her father's estate with her siblings, sad to say (it's been stressful for her for various reasons), and a month or so ago mentioned "there's even some old motorcycle in his barn."

Ever glib, I said "I'll give you $50 for it," as that's my standard low-ball offer for humorous effect. Don't be insulted if you have something for sale and I offer you 50 bucks, it's a joke, I probably don't want your stuff anyway (the MG in my brother-in-law's shop exempted as I do want that, I just can't afford it.)

Fast forward to this week, when she said, it's

"a 65 Honda S65, the tires are flat."

"Tell your brother my offer still stands!" I replied, ever kidding, but suddenly  not so kidding. He's the decider when it comes to the "stuff" on the property.

"He may take it!"

Yikes. But, on the other hand, cool! I did tell her, that's too little money and they should sell it for more. She said "whatever." Hmmmm.

Here's a very nice Honda S65:

some old scans from this guy's Honda wiki

Some pull quotes from the article:

Like most small Hondas of the time, the S65 (also sometimes known as the Honda CS65) owes much of its upbringing to the granddaddy of tiddlers, the C100 and its sporty C110 derivative. Despite the obvious difference of the pass-through versus the conventional tank-over-frame design, the basic layout and many significant mechanical components are shared between the bikes. This becomes even more obvious when you place the two bikes side-by-side. Let’s see now, hmmm, those front forks sure look familiar. So does that rear swing arm. Oh, wait, that taillight is the same, too.

And yet, the S65 retains a completely unique look and feel, and an appearance that should endear itself to a small-bike enthusiast looking for that perfect middle ground. It is something more grown-up than your typical pass-through scooter, yet not overtly sporty to the point of being single-minded in its purpose. The S65 really is the smart kid in the class, with the correct answer for nearly every situation.

 ....

Like my mother’s 20-year-old Honda lawn mower, the Honda S65 needs but a touch of choke and one good kick to bring it to life. And unlike the more temperamental two-strokes I usually ride, this little thumper doesn’t anger the neighbors with puffs of smoke or high-revving two-stroke tunes. Instead, it just cranks over and settles into a nice little thump-thump idle barely heard through the well-muffled exhaust.

....

The rest of my ride takes me back into town along small surface streets, soaking up potholes, barely noticing manhole covers, and generally admiring the fact that this little machine is a great all-rounder. It has proven totally dependable, great fun and surprisingly practical for riding on today’s faster-paced streets. At the end of the day, it comes as no surprise that Honda got it right with the S65.

These bikes are going for $500 in poor condition to $2000 (although I found someone asking $4000!) on the web. I just want something to ride!

The Latest Group Of Vehicles I'd Like

The usual things are still drawing my attention, a non running 73 for $2500 Ebay link

and an orange 73 for $3500, (**SOLD** i suppose, ad is deleted) maybe the best deal here:

"1973 VW Thing. Cranks, runs, drives. Vehicle was used to ferry my kids around at our hunting property.They are now grown and I prefer to walk. Thing was stored inside for last 20 years. It is complete other than steering wheel ring and sun visors. I have a new top, in the box, from The Thing Shop in Arizona that will go with the car.

It has a noticeable shimmy between 45 and 50 mph and will need ball joints. It pops out of reverse but will go backwards when necessary. Floor pans are 80% or so."

This is rough, for 2000 "1973 vw thing no title but will give bill sale engine is locked up from sitting no water: engine never been removed gas heater complete $2000.00 or best offer"

Here's a nicer orange 73 asking a fair $4500

"Bought this last year and put about 200-250 miles on it (drove great until the carb started acting up). only needs a new carburetor to be fully functioning and to enjoy this summer not a huge project. comes with soft door tops and the top frame(no canvas). Very little rust!! comes with a bill of sale"

This is also a good deal, in my estimation:  also asking $4500, "The car is currently not running but was running when it was put into storage 7 years ago. There is no battery in the car currently as it was removed when it failed. It was running just fine when stored but the transmission was having trouble with 3rd gear.

I drove it for 2 years with this problem by adapting to not using 3rd gear. I acquired a used replacement transmission to replace it, but have not installed it, and it is included with the car."

and over in Indy is a nice red "1973 VW Thing. Alabama car no rust runs but has been sitting no title bill of sale only $4000 OBO" ***Dec 2014 update, now asking $5000*****

 

I'd take this camper for $3000 as well.

but, I do have to admit that I have started looking at another old favorite, the MG: These are plentiful at reasonable prices. If I actually owned my Camry (it's in my wife's name), I'd be attempting a trade already....

close to home for $2000:

Also close to home for $3500, "Very good condition, no rust, good tires, 4 speed transmission, Has top and full tonneau cover, new spare clutch still in the box, spare tire and jack, new radiator." 

Cheap at $3000 in town, at prices like these, I need to rethink my Thing obsession:

I'm not gonna bother with pictures, but here's 2 MGs for $1650 one of which will drive today, if you don't mind no passenger seat....

This is fantastic, $3500 but "make an offer?" You have to be kidding, compared to what Things are asking? **now asking $2800!!!!****

Lastly, for $2100. OBO? Seriously? I think my daughter needs one. "1977 mg midget, runs and drives 
things that need to be fixed ..the radio ,horn, the turn signal piece I have a new one to replace it"

I remain interested in motorcycles, maybe moreso now that I have actually had a chance to ride a dirt back (slowly) in my back yard.

a nice Kawasaki locally for $1750 obo

I really like older bikes, the new styling just doesn't appeal to me, nor do I want a crotch rocket, so this 1971 Honda CB 350 asking all of $600 OBO is my style:

$650 for a Honda Scrambler is fine, too: 

Motorcycles.

I needed to get a replacement debit card (worn mag strip) and the guy at the bank and I started chatting. Crazy, huh?

He's a motorcycle dude, and he suggested this for me: a Triumph Thruxton. Pretty Cool.

I poked around today, and I think I'd prefer a Triumph Scrambler:

Neither are quite Steve McQueen, but hey, what is?

That's all folks!

and another motorcycle post...

I blame Groosh for my recent dallying in the motorcycle world, but here's a prewar bike I just saw on ebay, and it's the type of thing I'm interested in, frankly. I have written about how I have no need for speed, after all....

This is just what I'd like, maybe from watching all the Indiana Jones movies, Patton, Tora Tora Tora, and Lawrence of Arabia.

Low to the ground so I can put my feet down, more like the cafe racers I've only just ever even heard about, and just, well, cool....

Motorcycle Desires Part Two the Sequel

Well, after the post yesterday, it's only fair that I show you this video. Makes me want to make films (like this, i really like his style in this and the other things he has posted on Vimeo) and get a motorcycle! A VW Thing would fit the family, but this would be fun and cheaper, too.


Cafe cowboy from benedict campbell on Vimeo.

If I Wanted a Motorcycle....it would be something like this

Well, thanks to Groosh's Garage for reminding me how much I used to want a motorcycle.

Isn't this nice?