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recommendations for V-twin shaft drive

Discussion in 'Motorcycles' started by jacobigindi, Nov 3, 2013.

  1. Nov 3, 2013 at 6:15 PM
    #1
    jacobigindi

    jacobigindi [OP] Well-Known Member

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    Hey guys,

    I'm looking to get my first bike sometime in the near future. I plan on turning it into sort of a cross between a cafe racer and a military scrambler.
    Something like this http://www.caferacerdreams.com.es/m...s-clientes/honda-cb-750-kz-crd-11-black-cream

    At first I wanted to get a CB550, but after riding my buddy's Virago 250, I really want a V-twin, since it's way narrower than the 4 cylinder 550. I'd also like a shaft drive since they're generally easier and cheaper to maintain, and a little more reliable. I'm looking for something in the 250-550 cc range and preferably something old and very simple so I'm not too afraid to chop it up. So does anyone have any recommendations of an older, 250-550cc V-twin, shaft driven bike that would make a good cafe racer?
    Thanks
     
    Last edited: Nov 7, 2013
  2. Nov 5, 2013 at 6:10 PM
    #2
    Maticuno

    Maticuno Resident Pine Swine

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  3. Nov 5, 2013 at 6:15 PM
    #3
    Rich91710

    Rich91710 Well-Known Member

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  4. Nov 6, 2013 at 10:29 AM
    #4
    jacobigindi

    jacobigindi [OP] Well-Known Member

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    Any thoughts on/experience with a Honda CX500?
     
  5. Nov 6, 2013 at 10:38 AM
    #5
    Styx586

    Styx586 Well-Known Member

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    Well If ur going for a narrow engine I wouldnt go that route because it has the "flying V-twin". Where the cylinders stick out the sides instead of front and back
     
  6. Nov 6, 2013 at 10:42 AM
    #6
    Styx586

    Styx586 Well-Known Member

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    Check out a late 80s early 90s Harley Sportster 883. They came out with the 883 engine in '86 and you could probably get one for cheap. Plus there is an abundance of parts for Harley's for the most part. Its not shaft drive tho
     
  7. Nov 6, 2013 at 10:45 AM
    #7
    Artruck

    Artruck Well-Known Member

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    I have one, started with a GL500 interstate and had at with the hack saw. I got the cx 18 inch rear wheel and hub, I'm doing the suspension this winter. Its not super narrow, but some cutting and bending can make the seat area narrow to tuck in behind the heads. Parts and the Bikes are cheap. I'm only 300 bucks in and paid 90 for the bike. Take a look at them, the gl's have goldwing front ends and dual disc brakes, but you can make the same era cb forks and brakes fit too.
     
  8. Nov 6, 2013 at 6:50 PM
    #8
    Rich91710

    Rich91710 Well-Known Member

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    At least one of the Yamaha V-Stars also had shaft drive... either the 650 or the 1100, I don't remember.

    While the Kawasaki and Honda have exposed shocks, the V* is a softtail design with the hidden shock for the hardtail look (and ease of converting into a lowered hardtail by replacing the shock with a strut.)
     
  9. Nov 6, 2013 at 8:26 PM
    #9
    chad68

    chad68 Master Jedi Member I am...

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    IMO you're really limiting your choices by wanting a shaft drive bike, since probablly 90+% of bikes are chain drive.

    I'm just the opposite I suppose, as I would never want a shaft drive.
     
  10. Nov 6, 2013 at 8:32 PM
    #10
    Rich91710

    Rich91710 Well-Known Member

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    It's actually pretty nice.

    Gotta' pull the swingarm to lube the bearings with the tire change every 15k anyways, just slap some grease on the splines and replace the final drive lube with some M1 75w90 and it's good to go.
    No issues with rear wheel alignment, tension, chain lube being thrown or rubbing your pant leg against the chain....
     
  11. Nov 6, 2013 at 11:11 PM
    #11
    jacobigindi

    jacobigindi [OP] Well-Known Member

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    yup, that's the main reason I want a shaft drive; easy and cheaper maintenance. And going along with what Rich said, there's less of a risk of getting something caught in the drive train since it's all enclosed, not that I'll be riding in a trench coat or anything haha.

    I found this CX500 online and I've pretty much fallen in love with it.
    http://motorivista.com/custom-honda-cx500/

    [​IMG]

    Granted i know the flying V config isn't all that narrower than a CB550, but the shaft drive and liquid cooling and just straight up badass looks of this bike have me sold haha.
     
    Last edited: Nov 6, 2013
  12. Nov 8, 2013 at 3:44 PM
    #12
    T Fades

    T Fades Well-Known Member

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    Honda VT500 or Honda Shadow Spirit 750.
     
  13. Nov 8, 2013 at 3:51 PM
    #13
    Styx586

    Styx586 Well-Known Member

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    Agreed this thing is sick as f**k.
     
  14. Nov 8, 2013 at 4:02 PM
    #14
    vbibi

    vbibi Well-Known Member

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  15. Nov 16, 2013 at 10:04 PM
    #15
    toyodajeff

    toyodajeff Well-Known Member

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    Both the vstar 1100 and 650 have shaft drive.

    Maybe check out the older virago's they may be shaft drive, the engine design on the newer 1100 are supposed to.be the same as the virago 1100.
     
  16. Nov 17, 2013 at 7:12 PM
    #16
    Rich91710

    Rich91710 Well-Known Member

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    The old XV series? Ya... 250 was the only Virago that had a chain, so maybe an old 500/535?
     
  17. Nov 17, 2013 at 7:18 PM
    #17
    steve o 77

    steve o 77 braaap

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    Disregarding awesome classic bikes like the CB750 and XS650 (I'm partial to this one:D) because of the chain drive seems kinda odd to me. Chains are not hard to maintain at all. Takes maybe a minute to set tension and alignment and that's only if you remove the wheel.

    Lube takes 20 seconds every once in a while, and that's it.
     
  18. Nov 17, 2013 at 8:19 PM
    #18
    toyodajeff

    toyodajeff Well-Known Member

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    Yea i think the 250 maybe the only chain virago.

    Not to maintenance with a chain but they do sling junk everywhere. They have less parasitic loss than a shaft and gearing changes would be easy.

    I think the op will limit his choices if he wants a shaft but should still be able to.find one easy.

    Maybe look at a suzuki c50 im pretty sure they are shaft drive.
     
  19. Nov 17, 2013 at 8:23 PM
    #19
    toyodajeff

    toyodajeff Well-Known Member

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    Also if you want cheap and narrow look at the smaller suzuki cruiser its either a s40 or c40. The older one are called savage. They are single cylinder cruisers in the 550cc range. Not sure on the final drive but they seem to be pretty cheap since your cutting it up.
     
  20. Nov 17, 2013 at 8:24 PM
    #20
    Rich91710

    Rich91710 Well-Known Member

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    Not sure about the C50. The "Kawazuki" 1500 was shaft, but the 800 Marauder and Intruder were chain.
     

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