Old Cruiser Motorcycles

I have always wanted to get a rad old cruiser motorcycle to ride around town with. The thing is, I have no clue where to even start as far as year, brand, model, etc.. Not looking to pop wheelies and go 100+ on Pacific Coast Hwy. Just something that could be easy to work on, classic and perfect for cruisin! Anyone have any advice or direction so I can start researching?



You can also use this thread to post up some of your old motorcycles!

 

I just got a Yamaha XS1100 and I love it... Although I don't really think of it as a "cruiser" so much and more of a standard bike at the time it was made.
There is a Motorcycle section in the off-topic area... You have to scroll down a bit but there's a thread with a lot of good bike pics

 

Mid-80's to mid-90's metric cruisers are probably your best bet. Over the years I've had a Kawasaki 550 LTD, Yamaha Maxim X, and Honda Magna. They were all 4 cyl engines, so they were quite smooth. All were reliable and seem to last forever. I'd be looking for a 4 cyl water cooled cruiser. If you can find a shaft drive, that just lessens the maintenance. Though if you like the sound and feel of a twin, not much wrong with that, but I would still hold out for water cooled.

 

Nice! Thank you for the insight. I will be on the lookout for something in that range.

 

My first bike was my old man's 1979 Yamaha XS750. 4 cyl., air cooled, shaft driven. Heavy sumbitch, but man it was fun to ride around on- and once you got it moving, you couldn't feel the weight. Super easy to work on, but as old bikes do, maintenance just became a PITA. Especially for a young kid that just wanted to get out and ride and not work on old junk. Damn I miss that thing. Thinking about resurrecting it as a stripped down café... Just another project to add to the list...

 

I wouldn't mind working and/learning to work on an old bike. I think it's pretty neat when you can get something going and keep it going and get to enjoy the fruits of your labor!

 

I recommend buying a complete, running, safe & ready to ride bike, it will cost more but will save you $$$ in the long run compared to buying a less expensive project bike. You can add your custom touches to it while your riding and enjoying it. I also enjoy riding classic cruiser motorcycles. I have 2 old 76 kawasaki kz900's. Because of the popularity of cafe racers it seems that the 70's & 80's bikes are going up in value. The conversations that people start with me during fuel stops and even in traffic is just as fun as riding. Good luck in your search and post a pic when you purchase a bike.

 

Jeeze I love those! I just want to become a "cafe racer biker chick" or whatever you want to call it! hahah Cruise around, customize and work on my bike, and have one of those rad vintage sparkly open face helmets! Thank you for all the advice. I need to start saving up for my dream vintage bike fund.

 

You can buy a really nice 2000's Honda shadow for$2500/$3000. That's where I would start.

 

Beautiful bikes 68Dave!

 

My first bike was a Suzuki ES550EF. Sporty looking Standard bike. Heavy as hell and loaded with issues. But, great to learn on and fun for what it was.

 

This girl is so rad, and I want to be her! hahah Knowing how clumsy I am though, I may just have to keep my feet on the pedals at all times.

 

Ahhh this is what I'm looking for. A guide for the newbies!
http://www.revzilla.com/common-tread/how-to-buy-your-first-vintage-motorcycle

 

Everything about this is BEAUTIFUL.

 

Here is mine:

Haven't been able to ride much with all the rain we've been getting but it's a blast and a lot faster than you would think. The carbs have proven to be a bit finicky but they're pretty simple to work on yourself. There's also tons of youtube videos that give great directions on doing repairs/maintenance

 

I have a weakness for anything blue. Too rad!

 

Thanks. A lot of the old kawasaki's are being shipped back to Japan. Pictured is a container loaded with them that's headed over there. I was thinking of selling my brown bike, i already have the green 900 and a HD softail.

 

I just bought this 1 owner low mileage original 1975 Z1900 last week. It's been off the road and in a dry building since 1985. For the past week i've been "resurrecting" it back to life.

 

I'd suggest a Suzuki savage/ls650/s40. They are all the same bike just different years have different names. They are about the same size as a sporster orHonda rebel but have a 650 single cylinder. Really simple bikes that you shouldn't out grow for a while. Also they sell for about the same as a running vintage bike. I'm not sure on how to post pics anymore but they look pretty good stock and customized.

 

Or you could look at the Yamaha xr400 it's a brand new bike you can buy from the dealer but looks straight outta 1975