Possible new project bike...

[Chris_V]

I'm trying to work out a deal with my buddy who wants my MGB project. His girlfriend has this '88 Honda 650 GT Hawk that has been sitting outside since '09 (and not running or driven since '07).



The MGB isnt' running, either, and I figure it's worth about $500, so it seems fair. The bike looks to need about a grand in repairs to get it back on the road, from the seat to the brakes and chain to rebuilding the carbs from bad old gasoline. When I pulled it out of the weeds this weekend, the front brake was locked up tight and I had to remove the caliper to get it to roll. Found a good used low mile caliper and master cyl for $50.

The problem is... the bike was his GFs ex-husband's, and they are still looking for the key and the paperwork (and her ex might be a problem in all this). So now I have to see if the hassle is worth it to get a cheap version of what's really a cheap bike essentially for free (I know, there's no such thing as a free project bike).

[Spectaculiciousnes]

For the price it's going to cost you to get that running & the fact the paperwork is up in the air, you can get that same bike in running condition for probably less than you'll end up putting in that one to get it to run. Only reason I'd consider buying a bike in that shape & status is if I were parting it

[soldierguy]

IF and ONLY IF the friends were able to get the keys and all paperwork, that'd be a great project. I'd be all over it. But only if they could get the paperwork and keys straight. Without that, there's no way I'd touch it.

[Chris_V]

Yeah, that's my stance, too. I'm not gonna BUY a bike, but if I can get the key and paperwork and trade it for the MGB that isn't costing me any money, then I can build a streetfighter out of it without haivng spent for the bike to start with. That's the main thing. If I was going to buy a nice one then replace all the parts to make it a streetfighter, it makes sense to start with one that needs those parts to begin with at a steep discount.

And if the ex is sketchy on the paperwork, then the deal's completely off. Don't want those headaches.

[romano258]

Waiting for Mad8vskillz to come on and talk smack about how crappy, pointless and unreliable Hawks are.

As a Hawk owner, I say go for it, assuming you can get the paperwork sorted. These are fun bikes and make a good project bike. You have a stout frame, single-sided swingarm that looks great with VFR or Ducati wheels. CBR F2/F3 forks are a direct swap (the speedo doesn't work with the F3s, but you can swap the uppers and keep the stock lowers). The engine is the weak point, stock they get less than 50 hp, but a pipe and a jet kit wakes it up to the point where it's enough for the street. Properly suspended, these bike handle like a dream. Good luck, pop by http://www.hawkgtforum.com it's a very active community, with lots of knowledgeable members. I think that these are pretty special bikes and it'd be great to have another one brought back from the dead.

[Mk1Racer]

For the price it's going to cost you to get that running & the fact the paperwork is up in the air, you can get that same bike in running condition for probably less than you'll end up putting in that one to get it to run. Only reason I'd consider buying a bike in that shape & status is if I were parting it

This