As some of you may know, my '02 SV650 met an early demise via a Lexus and a locking up tire. So for the last 2 months I've been saving back up to get back on 2 wheels. And earlier this week, I finally did! I didn't get the 1200 I was looking for since I was tired of waiting (plus my fuel bill is outrageous at 11mpg) so instead I picked up a '96 Bandit 600 with 42k on the clock, but in fairly good shape all around. I'm happy with it, but it does need a little TLC! Need a stock headlight, new rear shock, tires, chain/sprocket, and handlebars to be where I want it. But for $1150, I'm happy with it! Pictures are a little lacking right now, but more will be coming soon, when she's registered and on the road.
The beginning of the ride home, putting the tires back to the right pressure. And there's my gas hog as well :thumb:
(https://scontent-a-lhr.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xpa1/v/t1.0-9/10411260_10205236481893875_7586092143996537674_n.jpg?oh=2da0ad4cf1fdaaa7079909198d3cbacc&oe=551F7CF7)
A little closer up, from the craigslist ad:
(http://images.craigslist.org/00x0x_4vBD2kQyTem_600x450.jpg)
More to come! I've got a new ignition switch on the way as of tonight also. The current one is finnicky on when it wants to work, so I'm not about to get stranded over a dang key that won't turn
Nice! I'm a fan of Bandits..... which is why I have a B12 front end on my GR.
It blows me away how smooth this thing rides, even with a worn out suspension. And how much smoother the 4cyl is than the V-twin I had in my SV650. I forsee a lot of good times with this bike :thumb:
Nice ride there bro! And black IS badder! Lol
Thanks! Even though it's a really, really dark green. Like to the point that it's black in some light, and green in others. It's pretty cool really. Thinking about what I'm going to do with the tank and tail though... Got some clear coat issues by the fuel filler and I want to keep the cosmetics on point, seeing as I finally bought a bike without a dented gas tank lol
ohhh you're a unlucky one! your bandit doesn't come with the complementary "I gotta get it sold" spray paint!??
That it did not! And thankfully! That's the only spot of paint issues on the whole bike :thumb: So For now I think I'm gonna try and run a sticker collage stripe to cover it and look kinda different.
Something like this:
(http://fc04.deviantart.net/fs70/f/2013/005/8/9/_hoonigan__sticker_bombing_by_bora888-d5fk274.jpg)
But using only automotive and powersports performance stickers
Stang, I'm about to head to bed but don't go all sticker crazy until I get back to you. I've seen some wild sticker bombs before, and have an entire tool box drawer full of them I could possibly donate.
Hey, Mustang, there's a girl here in kissimmee that works in a vinyl place. I can get custom cuts and stuff, I get a discount. if you need something along those lines, now that I know you don't live that far. let me know. I also do some stuff myself, but I'm not ready to revel it yet until I get better at making them.. :thumb:
Very dark green that sometimes looks black... in aussieland they call that 'panther' :)
Thanks guys! I'll be running around to some local speed shops trying to pick up some free stickers and what not. Trying to do it without buying them lol.
And of course all that goes on hold because the apparently uncle Sam decided that the DMV needs to be closed on black friday. And their regular weekends closed as well. So because I got paid AFTER 5pm on wednesday, I have to wait till monday to put this bike on the road legally. And I'm livid because I just drove to the DMV to find out they are closed. Not listed on their website, and even the phone call I made said they're open Monday-Friday 9-5. No mention of being closed today. And I'll just stop there because I'm sure the NSA doesn't wanna hear the anger in my head :mad:
On the plus side, I ran through the bike the other day on the stand. It's pretty much just chain/sprockets and a rear tire left to be good. I tightened/lubed the chain, still makes a lot of racket, fixed the fuel leak, solved the rear brake issue, and got the oil level at the proper place
She's legal now! First day of riding today, to work and back :thumb:
(https://scontent-b-atl.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xfp1/v/t1.0-9/10616179_10205315220142282_5606399907940961923_n.jpg?oh=94eb5f087a60c2c2bf84d7ac9b627af0&oe=5516DA34)
To do list has officially been figured out.
-120/60 and 160/60 Pilot Powers
-Chain and sprockets
-New drag bars - current ones are tweaked
-Brake pads all around
-Oil change
-Check valves (this has screw adjusters, no shims!!)
-Carb sync
-Spark plugs
-Rear shock - that thing is gone... it's so worn out. Probably the original at 43k miles
-New/re-upholster seat
That outta about cover it. It'll be mechanically perfect after that. Me being a mechanic, I can't stand it not being perfect...
Which leads to my question, can I sync the carbs before the valve adjustment? Or will adjusting the valves throw off the sync? I don't have the tool to sync them, so I'd rather not take it to the shop twice
The valves should always be done first. If you sync the carbs with the valves out of spec and then do the valves, the cylinder might pull more air/fuel from that carb. There's a chance the valves are in good shape and the carb sync now would be all you need....but why pay more to be wrong?
Made another nice purchase today! Decided a helmet was more important than new tires for the week... Next week brings a set of Pilot Powers :)
For a pretty penny, I brought home an Icon Airmada helmet. Love it. Snug, quiet, locking shield, reflective strips, brightly colored, glossy finish, I dig it! Got it for $222 after taxes. Not bad seeing as the regular Airmada stickers around $260-$300 depending on the paint job. This one was on clearance, and I ain't even mad
Here's the old Icon Alliance (with minimal cosmetic damage from the crash) and the new Airmada!
(https://fbcdn-sphotos-h-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xap1/v/t1.0-9/10848013_10205322876653690_7658058534764916870_n.jpg?oh=96120e596cef2fdbeb496034accbf4c1&oe=55039FF8&__gda__=1426753965_27764710bda12adf9257f32e507d6d08)
You can't beat buying a used bike. Those first few hours of alone time once you get her home. Sitting on it, feeling the riding position. Walking around it, shining the light in, on, and underneath, inspecting every inch of it. After that I like to grab a beer, pull up a chair and stare, imagining my vision for how all the changes I plan to make are going to look. Then its onto the computer - Amazon, eBay, to estimate the cost of sourcing all those parts. Sounds like you had a similar experience!
Congrats on the bandit. Its one of those bikes that I will own one day. I've always been a fan and before I was old enough to ride it was the bike I just knew I was gonna buy as soon as I was old enough. Seems redundant to have one with the GS though. Tell me I'm wrong ;)
I can't say you're wrong.. but it's only been 150 miles so far :lol: On wasted tires and a wasted suspension... Haven't been able to push anything yet!
Determined a new thing to add to the to-do list - New front master cylinder. Or rebuild. Whichever way I find it. My front brake is notchy, and I'm far from OK with that.
Does anyone happen to know what kind of rear shocks swap into a Bandit, aside from stock. Can I fit up a ZX6-R shock or something?
Mustang, I can't say what shock will work for sure. But I can tell you there's an entire thread dedicated to Bandits on ADVRider. I'm sure there is a Bandit forum like the Twins forum (Bandit Alley rings a bell.....), but it is a great thread.
For the master cylinder, look into GSXR parts after doing a parts number cross reference. Parts labeled "Bandit" seem to be generally more expensive, but GSXR parts are pretty easy to find.
Thanks for tip!
In some researching I've been doing, I've found that the '03-'04 CBR600RR shock bolts into my bandit with ease, so I think I'll be doing that for the rear suspension, and a .90kg racetech or sonic springs in the front. Should be a pretty good handling bike after I'm done with it.. :woohoo:
The front brake is downright scary sometimes, as the binds up and then suddenly decides to work again. Not cool. But it'll get addressed after christmas, seeing as I'll be 1200 miles from my bike in 10 days lol
Took the plunge today... New tires orderd! $235 shipped for my set of Pilot Powers, and thankfully I can install myself!
Pilot Powers are on! :thumb:
Took these pictures before I even put a mile one them. Have about 100 miles now and it's time to find a curvy road to really test 'em out
(https://scontent-a-atl.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xpa1/v/t1.0-9/s720x720/10906356_10205572796741536_9106732279980407522_n.jpg?oh=69fa2a2ea8cf79a03f4503616b4ce9e4&oe=55398D5D)
(https://fbcdn-sphotos-h-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xpa1/v/t1.0-9/s720x720/10626477_10205572796981542_719802569658235433_n.jpg?oh=8e68d94005fb550abdf3bf914a3193e9&oe=5544A042&__gda__=1429367431_eac26265b2f5918e1d3239f7c405a370)
Please try to do a good review - I'm looking at the Pilots too.
Personally I look at the stewardessii, some of them are nice... and they have 'that rep' lol. .
But you go ahead and perv on the pilots Rich. . I'm sure they won't mind! :-p
The mile high club is always looking for new members :). Besides if youre pervin on the pilots, who flies the aircraft :icon_lol:. Anyhoo enough of a thread jack, back on topic for :) me lol
I've run a pilot front on my old gixxer and loved it, that's why I ordered these. They're premium sport rubber so I don't expect but 4k for the rear. I did 6k on my gsxr and the front still had life left.
Ill put up a review after I get my chain and brakes fixed up so I can push it more. For now they're great. Quick turn in, hold a line well, and warm up quick. And bonus for me, I mounted but didn't balance since we don't have a machine in the shop I'm in for motorcycle wheels to balance and they don't feel to need balancing so win for me!
I'm 2 weeks and a few hundred miles into the pilots now, and loving every second!
We were slow in the shop yesterday, so I hit my bike with a little quick detailer I had in my toolbox. I really need to paint the exhaust until I can get my new pipe lol
(https://scontent-a-atl.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xpa1/v/t1.0-9/10929166_10205749169390742_7363281445092232964_n.jpg?oh=82d54496021f65bd84b226a90cbfaf82&oe=556B6BF5)
(https://scontent-a-atl.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xap1/v/t1.0-9/10929926_10205749169910755_1384790652950047940_n.jpg?oh=c9107443b5ceec990eef978e2fc97ed9&oe=556D100B)
So I finally got a day off to really go through and detail this bike. So got her washed down, waxed up, spent 2 hours with a powerball on the headers with some chrome polish, and hit the muffler with some fresh paint to fix how crappy the thing was looking from the P.O's botched paint job!
(https://scontent-a-atl.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-prn2/v/t1.0-9/10959510_10205837549440188_5295386514816979319_n.jpg?oh=78d6502cb8b18bdd76910cbc2a2220df&oe=55612BF5)
(https://fbcdn-sphotos-e-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xpa1/v/t1.0-9/10940544_10205803035257355_3770451159413116039_n.jpg?oh=d36ad60d3c9f1267d9906841732cdb2e&oe=555DB37E&__gda__=1428247144_571d8c5e0d4689b32434ceafe5f82104)
(https://fbcdn-sphotos-h-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xfp1/v/t1.0-9/10313334_10205803035657365_1354666604714189158_n.jpg?oh=3be59ac8f36f3567f54d9ad9891fe9b1&oe=5555D27E&__gda__=1432993819_b43f76bcc6ebf83753a7a0ff706ec723)
(https://fbcdn-sphotos-b-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xap1/v/t1.0-9/10357827_10205803036057375_7810299397905729822_n.jpg?oh=001779e3f6d1fd6d2e034e462968ce2c&oe=554ED564&__gda__=1431238705_9fbf2769730bb22e72b61d3e218c5e5c)
(https://fbcdn-sphotos-d-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xap1/v/t1.0-9/10942460_10205803322784543_4388931567496986005_n.jpg?oh=462791bccdf094c3a25ee84b0ab2cd13&oe=55505F5F&__gda__=1432104714_2fbabf2b52f07e8b827d4436425ff83b)
Brake pads showed up today as well :D Haven't been able to ride in 2 days because I misjudged when my paper thin pads were gonna go metal to metal lol
NICE!!! :cool:
Thanks!
New pads were installed sunday, and then it rained monday :( But either way, what I thought was my master cylinder being shot and reacting very unpredictably and causing the lever to stick and bind, turned out to be the calipers. When I had them apart I greased the caliper slides and the clips that guide the pads and now my front brakes are drama free. Smooth, predictable lever action :thumb:
And now this bike needs to take a back seat to life... Good thing it's ready to be a commuter. Steering gearbox in my truck is in the process of taking a shaZam!, but more importantly, I'm signing the lease for my first house away from the parents tomorrow :woohoo: :woohoo:
Another new bike huh!!?? Haha
Looks great!! Bet that beast has a little more power than the GS and your SV huh?? Haha.
Haha yup, and soon another! My SV would wipe the floor with this Bandit :D
But in a few months my tax return + this bike will be turned into a nice, fuel injected sport bike. Either a 636 or a 600RR I think :) then my mad spree of changing bikes can end because I'll finally have what I've been trying to get since I was 18!
I would suggest you save and get what you realllllllly want. I have both a 2003 ZX6R and a 2003 CBR600RR, and I would have rather saved for the 09+ zx6r or the 07+ cbr600rr! Dont get me wrong, I love them and they are great, but the more you look at the newer ones and the technology they have, the more you want them. Just a little tid bit of information! :)
I'm still deciding which one to go for. I'm going to buy the new bike in cash since I hate owing money and don't want to pay a lot in insurance! So until I make my decision, I'll be sticking with the bandit and saving money.
636, 600RR, 05+ SV650, I've got a few I'm drooling over.
I know the 650 isn't exactly in the same class as the other 2, but under 100mph it's just as fast as the 600s and a little more comfortable. And I think they look sexy :cheers:
Being a grown up sucks sometimes! Now I can't just spend all my money as soon as I get it on what I want :mad:
Reality aside, the Bandit is continuing to treat me well. Carbs synced, valves adjusted (not in that order) and fuel screws set, plus a new chain. Runs absolutely perfect now :thumb:
Or so I thought! Damn thing broke down on me Friday morning. 5th day at my new job, and I had to call in and break the news to them I was broke down. Ugh. Ended up getting there 3 hours late, but luckily it went alright and I didn't get in any trouble. Anyways, something clutch related is broken right now. Felt like the cable was fraying going down the road, and finally ended with a lever that had no feel and didn't pull the cable. Got it to the side of the road, and turns out my cables fine. It seems like where the cable connects to the pushrod clutch actuator piece on the sprocket cover came undone somehow. So either something broke and I need a sprocket cover, or the cable managed to slip off a bent piece back there. I don't know.
I'll break into it tomorrow after work. I've meant to the past couple days but A) it's been pouring and B) my hex set is in my toolbox at the shop across town, so I need to bring that home. After I pull that sprocket cover I should know what I'm working with. And ebay informed me that a new sprocket cover is $35 for new old stock, so I'm not worried :thumb:
So took the sprocket cover off and found a slew of issues.
A) nut holding front sprocket on isn't there (knew this already, trying to find one currently.
B) the place the cable clips into was ground down a bit which weakened it enough to break. Presumably from the chain rubbing on it because the sprocket wasn't held in right where it needed to be.
C) the push rod from the clutch actuator into the case is bent. Still need to do more research to find out if it's supposed to be bent, but I feel like it's not.
So I need a clutch mechanism (or sprocket cover if I can't find the actuator on it's own), a sprocket nut, and a clutch push rod.
Awesome.