G'day.
I'm starting to look at my next bike.
Currently i'm on a XVS650 Custom (2013) that's had some work on it, but nothing major.
Looking to go bigger, but not American. My options so far are
Kawasaki Vulcan 1700
Yamaha Styker
Honda Shadow VT1100
I know TJ would probably scream "Get the Shadow dumb ass!" but I'm looking at what you guys think.
I'm loving the Styker mostly cause of it looks, but the Vulcan also jumps out a bit cause I know what kind of power it can make. Top speed isn't really a selling point, getting to that speed quickly is more important to me.
Get whatever you love the most.
They're all great brands and likely great bikes too.
I know that's not a very direct answer but it's ultimately your next bike and I don't think you can really go wrong with any of those.
@SkrewBall GET THE SHADOW DUMBASS! HAHAHA!
theres way more support for it and we are currently working on more badass stuff for the 1100
@Smeltie good to see you posting again man! thanks for the input!
One thing a parts man would tell you is whom has the best parts availability.
Thats why there is a CB400 in my shed. it took me 5 years to find a complete gasket set.
Red Foremen would be so proud.
@Eric Von Zipper I'd highly recommend investing in a set gasket hole punches and some sheets of gasket paper!
We face this problem all the time in the oldtimer moped and motorcycle scene, and the ability to make your own gaskets from scratch is essential in these cases.
You can buy gasket paper in all sorts of thicknesses and materials (even the several mm thick ones).
And a set of manual gasket hole punches are dirt cheap and last a long time.
If you have the old original gasket you can just trace it onto fresh gasket paper.
For copper gaskets you can usually just anneal them by heating them up with a torch until glowing red and then quenching it in cold water.
This softens the copper and makes it usable again!
@Smeltie Hell yeah man, great recommendation!!!
@TJ ty ty, but yeah I'm not the type to sit around scouring the internet for months to find something as trivial as a gasket.
When I have all the materials on hand or a single next day delivery away for quite literally pennies.
@Smeltie A blown head gasket is what's the problem.
I'm good, but not that good :-D
@Eric Von Zipper Have you tried CMSNL?
https://www.cmsnl.com/honda-cb400f2-european-direct-sales_model14648/packing-cylinder-mca_12191377000/
Not sure if this is the correct CB400, but they tend to have honda parts for days.
Another good resource I found kinda hidden away:
https://hondaspparts.co.uk/
Both sites seem to buy out old stock from garages/dealers in bulk.
I found a complete gasket set on craigs list for $50.
I also got everything CB he had.
Oh yeah you would have to cut that one in half, this one only a Johnny Popper.
