Is motorcycling allowed?

[Steven Knoetze (sk27)]

Off to my seat guy finally - he's already called me and discussed a few things I never would even have thought of - like red stitching......

 

He's excited.  I'm more so!

 

Who are you using, Leatheredman?

He did mine, beautiful with a bit of red stitching.....

[Andymann]

Who are you using, Leatheredman?

He did mine, beautiful with a bit of red stitching.....

Yuuup - he's pretty much the best in Pretoria, if not in Gauteng.  We're busy agreeing on what to do, but I've pretty much given him free reign so lets see what he comes up with.  But there will definitely be some red stitching.....

[Steven Knoetze (sk27)]

Why do people even do this, before;

 

After:

[Patchelicious]

Why do people even do this, before;

DSC_1592.JPG

 

After:

DSC_2539.JPG

Who’s bike is that? They want to sell it?

 

Looking for a good RD350 LC if anybody knows anybody.

Edited January 30, 2018 by Patchelicious

[Wannabe]

That's a nice "Elsie"

[Steven Knoetze (sk27)]

Who’s bike is that? They want to sell it?

 

Looking for a good RD350 LC if anybody knows anybody.

 

My bike

Paid way to much for it and neatening it up slowly.

There are a few around but you have to be willing to pay as the prices are insane.

I know of a guy rebuilding 2 LC's at the moment, asking R105k for each once complete.

Saw a YPVS advertised for R125k the other day too.

Ridiculous prices IMO but they seem to sell so the demand is driving the prices it seems.

 

Problem these days is a rebuild on a 2 stroke motor can cost upwards of R40k, friend paid just that for a Yamaha TZR250 1KT rebuild. They then think that makes a R40k bike worth R80k which it just doesn't!!!!

Edited January 31, 2018 by Steven Knoetze (sk27)

[Patchelicious]

My bike

Paid way to much for it and neatening it up slowly.

There are a few around but you have to be willing to pay as the prices are insane.

I know of a guy rebuilding 2 LC's at the moment, asking R105k for each once complete.

Saw a YPVS advertised for R125k the other day too.

Ridiculous prices IMO but they seem to sell so the demand is driving the prices it seems.

 

Problem these days is a rebuild on a 2 stroke motor can cost upwards of R40k, friend paid just that for a Yamaha TZR250 1KT rebuild. They then think that makes a R40k bike worth R80k which it just doesn't!!!!

But but but you don’t even like Yamaha’s!! I’m sure you bought it just to upset us Yammies!!

[Wannabe]

On my way to work this morning, a chap on a very neat looking YPVS 350R (the fully faired version) passed infront of me while I was at a traffic light. Bike looked really neat, and sounded good once he got the revs up a bit. Instant hard on. 

Aaaahhh, the smell of 2T oil wafting on the early morning breeze....

[Steven Knoetze (sk27)]

But but but you don’t even like Yamaha’s!! I’m sure you bought it just to upset us Yammies!!

 

Just because I don't like their MotoGP riders doesn't mean I don't like the brand.

Written off 2 YPVS's in my younger, dumber days..........

They make good bikes, loved the original R1. Just got onto Suzuki when I hit the big bikes.

Then my current Triumph tiger.

But watch this space, will be on a Yamaha again very soon possibly. One of their big twins........

 

On my way to work this morning, a chap on a very neat looking YPVS 350R (the fully faired version) passed infront of me while I was at a traffic light. Bike looked really neat, and sounded good once he got the revs up a bit. Instant hard on. 

Aaaahhh, the smell of 2T oil wafting on the early morning breeze....

 

The 2 stroke community is HUGE in CPT. Guys with some seriously nice RD Hybrids running modern suspension, brakes, etc.

Also a number of beautifully restored originals.

Hell the admin, Herbert, has an LC on its 3rd or 4th crank as the bike is a daily runner with over 300k km on it!!!!!!

Couple of 500's and GT750's too. They have regular breakfast runs on Saturday and Sundays around Melkbos area.

 

Kurt even has a little 2 stroke DKW car!!!!!!!

Edited February 1, 2018 by Steven Knoetze (sk27)

[Wannabe]

There is two chaps living in my hood with Elsies. They regularly go on runs over the weekends, as it is then that I see them together.

 

Still pissed with myself that I GAVE my last Elsie away. 

[Andymann]

My bike

Paid way to much for it and neatening it up slowly.

There are a few around but you have to be willing to pay as the prices are insane.

I know of a guy rebuilding 2 LC's at the moment, asking R105k for each once complete.

Saw a YPVS advertised for R125k the other day too.

Ridiculous prices IMO but they seem to sell so the demand is driving the prices it seems.

 

Problem these days is a rebuild on a 2 stroke motor can cost upwards of R40k, friend paid just that for a Yamaha TZR250 1KT rebuild. They then think that makes a R40k bike worth R80k which it just doesn't!!!!

That is a very valid point - As a builder myself you cannot expect to get what you put in, out again when you sell *unless* you are onto something extremely rare or collectable.  As an example I did the very basic stuff to my 125LC - tyres, seat cover, ignition switch, some powdercoating, Roadworthy and Licensing - total cost including bike, but excluding my time - R17198 - is it worth that - no chance.   I see the guys asking insane prices for some bikes - there was a guy a while back who advertised his magnificent DT175 Motard custom build for R75000!!! - I have no doubt he spent that on the bike, but there is no way in hell a DT175 can be worth more than an XT660X motard, or a DRZ - and yes, LC's and YPVS are lovely bikes, but if you take off the rose-tinted 2-stroke glasses to pay the same price for a 25 year old 2-stroke as you would for a year old R6, or a new R3 is insane.

 

 

Date Description  Cost 

12-Jun-16 DT125LC  R    5,500.00

20-Jun-16 Indicators  R       560.00

20-Jun-16 Tyres  R    1,363.50

21-Jun-16 Seat cover  R       587.16

21-Jun-16 Licensing  R       462.00

01-Jul-16 Bearings and seals  R       339.99

06-Jul-16 Powdercoating  R       800.00

08-Jul-16 Shimwells Parts  R    3,602.39

16-Jul-16 Paint  R       226.00

19-Jul-16 Numberplate  R       150.00

22-Jul-16 Shimwells Parts  R       948.62

28-Jul-16 Switch  R       647.30

02-Aug-16 Covering seat  R       300.00

08-Aug-16 Roadworthy  R       380.00

10-Aug-16 Licensing  R          66.00

12-Aug-16 Shimwells Parts  R    1,266.00                         Total  R 17,198.96

Edited February 1, 2018 by Andymann

[Andymann]

There is two chaps living in my hood with Elsies. They regularly go on runs over the weekends, as it is then that I see them together.

 

Still pissed with myself that I GAVE my last Elsie away. 

Yaaa I'm still pissed I sold this.....

[Steven Knoetze (sk27)]

That is a very valid point - As a builder myself you cannot expect to get what you put in, out again when you sell *unless* you are onto something extremely rare or collectable.  As an example I did the very basic stuff to my 125LC - tyres, seat cover, ignition switch, some powdercoating, Roadworthy and Licensing - total cost including bike, but excluding my time - R17198 - is it worth that - no chance.   I see the guys asking insane prices for some bikes - there was a guy a while back who advertised his magnificent DT175 Motard custom build for R75000!!! - I have no doubt he spent that on the bike, but there is no way in hell a DT175 can be worth more than an XT660X motard, or a DRZ - and yes, LC's and YPVS are lovely bikes, but if you take off the rose-ti.nted 2-stroke glasses to pay the same price for a 25 year old 2-stroke as you would for a year old R6, or a new R3 is insane

 

 

Date Description  Cost 

12-Jun-16 DT125LC  R    5,500.00

20-Jun-16 Indicators  R       560.00

20-Jun-16 Tyres  R    1,363.50

21-Jun-16 Seat cover  R       587.16

21-Jun-16 Licensing  R       462.00

01-Jul-16 Bearings and seals  R       339.99

06-Jul-16 Powdercoating  R       800.00

08-Jul-16 Shimwells Parts  R    3,602.39

16-Jul-16 Paint  R       226.00

19-Jul-16 Numberplate  R       150.00

22-Jul-16 Shimwells Parts  R       948.62

28-Jul-16 Switch  R       647.30

02-Aug-16 Covering seat  R       300.00

08-Aug-16 Roadworthy  R       380.00

10-Aug-16 Licensing  R          66.00

12-Aug-16 Shimwells Parts  R    1,266.00                         Total  R 17,198.96

 

Leave my rose-tinted sunglasses alone!!!!

That's exactly what I did but I did it open-eyed, knowing what I was getting. Also knowing I will now be forever married to it, till death us do part.......

 

Recently a Suzuki GT750 sold for R175k, within a few hours.

Same day a DT50was advertised for R70k and the guy was roasted!!!!

 

So definitely some bikes seem to have cult status and are achieving their asking price.

Overseas the LC's are ridiculously overpriced yet selling.

I saw a RG500 on ebay achieve a bid of 16kGBP and yet not sell because it never reached reserve, thats just greedy!!!!

[Andymann]

Hell I agree - I will forever be married to my collection of DT's and I'm totally cool with that - I wanted the rear chainguard and I was prepared to buy an entire bike just for that! In fact, thinking now, I cannot actually recall there being any time when I built a bike, and managed to sell it for a profit - apart from back in my school days where i think i bought a KDX175 for R250 and sold it for R750.....

 

Hmmm - the KDX175 - n+1, n+1, n+1......

[Wannabe]

Mine was fully custom, but not in pristine condition, built it in my garage.

 

It was an ex track bike, got the frame and wheels, with the rest of the spares in boxes, motor was blown apart. No tank or gauges, seat, tailpiece or lights. I at least got the sidecovers.

 

Took me close on two years to hunt down the most important parts, I found a pristine tank in some obscure little bike shop in Coligny of all places. (I drove all the way from Gaborone to go and collect it)

 

Neil Smith of NS Two Strokes helped me rebuild the motor, the crank had to be recut, shotpeened and balanced, new conrods and pistons was fitted. All of this resulted in a bored and stroked motor of just under 380cc's. Did not trust the Yamaha prelube system on such an extensively worked motor, ran premix as a result

 

He sorted me out with a set of flat slides from some or other racing bike (was a bitch getting them dialed in) We also fitted a set of Booysen Reed Valves. The ports was done, etc.

 

Basically everything that was needed to build a proper motor. Took me many trips to Benoni from Gabs to get just the motor sorted. 

 

Bosson was just starting off as an exhaust manufacturer, and the chap there (forgot his name now) sorted me out with a custom set of expansion boxes, exiting under the seat and above the tail light, chrome off course.

 

I bought the aftermarket fibreglass Honda CB1100RC tailpiece and seat, and cut, filed, sawed, fibreglassed it till it fitted. Moulded the original sidecovers into the RC replica tailpiece, and it looked sweet. Managed to find an aftermarket fibreglass fullfairing that I also modified to fit, had two round headlights moulded in, sourced from an FZR1000.

 

Took me two years of working in my spare time to complete the bike, had it painted the BMW M3 Yellow, with blue pinstriping and decals. Decals on sidecovers read "RD350 Elsie"

 

This thing was wicket, power wheelies 1st and 2nd when hitting the power band (which was quite broad, almost 4000rpms if I remember correctly.) Came on strong from about 6000, getting onto the powerband from 7000, and then you just hang on till about 11000rpm before it lost steam. 

 

Handling was not too bad (luckily the frame and forks was straight, fitted the biggest modern tires I could, etc. Had braided steel hoses on the standards brakes, was quite adequate for my purposes. As you can see, it was an hybrid, but I loved it.

 

Got a bit hairy riding it in Gabs (anyone who has ever driven there knows what its like) and I then gave it to my eldest nephew on his 21st birthday. Needless to say, the motor did not take kindly to the abuse he put it through, and he took it to a friend to fix, and there it was "stolen" never to be seen again.

[Steven Knoetze (sk27)]

Mine was fully custom, but not in pristine condition, built it in my garage.

 

It was an ex track bike, got the frame and wheels, with the rest of the spares in boxes, motor was blown apart. No tank or gauges, seat, tailpiece or lights. I at least got the sidecovers.

 

Took me close on two years to hunt down the most important parts, I found a pristine tank in some obscure little bike shop in Coligny of all places. (I drove all the way from Gaborone to go and collect it)

 

Neil Smith of NS Two Strokes helped me rebuild the motor, the crank had to be recut, shotpeened and balanced, new conrods and pistons was fitted. All of this resulted in a bored and stroked motor of just under 380cc's. Did not trust the Yamaha prelube system on such an extensively worked motor, ran premix as a result

 

He sorted me out with a set of flat slides from some or other racing bike (was a bitch getting them dialed in) We also fitted a set of Booysen Reed Valves. The ports was done, etc.

 

Basically everything that was needed to build a proper motor. Took me many trips to Benoni from Gabs to get just the motor sorted. 

 

Bosson was just starting off as an exhaust manufacturer, and the chap there (forgot his name now) sorted me out with a custom set of expansion boxes, exiting under the seat and above the tail light, chrome off course.

 

I bought the aftermarket fibreglass Honda CB1100RC tailpiece and seat, and cut, filed, sawed, fibreglassed it till it fitted. Moulded the original sidecovers into the RC replica tailpiece, and it looked sweet. Managed to find an aftermarket fibreglass fullfairing that I also modified to fit, had two round headlights moulded in, sourced from an FZR1000.

 

Took me two years of working in my spare time to complete the bike, had it painted the BMW M3 Yellow, with blue pinstriping and decals. Decals on sidecovers read "RD350 Elsie"

 

This thing was wicket, power wheelies 1st and 2nd when hitting the power band (which was quite broad, almost 4000rpms if I remember correctly.) Came on strong from about 6000, getting onto the powerband from 7000, and then you just hang on till about 11000rpm before it lost steam. 

 

Handling was not too bad (luckily the frame and forks was straight, fitted the biggest modern tires I could, etc. Had braided steel hoses on the standards brakes, was quite adequate for my purposes. As you can see, it was an hybrid, but I loved it.

 

Got a bit hairy riding it in Gabs (anyone who has ever driven there knows what its like) and I then gave it to my eldest nephew on his 21st birthday. Needless to say, the motor did not take kindly to the abuse he put it through, and he took it to a friend to fix, and there it was "stolen" never to be seen again.

 

All of that and not picture............