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**B7ACKTHORN** · 05-11-2015, 11:22 PM

Re: What bike to buy and restore easily

Query Approved.

Cheers!
VJ

**harishkumarko** · 05-12-2015, 01:08 PM

Re: What bike to buy and restore easily

I don't know if Activa is going to be a classic any time soon. It is a successful model should be in market for a long time. Scooty (2 Stroke) is a rarity now. Should be available easily for 10-15k. Spares are not much of an issue. Most mechanical components are available but the plastic fenders and body panels are hard to find.
Fiero is already a classic now. It is a little difficult to restore a Fiero the exact way it was. But you can go for Apache 180 engine which has the same engine block. A friend of mine did the same and worked out well. Not sure if any minor mods are needed. If you need the exact same 150cc block you need to look for an Apache 150 (First generation), which could also be a classic tom? Same applies to YBX as its basic engine elements are still used in the Gladiator/SS125.
The other rides you have mentioned are classics but spares availability will be an issue. Some other bikes/scooters I can think of for you:
1. Hero Honda CD100/Sleek
2. Suzuki Max 100 (2 stroke and easy to mod)
3. Hero Honda Street (underbone version of splendor and first clutch-less bike in India, not sure how far possible to restore)
4. Bajaj Discover 125 (First gen, I think it shared the engine block with Pulsar series)
5. Yamaha Enticer (Parts available to some extent)
6. Hero Honda Karizma (First gen, pre 2007, will be a classic soon)
7. Bajaj Pulsar 220 FI

P.S. I am unsure if any of these bikes will be of great resale value in future since they are mass produced unlike the ones you have mentioned.

**P3T3R** · 05-12-2015, 03:04 PM

Re: What bike to buy and restore easily

Originally posted by harishkumarko View Post

I don't know if Activa is going to be a classic any time soon. It is a successful model should be in market for a long time.

I was referring to the 1st gen Activa which is no longer produced.

Scooty (2 Stroke) is a rarity now. Should be available easily for 10-15k. Spares are not much of an issue. Most mechanical components are available but the plastic fenders and body panels are hard to find.

I think that they are available much cheaper. Also dealers still stock the panels.

Fiero is already a classic now. It is a little difficult to restore a Fiero the exact way it was. But you can go for Apache 180 engine which has the same engine block. A friend of mine did the same and worked out well. Not sure if any minor mods are needed. If you need the exact same 150cc block you need to look for an Apache 150 (First generation), which could also be a classic tom?

I don't know why TVS wants to neglect some of the great products they launched as a part of their alliance with Suzuki.

Same applies to YBX as its basic engine elements are still used in the Gladiator/SS125.

Good to hear that. However its quite difficult to find used YBX bikes in the market.

The other rides you have mentioned are classics but spares availability will be an issue. Some other bikes/scooters I can think of for you:
1. Hero Honda CD100/Sleek
2. Suzuki Max 100 (2 stroke and easy to mod)
3. Hero Honda Street (underbone version of splendor and first clutch-less bike in India, not sure how far possible to restore)
4. Bajaj Discover 125 (First gen, I think it shared the engine block with Pulsar series)
5. Yamaha Enticer (Parts available to some extent)
6. Hero Honda Karizma (First gen, pre 2007, will be a classic soon)
7. Bajaj Pulsar 220 FI

P.S. I am unsure if any of these bikes will be of great resale value in future since they are mass produced unlike the ones you have mentioned.

Non of these bikes except the Sleek appeal to me.

**kirankoti** · 05-12-2015, 07:19 PM

Re: What bike to buy and restore easily

Fiero wins this hands down-

1. Parts are easy to source , a lot of parts from Rtr 180 are a direct fit. This will make it a fun bike to ride around

2. Good bike for performance mods- A lot of these bike are still raced and a good mechanic can work his magic.

3. It is a pretty decent handler.

**kiranby** · 05-12-2015, 10:03 PM

Re: What bike to buy and restore easily

My suggestion is go for YBX. Its spares are available easily. I have recently restored my 99 YBX to its full glory

. You can get a running condition bike within 15K AFAIK. Either you can restore it to its stock form or modify it. Iam sure you will enjoy its company.
Good luck !

**shaded_glory** · 05-13-2015, 02:16 PM

Re: What bike to buy and restore easily

RD's and Yezdi's were way a head of their times and that is the reason they are classics now. For instance YEZDI, unit construction engine, kicker and gear liver being same, twin exhausts, semi automatic clutch... What you have in your list are called plastic ponies, I don't think they can ever be desirable again.

Originally posted by P3T3R View Post

Some of the bikes I can think of are:
1. Pulsar 150/180 (First Generation).
2. Hero Honda CBZ.
3. Suzuki Fiero
4. Yamaha YBX/YD125/Libero
5. Honda Activa
6. TVS Scooty

Peter

----consecutive posts auto-merged-----

RD's and Yezdi's were way a head of their times and that is the reason they are classics now. For instance YEZDI, unit construction engine, kicker and gear liver being same, twin exhausts, semi automatic clutch... What you have in your list are called plastic ponies, I don't think they can ever be desirable again.

Originally posted by P3T3R View Post

Some of the bikes I can think of are:
1. Pulsar 150/180 (First Generation).
2. Hero Honda CBZ.
3. Suzuki Fiero
4. Yamaha YBX/YD125/Libero
5. Honda Activa
6. TVS Scooty

Peter

**P3T3R** · 05-13-2015, 02:20 PM

Re: What bike to buy and restore easily

Originally posted by shaded_glory View Post

RD's and Yezdi's were way a head of their times and that is the reason they are classics now.

RD yes but Yezdi? Yezdi was just old Jawa technology. The features were novelties. No real benefit from them.

What you have in your list are called plastic ponies, I don't think they can ever be desirable again.

So what makes Steel a classic and plastic a pony?

**shaded_glory** · 05-13-2015, 03:37 PM

Re: What bike to buy and restore easily

Peter, I ride a 38 year old iron bike. I want see which of these ponies survive that long. You need to ride one to believe it brother. A bike becomes classic more because of its history and specialty, uniqueness.

"Iron to Gold now in just 2 strokes"

Originally posted by P3T3R View Post

RD yes but Yezdi? Yezdi was just old Jawa technology. The features were novelties. No real benefit from them.

So what makes Steel a classic and plastic a pony?

----consecutive posts auto-merged-----

Peter, I ride a 38 year old iron bike. I want see which of these ponies survive that long. You need to ride one to believe it brother. A bike becomes classic more because of its history and specialty, uniqueness.

"Iron to Gold now in just 2 strokes"

Originally posted by P3T3R View Post

RD yes but Yezdi? Yezdi was just old Jawa technology. The features were novelties. No real benefit from them.

So what makes Steel a classic and plastic a pony?

**sparky** · 05-13-2015, 03:43 PM

Re: What bike to buy and restore easily

None of the bikes/scooters you mention are worth restoring IMO. Those were classic, part due to history and part due to icon status. That phase has passed and we may not see for until another 10 years when you can think of restoring a Classic 500 or a Splendour.

**P3T3R** · 05-13-2015, 03:55 PM

Re: What bike to buy and restore easily

Originally posted by shaded_glory View Post

Peter, I ride a 38 year old iron bike. I want see which of these ponies survive that long. You need to ride one to believe it brother. A bike becomes classic more because of its history and specialty, uniqueness.

"Iron to Gold now in just 2 strokes"

Just in case you didn't know, till yesterday I owned a 1986 Bullet 350. Didn't find anything great about it. Yes I went along with the old is gold and other Classic crap just to get a better resale. But people still buy and restore this bike. People have even started restoring Rajdoots. Not very long ago people used to talk about Rajdoots, Yezdis & Lambretta's the same way you talk about the bikes I have listed. Today many people are cursing for not picking up these bike when they were available for Rs.2000/- or so. That time no one called them classics or great bikes to own and restore. Even Bullets used to go for 15K. So how can you say these bike will never become valuable.

Originally posted by sparky View Post

None of the bikes/scooters you mention are worth restoring IMO. Those were classic, part due to history and part due to icon status. That phase has passed and we may not see for until another 10 years when you can think of restoring a Classic 500 or a Splendour.

Please tell me what icon status did the Rajdoot or the Yezdi have? In Goa these bikes were only bought by Pilots (Motorcycle taxi riders). No one wanted to be seen dead on one of these bikes 10-15 years ago.

**shaded_glory** · 05-13-2015, 05:40 PM

Re: What bike to buy and restore easily

YEZDI's were built like a TANK, excellent built quality and simple functional design. For instance, Yezdi's gearbox is unified with the engine. That's Right. And talking about RE's, The next time you meet a Bulleteer harping on about Royal Enfield's 'new' Unit Construction Engine, you can tell that the Yezdi had it 40 years ago!

I agree that YEZDI's were the most underrated bike in its time. I don't think our people were even prepared for it. We always have the mentality of Kitna deti hai?? For me, These classics are like Kishore Kumar's voice, way ahead of his time.

Originally posted by P3T3R View Post

Just in case you didn't know, till yesterday I owned a 1986 Bullet 350. Didn't find anything great about it. Yes I went along with the old is gold and other Classic crap just to get a better resale. But people still buy and restore this bike. People have even started restoring Rajdoots. Not very long ago people used to talk about Rajdoots, Yezdis & Lambretta's the same way you talk about the bikes I have listed. Today many people are cursing for not picking up these bike when they were available for Rs.2000/- or so. That time no one called them classics or great bikes to own and restore. Even Bullets used to go for 15K. So how can you say these bike will never become valuable.

**P3T3R** · 05-13-2015, 09:15 PM

Re: What bike to buy and restore easily

Originally posted by shaded_glory View Post

YEZDI's were built like a TANK, excellent built quality and simple functional design.

So was the Ambassador. Does it make it a good car?

For instance, Yezdi's gearbox is unified with the engine.

So are the gearboxes of all other bikes except the Bullet CI & AVL.

That's Right. And talking about RE's, The next time you meet a Bulleteer harping on about Royal Enfield's 'new' Unit Construction Engine, you can tell that the Yezdi had it 40 years ago!

So what's so special. All the Italian, German & Japanese bikes had it 40 years ago too.

These classics are like Kishore Kumar's voice, way ahead of his time.

Yezdi was not ahead of it's time, the RD350 was. Not a fan of Kishore Kumar so won't comment on that.

Now getting back to the original topic. I am not going to buy and restore a Yezdi because it does not meet my requirements in the first post. If you have something to suggest please do so. If you don't then let others do not. I started this thread to find out what can be done and not what cannot.

**Bishop** · 05-17-2015, 12:07 AM

Re: What bike to buy and restore easily

Originally posted by P3T3R View Post

Yezdi was not ahead of it's time, the RD350 was.

Agreed Rd350 was way ahead of its time. But wasn't Yezdis too ahead of its time? Atleast considering Indian standards being inspired by a motocross motorcycle ? It was also a rally standard I believe during the mid 70s up until the RD350 came to play. So all in all it was a bike ahead of its time. Just my 2 cents Cheers

**Nairettan** · 05-30-2017, 11:24 PM

Re: What bike to buy and restore easily

I don't know why TVS wants to neglect some of the great products they launched as a part of their alliance with Suzuki.

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