best bike for mods

[nisom512]

Just a random question. im totally just putting it out there in your opinion what is the best bike for buying to modify?

This is more of a poll just like in YOUR OPINION!! what is the best bike to mod?

For example
the 81 gs850m because there are several exhausts and you can buy a turbo manifold for it and drop a turbo on it.

I know thos arent true but just an example.

I was kind of just looking for more of a poll not really advise on anything just curious what people would modify if they had the choice.

[82Shafty]

I believe your first step is to identify what it is you want to accomplish with said bike.

Then you would need to weight out if it would be cheaper to buy an older bike and upgrade with ebay/junk yard parts or to buy a newer bike that already has the modern technology and handling characteristics that you may be after: granted that you have the ability use those handling characteristics to the bike's full capabilities.

Sometimes the easiest bike to modify is to acquire one that has been professionaly built/proven and has way more money invested in it than the seller can get back out of it.

[first timer]

a bike that has the most aftermarket parts available would be a gs1100E 80-83

[rapidray]

If PERFORMANCE is your goal, first timer is correct in the GS 1100 16 valvers having the biggest parts availability. I build a LOT of them & only have one question for you, how FAST do you want to go?!!! Ray.

[RJ]

Or how fast do you want to spend!

[Old Colt]

This is really an open question that we really need to have an idea what you want out of the final project.
There are so many options, do you want to drag your knee on the ground? go down the quarter in less than 10 on a vintage machine or just ride the boulevards with handlebars that will catch the bottom of aircraft.

If you want something that has great aftermarket parts supply it would truly be one of those American made things that you do not even buy the bike to begin with just the parts, assemble it and try to ride it.

I would not start with an 850 myself, to much of an oddball. A 750, 1000 and the 1100 is where the market is for the older Suzies.
And if just aftermarket easy to get parts is the desire, I would go with a newer bike that is the current fad.

If you want individualism, get any of the early bikes and start mix and matching parts till you get what you want, heck with what shiny stuff is in the catalogs. Mix forks from one bike and swingarm from another with rims from whatever. Build something neat.

[nisom512]

I was kind of just looking for more of a poll not really advise on anything just curious what people would modify if they had the choice.

[GQROD]

It boils down to parts availability both factory and aftermarket.

Otherwise you will wind up fabricating and scavenging.

Any bike that has decent power and definetly excellent parts availability is good to mod.

[groundshock]

Might not be the 'best' bike, but I've wanted for a while to build a CB900F or CB1100F.

Also would like to try a smaller displacement chain drive GS.

[chef1366]

Do you have to ask???

\/ \/ \/ \/

[tkent02]

The correct and true answer of course, is whatever bike you have laying around gathering dust that's not pristinely original or too beautiful to cut into.

[groundshock]

Do you have to ask???

\/ \/ \/ \/

That "L" part may be a problem.....

[jwhelan65]

Might not be the 'best' bike, but I've wanted for a while to build a CB900F or CB1100F.

Also would like to try a smaller displacement chain drive GS.

Totally agree on the old Honda's..been hunting for the ever so rare 1100F for quite some time! As classic as the Gsr's

[bwringer]

The correct and true answer of course, is whatever bike you have laying around gathering dust that's not pristinely original or too beautiful to cut into.

That's pretty much my take on it, too.


Got a ratty GS400 or 450 leaning up against the shed? Turn it into tasty little dual-sport. Or make it a chopper, just for the sheer hell of making something different. Find ways to integrate plumbing fixtures into the controls.

Got a broke-ass 850L with decent compression? Bolt on some nasty pipes, rejet, rattle-can it flat black and cruise around town on your tasty new ratbike. Or, turn it into a cafe racer -- it can be done.

Personally, I'd start with an 8 valve GS, since I know those bikes best. If you're after performance or phat tires, just remember that you can't change the rear wheel or gearing on a shaftie. Other than that, shafties might be a little easier to customize, since you won't have to scare up the cash for a good chain and sprockets and the shaftie rear end is visually much cleaner. You can paint or coat the swingarm and rear punkin' however you wish.

Whatever you do, don't start with something that's nice and original. There's plenty of raw material out there without ripping into the few that still look good.

Even if you keep the factory look and such, there's a lot you can do. My GS850 is littered with all kinds of upgrades and farkles, but still looks pretty much original.

[groundshock]

Totally agree on the old Honda's..been hunting for the ever so rare 1100F for quite some time! As classic as the Gsr's

I found one last fall for 1500 bucks locally but just didnt have the spare scratch.

Kick myself daily.