Is this 1959 OS Engine worth $5.5k?

lol, i thought hijacking was a good thing?

Merry Christmas everybody!

The pics of the bike are my kid's, kinda to help put it in perspective what 5.5k will buy, the nighthawk, jr bought this summer for $450, low miles and ran great, the '74 DT250 was a total basket, but he/we ended up with 1k total in it...ouch!

Nice bikes, Mark, my kind of bikes. Fixed a friend's fender on his 2012 Yamaha V-Star 1300 Tourer that had a fork tool bag roll under fork whilst hitting a road pothole, put a 3/4" deep by 5" long dent in top of fender. Knocked out dent with my body hand anvil & body hammer; Bondo to less than 1/8", spot putty and several coats primer sealer with etching primer on bare metal. Two coats Dupont Ful-Thane Urethane auto paint sprayed with a high pressure detailing gun.
Voila! Can't tell it was ever dented.

Paying $5500 for that engine is most likely a poor investment. Hard to sell further with a profit, and not much "street cred"  But for someone who has a lot of money, it does not make much difference if the price is 55 or 5500. But how many of those people browse eBay for old glow engines...

Anyway, since we're talking motorcycles now, I can't resist showing off mine. Oh, and 5500 would buy me 2 or 3 of these:



Or it would be enough for a good example of a '70s or '80s Guzzi California that I would love to have

That's a nicely restored 1970's vintage Honda 350 twin UJM (universal Japanese motorcycle body style) there, KariFS.

I still have the aftermarket ABS plastic saddle bags I used in college. With those repainted and installed, I'll have my bagger, LOL. I plan to repaint it to its original paint scheme, most likely the gold and white bottom tank. Older bikers have a big smile on their face when I ride it in town.

Back in 2007 when my civilian employer returned me from Okinawa Japan, I used the CB100 back and forth to work 12 miles (20 km) away. I had left it with my son before I went to Japan 2 years prior.

I was riding it with wide open throttle at 55 mph (90 kmh) to work. Several of the shop co-workers asked me how the ride was. I told them, it was like to scooter ride in the movie, Dumb and Dumber.

I love how the thread evolved into this, but I do respect the thread in itself. It becomes quite funny how so many of us share the same liking. While on the cycle subject, the 80's were my favorite bikes of all times. Unfortunately, the late 80's was the downward trend were you paid more for less. The days of electric start only as the kickstarter was removed, certain options being removed such as tach and also single caliper vs dual. I suppose whatever it took to reduce the cost. the nice thing was that fork lugs were still intact just not caliper. The Honda Magna 30 and the Honda CX 650 Custom were my all time favorites http://www.motorcyclespecs.co.za/model/honda/honda_vf500c_magna_v30%2083.htm I had many bikes in my teens and one that stuck with me was the Honda FT500 Ascot. I put 40K on that bike. A single cylinder 500 chain driven. It would amaze me, I went through 3 chains in that time frame and the rear tire was good for only 10k due to the torque. That bike was replaced with the VT 500 V-twin Ascot and that was the ugliest most sweetest machine I ever owned. If I could only turn back time. Great memories and lots of fun. I rode to Vermont and then down to Key West . Ken

Ken Cook wrote:I love how the thread evolved into this, but I do respect the thread in itself. It becomes quite funny how so many of us share the same liking. While on the cycle subject, the 80's were my favorite bikes of all times. Unfortunately, the late 80's was the downward trend were you paid more for less. The days of electric start only as the kickstarter was removed, certain options being removed such as tach and also single caliper vs dual. I suppose whatever it took to reduce the cost. the nice thing was that fork lugs were still intact just not caliper.

Japanese motorcycle companies removed the kick starter, because it gave people the impression that the electric starters were unreliable. Now, I rely upon it because turning over my 4 cylinder 1200 cc Kawasaki Voyager engine is like turning over a car engine.

Regarding tachs, I installed an aftermarket Drag Specialty electric on my 1987 Suzuki LS650 Savage single lunger. That was one of the best things I did as now I knew its shift points specifically.

Most unfortunate is the installation of tiny capacity gas tanks. The Savage had only a 2.8 gallon tank. I had to fuel up every 100 miles or less. The latest water cooled Harley Davidson Street 750 is hindered by a 3.3 gallon tank. Why of all things? I thought, hey, I can now have an H-D, but not with that hindrance. Yet the Suzuki GZ250 Marauder has a 4 gallon tank, go figure. That's why I like my Voyager, it has a 6.5 gallon tank. Even my friend's Yamaha V-Star 1300 has only a 4.4 gallon tank.  

The Honda Magna 30 and the Honda CX 650 Custom were my all time favorites
http://www.motorcyclespecs.co.za/model/honda/honda_vf500c_magna_v30%2083.htm
I had many bikes in my teens and one that stuck with me was the Honda FT500 Ascot. I put 40K on that bike. A single cylinder 500 chain driven. It would amaze me, I went through 3 chains in that time frame and the rear tire was good for only 10k due to the torque. That bike was replaced with the VT 500 V-twin Ascot and that was the ugliest most sweetest machine I ever owned. If I could only turn back time. Great memories and lots of fun. I rode to Vermont and then down to Key West. Ken

Yes, those of all bikes are my favorites, too. I understand what you mean, Ken. I'd ride my Savage to a motorcycle meet somewhere, folks would comment how I was able to ride such a tiny thing there, and of all things, be called a real motorcyclist. I'd remind them that 40 years ago, a 650 was considered a large motorcycle. People toured on less back then.

Getting back to topic, given the exhorbitant costs of this OS engine at $5.5k makes the Cox Conquest 15 at several hundred dollars a true bargain and better value, IMHO and LOL. And I'll never complain about the going costs for a Medallion .15 or Tee Dee .15 ever again.

I am a biker and will always be a biker but I only use one for commuting back and forth to work or for specific journeys. I have never been one to - how do I describe this properly? - Just go for a ride! I have always looked at my bikes as a means of transport, quick and efficient. London traffic can be abysmal but we are allowed to "filter" on a motorbike. Motorbikes aren't subject to congestion charging and parking is free.

Seeing the postings here made me realise that even though 70+ motorbikes have passed through my hands - the early ones I either maintained and serviced myself - the later ones (well the last three!) require specialist equipment and tools - I have no special feeling for past bikes.

My current bike, I arrived at the dealership - my motorbike gear is packed away - I am served with coffee and biscuits (cookies) and then chauffeur driven in a BMW 7 Series to work and picked up again at the end of the day when it has been finished. Costs a fortune but always seems like brand new when I collect it having been immaculately cleaned. It is my pride and joy but that will pass if(when) I get a another.

The longest I have ever kept a bike is 14 years. A Yamaha XS400 - I bought it new but the first Winter took its toll on the chrome and engine finish. It was reliable and easy to service so I kept it has a "Winter hack" while the roads were being salted. I worked on the principle that this would mean that I kept my primary bike longer but that didn't happen - it didn't stop me swapping it for another bike I couldn't live without! (temporarily!). However, when the exhausts collapsed (after 11 years) on the XS400 I couldn't get replacements and found that even if I could - they would cost more than the bike did new. I cobbled together an "after market" system, stripped it down - ruined a dishwasher cleaning the engine, had all parts - mudguards, handlebars, mirrors, levers, kickstart........... rechromed. Resprayed it, new seat - spent hours reproducing the decals - it looked better than it did new. A couple of years later the cam chain tensioner failed - I was lucky to realise I'd had a catastrophic seize and pulled the clutch quick enough to recover. I was doing 80 at the time and it was a close thing.

That reminds me of a Honda CB200 I had (I've had two actually) - the first one, I did 10,000 miles in 6 months and the front disk brake caliper came off as I was leaving the motorway towards a blind bend. Only just made the corner! That was my first bike with a front disc brake. I also found that it took me a while to get used to the delay when riding in the wet for the brake to apply. It made me wonder what the improvement was suppose to be over a drum. I am glad they have improved since then!

The second CB200, I wrecked! I fitted a handlebar fairing and a rear topbox to keep my helmet in when parked. I took it out to see how good the fairing was - I got to about 75 and thought it was brilliant deflecting the wind and then the bike went into a tank slapper. The handlebars ripping from side to side, I was all over the place. I now know that I should have applied the rear brake (My Degree in Hindsight, now a Masters!) but I throttled off and the slap got worse. At about 60, I dropped the bike and there I was - perched (sat) on its side, sparks everywhere, careering down the road spinning slowly. There was a huge truck behind me and the driver was magnificent. He was stood on the brakes and he steered the truck to block the road - three lanes). I parted company with the bike at about 45 at a wall loomed up - the bike hit the wall and I scraped and rolled along the road. Lost quite a bit of skin and my bike gear was ruined! Helmet worn almost through on one side. Another lucky escape!

I've had chains break, engines seize, tyres blow - I even had an old British bike that needed a valve lifter applying before kick starting. On one occasion, I did something wrong and when the engine fired the kickstarter pitched me over the handlebars!

Any fondness for previous bikes? Not really!

However, what I did like about older bikes was the ease of maintenance. I liked the kick starter - no reliance on a battery being charged. The ability to bump start the bike. The sound - new bikes now remind me of an electric motor - no noise to warn pedestrians of your imminent arrival. A minimum of tools - nothing special for a particular bike.

More importantly, the carb! My last four bikes have been fuel injected and computer controlled. They do not respond in any way like a carburettor did! They respond the way they are programmed and are designed to reduce emissions and not enhance the riding experience!

What I prefer about the newer bikes are the brakes. Lock the front wheel on a bike and you are coming off! Back wheel you will get away with unless you are cranked over. My bike has anti lock brakes and anti skid control. I have heard the front tyre howl after jamming on the breaks when an idiot on a bicycle turned in front of me. I have never stopped so quick on any bike before and this one a a heavy beast.

The use of stainless steel rather than chrome. Much easier to keep in fine fettle and have an exhaust system that lasts. I had a BMW K750 for 11 years and it looked like new when I sold it with 80,000 miles on the clock. Only bike I have had that I could find a good reason to replace until divorce forced sale!

I replace this (temporarily) with one of those Vespa 200 twist and go scooters. Hated it! I didn't suite it and it didn't suit me! Didn't like the lack of handling, small wheels, brakes and because of its size - it cost me a fortune to insure. I should have checked this before I bought it. I cannot insure a 50cc motorbike, a 125cc bike will cost me 6 times that of a 650cc and 8 times that of my 1200. Why? The most common reason for claims is theft. A 50cc bike weighs 80-90kg. Easily wheeled away or carried by two people. My bike weighs 240KG (over a quarter of a ton) - you have to be brave to push it. Once it goes over a certain angle there'll be no stopping it !

The Vespa was reliable unlike the Aprilia Pegaso 650 I replaced it with. That was beset with electrical problems - it handled and rode nicely but I spent hours fault finding on it. It was the greediest single cylinder bike I have ever owned. With my journeys, i rarely got more than 35 miles to the gallon (English gallon). My Beemer, twice the size, does 40 to 50 miles to the gallon.

Here it is



Heated grips, anti lock brakes, anti skid control, tyre pressure monitoring, heated grips, heated seat, suspension adjustable on the move ...... and it has a presence on the road which makes me feel safer. Cars and cyclists (more often than not).
tend to get out of the way.

Other bikers tend to overtake me, my age and slowing reaction times mean that I have to be careful - it can be ridden as an "Old Man's Bike", plenty of torque, great road view from the seating position and can be ridden sedately with few gear changes. However, it can accelerate with a vengance and stop equally quickly. Not sure how much longer I will be able to handle this though!

A neighbor who is a few years older than me has one of those BMW's with a nice set of paniers and top box. He likes it, has ridden it to various places, plus is a daily rider to his workplace.

When I was working, my motorcycle was more or less a daily rider. When I got my 1971 Honda CB100 from a motorcycle breakers in 1979, two years later I had worn out 3 sets of back tires and a front. Prior I had a petrol guzzling 1968 Chevrolet Caprice sedan.

With the procurement of the motorcycle for $300 US, my insurance dropped from $330/year to $50, parking at the University of Hawaii was $5 versus $65 for a car, fuel bill dropped from $40 a month to $10. I totally thrashed that worn CB100 motor.

When I started working for McDonnell Douglas, Douglas Aircraft Company in Long Beach, California in 1982, I bought a used 1971 SL125 motor and overhauled it to replace the CB100 motor. Someone broke into my carport locker at my apartment and nicked the CB100 motor. This was not a problem as it had been totally worn out.

I really like my 2001 Kawasaki ZG1200-B15 Voyager XII tourer. It throttles easily and gently for confident riding, but with 4 carburetors, I can roll the throttle and the cars behind me disappear. Road and Track clocked it in the quarter mile at 12.6 seconds. It has an easy time towing a trailer that I assembled, a Harbor Freight kit chassis and car top box.

Listing ended just now without a buyer.

Strange, I figured it would sell for sure

Cribbs74 wrote:Strange, I figured it would sell for sure

Exactly.