Project The $500 MC19.

So, I did the Kiffsta Special and found a $500 CBR MC19 Yesterday.

Well, not me but my brother did.

He has been on the lookout for a bike for awhile, but havent really found anything in his price range. Most FZRs and CBRs have been up past 1k, and thats just too much money.

So when he sent me a pick of a decent looking MC19 for $500, with the message "wish I had the cash", I said what every big brother says when he goes to America in 8 days and is saving every penny due to our crapola peso.

"You bring the trailer, I'll bring the cash!"



Arrangements were made to meet the bloke at his house which was 10 mins away from where he works in a garage, I jumped on cherry, met him at the garage inside 40 mins, and was at this blokes house in an hour.

We had a good look over it, we knew it wouldnt run, due to old fuel and flat battery, but it was in decent condition, last time it ran was beginning of this year, and he reckons it needs new plugs. He said as it got colder, it would wind but not start. Gave a couple of attempts at push starting it with no luck. A PPSR check later, and I ask the bro, "the call is all yours".

"Yep", and I hand over 500 hard earned Deutsche Mark's.

Meanwhile, this blokes Phone is blowing up with Facebook notifications the whole time we are there. Nonstop. As we are loading it onto the trailer, he says to his phone "Sorry fella's its gone. Ive got 15 people lined up behind you guys to buy this thing"

*Ding ding*

"Sixteen"

Keep in mind, this is 2PM.

On a Monday afternoon.

@kiffsta I get it mate. Really, I do. The feeling of achievement when you beat a buttload of people to a cheap and decent bike is a good feeling.

So, in the spirit of posterity, I took photos of the bike just as we picked it up just as I did with mine.







We got it back to the workshop, took the fairings off of it after one quick attempt to roll start, started pulling plugs. This is number one.



I had to leave, but he said that the rest of the plugs were in similar condition. And after cleaning and re-gapping put them back in with no result. We believe its not getting fuel. (He hadnt checked spark yet, though you reckon he would of since he's a mechanic).

There is half a tank of fuel, but its old and stale, and possibly a blocked line/filter.

We will delve into it in a few weeks time after I'm back from Murika to see whats up.

Tyres are in good condition with bugger all wear, and are younger than the ones on my bike. So that tells me that this bike was being ridden before the previous owner parked it up.

This will be a slower build, just like mine, as cash on his end is tight, and my bike needing a long list of things done to it as well, so I cant help him out too much bar say grabbing parts on my way to/from work in the city.

Chain & sprocket doesn't look too bad, but will be changed out just to "Freshen up" the bike in the spirit of new brake pads & fluid, oil, coolant, etc etc. Just to know its done.

Since I am new to the CBR's any tips and tricks with these things?

I feel that this is a better bike for him as opposed to an FZR, which is what he wanted, but simply due to parts availability both second hand and new is cheaper and easier to procure than the Fizzers.

Let the fun begin................

 

So the bro checked the spark.

These spark plugs are rooted. Weak spark. He chucked on another plug and it was good.

 

Well he has apparently got it running and was riding it around the workshop car park.

Happy days!

 

Ok,

So this bike has been doing nothing over the past 6 months. Just sitting beside my house wrapped in a tarp. Not started. not looked at. Sometimes thought about.

Then my brother sends me a text on Monday asking if I could throw an ad up for him at his buy price of $500. I did so & contacted @kiffsta if he wanted to buy. Just getting the word out he was looking to move it on. But not 100% sure if he did. He had some bills to pay, but in the end wound up selling his car he had for sale, so that worked out the money side of things.

But with the recent dramas of me going down on Cherry, Kiffsta asked why dont I just buy it? Because I dont have the money to buy it & put it on the road. One or the other. With the damage & maintenance bill for Cherry coming in @ 1700 & a 4-5 week wait for fairings, my brother pitched the idea of me putting his CBR on the road. And running it in for him while 1. He gets his licence, and 2. I rebuild Cherry.

I was unsettled at the idea at first, I dont like driving other peoples cars. (In this case bike) But he talked me round to the idea. So we went pulled the tarp off it, clipped on the jump pack, Hit the starter & after the second time:



Man, you just cant argue with the reliability of the CBR's and their carbs. (We tried starting the FZR for over 5 mins with no result)

6 Months stale fuel. Second time. Probably would have gone first if we had the choke on.

Brought it round to the garage, & had a good look over it. With new plugs, it only needs new brake pads, brake flush, New grips, Battery, the induction tubes put back on, and, well thats it. Just a clean up before rolling through Inspection. The tyres are almost brand new (and softer than mine even though they are the same) With this realisation knowing there is so little before road-worthy, we knew it couldn't sell it. Its going to cost maybe $500 including inspection & rego to get it on the road. Everything works, Lights, indicators, Brake lights.

So we've put a plan in place. And not 5 mins later, the bro gets a call from one of his mates, "700 & I pick it up in an hour". "Sorry we have plans for it now."

It works out well. I dont have to use the car or train after a few more weeks, I get a bike to ride, he has more motivation to get his licence, I get more time to rebuild Cherry, and we'll both have machines to ride when she's on the road again! So with that all settled, we decided to put it back & cover it. (No room in my garage until I move out Cherry).

Connect jump pack & this happens.



CBR Reliabilty. You. Just. Can't. Beat. It.

So I will keep you updated.

Anything nefarious I need to look out for from the CBR Guru's?

 

Ok so update.

Pulled out the old battery threw in a new one.

Grabbed some fesh fuel, through it down its tank & after a few tries, it started. But wants to die with a quick blip from the throttle at idle.

& won't properly rev above 6k

Which means the carbs need to be looked at. I've ordered a litetek kit out of prudence an hour ago.

Since I have no clue what I am doing with carbs, looks like I'll have to pay someone to rebuild them. Which is not something I had budgeted for.

Was really hoping for the CBR reliability to hold out for me. Looks like time is the great equaliser no matter the bike....

 

I didn't. Handed it to someone else. Because I have no idea what's going on with carbs.

I got a confirmation that the kit has already been posted. Excellent service from @maelstrom & his wife!