me and my death trap

[bugs_whats_up_doc]

Hiya Everyone,

I`m 31, a biker, and only have a motorcycle license, I love my bikes and dont think I could ever be without one. Iv currently got a 99' Suzuki GSX600F which iv had nearly 4 years now.

I am struggling to run the bike and iv recognised I do need to downsize to maybe a 125 or 250 untill my partner gets back into work. it already desperatly needs work doing on it and i`m finding it financially difficult to buy parts then theres the time aspect because it is usually me doing the repairs (cant afford to take it to a garage). Just to add to it My motorbike is my families only form of transport, so I do all the family food shopping.

I cant give the bike up completly because of the nature of my job, requires me to travel a bit, plus theres the fact I live in the next city so have to drive to work, and because of that fact theres are no work colleagues living close by.

as I said I recognise I need to downsize, but, cant afford £500 in one go for a second hand bike, or £850 for the new one in my dealers window, dealers dont do finance on bike priced that low anyway. So, i`m just stuck on what to do my bike currently needs rougly £300 of work spending on it to get up to scratch, at the moment i`m doing this little bit at a time but, its an up hill struggle.

does anyone have any suggestions on what I can do?

[Markyt]

Only thing I can suggest is looking for something with a longer service interval and greater mpg, i.e. less sporty and more lardy.

If you downsize, maintenance on two strikes is high and frequent, but easier to do.

I'd look for a 500 cc commuter type bike - find out what the despatchers use these days, and try to pick up one of those. I think they all used to use the Kwak ER500, but it's ages since I took any notice.

[bugs_whats_up_doc]

iv been looking at those too as well as old 600 as in 80's, but i`m looking at a minimum of £500 which I just dont have in one go, ill need time to either get the money together or find a VERY understanding salesman (not likely)

[davetrousers]

Trouble is you will likely lose money on selling it and buying another. What servicing/repairing needs doing?

[bugs_whats_up_doc]

Things I know of are:

Choke cable needed
Rear caliper + replacment brake fluid lines replacing
Front brakes are unable to get firm feal so either replace bleed valve (one is badly rounded off making bleeding difficult) and/or replace brake hoses
Broken engine stud needs removing and replacing along with exhaust system

and these are the things I know of they maybe more horrors.

[Horace]

Rather than use genuine Suzuki parts why not try a different make that fits. Also instead of going to a dealership, try a local independent bike shop as they tend to have more knowledge and maybe you can come to a deal wtih them?

[davetrousers]

Have a look on ebay for parts (2nd hand or replica)as well as obvious places like M&P, Busters Accessories etc. Apart from the exhaust system most of that could be done fairly reasonably.

Spend the money fixing your current bike.

Why do you need a rear caliper? The only reason I ever needed a new caliper was because the pin that holds the pads in was seized.

[Pew Pew Pew Lasers!]

Might be cheaper to have your caliper serviced, than replaced. It'll probably want nothing more than new seals. Not a DIY job tbh.

[bugs_whats_up_doc]

bit of a story that goes with that, coming down a country lane, rounds a corner in the centre of the road is a pheasent I paniced hit the rear brake there was a clunk n I started to skid. gets off the bike to find the metal arm securing the caliper the the swingarm had come off caliper had shot round the disc ripping the oil line and jamming in the wheel locking the wheel.

caliper was completly screwed ill be able to rescure the pads though I think

[geordie458]

You said you couldnt to fork out the money for a new bike in one go but have you considered a credit card that offers 0% on purchases. M & S do 0% on purchases for 10 months. Pay for the bike on the credit card and pay it off interest free over 10 months. Just a thought. I got the info off this site too !!

[bugs_whats_up_doc]

had thought of that geordie, but iv had debt problems in the past so am doubtfull anyone would approve me for a credit card