What would you do?

[Staerke]

Hey all, here's my situation.
I have a 96 Kat that has served me well for almost a year, I've enjoyed riding it, but it's starting to look like it's needing more and more maintenance. I'm a college student so money and time are my limiting factors to everything I do. I also have no car so when the bike goes down for maintenance, I'm SOL.
In the coming months, I have an opportunity to get a $2500-3000 refund on my tuition. I can also take out a larger loan than I "need" for the summer semester (I usually borrow 1-2k over what I need to cover misc expenses during the semester)
So, if I don't suck at flying this semester and I take out a loan I could have 5k to spend on a bike this summer. If I do suck at flying, I'll have 1-2k to spend (as I won't get the tuition refunded).

So here are the options I have:
1. Stick with just the Kat, and keep fixing it and keep needing rides and charity every time it goes down for work.
2. Buy a second bike in similar shape to the Kat and use it when the Kat is down
3. Use the 1-5k I may have (possibly) on a newer bike this summer
4. Use that money as a down payment on a new bike

I'm not comfortable with buying anything but my college on credit so the last one is basically out. Which of the 3 would you do? Or is there another choice I'm missing?

[airforceranger49]

it depends... what exactly do you mean when you say "it's needing more and more maintenance"?

all bikes require constant maintenance... its just part of the game... and a new bike will generally require more then normal (you have to do break in, tune, break in, tune, break in, tune)

[Staerke]

The biggest issue is that it seems whoever worked on the bike previously had no clue what they were doing, leading to nightmares when I'm trying to replace stuff on it. I'm afraid to pull anything apart cause i usually run into something jerry rigged that was designed to never be pulled apart again.

I mean it's never an insurmountable obstacle, but it's still frustrating, and makes me hate working on it.

[airforceranger49]

honestly bro... you'll see that alot with older bikes... and the best thing to do, is to tear it completely down, and fix all the problems you can find... it can usually be done in a long weekend... and if you do the work yourself, you'll save a boatload of cash.

now, there is a point where its just smart to walk away... but you'll never know if its really there or not, until you tear it down.

and once you actually do get everything fixed, you end up knowing your bike like the back of your hand, which makes future maintenance sooooo much easier (i can have all my fairings, tank, and rims off in under an hour now, cuz i've done it so many times)

i'm interested in what you have found that has been jerry rigged... examples?

[Staerke]

There was a weird setup with the carbs when I first pulled it apart, like the last person didn't know what they were doing. Hard to describe but I got it sorted out.
Electrical stuff taped together, random leads that go nowhere just hanging out (Even before I got rid of the gauges in favor of a streetfighter style.
I mean that's a few examples, mostly it's just little stuff that makes jobs harder than they should be.
Ignition coils are messed, the cables are loose so I can just pull them out and excessive vibration causes them to fall out. $35 fix but annoying.

Anyway, minor examples.
I'll consider what you said about tearing it down. Just tearing it all apart and fixing it as I go or what?

[airforceranger49]

Anyway, minor examples.
I'll consider what you said about tearing it down. Just tearing it all apart and fixing it as I go or what?

well, you can decide that once you get it torn down... if its not that serious of a problem, then yea... but i always suggest tearing it down first, just so you can know exactly what your dealing with, you kno

[mreedohio]

why not get a 2000 cavy or something for 1k-1500 for a beater car to have in case the kat is down.

[Staerke]

why not get a 2000 cavy or something for 1k-1500 for a beater car to have in case the kat is down.

Because I'd rather walk than drive a cage, honestly. On top of that, it would more than double the amount of insurance I'm paying per month.
Worst comes to worst I may, but it's my last resort.

[cannonball]

buy a bicycle. use the rest to fix up the bike or purchase a newer model

[WildSide]

I would get a newer Kat. The kat you have now is 14 years old bud! but keep the old Kat for some fun and if ya get into a jam, you can sell the old Kat down the road if need be.

[ctandc]

You're going to possibly inherit issues on any used vehicle. Most of them unseen issues and many of them issues helped along by the previous owner.

If you want a newer bike, get a newer bike. Just REMEMBER to take in account the different maitenance requirements and tendencies of the bike you plan to buy. Unless you do all the work yourself, many bikes can be a bit pricey to maintain / replace parts, especially on a tight budget.

If you LIKE your bike, then make a list of the problems /issues it has. Post 'em up...there are enough of us here that can tell you how hard / how much etc when it comes to taking care of these issues.

I almost guarantee that amont would be cheaper than a newer bike...again...unless you farm out the majority of your work.

My neighbor's son is in college. He didn't like not having a vehicle....but it's not feasible for him to take his jeep. (Distance from home, gas mileage etc). So he talked of a motorcycle, since his college is located in very moderate climate.

I helped find him a 98+ Katana 600 for cheap. I think it was a 99. Got it for $1700 with some light damage (mainly scratches) to the fairings, and needing just a general going over. After another $200 in parts (and a couple of upgrades) and me helping him do it...he's got a dependable, cheap ride.

[Staerke]

OK. I think what I'll do is keep fixing the one that I have and see what shape I can get it in, while setting money aside as it comes in to buy a newer used bike...a friend of mine's in laws run a honda shop locally and can get me a discount on a used bike. If a good deal comes up I'll use the money for that. If not I'll just keep tuning up the kat.

Thanks all.