Racing Bonneville On a $300 Craigslist Motorcycle - /RideApart
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- Опубликовано: 9 сен 2024
- "You don't have to spend a million bucks to fulfill your dreams. I bought a bike for $300, got it running and entered it in a race I'd always dreampt about.
Bonneville is an epic thing that brings out all kinds of speed contraptions and it was an honor to ride an old 1986 Honda VFR750 in the Run-Whatcha-Brung class and pretend to be like my childhood heroes.
If I can do it, anyone can." - Jamie Robinson
For more on motorcycles, visit RideApart.com
Don't call it a 300 dollar bike when you've put more than 300 dollars on it
Kristian Kumpula Yeah I was gonna ask "How much did the repairs and upgrades cost"
7A No it doesn't. He put thousands in it for upgrades and repairs.
i bought a 325$ fj600 on craigslist, one of the previous owners blew the motor up and then put a xs650 engine in it. now i can ride with confidence knowing that im probably riding the sketchiest thing on the road
justin what is the craigslist
its a website where people can post adds for cars bikes, anything really.
Andrew Krav Craiglist is a bit like ebay but with no buyer protection and no secure contact system. Like a local newspaper ads section.
update: traded the engine for two snowmobiles, and fixed the butchered frame. so now by next season it might be running with a 440 liquid out of a 91 prowler.
+wordreet awww thanks mr helpy
Bike $300 dollars. Rebuild $10,000 dollars.
these V4 hondas are pretty solid to begin with, i got a 1984 sabre 1100 for 200$ that just needed electrical work and a new battery. lets just say it exceeded his top speed run on the first joyride. all for the price of a moped!
i agree they should have that in the title
Serveck Except the fact the V4 hondas were known to have the crappiest cams ever put together.
Justin Marshall yeah that must be why VFR800's regularly pass 100k and 200k isn't unheard of.
MangoSmoothie16 Thats a VFR800, the early VFR750s and 1000s were known for having cam problems, by the time the 800 came around they had worked them all out.
if labor and parts costs were figured in it would be closer to a $3000 motorcycle. .
Tom Barstow That's not misinterpretation, that's being misled
$1 classic F1 car from Craigslist wins Monaco GP... Err, actually nope, it's just a just a hex bolt on a $7,000,000 car, dummy, how did you misinterpret that.
Everyone talking about misinterpretation as if it has anything to do with the original comment...
this episode should have been you buying the bike, fixing it, and seeing you run it.
While still pretty cool, the title is a bit misleading. If you'd taken a bike 'as bought' for $300, yeah.
What he's saying is that the bike he raced was not a $300 bike, the $300 bike he bought would not run but after $1000 in repairs, that is the bike he raced.
could almost garentee it was running if you find a old honda and its just been sitting in a shed or garage it will fire up with some fresh fuel
Welcome to the Internet. ;)
Groovy Panda and a good carb cleaning
Jak Conrad I agree it's incredibly misleading it bugs me every time he keeps insisting it's a $300 bike know he put probably thousands in repairs and has all these connections that are worth a lot of money but he continues to act like it's just a $300 bike off Craigslist like you just bought it took it down there and raised it that's why he's proud of you at least goes over a hundred no because he fixed it up with all of his friends and Dad and connections so he should be damn disappointed if it only goes a hundred miles an hour with all that work in it
The title is extremely miss-leading! and they keep saying "300 dollar craigslist find." Yet, they fail to mention that they did a shit ton of work to restore it. so no like.
bobkin611 how did they fail to mention it. Yea the title is bs but he did say with the help of his dad and some other people they restored it to its former glory and even showed pics.
The story is much more interesting than just buying a ready to ride bike and racing it. I'm sure there is a much more significant emotional connection with the bike now. This was fun to watch.
"Aww my leg rod"
gnarly
Soren H that was the coolest part on the whole vid, I want one of those for my Harley!
Forget the Salt Flats and your time trial. You only paid $300 for a classic VFR750?!!!!! Where can I get that deal?
He forgot to mention the $3000 he probably put into to fix it.
Lol true. Isn't that how these stories always end up so sensationalized. Just like these magazine project bikes....let's take a $500 dirtbike and refurbish it with $10k worth of parts!
And that's why my VF750F will always have a place in my garage. No matter what else I get, it will always be there. Tough as nails and gobs of torque. :)
So cool to see a VFR on a show. I got a 1999 - 5th gen VFR800FI, they are great bikes. You can get a running 750 for around $1200, I got my 800FI for $1700. Run forever, commute everyday on it. Gotta love the cam whine.
That was a great bike back in the day, I got to ride one, almost crashed because a turn happened a lot faster than usual, laid that thing on its side and flowed through! Loved it!!
Lots of fun- I remember Bonneville as one of the longest weeks in racing: rebuilding 3 motors in 100 degree plus temps, but finally turning 157 on my Norton (in 1971.)
It dont matter how much money or time he's got into it, It was a $300.00 bike when he bought it! good going and I for one am impressed!
The leg rod shifter linkage is one of the coolest custom bits i've ever heard of on any vehicle.
300 bucks means 300 bucks not 300 bucks and a shit ton of parts and me and my dad working on it for a few months.
I've got a completely original 1983 VF750F with only 8600 miles for my first streetbike, always wanted a classic like these, the first real sportbike
When I began riding in the early 70's "Sportbikes" were called "Cafe racers", or simply "racing bikes". There have been lots of low handlebar high performance motorcycles in the history of motorcycling. I'm not sure which one was the first "real" one.
There was a coincidence of innovation and economic circumstances in the early 80s that made the VF750 very popular. These were low purchase price relative to cars which had just doubled to tripled in cost over a few years, high interest rates, high gasoline prices, larger more powerful engines, better suspensions and frames, etc.
I bought a new VF750F in Germany in 1983 and rode it all over Europe for 4 years. Including two superbike schools at Nurburgring race track, drifting in second and third gear, topping out around 125 mph on track. European VF750F had same gearing as VF1000F, for a top speed of 145 mph, slow by today's standards but fast back then. Had great fun on it but went through two sets of cams and followers.
All the Drive shows are great, but ride apart is the best - the most creative, the most story-based. If one of the sections of Drive were going to appear as a guest on TopGear, it would be rideapart.
Holy shit. That's Steve Huff at 8:02. He's worked on my Buell.
That guy is batshit crazy. Speed doesn't scare that guy at all. Great mechanic and fearless rider.
The VFR was a top of the line bike when it came out. Finding a used one cheap in the US is an impossibility today.
I love this video! What a great attitude and experience!
Being the previous owner of two 1980s era VFR 750s just made it that much sweeter :D
Jamie comes off as a total dork, which makes him incredibly likable, but I loved that dig at the end about yellow snow. Keep up the good work guys!
glad to have this show back
Boo! You know why we clicked the link!!! Now Race a bike that Really cost $300 or shut up!
Hercules Rockefeller Man you really sound like an moron idiot . The guy told us that the bike was wrecked . He also told us that his dad fix it up for him . Hell in some cases a wrecked bike is not worth repairing . Frames bent, cases cracked gears shafts broken and the likes . I bought my 1972 Z1 900 for 400 and it was not wrecked but needed a lot to restore it too new condition . By the way it had only 4,500 miles on it . I have a 300 dollar 1999 Suzuki GS500 in my garage right now with only 1,400 miles but it sat outside for a long time and rusted out the tank and destroyed the carbs . So they are out there your too lazy to find one . By the way this guy loves his 300 bike and doing his dream unlike you setting on your fat ass and dissen someone that having fun . Stupid fker .
Jeff Mullinix Do you know know to read? I was talking about the baited title we all clicked. We've all seen bikes that cost thousands on the flats, we wanted to see some $300 eyesore attempt it..
(It was also a joke, so dont lose too much sleep over it.)
+Jeff Mullinix STFU Jeff... you no common sense having flesh bag....lol...what a dumbass...
i bought a £300 pound 89 vfr. then new fork oil, and a set of tyres, and thats it.
superb bike, best 300 i ever spent...
its not $300 anymore
how much ??
andrx04 more than $300.
iBoos LOL That made me laugh way to hard...
RidingYamaha47 and waza ?
RidingYamaha47 paying more than $300 will do that to ya!
I bought a bolt and nut for 1$ on craigslist, then added a CBR 600 to it. Now its a full 1$ craigslist motorcycle!!!! 150MPH easy!
Most entertaining Rideapart episode to date.
Super VFR! I have one, my 1989: love it.
I appreciate the variety from drive and really like that he took a cheaper bike that the common person could own.
This is what life is about - shits and giggles. A few years ago we built a GSXR600 for $3,000 and went scalp hunting at Hampton Downs in New Zealand - it was the most fun you can have aside from a weekend in Vegas with drugs and hookers. Awesome vid!
Excellent video and enthusiastic story
Brings back memories of similar run on my RC31 Honda hawk 650 in 2006.
Thanks for the bringing it to Utube
Dude just rode right through salt water. I can feel the corrosion already lol.
meh it's a honda silverwing. I have one, they are all plastic and aluminum. not much to corrode
this is a honda vfr750, so it has an aluminium frame
Ending with a Zappa reference! This looked beautiful
its not a $300 craigslist bike... its a full restoration
My man you had wwwaaaayyyyy more than 300 dollars worth of fun! Good show man!
Cool video, except I wish that stupid music track wasn't playing the whole time.
I dont think it is so much about the speed as it is the experience. Great video!
Jamie you are the man!
I was wetting myself listening to you screaming into your helmet!!
Didn't understand a work of it, but entertaining none the less!!
Why is it bike guys are just funnier / cooler than car guys???
lovin your work fella ;)
I'm not a big bike fan at all. But I really like watching ride apart.
Sahadi420,i'm glad someone chimed in to tell me how everyone got off at 150 + having no trees or rocks is wonderful,even then I bet the ridding leathers get mighty hot from friction,LOL,i'm glad it s that safe
I've got a 86 VFR 750. They are a blast.
That cbr 1000 turbo looks fuckin sweeeet.
+1 on rescuing a VFR! Great bikes, great vid.
Welcome back to RideApart!
This is SO cool!!! Good luck and a safe run!
And to my friend who races Bonneville: GO Jimbo Fisher and the Grey Ghost!!!
One of the best Ride Aparts yet. Great cinematography, great event coverage, and Jamie is awesome, as always. Only bad part is now I want a Bonnevile bike.
Awesome! So glad you guys are back.
Sweet I have an NSR I'm rebuilding I bought smashed up, it had been rotting under a tree for 6 years, bought it for £20, didn't realise that after I spend £1200 rebuilding it it will have only cost me £20! My girlfriend will be pleased. I'll show her this video to prove that's how it works!
Holy shit, heavy Boston accent at 3:37!
Great show! thanks for taking us along, and inspiring us to do likewise!
So glad rideapart is bacckkkk!
I use to work for that guy around the 7 minute mark in the video. He owns Al Lamb's Dallas Honda. He is a bit of a hard ass to work for and constantly complained about everything no matter what it was but I loved the co-workers and working with the bikes all day long.
Bonzo Bonzai Lol he is one of those bosses that sits in his office watching all his employee's on camera's all day long.. an would constantly pop out of no where an yell at us to work faster lol.
They certainly got their moneys worth with that theme song : )
GREAT fun, thanks for the trip !
Awesome bike man! Got an 86 VFR 750 Interceptor in the garage, you cant beat the feeling of a V4 bike and the sound of them, sounds like a V8 race car man well at least with the super traps on mine.
As long as its running to start with then I generally allow $100 for fresh oil, air & oil filters and new spark plugs. That's usually plenty for most bikes. New tyres will be about $200~400 a set, and paint and filler for fairing work is usually under $50 if you just do it yourself with rattlecans. New levers are around $15 each and anything else is up to you.
I owned an 86 VFR 750 from new..and loved it!
$300 for that bike? LOAD of bullshit...
When is "Ride Apart" coming back? The series is the reason I know about "/Drive" :)
You can really see how much work went into cars like the Veyron and Ultimate Aero when you get people riding specially designed bikes going 250 - 265 mph and the Veyron stock goes that speed and can do it many many times without breaking
3:15 That is dedication..... wow. I'm speechless.
Great Vid Jaime. I am not a rider, but this was a very well put together piece that gave me a great sense of place and what it is like to run there. Well done and keep it up!
$300 dollar bike but how much money have you invested in it since? Kinda like saying i set a land speed record in a $500 car, after i invested 30k into it. pretty misleading
Great video
Fun presentation
Loved the story about the guy using the rod out his leg on his bike.
Being a nurse I can only imagine the horror his Orthopaedic surgeon felt when he found out his intention to help make his bike go even faster.
Well done on your run and just imagine how fast a $1,000 Craigslist bike could go.
Nick Australia
Very cool, finally some motorcycle stuff!
6:34, that's the owner of one of my local shops, Al Lamb. Cool guy, has a nice shop, and he has some very nice 'toys'.
These vids are really great Jamie. Keep up the good work from a Brit in the Harz Mountains Germany
Damn, that looks like a ton of fun. Enjoyable video. Thanks.
the Honda v4 series bikes from the 80s were some of the fastes Motorcycles in the world. the v65 MAGNA and Sabre were the FASTEST in that period.
Generally most track bikes were previously a wrecked bike. Your as safe as the work you put into the bike.
I'm glad you got to come over and have such a good time. It looks like you made a lot of new friends and I bet it's not your last visit to the flats. I drove by it once in my 67 GTO when I was driving to California from Indiana. Man it's a desolate place when no one is there. Well it's Kentucky Derby Day here in Louisville. It's raining and I believe I'll suit up and take the old R/100/GS for a ride to a derby party. Rain is one thing I've got to learn to deal with. 123,000 miles on the old girl
My first bike was an interceptor, I'll always love them!
Dave and Judy Perewitz! thats awesome. Beautiful bike. Dave just walkin' by at 3:48. And it looks like an NRHS bike at scrutineering.
I think u done good ,nice production, good speed , good fun
Cars are a passion, motorcycles are a religion.
I've been waiting for you guys to come back. Awesome comeback.
Jamie. Used to have the poster of you riding the gp250 round pembrey on my wall in university. Great to see your still involved in bikes!
Love the V4! Have a 95 VF750 Magna, and ride the wheels off of it!
Holy cow 350+ HP Motorcycle that's just MENTAL
Great show. I love RideApart.
I love this show. You know what'd put it over the top though? If they somehow could get a Tron Lightcycle on.
This is fantastic but I would love a special on sports bikes or an event like the TT seeing that is Robinson's background.
we need/want more of this!!
I loved the "Worlds Fastest Indian" too. I would love to run with you some day!
That was insane...awesome video.
Thanks for sharing .. $300 .. that's pretty good! Story reminds me of a movie from 2005 .. "The World's Fastest Indian" .. The life story of New Zealander Burt Munro, who spent years building a 1920 Indian motorcycle .. a bike he set the land-speed world record with at Utah's Bonneville Salt Flats in 1967. Movie was on Netflix .. might still be.
Beautiful Viffer! Bet that V4 sounded awesome.
misleading saying it was 300 bucks when the total was probably at least ten grand
i love when he is riding, all the screaming just makes it fun
I had a smile from the beginning to the end. Great vid!
Bring Rideapart back
I always thought the VFR750 - the particular model ridden here - was a fantastic bike. But only in all-white, where it sort of looked a bit like a Ducati Paso, if you squinted a bit.
25 years later I ride an immaculate and superb Paso 906. :)
So Jamie is a bit excitable, eh? Hahaha. (I'd probably be the same if I was riding there!)
And the guy with his leg rod as a gear shift rod... WIN!
Love it, from the beginning to the ending, including the snow-piss joke!
Awesome episode. Really enjoyed this one.
this was a fun video, really enjoyed it.
To be fair, you added a lot of value to it by working on it. Regardless if you paid a lot for parts or not.
YOU'RE BACK!!!!!! OH HOW I MISSED YOU SO
That was a wicked awesome Massachusetts accent from that woman