Replying to the VIN question reminded me of a pretty funny bike I found a few years back. I bought a 1962 CA72 from a real scabby tweaker who couldn't make it run and had given up. I got it to my friends shop and started checking out what could be wrong. It had no spark- wait, the points cam wasn't moving. I pulled the carb off to get at the tensioner and confirm if the cam chain was missing. I pulled the carb off and it had a big bright blue LAUNDRY DETERGENT CAP for a carb top! The cable was threaded through a hole in it. I laughed and laughed. Too bad this was before the days of digital photographs.
What amateur repairs and modifications have you discovered on bikes you've bought?
Worst amateur repair/mod you've ever discovered on a bike
Worst amateur repair/mod you've ever discovered on a bikeMatt
Also into Alfa Romeo Giuliettas and Giulias! Looking for a Giulia Super.
Worse Amature RepairI hate it when you get a bike that someone has had a problem with the gearshift or the kick
starter and decides the best way is to WELD IT!!! I even got an earky 70's Suzuki TS125 once that had a large allen wrench attached to the shift shaft with a large cable clamp! Fortunately, the bike was thrown in as part of a trade and I could use a large amount of the parts. All I can think of right now. Later on, Bill Anybody that knows anything about restoring motorcycles knows that you use an EXTERIOR wall switch for that. (Sorry,I had to do that). But I have spent time, out of the only life I have, grinding the glob of weld off the kickstarter and gear selector shafts that some genius decided would fix a stripped spline. Replace it, don't weld it. I've had people come into the shop wanting a new spline
cut on a stripped shaft,and get upset when I tell them it can't be done. Rant off, Randy
A few more good ones I remembered:
My first Dream, an early 61 CA77 had a lot of lamp cord and wire nuts for a harness, not as spectacular as the laundry cap though. (Wish I still had it- a fantastically reliable bike I sold for $300!) I've had a few bikes with 'stuff' welded on on an effort to fix shifters and brake pedals as well. Probably the best bike I ever brought home in this catagory was a 1960's Monkey wards Benelli 250 chopper. This bike had 2 sets of fork tubes connected in the center by big threaded studs. At the top there were 2 bicycle goosenecks- one out of each tube, that held onto a set of 10 speed bars- yes cables were somehow hooked up. Over the little bates headlight was a sheetmetal dash that had all the electronics mounted on it. I can't imagine this bike was ever ridden in this form as it was very flexible up front. The front of the bike was blue, the frame was pink and the gas tank was lime green. A real looker. I have a digital picture somewhere and I'll post it if I can find it I won(?) a Superhawk on EBAY that had been "improved" with a bunch of chopper parts. To mount these universal bits the guy had to drill holes in the frame tubes to mount the king and queen seat/sissy bar combo. That could be welded up but to mount the chrome tool box he took a sawzall and removed half the battery box and some of the frame above the rear motor mounts.
Not as much useable stuff on this bike as I'd hoped bfd
I too bought a CB77"chopper" from a local wife beater,er I mean Harley mechanic. This had a sportster tank mounted on it. Some homemade brackets were brazed on and the frame cut and altered to fit some crappy rear fender,more brazing! Also a lovley brush paint job in black. And so forth,what a trip! Steve
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