False Neutral #23: Dead Parts Society

FN-Podcast-23

This week I’m on my own. In this slightly abbreviated solo episode, I talk about finding an ’83 Honda CX650C — an under-rated bike I’ve always wanted — on my local Craigslist, only to discover how quickly the unavailability of parts is hastening this model’s (and some other bikes’) demise. On a brighter note, I went new bike shopping with my wife, and decided some new tech and new styling might suit the two of us.

    A few notes:

  • The Project Car SOTU article on the CL125S can be found here.
  • The Project Car SOTU article on Bultakenstein is available here. There is also a full build thread on Caferacer.net.
  • I accidentally published the podcast a day early this week, so iTunes subscribers have probably already listened to it.
  • It has come to my attention that the iTunes RSS feed now indicates that all our episodes contain explicit language. I assure you, they do not. There was one four-letter word in one episode. But thanks to Cam, we’ve been eternally branded with the Scarlet “E.” It’s an annoying iTunes thing that can’t be undone, evidently.


False Neutral – Dead Parts Society

Flase-neutral-jump-header

Except where noted in the captions, images are standard press kit/website photos used courtesy of the respective manufacturers.

1979 Honda CX500
1979 Honda CX500
1983 Honda CX650 Custom
1983 Honda GL650 SilverWing Interstate
1983 Honda GL650 SilverWing Interstate
1983 Honda XL600R
1983 Honda XL600R
FN23-05
1982 Honda CBX
Suzuki GT750
Suzuki GT750
Kawasaki Vulcan S
Kawasaki Vulcan S
Honda CTX700N
Honda CTX700N
Honda CTX700
Honda CTX700
Honda MN4 Vultus
2017 Yamaha FZ-10
2017 Yamaha FZ-10

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3 responses to “False Neutral #23: Dead Parts Society”

  1. Batshitbox Avatar
    Batshitbox

    Parts availability does eventually kill off old Honda models. (Otherwise they would have no natural predators, and we would be awash in them like a zombie horde.) My pal picked up a 650 Nighthawk (hydraulic valves, shaft drive, lowest maintenance bike ever!) only to find the cam chain tensioner parts were unobtanium. I flirted online with a 1995 CB1000, but they turned out to have an Achilles heel, I think in the valve train area.

    What is it with cam chain tensioners? The early DRZ400s had a problem with them, too.

  2. jeepjeff Avatar
    jeepjeff

    I’m hoping they make an XSR1000. I’m still going to be tempted by the FZ-10, even with the front and the green wheels. They’ll probably change the wheel color for 2018.

  3. jeepjeff Avatar
    jeepjeff

    Also, someone who works near my office has an MN4 Vultus. Those things are bizarre looking in person. They’re either a bat-bike or a Harley-Davidson/Victory/Indian from 2050 as envisioned by Hollywood futurists from the early 1990s.