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11 Posts
Hello yall!!
This is the first time me posting anything here although I have read a lot of (i mean a lot) articles, especially project builds here prior to buying my to-be project bike. A lot of nice and helpful people here, Kudos to dat!
So, away with the story....
To admit some things about myself, Im a great automotive lover in general, but I actually prefer cars and other four wheel vehicles. I know my fair bit in general about cars n all but really low when it comes specifically to bikes. Although Ive been riding bikes since I was 12-14yrs old. But it simply was a really convenient short-travel method for me than an actual passion, so to say (I know, I know, bear with me....)
With very limited motorcycle power-limit allowed in my country's law, still there were and are admirable amount of different bike models. Most are just functional, low cost hence dime-a-dozen cheap ones but there are gems too. From Honda-Suzuki and similar to bikes like Ducati, KTM and elegant ones like Royal Enfield, there are an acceptable range here. But one bike I really let sink into my mind was the CD series of Honda. I knew nothing about models or whatsoever when I was 6-8yrs old but an Uncle of mine had a CD200 RoadMaster in pristine condition. It simply was his baby. He was a watch-mender and the best and respected one at the city where he lived. I guess its more appropriate to say that his bike worked like a well mended watch. That low slung, long and prestige look and the bassist rumble of the twin stole my heart. This love went under with years pass by and I was involved in my studies, higher studies n life. Honda always helped me, I had a Honda C50 Little Cub back then which I kept in pristine condition for 7 years until I sold it. Then simply for practicality I bought a Honda Dio 110 Scooter. From classic standards it was nothing, but the bike was solid, upto date and was very reliable.
Me being more inclined towards cars, ironically my daily driver was this bike, as going to work and running for all other chores in the city was a pain in the posterior with the car due to heavy density of traffic and not enough parking. But after one year I felt something was missing. Then I took a bold and cataclysmic decision.
Combined these three together and I ended up selling my loved-till-the-end Dio and buying an old beaten up, yet running CD125. After going around FB clubs and forums, I decided what I needed was a CD125T Benly model, which has 5 gears and is CDI 12V. The other model CD125 Twin is a Platinum point 6V with 4 gears. Now 4-5 gears arnt much different, compared to my relatives Twin, I feel that Benly's 3rd gear is just comparatively short to make do. But I like going through gears. But the 12V was a must for me hence my conceptual modifications included a lot of LED work. Converting a 6V to 12V was an extra deviation for my project. And I was really interested in buying an older model, which would save me money on modifications and according to our local law, Number plates issued before year 2000 (older registration templates) are somewhat customize-able and I wanted to do that. Above year 2000 plates are in the new registration template and are only issued by the Department of Motor Traffic.
So after a lot of dreams, sleepless nights of looking through ads and calling up a lot of em, I ended up finding one. in CD series there are almost all the models of many years here, CD50, CD90 Benly, CD95, CD125 Twin, CD125T Benly, CD185/200 Roadmaster. Anything below 125 was too little for me, anything above 125 was too expensive for me. From 125, Twins can be found everywhere, but Benlys are very hard to find, and owners wouldnt sell. What I found was perfect for my scope of search, it was a Benly model, it was registered in 1997 which holds those customize-able plates (Model 1992, had been brought to my country reconditioned in 1997) and was in need of a lot of work here and there, which made my bargain easier and led me to buy it for around $715 USD. (usually a well maintained one of same decade would cost at around $1020-$1050 USD)
Condition when I bought it on 20.06.2017
![Land vehicle Motorcycle Vehicle Motor vehicle Mode of transport]()
![Land vehicle Motorcycle Vehicle Motor vehicle Mode of transport]()
So me being not much of a motorcycle guy (although I ride a lot), never being owned a used motorcycle before, never had modified anything other than paddle bicycles as a kid, at 24 years of age I bought my first tasteful and project-oriented motorcycle
Topic breakdown with direct links to each post:
Preliminary Assessment
The Concept
The Plan
Stage 01: Repairing/Conditioning
This is the first time me posting anything here although I have read a lot of (i mean a lot) articles, especially project builds here prior to buying my to-be project bike. A lot of nice and helpful people here, Kudos to dat!
So, away with the story....
To admit some things about myself, Im a great automotive lover in general, but I actually prefer cars and other four wheel vehicles. I know my fair bit in general about cars n all but really low when it comes specifically to bikes. Although Ive been riding bikes since I was 12-14yrs old. But it simply was a really convenient short-travel method for me than an actual passion, so to say (I know, I know, bear with me....)
With very limited motorcycle power-limit allowed in my country's law, still there were and are admirable amount of different bike models. Most are just functional, low cost hence dime-a-dozen cheap ones but there are gems too. From Honda-Suzuki and similar to bikes like Ducati, KTM and elegant ones like Royal Enfield, there are an acceptable range here. But one bike I really let sink into my mind was the CD series of Honda. I knew nothing about models or whatsoever when I was 6-8yrs old but an Uncle of mine had a CD200 RoadMaster in pristine condition. It simply was his baby. He was a watch-mender and the best and respected one at the city where he lived. I guess its more appropriate to say that his bike worked like a well mended watch. That low slung, long and prestige look and the bassist rumble of the twin stole my heart. This love went under with years pass by and I was involved in my studies, higher studies n life. Honda always helped me, I had a Honda C50 Little Cub back then which I kept in pristine condition for 7 years until I sold it. Then simply for practicality I bought a Honda Dio 110 Scooter. From classic standards it was nothing, but the bike was solid, upto date and was very reliable.
Me being more inclined towards cars, ironically my daily driver was this bike, as going to work and running for all other chores in the city was a pain in the posterior with the car due to heavy density of traffic and not enough parking. But after one year I felt something was missing. Then I took a bold and cataclysmic decision.
- What I missed was the involvement of driving (Im that type who prefer manual control over convenience) The Dio scooter being very easy and fast, didnt have any gears (CVT) hence no clutch, nothing. Just squeeze the throttle and wroom. Even my previous C50 without manual clutch had 4 gears.
- What I loved to have an alternative was a Honda CD series bike, which sparked back when a relative bought a CD125 Twin. I rode it once and fell in love instantly. Like a crying little baby over toffee, I simply wanted one.
- What I craved for was to do something own of myself, rather than having what everyone else had. I didnt want to restore one to its original condition, but to modify it with my design skills and other automotive tastes.
Combined these three together and I ended up selling my loved-till-the-end Dio and buying an old beaten up, yet running CD125. After going around FB clubs and forums, I decided what I needed was a CD125T Benly model, which has 5 gears and is CDI 12V. The other model CD125 Twin is a Platinum point 6V with 4 gears. Now 4-5 gears arnt much different, compared to my relatives Twin, I feel that Benly's 3rd gear is just comparatively short to make do. But I like going through gears. But the 12V was a must for me hence my conceptual modifications included a lot of LED work. Converting a 6V to 12V was an extra deviation for my project. And I was really interested in buying an older model, which would save me money on modifications and according to our local law, Number plates issued before year 2000 (older registration templates) are somewhat customize-able and I wanted to do that. Above year 2000 plates are in the new registration template and are only issued by the Department of Motor Traffic.
So after a lot of dreams, sleepless nights of looking through ads and calling up a lot of em, I ended up finding one. in CD series there are almost all the models of many years here, CD50, CD90 Benly, CD95, CD125 Twin, CD125T Benly, CD185/200 Roadmaster. Anything below 125 was too little for me, anything above 125 was too expensive for me. From 125, Twins can be found everywhere, but Benlys are very hard to find, and owners wouldnt sell. What I found was perfect for my scope of search, it was a Benly model, it was registered in 1997 which holds those customize-able plates (Model 1992, had been brought to my country reconditioned in 1997) and was in need of a lot of work here and there, which made my bargain easier and led me to buy it for around $715 USD. (usually a well maintained one of same decade would cost at around $1020-$1050 USD)
Condition when I bought it on 20.06.2017
So me being not much of a motorcycle guy (although I ride a lot), never being owned a used motorcycle before, never had modified anything other than paddle bicycles as a kid, at 24 years of age I bought my first tasteful and project-oriented motorcycle
Topic breakdown with direct links to each post:
Preliminary Assessment
The Concept
The Plan
Stage 01: Repairing/Conditioning
