What bike to restore? Cheap and parts easily accessible.

There's a '98 Hawk local to me that's $3300, with 11k miles, but it's rough. Point taken though, the definition of 'cheap' and what constitutes a project is different for everyone. For some people, 'project' means changing spark plugs and maybe cleaning a carb. I definitely don't think you'll find a Hawk for $1k, unless it was dropped from 15,000 feet. I've actually always liked that bike, but when I can find way nicer bikes for the same money, it's hard to pull the trigger.

 

Buy some old Buell Blasts for next to nothing and turn them into cool bobbers.

 

Thares only one real answer. Plentiful, made forever, stone axe easy to work on, fun to chuck around after a few suspension mods...... Gotta be an EX500

 

A friend of mine has done exactly that. When you look at his builds, it's almost inconceivable that they were ever Blasts.

 

XS650, GS500

 

I told you the correct and only answer.

 

The day before I bought my first fzr600, I very nearly bought a gs500 instead. No regrets but I often wondered how much fun one of those could have been.

 

FZR400

 

2005 gsxr camshaft 225 bucks..(10+ yrs ago) same year Yamaha 1000 plus

 

Where are you located? Maybe I have a deal for you. FZ600 racebike with SV650 front end and wheels along with an FZ600 street/race bike with title with FZR1000 USD forks and FZR600 rear wheel. I will make you an unbeatable deal for the pair.

 

You are probably looking at a Honda Super Hawk VTR1000F.

I was thinking about a 1989 - 1991 Honda Hawk NT650

 

I have a dozen kz900/1000s. Get at me bro.

 

Have my 97 YZF750R just sitting in the garage. Needs work, doesnt run. It was fun to ride, comfy for a sportbike, but many OEM parts are a taaaaaaad hard to find. Emulsion tubes are worn (Yamaha ones no longer available, but Factory Pro makes them), left fork tube chrome flaked off in the same spot on 2 sets of forks (Racetech has new lower tubes), fuel pump seal is leaking again, fuel pump may be questionable, and many of the consumables all wore out at the same time (chain/sprokets, brake pads and tires). Right now is in R7 livery (one of the rare Tapeworks kits) and has a Leo Vinci SBK slipon which are unobtanium now for these bikes.

 

GS500….Suzuki made a gazillion of them, they’re a blast to ride and at 47 Hp won’t get a teenager into trouble on the street.

 

n
Nope. Absolutely nope. Super Hawk for $3,300? It would have to have been burned. I seriously don't think I've seen a Hawk 650 for less than $2,500, and that was with a blown engine and a million other issues.

 

I can’t believe nobody has said Water Buffalo yet.

 

I have a soft spot for the 82 Honda CB450T. I have wanted to build a mini spencer replica for a few years now.

What I have that may interest you is a 95 YZF600 that I built to race V7 but health issues got in the way. It's still tagged for the street and I have both street and track bodywork for it. It currently has a dead battery and dirty carbs, both of which could be rectified with a long weekend here at my place near Cincinnati.

Fully adjustable 96 forks with Race Tech springs, compression and rebound valves, Fox shock, YZF 1000 swing arm and rear wheel, Larger 97+YZF carbs with factory pro ti jet kit, custom WER rotary steering damper and more. Here's a pic taken just before my last VMD with the race bodywork.

 

What part of country are you located? I see a number of nice SuperHawks on FB Marketlace around listed for $3500. One is mint. Near Atlanta, GA

I bought my current NT650 Hawk for $1K, it was in "ok" shape, needed some serious cleaning, new water pump, carbs and a all kinds of small stuff. Motor hasn't been opened.

 

have to agree with others comments, I'd look at yamahas might be partial but alot is interchangeable then atleast...made for me easier collecting parts etc.. can't beat an fz or fzr.. especially for interchangeable. and 80s if that is what the young man might be Era interested in.. I rather have my tzs back.. regardless.. simple and easy