Gotz me a Star

[Guest]

I bought this 2005 VStar 1100(18,640 mls) from the bosses son. The son started a finance company and I've been driving all around picking up turn in and bikes that have been repoed. It was a turn in that I picked up just a couple of miles away from the shop. No keys, the ignition was cut and it's missing the right side cover and a front turn lens, but over all it's pretty solid. I immediately got it fired up, but kind of down played it's potential. Well 6 months later I finally had the spare cash from the sale of the Ts and got it for $800, what was owed on the loan. I brought it home last Tuesday and went on eBay looking for a key set. Bingo, a set from a '04 VStar 650 for $85 shipped. I got here quick, showed up in the mail today. I already charged the battery and drained the tank of putred fuel. Put in a gallon or two of gas installed the new cap and ignition and she fired right up. It has after market pipes that roar out that V-Twin rumble. It settled into a nice lopy idle, checked the charging system, lighting system and it's all good. I didn't get to test ride it, because it started raining. The front brake seems to work, but I'm not sure about the rear yet. The weather man says it going to be raining again in the afternoon-evening time for the next few days.

There was a nice custom 1100 for sale when I got back into riding in 2010 that was out of my price range. It was a beautiful turquoise and white. I think I'm going to do a mild custom similar to it. Clean it up a bit, minimize the lighting some. Maybe lower the rear a little and get an aftermarket rear fender that drops down more. There is too large a gap between the tire and rear fender. Side tag and tail light conversion. IDK just what yet. I've had a few tail light ideas running around in my head for a couple years. I'm thinking of painting it to match the '55 Chevy. I could paint the wheel spokes black and have the seat reupholstered in the off white I used in the '55 with a tuck and roll insert. It would be a nice compliment piece at shows along side the Bel Air.

 

[GS1150Pilot]

http://www.pacificcoaststar.com/pcs/v_star_1100.htm

 

[Guest]

Thanks for the link, but I've already been scoping out their lowering kit and beach bars . They have a sweet air ride lowering kit, but it costs as much as the bike did. I'm going the cheap route for now.

 

[roeme]

Not my cuppa tea visually (they gray one looks like a snail), but sure looks like a fine deal for 800 buckaroos.

 

[GS1150Pilot]

I hear ya, Rick. I like the 1100 in particular because of the power that motor can make with PCS stuff.

 

[Guest]

Gonna need to see pics of the 55 first.

 

[JJ]

The gray one is FUGLY. Looks like an OCC nightmare.

 

[Guest]

That's a style that came and went about 15 years ago.

 

[ShadowFocus603]

I'm digging it. Same cruiser style as my VTX. Ride on and enjoy.

 

[rphillips]

Sounds like a great deal. I hope you're as happy with the cruiser (Harley) style, as I am with my regular bikes styl

 

[Guest]

Gonna need to see pics of the 55 first.

It has the ARE wheels you see on the right rear.

 

[Guest]

The gray one is FUGLY. Looks like an OCC nightmare.

It was the only one I could find on short notice that has gone with a minimalist look. I don't want the fender to completely wrap under, but I do want a smooth fender with no ridge.

 

[Guest]

That's a style that came and went about 15 years ago.

Not looking for that style and I don't build to impress others. The '55 has been smoothed out and will have very little trim,I want to do the V-Star similar to that style. Not chopper, not bagger, not bobber, just a smooth cruiser with some nice pin strip accents.

 

[Guest]

Some inspiration.

 

[JJ]

It was the only one I could find on short notice that has gone with a minimalist look. I don't want the fender to completely wrap under, but I do want a smooth fender with no ridge.

That sounds cool... I don't like the big wrap-under fender. Smooth makes sense. I like the '55

 

[Blue Falcon]

nice deal, most of the ones I see done up look like snails from the movie Turbo.

 

[Guest]

Todays test ride in the hood.

Todays test ride in the hood.

We finally had a dry evening after work so, I took advantage and jumped on the V. There seems to be a slow leak as I had to pump up the rear tire for the second time in a week. After securing the tag/turn signal bar to the rear fender, I haven't a clue to why the screws were missing, and after pulling the handle bars back a little to a more comfortable position, I fired it up. Amazingly it starts without the choke and settles into a nice idle right away. I couldn't be happier about that, especially since it's been sitting for at least 5 or 6 months since I picked it up and put it in the corner of the shop and there's no telling how long it sat before that as the tag expired last year. Before I brought it home last week I drained the tank and that gas was nasty.

So after a minute or two of warming up, I donned my and gloves helmet and let'r rip. It has surprising power for being only a 1100 and sounds awesome. I'm only saying that because there are other bikes with up to 2000cc. I was actually going to hold out for a 1600 or 1700 Road Star, but this puppy will move. It didn't take long to find an issue I'm going to have to take care of before it can hit the road regularly. The clutch can be overpowered by the engine if I nail it. This appears to be a weak link in the VStar as it has a diaphragm style clutch. Barnett makes a coil spring conversion kit with heavy duty spring upgrade for under $200. I can ride it as it is, but I know how my wrist is. I'm going the need that conversion or I'll wind up burning up the discs and warping the plates. I'm guessing they are still ok since the clutch only slips if I throttle it hard.

 

[Guest]

Some things just work out right.

Some things just work out right.

After finding the clutch can slip if I nail it, I was think of getting the conversion to a coil spring set up, but I found an ad on CList for a OEM clutch kit going for less than 1/2 the factory cost $160. For $75 I get new plates, discs, diaphragm spring, wire ring and a cover gasket. I also found a like new front seat for $25. Both ads were listed in the Tampa CList, but were both actually cities north of there in Tarpon Springs and Hudson. I contacted them both and though the ads were both a month old, they both still had them. Now to figure how to get them. This was Thursday night, so I go into work Friday and I'm told I have to go to St.Pete area(Largo) to get two turn in bikes, then head south to Ft Myers for four more bikes that the boss bought off the Manhiem Auction, on Saturday. Sweet, I have a reason to go down there, while I'm getting paid.

Well, both guys were willing to meet me, but in different areas and that would have made things difficult, being that they were a half an hour apart, but I could swing it if the cards played out right. So Saturday morning came and I woke up to a text from the clutch guy saying he couldn't meet at his time and spot and said he could meet later in the day. That sucked, because I wanted to install the clutch this weekend. After a few more texts and getting the address's for the bike stops in Largo, I managed to get both guys to meet at a third spot that was closer to them and gave me a direct shot down to where the bikes are. Win win.

On a different note, I had noticed this '88 Kat down in Ft Myers two weeks earlier while looking around on Clist, but since it is a 3 1/2 hour drive one way, kind of shook it off as a "stop dreaming Rick" deal. Guess what I did after picking up the bikes at the auction? Yup, went and checked it out. The guy called me back on the way to get the V-Star parts, filled me in on some details and texted me his address. It's a beautiful stock, one owner bike and he gave me his lowest out the door price of $1,500, but I bet if I come close he may let it go a little lower. It needs the carbs cleaned, a battery and just the usual three year hiatus things done to it. The tank smells of old gas, but it nice inside. Said he tried to get it running last year, but it would run on spray and choke and that only three exhaust pipe warmed up. I already have a set of carbs that work on the abandoned Kat that I sold Eric the body work off of.

 

[portdave]

Nice looking Katana and great how things worked out for you on the parts.

 

[JTGS850GL]

We need to hook up on some of these deals you run across. I come down to FL every couple months and can easily bring my trailer. Let me know if you spot a good deal and maybe we both can make a few $$$ out of the deal.