CZ Motorcycles

[Shaun @ Tru6]

Anyone know anything about 1970's CZ motorcycles?

Sort of looking for a starter (really cheap) bike. With the price of gas, the 4Runner doesn't sense for a lot of trips around town.

[nostatic]

it's no Montesa...

[dhoward]

Or Ossa.

[varmint]

it would have to be REAL cheap. nothing wrong with the plan. get a beater to ride around for a few months till your accustomed to being on two wheels again. then upgrade to something nice.

CZ had a decent reputation. but it was hard to get parts for them even then.

[nostatic]

maybe a Bultaco or Hodaka instead?

[MOMO3.2]

I love the old CZ's. My son-in-law just sold his 1973 CZ 400 motocross bike. It had the distinctive "coffin" tank. The manufacturing and design used on a 1973 CZ is pretty crude by today's standard. It was like a Schwinn Stingray with a big motor bolted in. My son-in-law does have the frame for a 1973 CZ Endduro. He planned to transfer parts from his MX bike to that and register it, but life got in the way.

There is a Czech fellow that owns a CZ parts shop in Whittier, Ca. I forgot the name. He claims that he imports and sells virtually EVERY CZ part in the USA. He showed us tons of orders from other resellers that order from him to prove it.

So, if you go CZ, This fellow in Whittier will likely be your connection.

I included a photo of the bike he sold while it was in my backyard.

Mike

[MOMO3.2]

Obviously Penton is the clear choice!

Mike

[Shaun @ Tru6]

http://boston.craigslist.org/gbs/mcy/642117979.html


http://boston.craigslist.org/gbs/mcy/642097108.html

[Jeff Higgins]

You would wind up spending about the same if you bought the Honda equivelent. Your life would be far, far simpler though. Old, off brand bikes are very much in the "enthusiast" category, with parts scrounging being one of the "appeals" of the hobby. The only guys impressed by an old bike like a CZ are guys trying to get one going themselves. They know what you have been through.

[nostatic]

you're going to ride this thing around town?

Get something cheap, reliable, and with modern brakes. And gear. Lot's of gear.

[Shaun @ Tru6]

So what's a good starter bike then? must be cheap and although mostly around town, highway-capable would be nice. will need to spend lots of dough on gear I suppose.


BTW, I live for 911 parts. Buying a 73 targa tomorrow just to part out. But 1 parts hobby is probably enough.

[nostatic]

Ninja 500 is a classic starter bike. For gear figure helmet, armored jacket, pants, gloves, and boots. You can spend about $600 for all that (if you shop around and get a cheaper helmet) but more likely budget $1K.

[LakeCleElum]

Where ya gonna find a CZ????? I haven't seen one for sale in years and parts would be harder to find than hen's teeth. They enjoyed a very short surge in being popular with their light 2-strokes started winning US moto-cross races in the late 60's when competing against the ancient, poorly suspended, heavy Brit bikes. They faded quickly as other light 2 strokes got into the game.

Any of the major Japanese models from the '80's or early 90's would suit your needs much better...

[Shaun @ Tru6]

Originally Posted by nostatic

Ninja 500 is a classic starter bike. For gear figure helmet, armored jacket, pants, gloves, and boots. You can spend about $600 for all that (if you shop around and get a cheaper helmet) but more likely budget $1K.

With that bike, I will kill myself. and out of budget.

[Tim Hancock]

Shaun, my oldest daughter (freshman in college) recently anounced that she wants a small bike. She looked at the new Ninja 250's which in '08 got new body work. They will do about 100 and will easily cruise at 70. You can typically find the pre '08 ones for sale on the net. That said, I am thinking of building her up an old CB350 into a cafe racer look.

Any bike can kill ya, but a light 250 or 350 street bike or on/off road bike will make for good starters, or around town bikes.

Wear a helmet and avoid the temptation to ride with shorts & tank top on a warm day even just riding to the neighborhood grocery store a few blocks away.... just trust me on this one

[Shaun @ Tru6]

Thanks Tim. since I was young, I've purposefully not bought a motorcycle knowing I'll kill myself. Closest I came was 3 years deciding whether to build my 73 track car (long gone) or get a Ducati Monster. I figured I was safer in the cage.

the CB350 is a cool little bike that would suit me fine. Found this article:

http://www.motorcycleshopper.com/articles/hondacb350/chapter1.htm

I love the simple lines of the cafe racer look, but since I'm going to start dating soon, do think a Ninja 500 might be a better choice. All depends on how well I can part this 73 targa out.

[lendaddy]

Buy Japanese and worry about things other than your ride letting you down. Hell around here they almost give away the 80's stuff.

[Dutchie]

i have a 76 Montesa 348 that,s nice to run around town. They are cheap and there are parts for it.

Bultaco or an Ossa would be better offcourse but you will spend fortunes on parts and they are expensive to buy.

[Evans, Marv]

Shaun,
I bought a bike some time ago to ride for transportation because the price of fuel kept going up. I figured if I didn't have to carry or tow anything, I could save on fuel and sort of thumb my nose at the oil companies while I had some fun.
I decided the one thing I didn't want to skimp on was the helmut, so I was prepared to put out full price for a good one. I ended up getting one from Ebay for $250 shipped, and it was a brand new Shoei RD1000. I bought a good mesh jacket with armor from the clearance rack of a bike store for $50 or $60, and a heavy nylon fabric jacket with armor for around $70. I found a good used pair of Joe Rocket leather pants with armor and a new full rain suit on Craigslist for $200 for both items. I use a pair of heavy fireman's boots when I decide to use them. Don't remember how much they cost when I bought them a long time ago. Anyway, that puts me at about $580 (not counting the boots & gloves I wear) for the basics. The thing I really enjoy is the mesh jacket. You might be able to get by cheaper, but that's probably a ball park amount.

[Dueller]

Shaun...quick look at the boston craigslist and this is the best deal I can find for you. Would be easy to strip down and cafe. Or just ride it as is. Small enuff to learn on; big enuff to carry you and a babe.

http://boston.craigslist.org/sob/mcy/642563097.html