Goodbye to my GZ250...
 

Well, the time finally came to move up to a bigger bike. The GZ250 was a great bike for me but I commute about 70 miles round-trip per day on the freeway. I was commuting around 140 miles per day not long ago! The GZ250 just didn't like that and the vibration was taking its toll on me too.

I found a really good deal on an old Honda Shadow VT700C. It was covered in rust and didn't run so hot. It's definitely a project bike. My wife thought I was nuts for buying it. I've been able to clean her up quite a bit and got her purrring. This bike handles the freeways with ease and I don't get people saying I sound like a lawnmower or a sewing machine any more.

I really like this forum so I hope I'm allowed to stick around even though I don't own a GZ250 anymore. I've included some pics of the cleaned up Shadow (I've actually got it a LOT shinier since these pics) next to the GZ250 and a stand-alone pic.

[attachment=1:1lgwgf82]new_old.jpg[/attachment:1lgwgf82]

[attachment=0:1lgwgf82]new.jpg[/attachment:1lgwgf82]

Re: Goodbye to my GZ250...
 

looks brand new, what you talking about rust?

Re: Goodbye to my GZ250...
 

No rust now but you should have seen it before. Took a lot of hard work to get all the rust removed. There's a couple of places where I'll have to replace some parts because the rust was too deep but overall I was able to get it cleaned up pretty well. I should have taken some before pics. Just didn't think about taking pics of an old rusty bike. Still having a problem with it not wanting to shift from 1st to 2nd when warm. Shifts ok when it's cool. I think once I figure that I'll have a decent bike.

Re: Goodbye to my GZ250...
 

That's an excellent job on the Shadow, what a beauty ! Enjoy the ride and keep the shiny side up.

And I'm sure it would be appreciated if you would stick around.

Re: Goodbye to my GZ250...
 

By all means stick around.I sold my G.Z. almost a year ago.I'm a member of a couple other forums,but this one is my favourite.
:) :2tup:

Re: Goodbye to my GZ250...
 

about your shifting issure, make sure to lube all the linkage on the outside, that might help. also is the clutch adjusted properly?

Re: Goodbye to my GZ250...
 

Your new bike looks great. You obviously did a good job if that bike once had rust on it because it looks showroom clean and shiny now. Please stay around. This forum is a great one and it's the people that make it great not what bike they are currently riding.

Re: Goodbye to my GZ250...
 

The new ride cleans up pretty nice for it's age. If you are going to commute you might want to invest in a windshield to keep from getting so beat up. And may I ask: is the tubing on the front wheel valve stem optional or OEM ?? :lol:

Re: Goodbye to my GZ250...
 

Your new ride looks great! Of course you can stick around. If we had to leave when we moved up a good portion of us wouldn't be here including moi. Good luck with the new ride and ride safe.


:)

Re: Goodbye to my GZ250...
 

welcome to the shadow club

Re: Goodbye to my GZ250...
 

i also agree. it looks good from here. :)

congrats on the find. just keep up on the carb(s)... drained/tuned/etc....

Re: Goodbye to my GZ250...
 

Thanks everyone for the tips.

Nice bike Dupo! I went to look at some new Shadows at the dealer today but with my third child due in a couple of months, she's the only one that's going to be getting any new toys for awhile. I've got the shifting problem fixed with mine so it's ridable now.

Wasn't sure what you were talking but when I looked at the pic closer it does look like tubing on the valve stem. I think it's just the garden hose that's laying on the ground behind it.

Re: Goodbye to my GZ250...
 

You are correct. I was using old guy eyes and didn't notice the other sections of hose.