Yea, you may be right. I'm kinna used to my bike, which I maintain religiously. They both have about the same miles (20k vs. 23k) and the difference in the feel of the bikes condition when you ride them is night and day. That makes me think about the difference between the life these bikes have had so far and I cringe. I also think that my crappy camera isn't capturing the essence of neglect eminating from this once great machine. I am excited about the project though because I think I can really do some good here.
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AAAHHHHH. Excess. The spice of life.
I've put a few hours into pulling the bike apart and cleaning the stuff I know will stay. The plastics are definately going away. The whole left side was held on by one bolt, the rest of the holes had been busted and there was nothing for the bolt to hold on to.
Mostly, the bike is (will be) fine. I don't think I'm gonna need to get much deeper into this project then swapping out a few parts and looking for stuff on-line.. All that the mechanics of the bike needs is a good healthy once over and a tune up. uh..except the wiring, which is kind of chopped and spliced here and there. I have a few more pics of the bike after the first day of attention posted up on photobucket.
Any body have any ideas about the gas tank (pics of the prob are posted) How can it be fixed? Anyone know a guy? 2000 RC-51 pictures by footastic02 - Photobucket
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AAAHHHHH. Excess. The spice of life.
Hey if you show proof of ownership via title and vin # Honda will be able to tell you if the tank had been replaced (assuming your not the original owner)
the recall was and has been a live topic since day one on zilla and if I had one I would pusue the replacement warranty sooner than later 2cents
The '05 tank for $200.00 +paint is another option.
Thanks for the input guys. I checked with the dealership about the recall. There was no recall for that particular VIN, so no luck. I am pretty sure the leak is due to tank slapping asphalt at one point or another. I did get a number of a guy that the shop uses to repair tanks. I'm just waiting to hear back on the price after thanksgiving. For now it's time to remove the swing arm and get to work on the damage the gas caused as it dripped onto the ground. Just about everything that isn't metal is dissolving away into mush. yay! If a tank repair costs as much as a replacement then I think I (he) has a decision to make. BTW, I just joined SPEEDZILLA, so I'll keep an eye open over there too. If any one happens across a deal on a tank or skins in the mean time, please let me know!
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AAAHHHHH. Excess. The spice of life.
OK.......
I've had the swing arm off of my 919 once. It wasn't hard. Came right off.
What's up with the RC? Can't get it to come off. It's sitting on jackstands. I ratcheted the front end down. I've removed the entire rear suspention assembly, and loosened everything. Swings freely but wont budge. Camera is dead now but can post pics later this evening. I'm looking for specific descriptions in the search tab but came up empty handed.
Think I'll try an 8lb sledge next
__________________
AAAHHHHH. Excess. The spice of life.
oh man. I'm pretty sure that it's rounded off in there real bad. I looked in there last night and thought there is no way that could be it. I'm not home now but I'll look at it again this evening. Hope I can get'r out of there.
Not surprised really, I've had to fight red thread lock on every screw and bolt that's come off the thing so far. I've broken two sockets on it to date. Wish I could meet whoever worked on it last. grrr.
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AAAHHHHH. Excess. The spice of life.
CMURPHY84: I only rode this one twice and it was in rough condition. The clutch was about shot and I felt that the whole bike would surely fall apart in the apex of the next turn. However, THIS BIKE IS A BLAST. It took me a couple of passes on my favorite local twistie run to get the hang of riding an RC. I found that I could really trust it and came home with a grin I haven't experienced in a while on my 919. Maybe that's why. Maybe not. Sure sounds f'n sexy.
__________________
AAAHHHHH. Excess. The spice of life.
Why do RC51s still cost between $7,000 and $10,000 used? Why so expensive when people are saying a good rider on a $5,000 600RR can outperform one?
It is a valid question. I can't explain RCs being sold at that price but owners can get sentimental about their bikes and are asking more than the market would bear. Also vtwin are very different to ride versus the screaming 600s. That and 600s are dime a dozen.
I'm not being a smartalec, this question just sounds that way.... What is it about an RC that makes it special? Why did it put a grin on your face? Just something new? Is it the engine? the way you sit on it? The handeling? Build quality? Sound it makes?
I'm not being a smartalec, this question just sounds that way.... What is it about an RC that makes it special? Why did it put a grin on your face? Just something new? Is it the engine? the way you sit on it? The handeling? Build quality? Sound it makes?
Its one of those things I could tell you about but you still wouldn't understand till ya rode one.
I'm not being a smartalec, this question just sounds that way.... What is it about an RC that makes it special? Why did it put a grin on your face? Just something new? Is it the engine? the way you sit on it? The handeling? Build quality? Sound it makes?
I'm not being a smartalec, this question just sounds that way.... What is it about an RC that makes it special? Why did it put a grin on your face? Just something new? Is it the engine? the way you sit on it? The handeling? Build quality? Sound it makes?
Actually nothing... They are completely outdated in terms of technology & never handled very good to begin with and required a substantial outlay of cash to make them suitable for track use. They were designed to compete against inline 750's at which they excelled at, but the production bike we can buy doesn't share one single bolt with the Factory Race bike built by HRC (not one!)
They are rock solid stable though, but a real b!tch to throw around at or near race pace.
To add injury to insult the Duc 848 makes as much horsepower as the RC51 & weighs 72lbs less. (that's a world of difference)
Actually nothing... They are completely outdated in terms of technology & never handled very good to begin with and required a substantial outlay of cash to make them suitable for track use. They were designed to compete against inline 750's at which they excelled at, but the production bike we can buy doesn't share one single bolt with the Factory Race bike built by HRC (not one!)
They are rock solid stable though, but a real b!tch to throw around at or near race pace.
To add injury to insult the Duc 848 makes as much horsepower as the RC51 & weighs 72lbs less. (that's a world of difference)
Mike, you forgot the part about having fun
And not even the brake fluid resivior tubing or oil drain bolt is the same.
I don't know how much it weighs fully fueled and such, but they have notoriously small fuel tanks & tiny, but sufficient radiators etc.
I'm still not a huge Ducati fan. I simply cannot deny though that they have made HUGE strides forward with the 1098/848 platform over ANYTHING they had done previously. Reliability is encroaching on Honda standards (especially since Honda has been slacking in that area) and the fit & finish of the Ducati is incredible. It's sooo easy to remove & replace the OEM bodywork it just fits perfect every single time. What I cannot stress enough is how well their motors put the power down and how much of it there is to use!
The downside is of course the cost. They are expensive to buy, expensive to mod and while the maintenance costs & intervals have come down over the years they are still more costly in that area over a Japanese bike as well.
As a long time RC owner... I can tell you what I think is so special...it's just a neat bike Has a great sound, has cool things like gear drive cams, is a fairly unique purpose designed bike, good reliability. Had a lot of "new" stuff when it came out, most of it common place now.
It doesn't really excell at anything in particular except feeling good to ride. It does feel heavy and sluggish compared to a current sportbike, it's not very comfortable even for a sportbike, gets pretty crappy gas mileage. But it has a certain something that gives you warm fuzzies when you ride it. They still turn heads though....seems to have a bit of an undeserved good rep for performance....which could be because of the type of people that gravitated towards the bike...quite a few serious riders as opposed to the gixxer crowd. I still see quite a few of them doing track days.
I've owned a lot of bikes in my 35 years of riding...and I've kept the RC longer than any other...and I still get more of a thrill starting it up and heading out of the driveway than any other bike I've owned....and I'm not sure why. I'm sure a brand new Duc would give me the same feeling...but I don't have one.
And you can drop 19 lbs off a 2000-2001 model by installing a 2-1 pipe...which would be the only mod I've ever made to mine...other than the freebie mods.
Cool bike.... Would I spend $11,000 on one right now compared to the other bikes that are now available ... no. Would I sell the one I have right now for what they are current worth... not a chance. If I was considering a used bike...would I consider a low mileage RC....hell yes. I've seen some very high mileage examples still running great with no major work at all, and they can be had cheap, and they are often well taken care of.
Yoda would own one...and he'd say make up for the shortcomings by using the force... and the force is strong with the RC.
JohnnyB
I have been lucky enough to borrow a few RC51s over the years ....and I love them !! Will get one one day.... As my nick suggests I actually have had some RC30s over the years ....and if you can believe it I actually found my (I am 6'3'' tall !!) Rc30 more comfortable for a few hours in the saddle than a 51' . Though the name of the game is to be off the saddle when negotiating twisty roads !! Ride safe !! Cheers.
I'm 210# without gear and I don't know which spring Dan put in it can you tell me Mike ?
Also the sag was set by The michelin rep and the preload is almost maxed also have the kyle link...none of the other adjustments have been changed it was wet/dry all weekend and I also have 20 street miles down the center.
What really bums me is Thermosman was there setting bikes up...Well you know the story on my forks
I've been itching for another bike recently and have been reading about how the RC gives you all woodies. "Something about it" is what I keep reading. A twin that doesn't sound like a sewing machine is what I'm ultimately after. Don't get me wrong, I love the smoothness of my 919. And the fact that it's comfortable and reliable. But something a little more exciting would be good. I've been searching the 'net for a while now and came up with this... 2003 Honda RC51 Heavily Modded
5K for a nice RC seems worth it since you all talk about them being a lot higher? Your wisdom would be greatly appreciated.
I've been itching for another bike recently and have been reading about how the RC gives you all woodies. "Something about it" is what I keep reading. A twin that doesn't sound like a sewing machine is what I'm ultimately after. Don't get me wrong, I love the smoothness of my 919. And the fact that it's comfortable and reliable. But something a little more exciting would be good. I've been searching the 'net for a while now and came up with this... 2003 Honda RC51 Heavily Modded
5K for a nice RC seems worth it since you all talk about them being a lot higher? Your wisdom would be greatly appreciated.
Has a great sound, has cool things like gear drive cams, is a fairly unique purpose designed bike, good reliability. Had a lot of "new" stuff when it came out, most of it common place now. 
the place is amazing 3 lanes wide and smoooth as glass 
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