MB5 #1 - Daily Runner

 

I don't have names for my bikes so I just refer to them by number in the order I acquired them. This is #1, my daily bike. I bought it in great condition April 2023, not knowing anything about MB5s or motorcycles. I thought scooters looked goofy but was daunted by "real" motorcycles and all the red tape involved in owning one, so I snagged this thing when I saw it pop up on marketplace. At that point I was unaware MB5s are notorious for tank issues, but I soon found out. I spent a lot of time trying to repair that tank, including sealing it with Caswell liner, which was unsuccessful. The tank pictured is from the #3 bike I just acquired (see previous post). Regardless of the tank trials it was still worth every penny I paid for it and has brought me endless joy. I bought it just as something to play around on, but it soon became my main source of transportation. #1 isn't perfect but she runs great and has character.

Its all stock except for the turn signal mounts - I took inspiration from the European MB5s and fabricated 3" aluminum bars to mount the turn signals to the lower triple tree. Not only do I think this looks better (stock looks kinda like bug eys), but it is more practical. In the event the bike is dropped, the weight falls completely onto the turn signal, which if the turn signals are mounted to the headlight bracket in stock fashion means the bracket gets bent. So now the whole bracket must be removed, which requires removing everything mounted to the bracket (turn signals, headlight, cluster, wiring), then it must be hammered back into shape, then repainted. It is common to see these brackets bent up and the turn signals all crooked because bikes inevitably get dropped. I dropped it once (slipped out from underneath me on my gravel driveway going <5 mph) and after repairing that bracket I vowed never to have to go through that again, its way too much work for such a minor and common accident. If the bike drops now and the aluminum bar gets bent, all I have to do is bend the bar back into shape or cut a new one.