Honda Sandstar, The 80's Motorcycle That Should Have Been Built!

I was a big fan of the Honda Fat Cat and Yamaha Big Wheel; a dirt bike with ATV tires is just so cool! I'm also a fan of dual sport bikes, and the freedom to drive on whatever surface is in front of you. Unfortunately, the ATV tire bikes were not road legal. However, a few years back I noticed that the side-by-side trend brought about DOT legal ATV tires, and that gave me an idea! I built a dual sport ATV tire bike, starting with a pile of Honda Twinstar CM200T's, an ATC 200X front fork, a saw, and a welder. Introducing the Honda Sandstar!

[@stephenzwemer2905]

You were years ahead of your time with that Honda.

[@bondvagabond42]

An old experimental aircraft builder showed me a trick for painting stuff with rattle cans: you just setup a cardboard box with a lightbulb in it, and it gets hot enough it cures the paint a little harder, kinda like a poor boy powder coating. Works slick, the rattle can paint is much tougher and stands up to abuse much better. You can even be fancy and hook up the light bulb to a cheapy wall thermostat I find at garage sales and the goodwill buy by the pound stores, so it keeps the temp within a certain range automatically for pennies. If it's real cold out you can be fancier still and throw a blanket over your cardboard box oven. My tractor restoring buddy liked it so much he built a more permanent one from old janky plywood, hah. Great channel, keep it up.

[@1984xlx]

LOL ... Filling your front brake reservoir with the bad screw was classic! The ultimate shortcut!

[@mr.somebody1493]

I like how it resembles an old Honda Big Red.

[@shawnmrfixitlee6478]

Man I still miss my CM 200 Twinstar .. I have owned hundreds of bikes over the years , But that one was one of my favorites.. I had it when I was 19 and like a dumb kid I traded it for an old beat up Datsun that smoked like a bomb and had 0 brakes ! I am about to turn 51 and wish I could find one for a reasonable price .. Really like this build ! Brings both worlds of bikes together .. ENJOYED

[@LowBuckGarage]

Glad you liked it! You've got me thinking about all the stuff I've gotten rid of over the years, too many fun toys!

[@shawnmrfixitlee6478]

@@LowBuckGarage I have the same problem .. I don't miss it till I get rid of it !!

[@BeamerTheFox]

keep your eyes open on ebay motors, an i think hemmings does older bikes to now also mecum auto auctions are good to, you can do most of these over the internet to, i had a 78 cm185t as a first bike and am trying to find one to lol

[@sokoloft3]

Ultrasonic cleaner seems like a prime candidate for that fuel valve

[@adriancofaru7299]

It is the only channel from which anyone has anything to learn. 👏👏👏👍

[@brentjones5227]

Cool little bike. When I bleed brakes on bikes or atvs I use a horse syringe and a piece of hose and push the fluid thru the bleeder on the caliper up to the master. Makes less of a mess and works quite well, especially when you have a deteriorated master

[@mikeconner5119]

hondas are the most reliable and fun to ride the old motto is you meet the nicest people on a honda

[@The-Deadbolt-Deputy]

Seems like welding a bearing race would “ovalize “ them from the heat . But maybe it doesn’t really matter since it’s a steer bearing and not a wheel bearing. Cool

[@LowBuckGarage]

It probably did, but like you mention this is just a steering bearing. It only turns about 45 deg max and not very fast, so I figure it will be fine even if it is a little warped. So far it feels fine!

[@dennisgauck7526]

Welding the steering bearing races would take the hardness out of the races,🤔 hmmm? Soft races and hard ball bearings; what could possibly go wrong???

[@MrJanaRobi]

Hey does this tire make my bike look fat ? Epic !

[@Frank-Thoresen]

This channel is now in the group with Mustie1. I love it

[@LowBuckGarage]

Thanks, glad you like it!

[@ryany.5184]

this video deserves way more likes and views

[@motoman005]

looks like fun times

[@hoseman317]

Love your channel. Got me thinking this morning about what you and your imagination could do to a snowmobile or snowcat. You have the desert but we have the snow most of the year up here in Canada. However, I have driven old jeeps in the winter with no tops or doors and every time you modify one, you remind me of my younger years.

[@LowBuckGarage]

Thanks! When I was a teenager I lived in the north east, back then I was engine swapping ski-doo's and driving a CJ-5 with no top or doors through the snow...

[@williamyoast216]

That bike looks fun to ride in the desert. Helluva a project that works and is fun.

[@oneproudchump8457]

Any chance you could do an upload on your favorite tools. Welders, power tools, cutters, ect…

[@LowBuckGarage]

I've been thinking about doing a video like that, thanks for letting me know other people might be interested too.

[@cdoublejj]

get a round cylinder exhaust can off a twin cylinder rider lawnmover, like a zero turn or something. use that can to replace your steel wool box. might be kind of big but, they also come in different sizes

[@timcoppinger3373]

That’s excellent, please do more motorcycle stuff, especially off road builds or rebuilds or whatever you want, really good work.

[@dustcommander100]

Amazing! I love to see the results when someone gets creative and determines what will work with what. Usually when I see things that look like they will fit or interchange, I find out later that they looked very similar but actually weren't! So I believe it's actually a lot of work behind the scenes. You make it look fun! I had a friend back in the 80's with a CM200 - the balance shafts made it so smooooooth! I had a CB450 twin - not so smooth. Paid $200 for it and fixed it up. When you started it, the handlebars disappeared, You had to grab where you thought they should be. Didn't take me long to trade that on a 4 cylinder.

[@cerealtiller]

Pure Acetone is perfect for cleaning Fuel systems .without the need for dismantling in most cases. it melts all Gum and Varnish away upon contact..and the Engine can be run at (Idle speed only as it runs much Hotter) after a few minutes new Petrol can be added... Job done.

[@13thdukeofwybourne69]

Ok, I've watched a couple of your videos now, but this one made me hit that subscribe button. You were having _way_ too much fun doing this. 👍I could see this mounted on a rack on the back of the covered wagon for those epic desert camping trips :)

[@LowBuckGarage]

Thanks! Carrying it on the wagon is a good idea, then there would be something to run to town for supplies if needed. I do already have a space made for it on another build, but its easy to switch to whatever I'm driving.

[@ailo4x4]

My new favorite bike! It would be great for bumbling across northern Africa ;-)

[@bearbait2221]

cool big wheel and street legal. so much talent

[@LowBuckGarage]

Thank you, I sure appreciate that!

[@FOADJEWTUBE]

SO U GOTTA B THE BEST UTUBER AROUND AND SIR U R ONE IN A MILLION FOR SURE...LOVE THE CONTENT AND BEST OF ALL IS THE STEEL RESERVE THAT APPEARS IN AND OUT OF THE PIC AND WE ALL KNOW...GOD BLESS UR DETAILED SOUL AND BROTHER LET ME SAY "PLEASE "KEEP UP THE RADICAL !!!LOL !!! INVENTIONS OF UR MAD SCIENTIST WAYS.!!!!!!

[@LowBuckGarage]

Thank you, I sure appreciate that!

[@markcooper4945]

Love the channel. It is rare I can ever contribute but, when I change mountain bike handgrips, I use hairspray. I5 allows the grip to slip on and then glues the grip in place, cheers

[@rcpmac]

Doing it right and having fun? When I’m not, I watch!

[@moondogdieselworks3883]

You are the man 🍺love your style.

[@LowBuckGarage]

Thanks, I sure appreciate that!

[@robsidgor]

Awesome job , you reinvented the suzuki rv90 van van lol Also reminds me of a honda hippo I built converting a 185s atv to a two wheeler

[@Goomer]

I have a Honda Fat Cat. Wonderful machine. Great Job.

[@LowBuckGarage]

Thanks!

[@brndnew01]

Homemade TW-200.. love it!!

[@davidkellogg2582]

Very intertaining and now you have a cool ride.

[@LowBuckGarage]

Thanks 👍

[@sokoloft3]

That thing is sweet. Reminds me of my fat cat minibike but way bigger.

[@brianthompson9729]

Gotta Love the Attitude !! Just Pretend , and We will All be Safe !!!

[@bradman4]

I love the show, what's coming next, I can't wait.

[@fetus2280]

To get grips on and stay on ... add a drop of liquid dish soap, smear it inside the grip and itll slide right on .. use a drop not a lot and itll dry and wont slip or spin. Easy to remove too with drop of water and a twist . Cheers .

[@mattjacomos2795]

I use WD40, slide them on and let it dry overnight, NPS. An old bike mechanic told me this one...

[@markcollins5026]

Man. I've tried them all, rubbing alcohol works the best, just coat the inside of the grip and slide it on !

[@fetus2280]

@@markcollins5026 Alcohol can wreck rubber, soft plastics. Best to test a spot prior to using it.

[@davidbeer]

That sandstar is Killa☺

[@LowBuckGarage]

Thanks!

[@garybrown4671]

Sweet ride.

[@R.Sole88109]

That's mega mate.👍🏻

[@LowBuckGarage]

Thanks 👍

[@larryalexander4833]

Cool bike a friend had a Honda big wheel bike years ago. Think it was a 300 or 350 ?? Believe it was a mid 90s model year. Similar setup . Tires were expensive

[@dirk4926]

I love this bike, very cool

[@simplydub]

That’s confidence jump on and go straight to doing donuts and get on the highway. 🤣 awsome

[@jerryb1234]

I built those motorized-bike as a hobby for years, not so much anymore, but you just gave me an idea for some unseen front turn-signals on one.

[@philipcullen4300]

Did i just see the dirt bike legend Steve Mcqueen

[@edradtke287]

nice build

[@BeamerTheFox]

my first bike was what you use as a base, the twinstar 200. best small cc 2 cylinder bike they ever made in my opinion. im loving the bike you built it really is just perfect, wonderful job !

[@sokoloft3]

Interesting. I seen that in the turn signals vid. I thought it was a three wheeler initially.

[@edsanchez2534]

Good one can’t believe you don’t know to use toothpaste and baking soda to bring back headlight lens continued great videos love them😂

[@deepbludude4697]

Brilliant! well done!

[@LowBuckGarage]

Thanks!

[@Chris-zp6eh]

Awesome ride!

[@LowBuckGarage]

Thanks!

[@Chris-zp6eh]

@@LowBuckGarage Your builds are so unique and cool. It’s nice seeing someone do different stuff than the other channels. Keep up the awesome work.

[@ericbryant83]

So good! Best channel on KZbin!

[@Focusfury05]

Great little bike.. Great idea's 👍 and happy motoring 😊

[@juststeve5542]

What fun! I would wear gloves when riding it though... and maybe whilst welding 🤣

[@noelwarner1235]

Haven't seen a twin star for a long time I remember when they were 185 s that thing should scoot that looks like a lot of fun

[@davids6533]

The world may never know how much I love that tractor-like sound at about 30:02. I wish the Honda Big Ruckus was a 250, 6 speed, and the idea in my head wasn"t just an an idea, but actually in production, or the Yamaha 200 was a 250, and a 6 speed with much more utilitarian features, and all with a seat that would lean back like the Big Ruckus to soothe my aching back when I"m easing down the back roads at about 25 - 30 mph minding my business. Either way, I love this bike, and many more of your inventions/projects, and the way you think, and your inventions! Thanks for sharing with us! : )

[@bigDbigDbigD]

So much engineering!

[@MaxNafeHorsemanship]

The "Big Wheel" was my first thought when I saw your creation. Good job. Umm...you're supposed to charge the battery? I worked at a Honda dealership long ago. I remember when the Twinstar first came out. I think I'm old.

[@backachershomestead]

That's pretty cool. All you need is a 4x4 El camino to haul it around. Just for the xtra cool factor.

[@PlayingWithFireOutdoors]

Found your channel, awesome stuff!

[@LowBuckGarage]

Thank you!

[@scottmeyers7297]

That's an awesome bike

[@Hijgend-Hert]

heyy, nice video and what a cool machine, youre like a teacher i learn alot from you! i know a good video for you its like a clean up your garage and show ur equipment what u use for brands and stuff. greetings from the Netherlands ;)

[@LowBuckGarage]

I've been thinking about doing a video on tools, so that will be coming up. I've tried cleaning the shop before, but its the same old mess in a couple of days...

[@davidholder3207]

In one silhouette shot out in the desert you looked like a bygone highway patrol cop riding the Harley-Davidson motorcycle!

[@paulwatts905]

Love that you build with what you have. Bike is great, thanks for sharing. (Paul .UK)

[@thomasmarcelli4511]

Well, I have to have one of those! I've been looking at them but, this video finalized my decision!

[@Raydawg]

That thing looks fun

[@hanssundkvist]

Cool build! 🙂

[@Steelythestacker]

Nice little bike!

[@hoffmanshaven]

I want that bike! Awesome!

[@woodey028]

I love this channel ❤️

[@59vaughn]

Nice little trail bike....

[@tsmith578]

Hey man ,why don't you just use a piece of exhaust pipe with a 90 degree bend in it, and weld it up to both of the other two pipes and run it to the back next to the wheel . Sort of like a Y pipe . Then you could maybe even put a muffler on it.. OR Not. I would guess that about a 2-1/4" would probably be good. Either way,. Then at least the noise And more important, the exhaust fumes would be behind the bike instead of under it . Tim from Wisconsin.

[@LowBuckGarage]

Hmmm, that's interesting. If I went to one pipe, ran it on the brake side, and maybe hinge it to move with the swingarm...

[@tsmith578]

What if you added a 90 degree pipe , except with a flex pipe after the 90 degree bend. Then you could have it as long as you need so that you could fasten it wherever you think nesasary.

[@bdg77]

Damn that looks fun!

[@carolinemcnabb9957]

Brilliant as usual

[@ddhh6552]

Pretty cool build. Looks fun to buzz around in the creosote and probably perfect for that silt

[@carlosg1165]

Awesomeness love this project keep your videos coming 👍👍👍👍👏👏👏👏👏👍👏

[@LowBuckGarage]

Thank you! Will do!

[@rcpmac]

Nobody is talking about your motorcycling skills. Racing in a previous life?

[@thirdcargarage2951]

Muffler sounds great.

[@monfrig6959]

i would have bought one !

[@jeep2003]

Cool bike i like the sprocket extension idea but you got to have a strong mounting area for sure. I hate those batterys you have to fill they dont seem to last as long either. Iv been using caltric batterys from ebay theyve been great and they are cheap too.

[@monfrig6959]

You are my friend Gene's double

[@kevinAuman1]

Mannn this baby is badasss!

[@LowBuckGarage]

Thanks!

[@jerkofalltrades5430]

I love it!

[@LowBuckGarage]

Thanks!

[@RealDeanWinchester]

Badass!

[@yoshinoyajones8924]

Ever go to Grahms central station in phoenix in the 80's?

[@LowBuckGarage]

No, I was still on the east coast back in the 80's.

[@tcsmith4838]

What a fantastic little bike! I actually feel a little stupid now, I thought that bike was factory when I saw it in the last video LOL, I know Yamaha made a similar bike so I just assumed that Honda did too. I've had a few old hondas I should know better LOL

[@LowBuckGarage]

Thanks! I'm glad that at a quick glance it passes for factory.

[@DillonHFM]

sweet!

[@nunyabuziness8421]

How did u learn your many mechanical skills?

[@rattyphilips9247]

Sweet

[@UnderSprayedWhiteSkies]

I'm not familiar w/the donor bikes you Frankenstein-ed together. Was one a street bike, and the other a 3-Wheeler? Doesn't look homemade. Did your swing arm reinforcement fix the wiggly feeling rear-end?

[@LowBuckGarage]

Yes, I started with a street bike and then added the 3-wheeler front end. The rear swingarm braces did work great, it felt nice and stable. I never would have considered jumping it before, now it feels like it could do little jumps all day long.

[@davidhamilton7628]

Awsome 👌

[@AndyGenova-jr9ol]

Lov your channel u are an awsum man

[@mark_osborne]

Do you plan on going to the Duct Tape Drags this year ?

[@LowBuckGarage]

I'm not sure, our school district just completely changed the calendar, so that's really messing with my timeline...

[@suckit.77]

I dub the...."The Screamin Mimi"

[@oubliette862]

does your windmill do anything other than spin?

[@g0p4ck]

I checked on Google Street View and they do indeed have pics from the month&year this video was filmed, but you’re not in the pics, unfortunately. I think you were kneeling at the end of the video where your Trooper is parked in the views. That all sounds creepy once I’ve typed it all out…Oh well!

[@mikeshobbiesandrandomstuff]

I like it

[@LowBuckGarage]

Thanks!

[@kevinleee3408]

Neat

[@MidnightPolaris800]

Are you retired? How do you have so much time on your hands?

[@LowBuckGarage]

Lots of coffee and little sleep! Luckily I do production work, so as long as my customers get their parts delivered on time it doesn't matter what time of day I work.

[@TerryLawrence001]

Did I just witness some motor cycle mid-wifery?

[@bonespur2728]

Me: Wow, thats going to make a huge mess you: Now, this makes a huge mess Must be a mind reader