cheap used motorcycles-how hard to rebuild?

rfuerst911sc · 07-24-2008, 05:26 PM

When I was younger I had many street bikes but once the wife became pregnant I decided to stop riding, that was aprox. 28 years ago

I have my hands full with my 914 project car and really can't take on another project right now. But some guys at work are thinking about getting bikes and it got me thinking. So I looked on the local Craigslist today and there were quite a few cheap used bikes. By cheap I mean 500.00-700.00. There were Kawasaki 750's 1982 vintage,Kawasaki XZKR 97 vintage etc. The two examples I stated both were running the 97 needed tranny work. So how hard is it to rebuild these older bikes? How hard to get parts? I rode Yamahas and Suzukis in my time but I think all the Japanese bikes are pretty good quality. It would just be another weekend toy as my commute to work is less than 15 minutes so daily fuel economy is not the main goal. Thoughts?

BeyGon · 07-24-2008, 05:59 PM

Just like anything else, if you are going to spend the time and money get something you really like. I would look for the early Japanese 500cc singles, but that is just me. You don't seem to have a big ride to work so the single could be fun.

Rot 911 · 07-24-2008, 06:38 PM

Depends on the bike. Parts on some Jap bikes are getting hard to find. Especially Suzuki and Yamaha, pre-80 parts. Collectible bikes are much easier to find parts for.

Dan in Pasadena · Dan in Pasadena's Garage

Timely thread.
Not trying to hijak but I have a similar question. An old family friend has a '69 Honda 750 Four. This is one of the very first ones that came to the States. He is the original owner and picked his up a few moments before Dick Smothers picked up his.

The bike has the sandcast cases and is completely unmodified except for a header that was placed on it in the first five years of ownership. I know for a fact that the bike has sat in his garage untouched for the last 30 years at least. I am certain I could get it or $1000, possibly less. I don't know if anyone else considers this a "barn find" but I do. I have not been a bike guy in a lot of years but this bike has sentimental value to me. Can parts o this bike be gotten? I assume sitting this long would necessitate a full tear down but is there chance that would NOT be required?

javadog · 06:55 PM

That bike is valuable and parts exist to restore it. There is a guy who is quite famous for restoring the early 750 Hondas and there was an article about him in one of the motorcycle magazines in the last month or so. Go here: http://www.worldmotorcycles.com/

It will need a lot of work after 30 years.

JR

pwd72s · 07-24-2008, 06:56 PM

Actually..seems to me that it would be simpler to rebuild a motorcycle engine than a 911 air cooled engine, depending on parts availability.

VincentVega · 07-24-2008, 06:58 PM

Generally bikes are faster and stop better every year. With that in mind and considering how cheap 10-12 yr old bikes are, unless you really like a specific model I'd check out a mid 90's bike. I dont know about you, but I'd rather be riding than wrenching, at least in the middle of summer.

javadog · 07-24-2008, 06:58 PM

Back to the original question, I've restored a couple of motorcycles and in my opinion, it's cheaper to buy a nice example of a bike than to buy a cheap one and try to fix it up. Parts are getting scarce and you wouldn't believe how many are on even a simple bike.

Only buy a cheap bike if you intend to leave it alone and ride it as-is.

JR

Dan in Pasadena · Dan in Pasadena's Garage

Quote:

Originally Posted by javadog

That bike is valuable and parts exist to restore it. There is a guy who is quite famous for restoring the early 750 Hondas and there was an article about him in one of the motorcycle magazines in the last month or so. Go here: http://www.worldmotorcycles.com/

It will need a lot of work after 30 years.

JR

Thanks for the link. I will check it out tomorow as I am on my daughter's POS lap top right now and it is sloow. The bike I am talking about is EXACTLY the same as the one on that link. Red with the original gold stripes. I was a 14 year old kid when he brought that bike to our house brand new in '69. I was head over heels in love with that bike. I still am.

Eric 951 · 07-25-2008, 04:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dan in Pasadena

Timely thread.
Not trying to hijak but I have a similar question. An old family friend has a '69 Honda 750 Four. This is one of the very first ones that came to the States. He is the original owner and picked his up a few moments before Dick Smothers picked up his.

The bike has the sandcast cases and is completely unmodified except for a header that was placed on it in the first five years of ownership. I know for a fact that the bike has sat in his garage untouched for the last 30 years at least. I am certain I could get it or $1000, possibly less. I don't know if anyone else considers this a "barn find" but I do. I have not been a bike guy in a lot of years but this bike has sentimental value to me. Can parts o this bike be gotten? I assume sitting this long would necessitate a full tear down but is there chance that would NOT be required?

Sandcast 750s are VERY collectible---and would be worth waay more than 1,000--even if needing a complete rebuild.

Porsche-O-Phile · Porsche-O-Phile's Garage

Bikes are a lot easier/simpler to work on than cars. HOWEVER I would recommend shying away from any bike with electrical issues. I'm trying to diagnose a "no spark" issue on my Katana right now and it's giving me fits. Everything on the bike mechanically is perfect and easy/simple to work on, but the electrical system stuff is an absolute nightmare - and no fun at all.

In general though, bikes are great. Just be careful. There are more idiots than you think out there.

jhynesrockmtn · 07-25-2008, 06:55 AM

I went in the direction of something that needed freshening but not major work. You're talking more than $500 for one in that category that's also "collectible". The CB400F is definately in that collectible category. I paid $1,800 and it needed a tune up and new tires. I saw one locally that needed more work in the $1,200 range. There is generally good parts availability and support. I'd think the mid 70's 550 and 750 would fall into the same category. I see ads for quite a few that have may have low mileage but have been sitting.

Here is a local ad. I talked to the guy and may pick this up if it's in as good a shape as he says and is still available although I have enough projects on my hands in the form of cars. If you're talking about something that needs more work I would think $500 is a good range. I'm no expert but common sense would say a top end on this would be simpler than a 911 or 914.

http://seattle.craigslist.org/sno/mcy/762084466.html

Mine - 1975 CB400F