How many miles is too many?

[LAB3]

There's an 81 850g for sale nearby that I took a look at about two weeks ago. It's reasonably priced for a complete non running bike and the seller seems pretty straight up in answering questions. To me it looks like a good bet to resurrect but I have one major concern, 78,000 miles on the clock. I'm quite OK with doing what's needed to make it a solid runner just short of a complete engine teardown, tools and a long term place to work on it being the main issue. Any thoughts?

[Steve]

My question would be "how much history of those 78,000 miles are KNOWN?

If the current owner can give you personal experience with at least half of those miles, I would not worry too much.

My wife's bike is sitting in the garage right now with 74,548 on the odometer, still runs like new. Yeah, it's had some gaskets replaced and some other small stuff during the 30,000+ miles that we have had it, but nothing that should prevent anyone from buying it (if it were for sale).

.

[Buffalo Bill]

It's so EZ to do a compression test on a GS.
First_Make sure it's got decent oil in the sump.

[Big T]

The bigger question is how long has it been sitting, and why was it parked

The bane of old bikes is one with tight valves, that had hard starting and got parked

[LAB3]

The seller has several bikes around and seems to be a lot like me, wrenching is as much fun as riding. He wanted $600 in his ad and was down to $500 five minutes after I got there and after several "Are you still interested?" emails is down to $400. His assessment is "All it needs is a battery and plug wires" which to me could mean anything from new caps to an ignitor box. Without a battery a compression test is going to mean jumping it but considering his want to make room in his garage I'm sure I can talk him into grabbing his cables and spinning up the engine.

Just not sure I WANT a project considering my situation, being on the third floor makes pulling the bike in without the landlord noticing difficult! Renting a garage IS a possibility but adds to the price of rehabbing, the hobby aspect of that offsets some of that consideration though. Then there's moving the 450 on to it's next owner, don't think it would fetch squat down this way.

[chuck hahn]

SO 400 and another 300 for a gasket kit, new cam chain, and new rings to get it basically back to zero mile engine. And a weekend to remove the lump and do the work. Id be all in myself. Space wise rent a 10x10 storage unit for a month...done

[bwringer]

Yeah, I wouldn't worry too much about the mileage, and the price is a bargain even with various unknowns. The 850 is pretty easy on its bores.

That said, if you don't have the space or will to take it on over the next year or two, then maybe it's not a great idea.

[Grimly]

78K miles is nothing to them, provided they've had regular oil changes and weren't thrashed every time out.
Only thing to really beware of, is find out how the PO feels about clutchless changes. If he gets enthusiastic about them, calmly walk away, as you'll be buying trouble. Applies to any bike in my opinion, but my 79 suffered from a PO who did that to it and it later developed a reluctance to stay in 2nd.
Here's the deal - clutchless changers are ass poles.

[greg78gs750]

in my opinion, in 2020 it is not so much the MILES anymore as the age. I would count on a top-end refresh, chances are good the valve stem seals are going due to age, and as long as you are going in to do all that.....but, if ya put the 3-500 into the top end + whatever else it will need.....you should be good to go until they ban ice engines.....

[wyly]

At $400 for a runner the price is right. Depending on the year, make and model a non running parts bike can cost $300-$2000.

Do you have the time, skills, tools and space to do any repairs?

[kingofvenus]

I never take the odometer into much consideration on bikes or cars. Overall condition is everything in my book. My wing had over 87k on it when i bought it, its' condition of like new, (minor flaws) and a decent asking price, is what made me buy it...

[Steve]

My wing had over 87k on it when i bought it, its' condition of like new, (minor flaws) and a decent asking price, is what made me buy it...

Same thing here. My Wing was just a few miles shy of 91k and was six years old. I knew the previous owner, we went riding together quite often. I drooled over that bike and said I wanted one just like it some day. When he announced that he was getting a new bike, I said "I'll take it!"

.

[LAB3]

There's a few models where that kind of milage wouldn't be too much an issue, the Goldwing and Honda ST series are two of them. As has been mentioned already, who owned it previously and how was it maintained? After calling the guy yesterday it doesn't seem that he knows much about the bike prior to owning it, combine that with the not having a convenient place to work on it and I'm going to pass.

[kingofvenus]

Same thing here. My Wing was just a few miles shy of 91k and was six years old. I knew the previous owner, we went riding together quite often. I drooled over that bike and said I wanted one just like it some day. When he announced that he was getting a new bike, I said "I'll take it!"

.

I worked at a Honda dealer for years, started while still in high school. Back then i swore i'd never own a wing. Now, (i just turned 60 last month) after owning one i'd never be without it. I don't think my wife (she won't ride her own) would let me sell it either...

[Wingsconsin]

I worked at a Honda dealer for years, started while still in high school. Back then i swore i'd never own a wing. Now, (i just turned 60 last month) after owning one i'd never be without it. I don't think my wife (she won't ride her own) would let me sell it either...

Wisdom comes with age

I will not sell either my Wing nor my GS -- as long as I can ride --

Unless I am upgrading to the NEW 2018 Style Goldwing