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Not sure if this counts as technical, but thought I'd toss this idea out there:
I've been working on this '81 GS750E for several months now. I've almost got to the point of cranking it over, but I had to pause a moment and look at the bike from a financial standpoint.
To get it to the point where I can try to start it, this is what I'll need: battery ($39), bolt kit ($25), oil and filter (approx. $20), plugs ($8), solder and heat shrink ($10), and pods ($40) (the ones that came with it don't fit so I sold them to someone who could use them) and misc. hoses, etc.. Plus, to synch the carbs and adjust the valves I'm looking at specialty tools. I may or may not have access to a synchronizer, if not I'm looking at minimum $40 there. This is all just to see if the bike will run.
If all goes well and it does run, here's what else I'll need: Tires ($80 for Cheng Shin), seat or seat pan and make it myself (???), headlight bucket, bulb and brackets ($50+), throttle cable ($16), choke cable ($14), baffle for the V&H ($30?), strip the tank ($15 for phosphoric acid), rebuild or replace the petcock (free to $60), eventually I'll need a chain and sprockets, probably 530 conversion ($150), paint job ($30 for rattle can, 200+ for pro), rear pads ($14), exhaust gaskets (???), fork air inlets (???), and misc. small things that nickle and dime a person to death. And when all is said and done, I'm still looking at $150 to get a title, plus insurance, yada yada.
I've already bought a stator, regulator, cdi, traded my 34mm carbs for 32mm's (thanks!), handlebars (staghorns that came on it were good but uncomfortable, still have them), Ninja M/C, ignition switch, gas cap, seat latch/lock, and about $40 in misc. hardware and things I'm forgetting.
I'm really thinking seriously about parting the bike out and using the money I get to put towards a more complete, hopefully running bike. Even if I did all of the above the bike will be worth what, $1,500 tops?
What do you guys think? I know seeing a classic GS get dismembered is hard, but I'm on a very limited budget and the "to do" list on this bike is making my bank account scream in agony. How much do you think the parts would be worth? The only major things missing are seat, side covers, air box, rear M/C and headlight. The tank has no dents or leaks, just some minor rust on the inside that is purely my fault for leaving it outside overnight after drilling out the old cap and it needs paint. The fender and tail section are in great shape but could use some paint. The engine itself is solid and free-spinning. Rims are good, forks have no pitting that I've noticed, brakes are rebuilt. Help me out here, guys. I don't think I have enough money to finish it, but I'd like to get enough out of it to at least make a sizeable dent in the cost of a decent, used running bike. (nothing expensive, just reliable, maybe an older Shadow like I had)
Any ideas, suggestions, etc. would be greatly appreciated. I'm at a loss here. Sorry for being so long-winded.
I've been working on this '81 GS750E for several months now. I've almost got to the point of cranking it over, but I had to pause a moment and look at the bike from a financial standpoint.
To get it to the point where I can try to start it, this is what I'll need: battery ($39), bolt kit ($25), oil and filter (approx. $20), plugs ($8), solder and heat shrink ($10), and pods ($40) (the ones that came with it don't fit so I sold them to someone who could use them) and misc. hoses, etc.. Plus, to synch the carbs and adjust the valves I'm looking at specialty tools. I may or may not have access to a synchronizer, if not I'm looking at minimum $40 there. This is all just to see if the bike will run.
If all goes well and it does run, here's what else I'll need: Tires ($80 for Cheng Shin), seat or seat pan and make it myself (???), headlight bucket, bulb and brackets ($50+), throttle cable ($16), choke cable ($14), baffle for the V&H ($30?), strip the tank ($15 for phosphoric acid), rebuild or replace the petcock (free to $60), eventually I'll need a chain and sprockets, probably 530 conversion ($150), paint job ($30 for rattle can, 200+ for pro), rear pads ($14), exhaust gaskets (???), fork air inlets (???), and misc. small things that nickle and dime a person to death. And when all is said and done, I'm still looking at $150 to get a title, plus insurance, yada yada.
I've already bought a stator, regulator, cdi, traded my 34mm carbs for 32mm's (thanks!), handlebars (staghorns that came on it were good but uncomfortable, still have them), Ninja M/C, ignition switch, gas cap, seat latch/lock, and about $40 in misc. hardware and things I'm forgetting.
I'm really thinking seriously about parting the bike out and using the money I get to put towards a more complete, hopefully running bike. Even if I did all of the above the bike will be worth what, $1,500 tops?
What do you guys think? I know seeing a classic GS get dismembered is hard, but I'm on a very limited budget and the "to do" list on this bike is making my bank account scream in agony. How much do you think the parts would be worth? The only major things missing are seat, side covers, air box, rear M/C and headlight. The tank has no dents or leaks, just some minor rust on the inside that is purely my fault for leaving it outside overnight after drilling out the old cap and it needs paint. The fender and tail section are in great shape but could use some paint. The engine itself is solid and free-spinning. Rims are good, forks have no pitting that I've noticed, brakes are rebuilt. Help me out here, guys. I don't think I have enough money to finish it, but I'd like to get enough out of it to at least make a sizeable dent in the cost of a decent, used running bike. (nothing expensive, just reliable, maybe an older Shadow like I had)
Any ideas, suggestions, etc. would be greatly appreciated. I'm at a loss here. Sorry for being so long-winded.
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