Newbie acquiring an R65!

[lebicicletta]

Hi folks,
I've purchased an 1981 R65 from a list member in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. Very excited! Has not run in 6 years, but PO was clear about the bike and its needs.
My first need is to the bike from Baton Rouge to Cleveland (USA). I'm being quoted around 580.00 from multiple carriers/brokers.
Does anybody have a lead on a better choice?
Thanks, again, and I am sure to have more questions as I bring the bike back to life.
Would not have taken the plunge without the aid of this list.

[wilcom]

Does anybody have a lead on a better choice?  

I had a bike shipped from NY to CA 5 years ago and it was $800 and change. A quality shipment but still a ton of bucks to add to the price of a bike. If you are getting multiple quotes around the same price I would guess that is the going rate these days.

Probably about $400 in fuel if you went and got it yourself  (18mpg and $3.25 a gallon for the 2200 miles round trip).......... so a couple of hundred for time and trouble doesn't sound too bad

[montmil]

We'uns here on the forum know that bike. You likely got a nice bike after a little rehab love.

Ship that puppy and get ready for some fun. Ask question before you do something that might be unnecessary rather than post something like, "I have made a big boo boo".

Pictures. We love pictures of our forum member's bikes. OK guys, what do we say..."

[nhmaf]

The quote sounds just a little bit high, but not alot.   It also kinda depends on the direction and time of the year.   I'd have expected it to be at least $450.  - Figure if you drove yourself and had to spend a couple nights in motels, food, tools, and gas, and you do tend to find out that the price isn't far off from the best you could do yourself.  Unless it is a a fly&ride deal - though those things don't always work out nearly so well as some sellers would leave one ot believe..

Welcome aboard!

[Luca]

about the only way you could do better would be to tag along with somebody making a similar trip and split costs.

At 2200 miles you've got fuel (Wilcom's $400), lodging (maybe around $80 for two cheap nights), food/coffee (lets say $40-60), 2/3 of an oil change (lets say $30 for a truck)... and are there any tolls?  Need another ratchet tie down?  What if bad traffic forces you to extend the trip one day?

Then consider that a carrier will probably have the bike covered under their insurance against theft or damage and the $580 ticket, as tough as it is to swallow, isn't a bad deal.  My '82 LS came home on the PO's father's 40 year old landscaping trailer.  It had never had a tire change.  Those 20 miles probably took two years off of my life from worrying.

Oh and congrats!  I remember seeing that bike in the trading post.  Seemed like a pretty solid score at a reasonable price  [smiley=thumbup.gif]

[lebicicletta]

thannks - will ship with the best of the bunch

[lebicicletta]

appreciate your input. plan to ship soon!

[Mike V]

Welcome lebic@#%&#*?

Can't wait to get started with your new bike.  I recently restored my 81 R65 and love it as I'm sure you will.

I think you'll also find this forum to be one of the most valuable for your bike.  There's a lot of shared helpful knowledge and less hollow opinions here than other sites.

If you're ever not sure - ask.  These guys and gals have taught me a lot, as they will for you.

-Mike V. / San Diego

[lebicicletta]

Thanks - bike is in process of being shipped; enclosed trailer with experienced driver; so far so good.

Anticipating receiving bike later this week; after inspection I think I will  ask for advice/experience on where best to begin to bring the bike back to life after six years of (indoor) storage which included draining gas, adding oil to cylinders etc........ :-)