'84 R65LS

[Bob_Roller]

I went looking at an LS last Saturday, it's an '84 87,000 miles, hasn't been started in about 9 years .

The owner knows the history of the bike, it was his riding buddy, and to the best of his knowledge, only consumable type items have been replaced on the bike, no major maintenance has been performed .

The bike is in very good condition, even the stock black exhaust system is not rusted, and the mufflers still have a shine to them  .

So my question is, is the bike worth $2700US .

[nhmaf]

Hmmm.
If you are set on that bike, I think that I'd start lower - you just know that at minimum, you'll likely have to replace/rebuild the master cylinder and brake pistons and/or brake line, and even if everything is otherwise sound, you'll probably have various seals to replace.

When I bought my LS, it was about 7 years ago, but it had ALL of its parts, and was running/mostly road-worthy once steering head bearings and fork seals were done.   I paid $2400.  Now, it had been sitting in storage for an unknown number of years (minimum of 5 years, more likely 8-10)

By the by - I noticed someone near to one of my client's offices has a silver R65LS for sale - I noticed it as I drove by the house last week, but didn't stop to check mileage/condition.  I can try to get more info on it if you are interested.   I think that I found an online eposting for it here, though of course, there would be additional cost of getting the bike out to you:

 1990 BMW
1990 BMW K1, blue/yellow, 10K orig miles, very rare historic K bike $7900; 1983 BMW R65LS, very low miles, very rare bike $2795; 1990 Honda VFR 750F, 17K, red/white, nice only $2495.
603 - 763 - 2313

[Bob_Roller]

I was figuring that I would have to perform at least what I did on my '81 R65 that had 80,000 miles on it about 2 years ago .

The good thing is nothing has been disturbed, or 'hacked up' by previous owners, none of the fasteners has the cadmium plate disturbed or rounded off corners .

Also as part of the deal I asked what the price would be if I also purchased the '87 Moto Guzzi V65 Lario with 20,00 miles on it that he has for sale, just got his email about an hour ago, and the 'two for' price is $6000 .

Some pondering to do over the next few days .

[Justin B.]

It is nice to start out with an "un-molested" example...

[Bob_Roller]

That was my thinking also .

It's been an Arizona bike since new, was purchased at a dealer in Tucson, in 1984 .

I did some inquiring about the Guzzi, ans with the information that I have recieved in the last day, I think I'll pass on the V65, the bikes had a lot of internal problems from the factory, only cure is to open up the engine and replace bearings and thrust shims .

[Reopropf]

An '84 with >80K miles which is unridden for years should go for ~$2K.

That machine I'm sure is nice but definitely needs a thorough rejuvenation.

I wouldn't let it go if an R65LS is what you want.

Peter

[suecanada]

Oh Bob! Go for it if you want an LS! The Lario I saw in the window of the "Purple Onion" sporting good store in Montpelier Vt. one year (2006) and i fell in love with the looks. Maybe not the best bike as research may show but it sure turned my crank like the LS does. You guys know all the pitfalls and Bob you are one of the best here too. If the price is right..well??? I ended up with a bike that had 50,000 more miles on it than advertised! Someone else did the ebay ad for the lady and there was a lack of communicatiom . Anyway, despite the earlier than normal? mechanical schedule I love that bike! Desert is good anyway. Whatever you decide i am with you!

[steve hawkins]

At 87,000 miles, I would factor in a valve job unless it has already been done and the owner has proof.

Fuel is not getting any better these days.  

Does it run well ? And how old is the timing chain?

87 000 miles is plenty due for a top end refresh though, on any airhead.

I am planning such a job for my 1982 R100 - it has 84,500 miles.  This winter.

I would not be scared about the mileage generally, as long as the jobs had been done.  And as long as the bike was otherwise fully functional.

I would not be contemplating buying it at this price as a non-runner.

But I do not know the details of your market.

[Bob_Roller]

The prices of the LS version tend to be higher here in the western part of the US, the San Francisco area usually fetches the highest prices .

I've only seen one other LS in the Phoenix area that was in as good of condition as this one I'm considering purchasing, and the owner wanted $4500, no maintenance history, and an odometer not working and showing 45,000 miles .

I estimate I'll put at least $2000 into the bike, with everything that I've learned from my '81 with 81,000 miles on it .

I've pretty much have made up my mind, that I will get the LS, but still considering the Guzzi .

I'm going to wait another week or two, and see if it pressures the seller a little more, he's been laid off from work since early March .

So it's pretty much 'bite the bullet' and do it, or keep looking, and I've been looking for an LS for about 16 years now, and haven't seen any bikes that were much more than what I would consider parts bikes .

I've done a little more inquiring about the Guzzi, and I was told that if the bike had 20,000 miles on it, it's not a bike with the suspect bad engines, the engines usually self destructed in under 10,000 miles .

It is a good looking bike, it's kind of Moto Guzzi's version of an R65LS .

[MrRiden]

Bob,
You've seen my LS and to give you some perspective I bought it 3 years or so ago for the exact amount you quote 2.7K. Mileage is similar and mine had lived under a tarp for at least 2 years before I bought it. No Hans Muth speed plow, rusted pipes, torn seat and lots of deferred maintenance. I changed the fluids, tires and promptly took it on a 1400mile ride just as it was. Asking price just up the road in Phoenix north of Camelback was a whopping 3.5K. I'd jump on the one you found. For grins I'll bring mine by any evening just so you can do a stare and compare. That's the local market.
rich

[Bob_Roller]

The seller of the LS that I looked at Saturday, sent me an email today about another LS that might be up for sale .

I called, and the bike is an '83 LS, 2179 miles, asking price $5000 .

It's obvious that the bikes are out there, you just have to find them !!!

[steve hawkins]

As my last comment states, I do not know the details of the local market.  And it seems that you aware of what might need to be done have factored it in.

It seem to fit the bill.

Good luck with it.

[Bob_Roller]

Well, the deal is finalized, and short of a major catastrophe happening between now and Sunday morning, both bikes are mine .

We compromised on the price, got it down to $5500 .

So I'm taking Sunday off of work, and the co-worker that runs his repair shop out of his garage, will help me get the bikes home .

[montmil]

Photos, Bob... as soon as you can! Both bikes. Thanks, Monte

[Justin B.]

Well, Bob, welcome to the "collecting strays" club...