newbie looking at a 1980

[vthokies03]

Hey yall. My name is Matt and I am a motorcycle addict.

Current bike is a 2013 FJR, but I plan to go look at a 1980 r65 project bike tomorrow.

I like the idea of a project bike, I can tinker with it when I get a chance and money allows. This would be a second bike, so my riding would not suffer if the R65 is not working.

I think it would be great to have the FJR for any long riding, and the R65 for stuff around town and fun local twisties. I traded a FZ1 in for the FJR, and I miss the light nimble bike.

I have concerns because the bike has not run in years. The last couple of years it has been stored in a heated garage, but not started or run during that time. Prior to that, the bike lived outside for a couple of years after that owner only put about 200 miles on it.

What should I really look at? What kind of price do you think would be fair for a non-running bike?

Things I know are wrong:
dead battery
needs new tires
driveshaft spring broken
front brake is not working


The owner replaced the top end. I am not sure why he did that, I will ask. Is there anything else I need to ask about?

He has hard bags and fairings to go with it. There were no pictures, so I am not sure of the condition of those.

Sorry about the long post....

Matt

[wilcom]

Things I know are wrong:
dead battery
needs new tires
driveshaft spring broken
front brake is not working

Take a bunch of pics are report back report back here tomorrow.

PS: Don't get your heart set on replacing a FZ1 with that R65...... differnt tool , differnt application.

[Matt Chapter]

A sitting non runner with several repairs queued up already should be cheap.  Depending on condition, I'd be thinking a few hundred dollars.  You're probably also looking at a carb rebuild and a full service off the bat.

Back in 2005 I bought my R65 with a full Pichler fairing, BMW bags, in pristine condition with ~9k miles for 3k ... one college town over from you.  It was on commission at Pro Sport Cycles (I think?).

[vthokies03]

I understand the FZ1 and the R65 are way different beasts. I have the long range riding bike (FJR), I would like another fun local bike.

The dealer offered me about what I could have gotten for the FZ1 to an individual. I wanted to keep it, but it was hard not to pass up the trade deal.

[vthokies03]

I think the thing that excites me most about the prospect of the R65 is going from a non-working to a hopeful running machine by my own hand.

My plans would be to do the work on my own, as I get time and funds.

I think it would be alot of fun to ride around on a bike that was just about my own age.

Matt

[wilcom]

My plans would be to do the work on my own, as I get time and funds.

If that is the route you go there are huge resources here on the site. A bunch of folks here that will gladly help get your ride back on the road. They have sure helped me stay riding.

[Justin B.]

I bought a non-running '82 LS several years back that had sat for quite a while. It needed:

Battery
Rebuild brakes
Rebuild carbs
Gas tank
Gas cap
New piston rings
Coil
Push rod drain tube seals
Rebuilt transmission as a precaution due to oil in lube
Tires & tubes
Steering head bearings
Swingarm bearings
Fuel lines
Throttle and choke cables
Brake master cylinder
Front brake lines
Fluids and filter
Clean and re-pack wheel bearings

That got it running and safe to ride. 

[vthokies03]

Do you remember about how much you spent in total?

I need to make sure I dont get upside down real quick in the project.

Thanks!!

I look forward to the wealth of knowledge here. This forum is part of the reason I am thinking about undertaking this project.

[orforester]

My two cents worth on getting an old Beemer to run is $2000.  That is from a guy who has gotten three K100's and now a R65 back to running shape.  BMW parts are expensive, but getting the R65 back on the road is well worth the pleasure!

[vthokies03]

Well, I pulled the trigger and had it follow me home.

[Justin B.]

I want the Terraplane!

I never keep track of how much I put into projects but I would imagine a little over $1K with me doing all the work.  Yours looks in much better condition than what I started with.  The "Junkyard Dawg" was in pretty rough shape...