In your hands - to keep or not to keep?

OK So here it is.

82 XJ650 SECA.
Rusted THROUGH gas tank.
All controls electrical is hardwired to battery.
Starts with crossing relay (ZAP!)
All handlebar controls are toast.
Fuse box was removed when I got it - fried whole controls system.
Motor electrical (spark, etc) works ok.
Carbs need complete teardown, if even possible (stuck jets?)
Ran last year, highway and all. Had to keep choke on to go. (Carbs)
Idled like piss, revved like crap. Carbs...
Barely runs with a sealed gas tank. Does not at all with current tank!

Now, the new bike.
82 XJ650 MAXIM.
Just needs valves/carb sync/tune and check the rear brake.
Shes ready to rock.

SO, the big question.
Sell the SECA for $350? (someone offered today)
ORRRR keep it as experimentation for tearing down parts of the bike, as well as parts (any that are interchangeable?)
I put a brand new battery, clutch cable, throttle cable, air filter and plugs into it. Oh, and a tube in the tire. lol.

So, keep it as test tear down/spare parts/possible runner someday?
OR, sell it for the cash.

I am essentially leaving this ALL in your hands guys. Please think it through for me.

-Doug

 

Doug,

Try and figure out how much it would cost you to repair the Seca to make it more saleable.

For example, a new tank is ~100, electrical ~50, carb kits ~150, misc parts ~100. I know that I am off on some of the costs, but, you get the idea.

So, starting with a base price of $350, plus the cost of parts, $450 brings you up to ~$800. Plus your time.

I have seen similar bikes on Craigslist for ~$1000.

And, when you figure in the education factor, well, that makes it even better.

If the bike is too far gone, part out the best and worst items and keep the rest as spares and learning tools.

just my $.02

 

Is the bike pretty complete other than a bad tank and wire harness. If thats all I would sell it as a restorable bike. If the bike is missing parts and stuff is damaged then part it out and get more than 350 for it.

 

do you know the offering party? If it is somebody that is going to fix her up and make it something nice again I would sell it. You will have plenty of experience checking over things and maintaining your new Maxim. Do you really want ot do everything twice??

 

I'd rather not mess something up on the new bike, learning.

The bike is all there, aside from the fuse box. The airbox lid is cross drilled LOL...

Everything seems to be there really, not-stock blinkers...

I think it would be good to keep it and learn from some things, possibly tear it ALL down and box it up with the parts cleaned and protected... then restore it years from now when I have the cash. That's what I think... but it's up to you guys.

 

And the 'offering party' is a 20 year old kid that 'has a few bikes' and 'likes to get them going again' but I think it's gonna get chopped and the motor put in something else. That's my opinion of him. I've had offers on craigslist for it, but I kept thinking 'do I REALLY want to sell it?'

 

KEEP. Is the exhaust system solid and all there? That's almost more important than the tank. How about the frame? Complete and un-hacked? VIN match the motor? If the motor is solid, then my only decision would be restore or keep for parts.

I can't vote, it's your decision. Don't do something that will end up costing you more money later or that you will regret.

 

Exhaust is aftermarket 4-1. Sounds flippin awesome.
Rusted to hell though.
Frame is all there and unhacked. Not sure about VIN, but most likely.
Motor seems fine just needs functional carbs and an eletrical system that I can use to start it lol.

 

Think about it: you aren't thrilled about the person making an offer. The bike is restorable and as parts it is worth far more than $350. His offer is quite lowball.

Now, do you need or even want a second bike around? If you just like to be working on something those rainy days when you can't be out riding, the keep it and restore it over time, slowly acquiring the right parts with careful shopping for the best deals. When done you can decide which bike you like to ride more, and then sell the other, or enjoy them both for the different types of riding they are designed for.

If you don't want to do the work and don't want to see it destroyed, list it for the price of a decent working bike less the parts cost to do the repairs.
Your listing can even say what the bike is worth once running, the cost of the parts to get it there, and show why you are asking the price you are.

 

I am starting think leaving it around is a better idea. Slowly restore. Because my buddy has a 2005 Yamaha TW200 which is great for in town and trails... but it's not built for distance comfort or highway at all. He put a bigger sprocket on the back but it barely does 65 comfortably.
So I could rebuild slowly and have two bikes. Hmm... I could totally dismantle, learn the WHOLE bike, and clean and repair while repainting everything. Hmm. Starting to like that idea.

 

KEEP IT!!!!! i would keep it and slow tear it down and rebuild it when you get some spare time and some spare money it may take you 10 years but youll be satisfied that you totaly rebuilt it eventualy. as long as you have the room it doesnt matter if it sits for ever. and then if you do eventualy give up 5 years from now (maybe hopefully not) the parts will be even more rare and you can make more money out of it.

just a suggestion but thats waht i would do.

 

Well it sits @ my buddies house right now.
He keeps telling me "I Ain't got the room for it, get it to your house or sell it"

Have no way to get it to my apartment. And def no where to work on it there.

Maybe I can convince him that I want to rebuild and restore it for him to use once we can do so, but it's still MY bike.
Me likey that idea.
He's got the room outside to store it, and work in the shed. But we'd have to get a cover for it outside. If I help (pay and construct) a shelving system for his little garage, maybe he'll let me store the parts in there as I tear down. Hmm. Definately making me think!

 

well if he was a friend he should let you keep it there. is it his wiffe thats telling him to get it out. (not a stab just a question) my dad hates stuff sitting around. i tell him to be quiet lol and that he wouldnt know what to do with him self if he didnt yell at me. but hes more into my build then i am he volunteered to paint and chrome for me. plus his bike took my garage space for my truck so he owes me lol.

im sure if you kinda made it seem like he was the one riding it once you guys get it working you might even be able get a little free labour and maybe some money to . if you can swing it to keep it then do so but been in an appartment with no parking maybe its wise to cut your loses.

 

My 'apartment' is a two family home with me living upstairs.
We have a 4 car driveway and a full backyard (albeit it's only about 1/8 acre, if that)

So I COULD store it here. And if I dropped my maxim tank on it, I COULD get it home I think.
But once again - no where to work on it.

I'll try and swoo him tomorrow.

 

He's a friend right? Just remember that a friend will kill for you. A real friend will help you hide the body.

If you know any real (as in paid for a living) mechanics, you might see if one of them would be willing to exchange some garage space in trade for something - like labor - from you ...

 

lol, I own a sub shop built directly on top of a 4 car garage / repair shop.
Not sure if he'd let me leave it down there though.

Think I am better off convincing my buddy to keep it at his house.
He's got nearly 3/4 acre in the backyard. Even if I stuff it down in the woods on some blocks and covered for now. I think that'll work. Then I'll bring it in the shed for some work and tear some parts off, then put it back

 

if hes got that much space tell him to suck it up and dont be a winny child. space is space its not going to kill him to have it sit around and as long as your owrking on it and not just leaving it there, then why should he want it gones its one thing if its just sitting and nothing is getting done on it but if your working on it then i dont see why he cant lend you some space.

 

Forgot I had this...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C_o0H3-I ... annel_page

That's the bike as it sits today.

This was a while ago..First run in god knows how many years.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5W21KqWP ... annel_page