Moved, how do I keep my bike

I bought an ‘81 550 maxim when I was staying in Santa Fe, New Mexico. I decided to move back to Oklahoma for various reasons. When I went to load up the bike in my van in the winter, gasoline started pouring out of the seals. I think it would be a simple fix, although I’m not sure. But I left it in Santa Fe because I didn’t have time to mess with it before I left. Now I’m thinking of picking it up but not sure what the best/cheapest way to do that would be. It seems a little overwhelming to try and work on it when I get there to ride it home (my family will be with me). Also seems too expensive to rent a truck or something similar. And the van I have needs some work before I can take it out there and it’s kind of a gas guzzler. I wanted to ask you all to see if you thought it was worth it or if I should try to sell it and maybe get a different bike in the future.

 

There are motorcycle shipping companies that will transport your bike some require it to be created don't know the cost. Your hands hands seem to be tied as far as way to move at home. You would need a trailer or put it in the back of the van and secure it. It really depends on how much you like the bike you could sell it California market seems to get more money. And buy yourself another bike

 

Whether to sell and buy a replacement at your new location, or move the bike is really something you just have to weigh.

My original owner '83 XJ550 was my wife's and my wedding purchase when we got married in 1985. It is still in good shape. It has moved with us, either in the Uhaul, or by riding it to the next destination. Paying to have it moved would be cost ineffective, but I would not sell it for sentimental reasons. It wouldn't be justified monetarily, but emotionally.

Sounds like your current XJ needs work? As XJ550H intimated, it may be possible to sell it and buy something comparable at your destination?

 

Check with U Haul on a one way rental

 

It cost me about $400 to ship a XJ Pennsylvania to NC via the U-Ship website. which wasn't bad. You can rent pickup trucks from Enterprise with unlimited mileage and that would have been more cost efficient but I didn't have the time. So if you have the time that would be the route I'd take. Drive a nice new rental truck there and back load it all up and you are good to go. No extra miles on your vehicles.

 

$400 seems to be the minumum for a shipping company to deal with it. That's what a buyer payed to get a bike he purchaced from me shipped from KS to LA, CA a few years ago.

1-way U-haul might be the way to go.

 

I paid $352 for the last non running XJ shipment on Uship, I was patient and had flexibility so that may factor in. More expensive than a 780 mile trip to get it but was worth it in time savings.

 

uhaul has storage containers and will ship them to fina location all you have to do is rent a local trailer or truck drop your stuff off in the shipping pod and they will ship it

 

I also think Uship may be your best option. Sounds like you don't have time for messing with the fuel leak right now and transporting it yourself would require renting a van or truck. That would cost you, I'm guessing, at least a hundred or two. Gas for the trip another couple hundred and then you have to drive the thing, that's a lot of your time and effort. I've used several different shipping companies including Uship. If you are not familiar with how they operate you should check out their website.
https://www.uship.com/
Drivers send you bids (quotes) on their delivery service and you can check out their ratings as you get the bids and go with the cheapest or highest rated. I was surprised how low the quotes got when I let the bidding go on for about a week or so. Finally got my bike delivered from Phoenix to Seattle for about $350. The other freight companies are usually closer to 6 or $700. I will use them when I have a higher valued bike shipped. But they all carry insurance and do a visual inspection at time of pick up and delivery which is documented for insurance purposes. You will, of course, need to drain the gas from tank and carbs but then you could work on the bike when you have time and not in a rush to sell. And if you tried to sell with the fuel issue unresolved you would probably have to sell at a discount.
Good luck with your decision.