83' Seca Turbo for sale

I kind of bought this bike on a whim and have decided that I'm never going to get this project off the ground.

I bought the bike in February and have done some work on it. I got it on eBay. Here is the auction link:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayI ... %3AIT&rd=1

You can see some pretty good pictures and what I paid for it.

Here's what I can tell you about it.

1. The bike starts and runs well. I would not be surprised if the carbs need tuning but the bike idles fine.

2. Mechanically, as far as I know everything works. Signals, lights, horn, etc. The warning light is flashing due to the classic battery sensor issue. The side stand switch has been disabled by the previous owner. I assume this would be easy to reverse.

3. There is a transmission issue. I have ridden the bike and in first gear it has tremendous torque. Second gear isn't working at all. I just don't have the skills to diagnose the problem and I am not up to cracking the cases at this point. Third gear seems fine. I can't get it going fast enough to test the other gears in my yard. I have checked around and Bike Bandit sells a replacement second gear for about $80.

4. The bike has about 12,000 original miles. Tires are dry rotted, but hold air. Bike comes with two solid seats, both of which will need to be recovered.

5. Cosmetically, the bike is in pretty good shape. The only pieces that need work ar the rear cowl and the right lower main fairing. It's not that bad and with a little TLC could be fine. The clutch and front brake levers will need to be replaced, but work fine.

6. I have no way to test the turbo because I can't ride it at speed. It seems fine though and with so few miles, I believe it to be in good shape.

I have bought a number of parts for the bike since buying it. Replacement side stand, replacement nose cowl, replacement choke assembly, new choke cable. I have changed the oil and filter as well as the plugs and rebuilt the front brakes.


I can certainly take any specific pictures desired and will try to answer any and all questions.

I will part this bike out if necessary, but would really prefer it to go to someone here who genuinely appreciates this classic. If there is no interest here, I will go to eBay, but again, would prefer not to.

I can assist with delivery within a reasonable distance if the bike sells for enough.

I am located in South New Jersey (near Philadelphia).

At this point, I have about $700 invested in this bike and would like to get back as much as possible. The first $700 will take it immediately and I will deliver withing a reasonable distance. Other than that, make me an offer. I'm also interested in interesting trades. I really love standard Seca 650s.

I've tried to describe this bike as honestly as I possibly could. It's not a bad bike. It clearly needs some work, but I believe the right person could turn this into a really nice bike. I wish I had the skills and the time, but I just don't.

PM me here with any offers. I will check back as often as possible.

Best,

Greg

 

Man, I wish you were a little closer! If I did happen to get the money up, how far would you go for delivery? Maybe we could meet somewhere in the middle or something? Definetly interested, just a little short on cash at the moment... :lol:

 

Joel,

I PMd you.

Greg

 

bump

 

if you decide to part it out let me know I need the exhaust and the turbo

 

That's not going to happen. The more I've thought about this, the less inclined I am to part it out. It's too close to being completely rideable. I will keep it in mind though.

Greg

 

Sorry I had to back out on it Greg, I really do want the bike, but doesn't look like I'll have the money anytime soon... :cry:

 

Aww Joel, work something out. Wash cars on weekends, mow mom's lawn, what ever. Get that bike a new good home (yours!!). I want it but I'm too far away to pick it up. Tell Greg you'll be his best friend, take him out for a beer, wash his car, promise the moon. You'll be sorry if you don't get it. I already am. Seriously, I respect a person who knows when to say when. I haven't any self discipline when it comes to bikes, ask my wife.

 

Hey Joel, I didn't put Robert up to that!

I understand. The bike doesn't seem to be going anywhere so you have some time if you're still interested.

Greg

 

I work cheap Greg. I love to see good projects go to the right person as you do. I shudder everytime I see or hear of a beautiful rough diamond getting hacked up. It is a moral sin in my book.

 

I agree. These bikes, like them or not are getting rare enough that I just can't bring myself to rip it to pieces. Sooner or later the right buyer will come along!

Greg

 

I'm here, I'm here! I'm just too dog-gone far away to swing it ( I don't fancy having it break down somewhere between here and there, rare parts). I do hope the right person helps you out soon. Good luck as always.

 

It is a shame that you're so far Robert. I actually get out that way fairly regularly, but I doubt the Turbo would fit in the overhead bin! Know any truckers heading coast to coast?

:^)

 

LOL, you guys crack me up!

Seriously though, I do have a car for sale, and if I find a buyer, I should have the money. I just didn't want you to have to wait on me forever on something that I'm not 100% sure will even happen! :lol:

 

No sweat. I understand completely. What's the car? I mentioned that I'm interested in trades.

Greg

 

Here we go, a swap. Yeah! I love this. What kind of car? Bartering is the greatest, I love it 'cause it usually doesn't involve Uncle Sam. I'm hoping you all get this worked out to mutual benefit (including the bike's).

 

This killer bike still needs a good home!

The good news is that in the interim, I have fixed a few things. I replaced the chocke cable and found that the choke mechanism was frozen. I cleaned it and got it working and this bike runs like a banshee now. It would start and idle before but I thought the carbs were out of adjustment. The problem seems to have been that the choke was stuck somewhere in the middle. She purs like a kitten now. I have also replaced the fuel lines after discovering some dry rot. I replaced both of the levers with brand new ones. Looks very sweet.

If it weren't for the lack of second gear, this thing could be on the road very quickly.

All offers considered! I'd still much rather see this bike go to someone from this forum and will take a little bit of a hit to make it happen. I can assist with delivery.

Act fast or with all my tinkering, I might get it fixed entirely and decide I need to keep it!

Greg

 

Im all the way in Ohio but would love to have this turbo wonder!

I dont think fixing the transmission would be as hard as you think it is. If you have common sense and a fairly decent tool box and plenty of patience/time it can be done.

What parts bad in the trans will probably remain a mystery untill it is tore down. Maybe its just a fork? Or rusted up shaft? Heck who knows!

Send me a few pics. Wouldnt mind seeing it. I have a knack for wanting unusual things and rare 2 wheeled objects (mainly the mopeds I had).

ryan@caraudiocentral.net

 

Ryan, assuming I have any common sense is dangerous! I've been told that the engind needs to come out to work on the tranny. I don't have the tools or space for a job like that.

We might be able to work something out. I just happen to be driving through Ohio en route to the US Grand Prix in Indianapolis at the end of June. I had planned to drive my car (which gets 10 MPG more than my truck) but could be convinced to bring the truck. If you're seriously interested, I could probably get it to or close to you for a pretty reasonable amount. Say $50 for delivery?

PM me with an email address and I'll send some pics.

Greg

 

Think you'll actually get to see a race this year? Sorry, couldn't resist... :lol:

 

I'm a die hard Ferrari fan, so I got to see a fine race last year!

Greg

 

With the added news of you coming thru the area Im thinking...

If you could get some pictures of the extra stuff (fairings and side pieces) that are not on the bike as it sits that would be cool.

So I take it bike is complete just an issue inside the transmission?

E Mail sent also

 

Man I would be all over that if I was you Ryan. Tranny isn't that daunting of a task and you are more than capable. Nail it and give this poor machine a good home! I'm green with envy.

 

Ryan, have you received my email? I'm having some email issues and can't tell for sure if it went through.

Greg

 

Ryan,

One more thing, I have two extra tickets for the race if you're interested (or anyone else for that matter.) A good time will be had by all. Tickets are in section C. Close to the first corner which is the place to be at an F1 race.

Greg

 

Oh wow...

8O

The deal gets sweeter

I just pm'ed ya before reading this.

 

Man, your blessings are just falling on your head Ryan! Sounds like you can't loose on this one! Just be sure to cover the beer at the race, your host is being incredibly nice (wonder what he's up to?).

 

Grrr...

Think Im going to have to pass on this one.

To many things coming due in to little of time.

Also I know it needs work (Not scared to do the work) just worried about the amounts I will need to invest also.

Sorry chief. If I hear of anyone wanting a fast ass bike I will tell them where they can get one towards the end of the month though

 

GASP!!! Ryan, he's practically delivering it to you!!!! I hear you on the bills, I'm barely swimming myself. You gotta do whatcha gotta do. I admire your courage, I wouldn't be so strong. Gee, don't you have some race to attend here in California? Laguna Seca or something?

 

Well if I could sell my bike I would buy this one.

Trouble is trying to sell an XJ for anything over $1K...lol

These bikes are nice but bad investments IMHO.

 

Bad investments? How so? I've never regreted any of my XJ's. Please explain.

 

Sorry, I've been away a couple of days. I understand Ryan. To be honest, the drive to Toledo was going to be more of a problem than I originally thought so this is fine. I really don't want to sell this beast to someone who doesn't really want it -- warts and all. It's not hurting anything sitting where it is and who knows, one of these days I may even crack the cases and figure out what's really wrong.

Let me know if you change your mind. The Grand Prix tickets are still available. Let me know if you're interested. For that matter, anyone who's interested can get them pretty cheap. Good seats, great event.

Greg

 

Try to sell one for a reasonable amount fixed up in pretty damned good shape.

 

I see nice runners with minor problems go for $1300-1800 all day long on ebay. In fact, you'd be hard pressed to find a non-wrecked running bike for under $1k. Well, around here anyway. Bike prices seem to be quite a bit cheaper up north. I know Ohio isn't really "up north", but compared to NC, it is.

 

I see. I got this FZR for free (not quite, the state still wanted all back taxes and penalties, $300). I've invested a further $600 (chain & sprocket set, new tire, new intakes, new battery, used key set, and a slew of other bits and pieces) and still have odds and ends to tidy up. I expect that I could reasonably sell it right now for $1,200 but I've got so many manhours into it it's just not worth selling.

 

Any chance of coming to Texas? I just love projects! But don't tell my wife that I am asking. She would kill me before I cancel the life insurance.

 

I wish I could. Can we meet half way? I promise I won't tell your wife!

 

An update on this project.

Though I haven't had much in the way of time to work on this, I have made an exiting purchase to go with it. I got and entire motor\transmission assemby on eBay.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayI ... AMEWN%3AIT

I'm told that the tranny and motor are both solid. So, I finally have everything I need (I think) to get this thing back on the road. Just have to figure out how to swap the trannys.

I would still be interested in selling the bike, but of course, the price has gone up $100 as that's what the engine cost me.

So the first $800 takes it, now with a spare motor.

Greg

 

Dang this deal keeps getting sweeter. Maybe if I could sell the XVZ12 to someone... :lol:

 

Come to think of it, you wouldn't be interested in a trade for a stripped-down Yamaha Venture would you?

 

Also, meant partial trade, as in the Venture plus some money for the Seca. Darn this no editing deal!! I have to learn to post more carefully! :wink:

 

Also have a racing go-kart w/ 5hp Briggs motor (needs a new pull-starter). Was a fun little booger, don't have anywhere to ride it now. I know I'm reaching, just thought I'd throw that out there... :wink:

Seriously, I'm still trying to get money together to buy it, I've just been striking out lately on trying to sell used parts. If I actually sold all the parts I have for sale, I'd have enough money plus some! :roll:

 

How stripped down is the Venture? Can you send me some pics? I might be interested. I already have an '82 Goldwing, so I've got the touring bike world covered buy you never know. I understand the money situation. I've been there. Come to think of it, I kind of still am there!

Greg

 

Actually we better hold off on all the trade\sale talk for the time being. I took the plunge tonight and started stripping her down. I removed everything from the carbs back (air box, battery box etc). And before you ask, yes it was every bit as hard as I thought it might be and I still don't have the motor out!

I'm sort of at the point of no return now. I won't have the other engine\tranny for a couple of weeks, but over the next couple of nights, I'm going to try to get the motor out and ready for the new one. Not sure which motor to use. I know the one in the bike now is good. Not sure how hard it will be to split the cases. I'll know soon!

I'll keep you posted on my progress. I'm thinking this is going to go one of two ways. Either I actually, somehow manage to get things running and will probably keep the bike or someone buys a box of Seca Turbo parts cheap!

Greg

 

LOL, good luck with it! Wish I would have been able to snag it back a couple months ago. My guess is you'll get it running and will absolutely love it!! :wink: