Hello all,
I bought this bike 5 years ago. It was an impulse buy (long story.) It had a salvaged title, but ran well and I used it as daily transportation for a little over 2 years. The previous owners had replaced the clutch and did a spline lube (I was shown receipts but not pics of their work). The throw-out bearing (I believe?) always made some noise with clutch disengaged but I never had a problem with shifts. My intent was to have it as a project to restore back to nice condition. Unfortunately I (still) live in an apartment and have nowhere to work on it. Even changing brake pads or oil is enough to receive complaints from my apt owner and the neighbors (Californians can be odd...) I have replaced some minor items. Starter solenoid, the rubber fuel pump sheath, fluids/gear oil/pads and a googol of other smaller things. The bike never gave me trouble so there was no need to delve deeper into it.
The bike has always run well. Unfortunately I injured my neck a few years ago and had to stop riding for over a year. I then acquired an old turbo diesel mercedes for transportation and she has dominated my attention. The bike has sat for almost 2 years. It starts right up, but the brakes have faded to near nothing. I rode it a bit about 2 months ago and the front brakes came back to life a bit. As of today they have faded away again. The rear MS is leaking and in need rebuild or replacement. I'm not certain the story of the front brakes. It could be the calipers are stuck or the MS is kaput.
I live near the ocean and the bike is suffering from that. The frame and many areas have too much surface rust. It needs a left turn signal lens, the seat leather is torn, the left front fairing has damage, the belly pan has a crack in it, and the aforementioned brake issue. I've never noticed any oil leaks, however when changing the oil the belly pan was not clean.
I know, it sounds like a major mess but really has a lot of potential. I'm sure you guys know the story. It's a 25 yr old machine. I'm a perfectionist so I could type for days about all the things that require attention. The bike could have the brakes brought back to life and ridden as is for thousands of miles, but really needs a solid going over. My hope was that by now I would have my own garage and be able to tear the bike down and put it back together in a manner it deserves. Anyone with such access and some savvy could turn it around relatively easily. And to be honest, if the brakes were working fine I would be riding it again myself. I just can't afford to make it happen properly and don't like the idea of it sitting and rotting away. It is driving me mad not being able to work on it. I hate the idea of giving it up but the time has come. The bike is at a pivotal point. The odometer reads 39,000 and change. It also has sidebags (non-locking, in decent shape, few scuffs). Tires have plenty of tread. Located in San Diego (Ocean Beach).
If anyone is looking for nice wintertime project to put in their garage and provide excuse for meditative restoration and/or excuse to spend some quality alone time away from their significant other, please consider this "gem". ha.
I am honestly not sure what the value of this bike is. To me it is obviously worth more than most would think. But I am biased since I've ridden it for years and know the good and bad of it intimately. With the brakes remedied I would ride it anywhere. It's never given me a problem other than the starter solenoid. That said, I also know that to get the bike up to speed would require a decent amount of effort. It's not a bike that you could bring to a mechanic in San Diego. Which is part of the reason I've been stuck. I did not realize motorcycle mechanics in this town charge neurosurgeon rates.
$1350 and it's yours. Unless of course a bidding war on ebay commences, then it's anyone's guess... (powerball odds)
p/s
I should note that I have not changed the front brake fluid. Yeah, I know.. I can hear the consternation. I deserve it. The previous owner had stripped one of the screws on the master cylinder and after my injury, and the costs of such an injury existing sans health insurance put me in the poor house, the bike sat and I never got around to it.
