Looking great!
This was an interesting vid on resurrection of an FJ1200. He painted a good picture of “is it worth it?” Those are surely great bikes.
As I recall, he bought a very nice bike. It didn’t even need a battery. Only fuel issue, tank and carbs. 14.5 hours, because he’s a professional.Only problems I see with the BM video and some of the others are they allow someone to underestimate just how much work and time is involved in getting a "barn find" roadworthy. They only tend to focus on getting the engine running and then a short test ride. The things they do to "get it running" is helpful IMO for the person selling the bike to show it "could run". But do these videos make someone think that they can buy a barn find bike and get away with a weekend of work to make it "road worthy"? For those here , not likely, but others ? Maybe, and does that then reduce the inventory of "stored for years, does not run" bikes for people like me who want to restore them to road worthyness just for the hobby of it.
Before getting this year's project bike (my '78 XS650 Special), I almost pulled the trigger on 2 other bikes and the owners felt they had more than they had and one guy even mentioned "that guy on the internet got a bike running in one day". I feel people underestimate the time and $ that SHOULD go into the bike.
As I recall, he bought a very nice bike. It didn’t even need a battery. Only fuel issue, tank and carbs. 14.5 hours, because he’s a professional.
Yes. He gets them running to make a video. I'm sure he goes no further. The money is in the video. He makes no claim about restoration. The Triumph Thunderbird has done an encore appearance. Am glad he did what he did with the FJ.Sorry, I Meant to say "Only problems I see with the BM videoS"
Not the bike in that video but man of his other videos and other you tubers that do the same.
I only dream of getting that much...but will never recoup my labor, pretty much just cost of replacement parts.
Due to all of the extra holes the PO drilled into the swimgarm,
Also photo of the shock from rider bike
What the heck did he drill holes in the swing arm for?
Interesting, that little chain drive set up for making adjustments.
Buying a parts bike , sure was a smart decision. I can’t tell you how much I paid to buy lots of used parts for my XS2, from EBay. I probably would’ve been better off to buy a parts bike as you did.
Raymond, thank you! Almost never do you hear "good investment" referring to our motorbikes!Sounds like the $900 was a good investment!
It’s far cheaper than hanging out in a bar. In my case, it’s cheaper than golf and cheaper than the hunting club membership.Raymond, thank you! Almost never do you hear "good investment" referring to our motorbikes!
My brother bought an XS1100 when they first came out. Had it dressed for touring. Had it 3 months before it was totaled. He was riding outside of Carlsbad NM and was passing an 18 wheeler with a flatbed trailer (like the ones you see hauling big equipment like bulldozers). He got half way past it and the trailer disconnected and swung around and took him out. He found out the trucking company had a terrible safety record with lots of lawsuits against it. He ended up getting a new bike that was paid off. Rough way to get a free bike.I have two XS1100SGs, besides the one I drive. An XS1100 Special appears to currently have less value than an XS650.