DannyMotor
Blood, sweat and beers.
As many of you know I just picked up a 1976 RD400 in Geneva Green... basically a mouse-house for 10+ years under a tarp outside. Ive got it stripped down to the point that I know it's worth fixing up... good compression, 100% complete, no glaring issues...
My conundrum is on what to do with it. I'm a perfectionist... which is why I stay away from restorations and stick to resto-mods instead... Custom paint, graphics, etc... chop the frame... you get the idea. BUT, this is a unique bike, a good candidate for resto, but it needs a frame-up, nut-and-bolt resto... I'm talking strip the paint and start over.
I, personally, would like to paint what needs it.. leave the tins and accesories as they are and just get a solid rider/survivor out of it... BUT... part of me wants to chop it.
At this point, I dont know if its a keeper or a flipper, so the least amount of investment is preferred... I paid $200 for the bike and it needs $250 in parts before I even start to tear it down (gaskets, seals, m/c rebuild kits, grips, mirrors, brake pads, hardware, battery, etc...) And who knows if it wont need pistons, rings, points, condensor, oil pump... etc once its gotten into... and I know it will eventually need tires, brake lines, and other rubber parts as well...
So, lets say I get into this for $1200 price of the bike included... in a worst-case scenario.. and it still hasnt been painted, or been customized or hopped up... just maintained, repaired, running and roadworthy... would I get my money back?
Another worry is that 2strokes may be outlawed in a few years.. lol.
I know im thinking myself into a circle here, but lend me some direction.
Everyone says "its yours, do what you want with it" but is this more of an investment piece, or a blank canvas?
Thanks in advance!
My conundrum is on what to do with it. I'm a perfectionist... which is why I stay away from restorations and stick to resto-mods instead... Custom paint, graphics, etc... chop the frame... you get the idea. BUT, this is a unique bike, a good candidate for resto, but it needs a frame-up, nut-and-bolt resto... I'm talking strip the paint and start over.
I, personally, would like to paint what needs it.. leave the tins and accesories as they are and just get a solid rider/survivor out of it... BUT... part of me wants to chop it.
At this point, I dont know if its a keeper or a flipper, so the least amount of investment is preferred... I paid $200 for the bike and it needs $250 in parts before I even start to tear it down (gaskets, seals, m/c rebuild kits, grips, mirrors, brake pads, hardware, battery, etc...) And who knows if it wont need pistons, rings, points, condensor, oil pump... etc once its gotten into... and I know it will eventually need tires, brake lines, and other rubber parts as well...
So, lets say I get into this for $1200 price of the bike included... in a worst-case scenario.. and it still hasnt been painted, or been customized or hopped up... just maintained, repaired, running and roadworthy... would I get my money back?
Another worry is that 2strokes may be outlawed in a few years.. lol.
I know im thinking myself into a circle here, but lend me some direction.
Everyone says "its yours, do what you want with it" but is this more of an investment piece, or a blank canvas?
Thanks in advance!