QUICK DECISION !!

crazy_eights

crazy_eights

Don't ride faster than your angel can fly
I need some help making an investment decision for 2 - 1980 yamaha XS650's,

One with ownership complete and one in a box 80% complete

BUT ... both engines are seized. The price for the package is $400.

Is it worth the investment? Or the seized engines are a deal breaker and not worth the money if i have to rebuild.

Thank you in advance for your imput
 
If they were mid 70's models with the shouldered alloy rims, you'd be in OK shape but it sounds like they're 16 inch rear mag bikes, and wheels can be the most expensive part of a bike restoration.
 
A cool little project for yourself, sounds like a decent deal.


As an investment? no way.


In the wide world of old motorcycles, less then 5% of them are even break-even investment wise.


Best of luck!
 
Sounds like your getting a decent deal. However I don't think they are worth much more than what your paying.

If you do an insta-flip or ebay, you might be able to double your money as-is. If you could free at least one of the engines quickly and cheap, you'll come out ahead.

Also depends on where you live and how much they are in demand. I live in Los Angeles and they are expensive here
 
The one with the ownership i was thinking of doing a cafe racer, the one without (i hope i can get that registered) i wanted to make a bobber out of it. Living in Canada, the prices of bikes are twice as much as they are in the states. You can make really good money importing bikes into Canada.

The first cafe i built was last winter , a CB450, payed 400 for it, spend another 1000 in parts and accessories and sold it this fall for 3200. The first bike i rebuilt, two years ago, was a 2003 Yamaha R6 (bought for 500) that my buddy crashed and i rebuilt, mostly cosmetic stuff but sold for 5300. If i make a good budget and stick to it, it should work out, my problem is that i've never dealt with seized engines before.

I can put in the work if it's just elbow grease, and i work as a mechanical designer for a machine shop so honing or re-boring wouldn't be an issue. (cost me a box of doughnuts ) But if it's more than that and i spend 1000 just in parts for gears and crank shafts and pistons and rings.. etc. it's not worth it.
 
Your last statement is what I'm thinking too. Could be anything- surface rust in the cylinders to crankcase full of water, bent rods, or other terribly expensive stuff to replace. I'd probably pass unless you're up for a project and like to take risks
 
For $400 it's worth it just for the experience i'd get from taking them apart. i think i'm gonna get them and take it all apart, clean, blast, lube and assemble.

Thank you gentlemen for your input, i'll keep you posted with the progress and start a thread for the build.
 
crazy_eights said:
For $400 it's worth it just for the experience i'd get from taking them apart. i think i'm gonna get them and take it all apart, clean, blast, lube and assemble.

Thank you gentlemen for your input, i'll keep you posted with the progress and start a thread for the build.
Click to expand...

Bingo! Don't forget to clean after you blast ;)
 
crazy_eights said:
With good equipment ,safety precautions and excellent aim, clean-up is not required.
Click to expand...

No?
If you blast any engine parts and don't clean them REALLY well afterwards you're just asking for trouble. Same with anywhere a bearing sits (swingarm, neck, etc)

That being said, I'd buy them for sure.
 
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