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Post by patrick on Dec 1, 2019 16:29:06 GMT 1
Hello all - i am at a cross roads with my 1984 Rz350 LC2 and could really do with some advice.
I bought the bike from an importer 2 years ago with all the correct paperwork and it looked pretty good - truth be told I paid too much for it I reckon, but at the time couldn't find anything better for cheaper. I have since bought a whole stack of parts, some have been fitted and some not, but the things I have done are, new higgspeed exhausts, new ISS rear shock, I have a good set of clocks, rd 350 31k uncut loom. A decent set of unmolested wheels and fitted new tyres, an unmolested clean fuel tank, A genuine new ignition, fuel cap and set lock set with keys plus a load more bits like brake lines, oil tank, banshee coils etc etc etc - you get the picture.
My problem is, I am taking no pleasure from trying to convert this into a running bike - what I really wanted was a bike to ride and should have really bought a restored bike, but foolishly thought I could save some money doing it this way. I have probably spent the equivalent value already on this and its still needs some more elbow grease and painting.
My questions are - If I tried to sell what sort of money should I be looking for? How much labour cost do pros charge to finish these kind of projects off (I know this is quite open ended) but I am looking for an average? Is it best to break it and sell the parts?
All advice welcome.
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Post by earthman on Dec 1, 2019 17:06:40 GMT 1
Surely the best solution would be to get stuck in and finish it yourself? You say 'no pleasure' and I'm sure that many others have said the same during their builds, you just have to take some time out now and then I guess.
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Post by veg on Dec 1, 2019 17:22:43 GMT 1
Patrick value wise it will be seen as a non runner irrespective of how many new parts you have. If you realise must sell it then sell all the new bits separately yes you won’t get what you paid but should manage to offset some of the costs then sell the bike on eBay hoping that a bidding war ensues. Or as earth man said finish, if you can’t do it yourself seek advice from other members or use one of the recommended builders on here. We all generally get to a point where we become disillusioned during a build Christ the amount of times I’ve nearly sold early but perseverance is the thing get it done then maybe sell it?
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Post by liffy16 on Dec 1, 2019 17:26:02 GMT 1
Doing a 250lc project myself from a basket case and I am now at the point of trying to get the electrics sorted which I hate and wished I too had bought a complete bike to start with. The tank that came with the project which I thought was good is also rotten so I'm at a bit of a low point at the moment but I think I Will take a bit some time out and build some motivation up and attack it again
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Post by cb250g5 on Dec 1, 2019 17:28:37 GMT 1
Have you considered PXing it (with some £) for a completed bike?
I have a TDR, fully finished, that I should get round to selling, and am always up for a project.
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Post by madmick on Dec 1, 2019 17:29:04 GMT 1
Buying these bikes already completed is the best way as parts are very expensive, even small parts you never think of!!
The market for these bikes seem very slow and quite at the moment. I wouldn’t of thought you would like to pay a professional bike builder to finish it off for you... that could be financial suicide.
Put it up for sale at a price you would like and see... you never know.
M.M.
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Post by huggy76 on Dec 1, 2019 18:45:29 GMT 1
Patrick, where abouts are you, you never know there could be a forum member that would be willing to help out. Nice to build a bike with someone else paying for the bits. 😜🏍👍
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Post by veg on Dec 1, 2019 19:14:55 GMT 1
Says he is in Northamptonshire but that could be as far down as Bedford or north as Leicester I’m on Northamptonshire Leicestershire border if any help?
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Post by patrick on Dec 1, 2019 19:34:08 GMT 1
I am in East Northamptonshire, between Northampton and Peterborough.
Thanks for comments so far gives me some thoughts. The one thing that is sure though is that I don't want to keep going with it. Turns out I much prefer riding and I hardly even have time for that these days.
Did a few bikes when I was a youngster and I guess I was hoping that it would be nostalgic ....
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Post by midlifecrisisrd on Dec 1, 2019 19:45:39 GMT 1
To give us an indication of how viable and best option how much does the whole lot owe you?
Steve
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Post by earthman on Dec 1, 2019 19:52:39 GMT 1
Buying these bikes already completed is the best way as parts are very expensive, even small parts you never think of!! The market for these bikes seem very slow and quite at the moment. I wouldn’t of thought you would like to pay a professional bike builder to finish it off for you... that could be financial suicide. Put it up for sale at a price you would like and see... you never know. M.M. To be fair, I think that first sentence would apply to any make/model of vehicle really,.....only buy 'projects' if you enjoy the challenge of building them.
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jh002
L plate rider.
Posts: 37
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Post by jh002 on Dec 1, 2019 20:05:26 GMT 1
Is the bike stripped or mostly together? If frame is acceptable to you then put it back together in sections. Do the back end one weekend front end next & so on. Once it’s together & starts you can always take off individual parts to get them up to your standard. Eg do 1 fork get it done put it back on. Even if the 2 look different at that moment at least everytime you open the door it’s complete.
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Post by allspeeds on Dec 1, 2019 20:18:13 GMT 1
If you feel that way, sell it ,take the hit , buy a finished one and get on with your life. Ebay will get it sold.
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Post by alankelly on Dec 1, 2019 21:33:12 GMT 1
Hi Patrick
Sorry to hear about your project and how you feel
To be honest I think most of us during a restoration have hit plenty of low points and no doubt we all have spent more on the rebuild thinking it would have been maybe more cost effective to buy a restored bike
My yellow bike took over two years and had plenty of low points as like finding the actual bike was a lot worse than the eBay photos and on stripping down finding the frame was a cut and shut meaning the only way forward was to source a replacement but in the end the result was a bike that I knew from the wheels up was correctly restored and no bodges hidden by any previous owner
And in the end the bike I now have is something to be proud of and I can now look back and say even though I had no RD knowledge at the start with the help of the guys on the forum “I did that”
What ever decision you make good luck
Best wishes always Al
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Post by nobby62 on Dec 1, 2019 21:51:54 GMT 1
if you’re trying to sell it get some pictures in the for sale section....plenty of people looking for winter projects at the mo...although most will be looking for bargains.. good luck whatever you decide!
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Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
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Post by Deleted on Dec 1, 2019 22:19:06 GMT 1
The vultures are already circling.....
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Post by midlifecrisisrd on Dec 1, 2019 22:28:50 GMT 1
The vultures are already circling..... Not me, my beaks wired, I'm on a diet 🤣 Steve
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Post by veg on Dec 1, 2019 22:31:36 GMT 1
Where’s the bear?
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Post by Yogi on Dec 1, 2019 22:35:53 GMT 1
Shitting in the woods ,obviously 😂 Watching and waiting🙄
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Post by alankelly on Dec 1, 2019 22:39:42 GMT 1
Maybe he is hibernating 😀
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Post by Yogi on Dec 1, 2019 22:41:04 GMT 1
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Post by alankelly on Dec 1, 2019 22:43:44 GMT 1
Oops wrong “bear”
Sorry Matt
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Post by veg on Dec 1, 2019 22:44:45 GMT 1
He is more Kung fu panda when it comes to pv’s silent slightly bald n over weight assassin of the night, a two stroke ninja. He will claim poverty and indifference or some such nonsense then in a months time there will be another build thread of something he just happened to come across.
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Post by Yogi on Dec 1, 2019 22:47:36 GMT 1
He is more Kung fu panda when it comes to pv’s silent slightly bald n over weight assassin of the night, a two stroke ninja. He will claim poverty and indifference or some such nonsense then in a months time there will be another build thread of something he just happened to come across. Pmsl,I’m not even slightly going bald ya t**t🖕 The rest of it ya spot on though 🤣🤣🤣
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Post by veg on Dec 1, 2019 22:49:14 GMT 1
Just the light reflecting off your head sorry mate
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Post by earthman on Dec 1, 2019 22:52:02 GMT 1
in the end the result was a bike that I knew from the wheels up was correctly restored and no bodges hidden by any previous owner And in the end the bike I now have is something to be proud of and I can now look back and say even though I had no RD knowledge at the start with the help of the guys on the forum “I did that” Very valid points for going down the restore it yourself route.
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Post by Yogi on Dec 1, 2019 22:54:01 GMT 1
Just the light reflecting off your head sorry mate I can’t show interest as you well know veg 🤔 I always get shafted behind the scenes if I do😡 and no I haven’t sent a sneaky pm
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jh002
L plate rider.
Posts: 37
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Post by jh002 on Dec 1, 2019 23:00:01 GMT 1
in the end the result was a bike that I knew from the wheels up was correctly restored and no bodges hidden by any previous owner And in the end the bike I now have is something to be proud of and I can now look back and say even though I had no RD knowledge at the start with the help of the guys on the forum “I did that” Very valid points for going down the restore it yourself route. Stick with it otherwise you could sell to buy an unknown & be back to sq 1
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Post by alankelly on Dec 1, 2019 23:10:11 GMT 1
Very valid points for going down the restore it yourself route. Stick with it otherwise you could sell to buy an unknown & be back to sq 1 Yes totally agree with the above Like I said earlier I had no RD experience whatsoever ever when I bough the mess all I knew was I wanted a RD that I knew was sorted so to speak And to be honest if it was not for the encouragement, help and advice on the forum when I had a problem and needed help and there were plenty of them I am sure it still would be a project in progress or I would have just given up And Patrick you decide to stick to it, am sure in the end you will be glad you did even though at the moment the project has stalled Best wishes always Al
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Post by veg on Dec 1, 2019 23:24:23 GMT 1
So many on here have helped and encouraged me when my builds have stalled, and there is nothing better than the first time you start your own build that sense of anticipation followed by absolute joy. It will be worth it in the end and there are many in here to help you out. I’m near Market Harborough if you’re Kettering oundle way happy to try and help you.
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