Hey guys, Im obsessing over a 84 R80 G/S with 75000 miles nearby. Its around $3000. I know its a question with many answers, but what kind of service life could I see out of this bike with 75k miles? It looks to be in very good condition, and runs fine, but anyone can polish a turd. On the other hand, I am mechanically inclined and dont mind engine rebuilds if necessary,... Any advice would be welcomed!
OK, the hard truth is that many would pay $3K for a non-runner. I paid a bit less than that for my non-running G/S and then spent quite a bit as the transmission, final drive, heads and other systems required rebuilds. If the bike looks decent, runs and drives well and has maintenance history it is underpriced If it looks decent, runs and drives ok and has no history and has no obvious mechanical defects it is underpriced If it doesn't run, but looks great, underpriced Doesn't run and is rough and/or incompletemotor is free.... 50/50 being a deal or a dog
In short, polished or not, that turd is worth landing in. A running presentable g/s goes for $4K and up. You've saved the $1000 you will shortly spend fixing it up.
Buy that shit or I'll be on the next flight to Philly. Seriously though, as long as it's not a complete rot pile, you could probably flip it for a quick grand no problem if you don't end up wanting it. The problem is that if it gets its claws into you, it could end up costing you. With that kind of mileage it's probably time for heads and trans to be rebuilt. They can go longer though. I'd rather have an R80G/S with miles on it than one that sat for decades. I've seen a G/S w/ 400,000+ miles on it being ridden around the world 2 up with nothing but a head rebuild and a trans rebuild in its history. You mentioned that you like wrenching, well these bikes are a pleasure to work on. Everything is out in the open and easy to get to.
buy it, I gave $3,500 for one with 94K, hesitated buying it due to miles. Good amount of wear but well maintained. Ended up doing the heads and tranny around $2,800 for that, dropped more on charging upgrade forks rear shock. I could probably get what I've got in it, but wouldn't sell as I enjoy riding and working on the old pig.
mine has 250K plus and I wouldn't sell it for that! They don't make em anymore, and never will again.
No I didnt. Surprisingly I won an auction for another one in NYC a few days later at a great price...The first guy sold it before I could get it.
Not yet, unfortunately... I haven't spoken with them since Saturday. Their website is down, and their phones are disconnected. The island is a mess right now. The shop is a few blocks from the dangling construction crane on 57th St, so im guessing the road closure has forced them to close for the week. But this is all a guess having not heard from them.
