What early 80s bikes are worth fixing up?

[tcoop]

I WANT.
I WANT.
I WANT.
I WANT.
I WANT.
I WANT.
I WANT.
I WANT.
I WANT.
I WANT.

XS850 triple, not that fast but WOW what a sound!

 

There have been a few in my area for sale

http://www.ksl.com/index.php?nid=218&ad=11172885&cat=144&lpid=&search=850

OK it's the special and not the standard, but it is the same engine.

[Gizmo]

fishball, your poking my soft spots. I sold this bike in 1991.



85 GS1150E. I would buy it back immediately. (150mph for real.)

But, if it's uniqueness and cash out, the CBX wins.

[hppants]

Gizmo - those suzuki bullet motors are practically indestructible.  Your was a real nice example.

[NiteRyder]

I like the Kawasaki GPZ series from the early 80's I have a GPZ 550 that I picked up for just about nothing, $150, complete running, but some mystery electrical problem. PO stated that he thought it needed a stator, but i just discovered the problem, coil for cyl. 2 & 3 is bad, just got around to testing it today and found improper resistance. The good, the PO did alot of R&R without troubleshooting so almost all the electrical is new, except for the coils. I just found a good set of coils that test out good, so after the holiday weekend I'll get it roadworthy.

My goal is to take the body parts and have them re-painted, and do a thorough cleaning. the rims were re-done by PO and the tires are less than 50 miles old. I just ordered the OEM decals and will sell this bike when i'm done with it, of course I will ride it for at least through the summer before I sell it. I like to get some use out of the bikes that I re-work before I sell them.

I think I'll pick up another NH after i sell the GPZ, I have really become attached to the 700s, and will be in the market for an 82 650, or a red & black 700s, to go with the blue and black 700s. Or if I find a RW&B CB1100F at a good price, I just may jump on that. But the used NH's seem to be just super affordable right now and are by far the best bang for the buck in the used bike market right now. Oh, I almost forgot, if i find a CB750F that is priced right, I'll consider that as well.

As for the early bikes that are worth fixing up, my list would be:

Any 650, 700s, or 750 NH
Any CBF 750, 900, or 1100
Any Suzuki GS 750, 850, or 1100
And any Kawi GPZ 550, 750, and if you can find one the 1100.

Of course those are just my opinions, but these bikes in good cosemetic and running condition seem to be very desirable.

If you really want to make some $$$ I picked up a 72 Triumph Bonneville for $1000, re-built it and sold it for $3750. It just needed new points & rectifier, I replaced the ignition with the Boyer and solved the ignition problems, total into it including purchase, $1200, nice tidy profit, and very easy to work on. That bike was a real attention getter, and drew a crowd everywhere i went on it.

[Mint85s]

my short list:
HAWKGT
NIGHTHAWK S
86 REBEL 450(ONLY MADE FOR 1 YEAR)
87 HONDA MAGNA 750(VERY RARE)
KAWI ZL1000
84RZ350
85RZ500
ECT....

[Brittles]

Maybe we should start looking at the late 60's bikes. Check out this 1969 CB750 Sandcast.........$33,000 and the reserve isn't even met. 



http://cgi.ebay.com/Honda-CB-VERY-RARE-SANDCAST-HONDA-ORIGINAL-445-MILE-SANDCAST-CB750-CB-750-1969-K0-/330450965682?cmd=ViewItem&pt=US_motorcycles&hash=item4cf06994b2

[JB1290]

It went for $41,100! Thats one expensive Honda!!!

[hppants]

It went for $41,100! Thats one expensive Honda!!!

I've read a couple of Honda coffee table books and from what I gather, an early sandcast cb750 is THE most expensive Honda now, but some say the CBX will someday top it.

I think a CB1100F would definitely worth fixing.  Here's an '81 that is sweet, IMO.  I'd like to talk with the owner for an hour and convince him/her to let me ride it.

[NiteRyder]

It went for $41,100! Thats one expensive Honda!!!

I've read a couple of Honda coffee table books and from what I gather, an early sandcast cb750 is THE most expensive Honda now, but some say the CBX will someday top it.

I think a CB1100F would definitely worth fixing.  Here's an '81 that is sweet, IMO.  I'd like to talk with the owner for an hour and convince him/her to let me ride it.

That CBF is one sweet bike.

[romzrx]

The 1100F was only made/imported in  US in  83 not sure about the rest of the world.I had five of them and I am down to two right now.

[texas-ss-tornado]

Any of the 80's muscle bikes are worth restoring, V65, VMAX, ZL900 and ZL1000 Eliminators, shoot, even the ugly Madura!   

[aedavis]

I will also go with the CB1100F.  Along with the Nighthawk S, I think they're the best looking Hondas ever.  The early Interceptors were a close second, especially the VFR1000.

[cooterdude]

probably a cb350 four

There is an old Honda 4 cylinder that is fairly collectable and rare from what I understand. But I can't remember which bike it is for sure. It was from the late 70's and I'm thinking it was a 350. Does that sound right?

probably a cb350 four i know where one is sitting
has a full plexy fairing and is verry rusty they would make awesome lil bobbers  

[llawmaster]

One bike that I still kick myself over not buying is the Yamaha XJ600, also known as the SECA II.  The riding position is really comfortable, and they're pretty rare.  After not buying the one that was for sale locally, I literally looked across the country trying to find one that was similar and came up with 0 results.

The fact that police departments in Europe used them is a big plus to me.



I know my example is a mid 90's bike, but it's "father" is from the 80's.  I just prefer the 90's variant.