Worth restoration? Tearing motor down (photos)

mips · Post by **mips** » Thu Dec 27, 2012 7:18 pm

As mentioned in my last thread, I have a '65 CL77 (as well as a cl77 and '68 77) that I had wanted to restore. The frame will need to be repaired, although it looks like another member may have some mounts he could cut and send to me.

The motor was frozen up, but I got it apart today using Bill Silver's steering wheel press technique. As I got it apart, I am noticing that the bottom end of the motor has some rust in it. The bearings, as you can see in the photos, appear to be toast. The crank and rod both have some rust (as you can see in the photos). I haven't cracked open the center case yet.

There is nothing particularly good about the bike. No pipes, rims aren't so good, will need pretty much everything. I have a tank that will need to be blasted and hopefully it will work. I do have a good seat. I've maybe $100 into the bike and it has a clear title, but previous owner passed away and bought it from the previous owner's family member. It is not signed over to me. It is a '65 and one of the first 5000 produced AFAIK (1004583).

I am a full-time graduate student who does this to make a few extra $$ doing something I enjoy in my little amount of spare time. I am worried that this might be a bike that will cost more to restore than it will be worth finished. Any ideas or input? I was wondering if the year might make it worth restoring. If i don't restore it, it will be sold as a project locally or on ebay ... I won't scrap it.

I have new NOS pistons, sleeves, rings, points, valves, and a number of other parts that I got when I bought a few bikes. Should I use these on this bike or should I save these new parts for another project??

G-Man · Post by **G-Man** » Fri Dec 28, 2012 3:04 am

If you are trying to make money on this then I think you probably already know the answer, but it's not going to be too much more work to strip the bottom end and see how it feels.

The bearings may not be that bad but I would assume the worst.

I do my bikes for therapy so don't have to worry about financial issues when I do them. Its just for fun.

The engine or chassis number is not really going to add to the value.

I think I would search for another project before you sink into the money pit.

G

jensey · Post by **jensey** » Fri Dec 28, 2012 3:13 am

Why do people think that one can make money from restoring bikes ?
The only way you can do that is to be paid by the hour to restore someone else their bike and do a good job.

So much bikes are butchered (done by people with not much experience) for the money, I hate to see that, examples everywhere.

G-Man · Post by **G-Man** » Fri Dec 28, 2012 9:22 am

Jensen

I learned that there are two ways to make money out of buying and selling bikes. If it is complete but in very poor condition - sell it as a project.

If everything is in nice condition, take it apart and sell the pieces.

Like you say, the best way is to be paid by the hour to work on other peoples' bikes. That would drive me crazy as people would never pay me enough to do the job properly.

For me - it's just therapy. And that is priceless......

G

G-Man · Post by **G-Man** » Fri Dec 28, 2012 9:23 am

Jensen

I learned that there are two ways to make money out of buying and selling bikes. If it is complete but in very poor condition - sell it as a project.

If everything is in nice condition, take it apart and sell the pieces.

Like you say, the best way is to be paid by the hour to work on other peoples' bikes. That would drive me crazy as people would never pay me enough to do the job properly.

For me - it's just therapy. And that is priceless......

G

mips · Post by **mips** » Fri Dec 28, 2012 9:58 am

I suppose I'll just sell it. I wanted to do a frame up ... But I'm not wanting to chase down a new crank/rod etc. I guess ill check the bearings before I commit.

I've had success restoring and selling bikes over the past year. Not a ton of cash, but enough to keep doing it. More importantly I enjoy it. Shoot .. id keep these bikes i fix if i could afford to.I've only lost money on one bike (sold it on eBay two days before Christmas) and want to avoid doing that again. The safe thing is indeed to work on other's bikes, but I have these three (now two?) scrambler projects I need to complete ... And one of 'em I hope to keep.

G-Man · Post by **G-Man** » Fri Dec 28, 2012 12:53 pm

Mips

If you've had any success at all then you are ahead compared with most of us. If you get enjoyment as well then that is an added bonus.

Good Luck

G