Great find - as far as value,
it all depends on the level of restoration. To me, the market over the last 5 years or so definitely prefers original bikes.
Before you go to far, I'd catalog all the parts and see what you are missing before stripping any paint. I found a sandcast a few years back that was impossibly complete. The only parts that I had to find were side covers, mirrors and emblem. Now - the bike was a rust bucket, the pipes were there and original, but not useable. I still kept them with the bike. I disassembled the entire bike and cleaned it thoroghly with kerosene. It is suprising how good they look if they are just cleaned. I got her running but I had to throw some re-pop HM300s on there (when you could still get them) There is a thread here if you get bored.
http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=96394.0 I got $15k for it pretty easily. Find the necessary parts, get her running and then make a decision.
If you restore it, you will have a hard time getting 30k for it unless you could find a motor in the correct range AND it is restored to a very high level - you can't skimp. The guys the buy these usually know what they are getting into. Vic World can get $30k for a restoration. MarkB, can get $30k for his when he is finished. Those prices will go up as we get farther away from 1969. You should really read through his (MarkB) thread to know the level of detail necessary for a high dollar resto - he obviously has the patience, dicipline and the attention to detail that will command a very high value. It is one of the best build threads on this forum.
http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=79183.0I see too many so-called restorations where the people just paint things, but don't really spend the time to find chromers/platers that can replicate the original look with the
original parts. A half-arse restoration will get you a half-arse price. New bolts and screws are not original and have differences. You really have to document things thoroughly. You might find that you would profit more without restoring (just cleaning) it vs a proper restoration.
After all that, the thing I regret most in the last 10 years or so is selling mine. At the time I needed the cash. I wish I would have figured out a way to keep it. I look everyday without fail and doubt I will ever find one again - it haunts me. The farther we get from 1969, the harder it is going to be to find them.
Good decision to keep her.
Congrats Tango - been a while since somebody has found one here. I'll be watching.