i've been lurking on the boards for a week now. i decided to buy a 78 550k that's been sitting in the garage of my apt complex for "about 3 years, i think." when it was parked, it ran. it turns over now, very easily it seems to me.
let me say this is a wealth of knowledge that i will shamelessly steal from for years and then hopefully add a bit to.
the bike in question was parked and left because the PO said there was a "damn fast oil leak that i thought would be expensive to repair." turns out the wonderful fellow had lost one of two bolts that holds the header/exhaust assembly onto the exhaust valve. i told him that he prob damaged the cylinder and he said "hell, you can have it. i know what it's worth, $300." it's now at $100.
Right, so the bike is as dirty as a 16 year old's mouth but not too much rust or damage as far as i can tell. one of the rubber boots that leads from the air box to the carb is rotted, which i understand can be had from the davidsilversomething.co.uk site. the tires are done, and the chain is rusty.
my question is this: a local shop, when told of the above problems, told me that they could get it running for $500 (carb, tires, etc), and i called bull#$%*. mechanics and patrons chimed in. I dont' have a garage to work on it right now, i live in a apt with a dark garage and mean owner who patrols it. i got yelled at for changing my car's oil.
what would y'all think is a reasonable estimate to get it running? could i do it for under $1k (which is what my fiancee finally agreed to for the project's initial "investment")?
thanks for helping me out. I'm located in Culver City @ national and robertson if anyone's near and wants to see my (soon-to-be) prized bike.
