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Author Topic: should I save this one?  (Read 1716 times)

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Offline lucas

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should I save this one?
« on: September 17, 2011, 10:57:40 AM »
I came across a cb4oo owned by a guy with too many projects.
He is thinking of selling...I was looking for a parts bike but mine is running really well.
Thinking of picking it up as a project.
It looks like it needs alot and there are a couple things I'm not sure about.
I'll apologize in advance for not taking pictures.

First off, the engine is siezed.  This owner bought it as a projsct and says PO said that it was running until it was left sitting 10 years ago.  Spark plugs are not in the holes now...Does this spell doom?

Next, the spokes are wicked rusted.  Does this mean that the rims will be wicked on the inside?  Is it possible to have so much rust in a rime that it is ruined?  The outsides of the rims dont look bad, chrome is decent with some deep scratches.

Tank is weird.  He isnt sure about the year.  Sticker is missing on frame.  It is a blue tank (75?)  It has the same cap like a 75 or 76 but the tank looks bigger somehow and it has those rubber knee cushions...could this be from another bike?  year?  Did the cushions come on any 400's?  are they aftermarket?  The tank looks good inside although the inside of the cap is rusty.  There is a large but gentle dint in the front right side...could I pull it out?

Gauges look good on the outside.  There is a little rust inside the face around a screw.  Would this mean the body inside is ruined?  How could I tell if it is working?

Headers are rusty.  Anychance that the rust can be cleaned of the chrome?  the header and collector is intact.  The muffler has a hole on the underside just past where it is fastened to the collector.  Can this be fixed?  It would be out of sight...

Other than that the forks are gouged, i can feel and see scoring on them.
The seat pan feels not bad...but the key is missing so I couldnt really take a good look and therefore didnt see the airbox...Should the airbox be ok?  The clucth cable was not conneted....bad news? 

What do you think?  To much hassle?  parts bike?  try to make it go?  price? 
Any advice would be appreciated.
Thanks

Lucas
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Offline jonboycox

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Re: should I save this one?
« Reply #1 on: September 17, 2011, 11:01:02 AM »
Sounds like you should save it but be prepared for major overhaul of the engine! Rusty cylinder walls are bad news.
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Offline 78whiteorbs

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Re: should I save this one?
« Reply #2 on: September 17, 2011, 11:18:22 AM »
Junk bike good for parts- move on to a less crustier fix er upper, you'll build your confidence up more this way .Do a few and maybe then find something special to you to raise from the dead. Otherwise ,doomed before you start.
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Offline Johnie

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Re: should I save this one?
« Reply #3 on: September 17, 2011, 11:32:29 AM »
Agreed...you said it all and did a nice job of laying it all out. Sounds like a parts bike only. You would have some real issues here. Find something in better condition. They are out there.
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Offline Stev-o

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Re: should I save this one?
« Reply #4 on: September 17, 2011, 01:42:44 PM »
You could easily spend $1500 getting it roadworthy, you'd probably be better off buying a bike in better cond.
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Offline Danno

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Re: should I save this one?
« Reply #5 on: September 17, 2011, 05:43:41 PM »
ran once my foot , so what did the PO leave it sitting outside under a downspout the plugs being gone are a bad sign IMHO it is only good for parts and if you don't need any don't waste your money
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Offline Grnrngr

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Re: should I save this one?
« Reply #6 on: September 17, 2011, 06:28:52 PM »
Heh..when I  saw "engine seized/ no plugs" I thought it would be a serious work out, then I went back and read the whole post again, I'm not sure it's even a decent parts bike. Forks are junk, no key, plugs were out (for the whole 10 yrs?) so the top is probably solid rust, water could leak down past the rings, bottom end could be junk too. Wheels might clean up but rusty spokes ...how rusty? some rust brushes right off, but if they're pitted, it could be risky if not dangerous. On the other hand, a titled frame can be valuable..is it titled? even with a title, I'd probably walk..$50 maybe, $100 if you want it really bad...sounds like a lotta work for a few parts, but no title and the manufacture plate gone... is the license plate there?, might actually be a problem best avoided.
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Offline lucas

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Re: should I save this one?
« Reply #7 on: September 17, 2011, 08:12:41 PM »
Probably good advice all.
Seems like he said he pulled the plugs a while ago and filled the engine with rust check rust inhibitor. Then covered the bike up.
Not sure why he didn't put the plugs back in.
The spokes were pitted. Have to be redone.
I guess it seems like a bad idea to pay more than a few bucks for this one.
 
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