78 Yamaha - worth repairing?

 Hi - I can get my hands on a pretty good shape 1978 Yamaha 500 twin, not
currently running. I am thinking about a "winter project" to have it
ready for my other half so she can ride with me, I currently own a 98
VVulcan 1500. If she doesn't I could always keep my baby for weekends
and ride this back & forth from work in gatineau. I can get it cheap I
think its worth the effort, not too much money to buy or sink into and
will help me maybe quit smoking cigs to boot!
Anyone know approx. what this lil gem maybe worth once re conditioning
takes place and a good elbow grease cleaning job? Just curious not
thinking about selling for a little while.

Thanks a lot,

Bruce

Four wheels haul your body
Two wheels haul your soul

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Skaidawg wrote:

 Any bike is worth rehabbing, though not all are a pot of gold waiting
to be sold. I would venture a guess that it's worth at least 5-8
hundred in good running shape, maybe a lot more if you really like it
after it's done.

 I recently got a Honda CT200 for free and it was in "really bad
shape". Two weekends of relaxing work in the garage proved it to be a
800 dollar diamond in the rough, more if I replace a few parts with
shinier new ones. I rode it around for awhile and decided it was worth
more to ride. Now if someone were to offer me a thousand for it......

 
Bike Guy Joe wrote:

Well said. Same goes for cars. Not to go OT, but my buddy just got rid
of I think an 84 Nissan Sentra little box car. Looked showroom and just
needed *all* the maintenance stuff- tires, brakes, complete tuneup,
some very minor trim pieces. He got rid of it, not wanting to bother
with it. And without consulting me! The nerve....

On that Yammie, Skaidawg, go for it, but realize that it'll be worth
more to you than to buyers. Around here, just about any vintage UJM is
worth a grand come summertime. But, it's your baby that you
resurrected. Parts are affordable and your labor is free. Good luck,
just try not to spend the kids' milk money.

 Thanks Biker Guy Joe - exactly what original owner said and agree 100%
don't spend too many $$$ on it. I already have a 1998 1500 Vulcan
Classic running fine, still in laneway & running on sunny days :( it's
NOT my only bike, this 500 was going to be a winter project and like
somebody said in here any bike is worth it. if it's yours!! Yeah all I
want to do is see if I can get 500 breathing again and if it runs for
couple months hell I am happy. Tryin' to quit smoking what better excuse
to tell her this may help me break the habit getting frustrated on an
old cycle may drive me to two packs/day!! Also, Teach my better half how
to ride so when she gets a new used bike she really wants she will be
comfortable, could always be worst could of been a 350 Honda four!!
hahaha Checking out suppliers now shouldn't be too much problem getting
parts but I have my eyes wide open and expect the worst in this
department, waiting & waiting for parts. Thanks again.
Bruce Anderson



Four wheels haul your body
Two wheels haul your soul

--
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If the bike will be for your wife, you might want to think about replacement
rear springs and shocks.  The '74 TX500 I owned in the 70's was a great
bike - but the rear suspension had the resiliency of cement.  I mounted a
pair of Koni shocks & discovered that there was no difference because of the
inordinately high spring rate (something like 130lbs./inch as I recall).  At
that time, I weighed about 165 and couldn't compress the springs enough to
bring the shocks into play so I finally replaced the stock springs with
90lb. springs designed for a dirt bike.  The bright yellow springs looked
pretty weird on the blue bike, but I got a comfortable ride and enjoyed a
trip from Maryland to south Florida and back.  Also, be careful not to over
tighten the cam chain adjuster - don't ask me how I know!

Tom K.