jamesfacts
New member
I've been poking around looking for an airhead project, and I think I've come across a decent candidate. My vision is a mild restomod. I want to keep the stock drivetrain, but update the riding position, controls, color scheme, rolling stock. I like the character of the earlier bikes best, and I found a cheap starting point, a 1970 R75/5 that's been off the road for three decades.
Only challenge is... it's fully disassembled. Fully disassembled. Cylinders removed, bare frame, one wheel without spokes. I suspect the engine in particular is a lost cause since three decades of exposure to air have likely pitted all the sensitive surfaces. The owner wants $1,200 for this pile of parts and I imagine that's not too far off, considering their value as spares:
Questions:
1. Is it worth trying to rebuild a motor that was disassembled 30 years ago so the bike remains numbers matching? What will that cost? Or should I just look for another mill?
2. What must-have parts should I be looking for when I view this project? Obviously I need the transmission, driveshaft, swingarm... etc. Is there anything hard-to-find / replace? Do I care about original carbs, exhaust, brake levers?
3. Will I live to wish I just bought a fully-assembled bike to build?
4. Any quirks to be aware of when dealing with an early-production example? Can I verify the build data with a VIN?
Thanks very much! This would be my first airhead and I'm somewhat at a loss examining the potential here.
Only challenge is... it's fully disassembled. Fully disassembled. Cylinders removed, bare frame, one wheel without spokes. I suspect the engine in particular is a lost cause since three decades of exposure to air have likely pitted all the sensitive surfaces. The owner wants $1,200 for this pile of parts and I imagine that's not too far off, considering their value as spares:
Questions:
1. Is it worth trying to rebuild a motor that was disassembled 30 years ago so the bike remains numbers matching? What will that cost? Or should I just look for another mill?
2. What must-have parts should I be looking for when I view this project? Obviously I need the transmission, driveshaft, swingarm... etc. Is there anything hard-to-find / replace? Do I care about original carbs, exhaust, brake levers?
3. Will I live to wish I just bought a fully-assembled bike to build?
4. Any quirks to be aware of when dealing with an early-production example? Can I verify the build data with a VIN?
Thanks very much! This would be my first airhead and I'm somewhat at a loss examining the potential here.