To fix or not to fix

[Gazza]

Hello good fellows and fine ladies,

Coming back to the FJ home to get your opinions after being absent for many years.  Had lots of fun with y'all in the early days but then got lured by another brand, and although I faded away my good memories of the FJ community never did.

So anyway, my question is whether to repair the engine in my '89 or sell the bike as a non-runner.

I'm told that a valve job is needed and that the pricing will be $1,000 to $1,400.  So I'm left wondering if I'll be able to sell the repaired bike and recover my cost or if I'd be putting good money after bad.

The bike has 30,000 miles, I bought it from the original owner at 6,000 and then it received the full complement of chassis upgrades (YZF750 forks, Thunderace swingarm, Penske shock, big wheels, etc.) and Marc Rittner did the work.  It's shiny black and in great condition otherwise.

So what do you guys think I could get for the rolling chassis vs. what it would sell for complete and running?  I haven't kept up with FJ values but it seems like back in the day bikes with these upgrades and relatively low miles were going for around $4k.  Is that still the case?

Hello to all the old crew and thanks in advance for your thoughts!

[FJmonkey]

Why do you think it needs a valve job? A good carb clean and fresh gas and battery could get it running again. 4K might be a bit high even with the upgrades. Spend a few min in the bikes for sale section to get a feel for what sellers are asking for their FJs. http://www.fjowners.com/index.php?board=6.0

[Pat Conlon]

Hi Gary, welcome home. We missed you!

I hate to say this, but If you don't want to invest any sweat equity, with your mods, if you parted the bike out (like Marc did on his '93) you could probably get more money. I hate to see any FJ parted out.

The YZF750 front could get $300-500 depending on the fork internals. The YZF1000 Thunder Ace back end $200-300.
Assuming a Penske Sport shock $100-150. A Penske 2 way or 3 way, $300-500.

The balance of the frame/engine/fairing combo (depending on condition of tank and plastics) $600.

For a non-running roller (with all the mods, assuming a current Non Op. Calif title) $1,000 You'll take a hit on a non-running roller.

Take the head off and send it to RPM or drive it over to Poway and see Bill Cain: http://powaymotorcycle.com/SanDiego/
Reassemble, get her running with all systems correct, and sell it for $2,500-3,000 (assuming compression #'s are good and Fairing plastics are good)

This sounds disappointing but remember, time has marched on since you've modded your '89. The YZF750 forks used to be the cat's meeow but today the GSXR USD conversions are less expensive and easier and way more available than the YZF750 forks.

Currently, good clean well cared for, low mileage modded FJ's can be had for $2,500-$3,000 all day long.

Cheers laddie!   Pat

[red]

Hello
my question is whether to repair the engine in my '89 or sell the bike as a non-runner.  I'm told that a valve job is needed and that the pricing will be $1,000 to $1,400.  The bike has 30,000 miles

Gazza,

30,000 miles is low mileage, for the FJ.      Before I spent that chunk of change on it, I might check out eBay, CraigsList, or similar sites for a good used head, or even a complete engine, instead.  If you can connect with a real FJ fanatic, you might get somewhat decent coinage for what you have, as a rolling chassis.  That would be the "low effort" approach.  Hate to say, but even if it is running, you won't get much over $2500 in today's market.

[JPaganel]

I would still question the need for a valve job at only 30K.

A valve adjustment, maybe.

[Pat Conlon]

I'll let Gazza tell the story......
Suffice to say, you know those little screws on the throttle cable splitter box? Be careful with those when you have your spark plugs out....

[ribbert]

I second what some others have suggested, start with the easiest and cheapest step - confirm it actually needs a valve job before you contemplate throwing money away by dumping it.
This would be unusual at that mileage to point of needing to verify it with a second, qualified opinion. Valve wear is mileage related, not age related and 30k ain't much on an engine about which much is known of its wear characteristics.

Noel

[Gazza]

Paddy's got an amazing memory, especially for his advanced years!



Sorry, old pal, couldn't pass it up. 

Yes, there was some internal FOD thanks to an escaping fastener many years ago.  The head was removed and some minuscule damage addressed, but it didn't quite do the trick so Bill and Bud at Poway M/C felt more was needed.  But I've now elected to look at options other than their $1,400 repair bill.  <choke>  I wish it was a little simpler to remedy but I know that's not the case.

I don't have the time/facilities/patience/heart to part it out so unless I can get $1,500 for the roller I'll work with a BMW mechanic I know of who does some work on the side, then see how well she runs and take it from there. 

Perhaps in a little while she'll be in fine form and posted up in the classified section.

Cheers to all!!

[gumby302ho]

 Cheapest solution is to fix it and ride it, its already got alot of good going on with its current mods, hard to beat the bang for the buck when talking FJ's!! yadda yadda