Old, unloved bike - worth restoring?

[steelphoenix]

Hi all,

Just wanting some advice on an old bike - basically, is it worth restoring/getting going again?

The bike in question is a Kawasaki Ninja/GPZ ZX600R-A3 1987. It's been sitting in the garage of my flat for the last seven years - its owner dropped it, bought a new bike instead of repairing it, and had more or less forgotten about it. So it's languished in the garage, and when reminded about it, he gave me more-or-less a carte blanche to do what I like with it.

It seems in decent physical condition. One of the front fairings is cracked, and its left front indicator is broken right off (hanging from a couple of wires and duct tape). The frame is OK from what I can see of it - the garage is pretty dry. I can't get the seat off (I suspect the catch is broken), and I have no idea of what condition the engine is in. The tyres are still firm (lol), the brakepads are OK, and the chain is OK (though could do with a serious oil bath).

Basically, any advice on this? Worth taking to a mechanic, or just take it straight to a wrecker?

[Qkchk:Me]

The big question is..........

Is the rego on hold? If the rego hasnt been on hold then the bike would of been de-registered after 1 years worth of lasped rego. Off the top of my head to re-register a bike it has to be vinned first and that will cost at least $300. Other members here will be able to tell you the exact costings.

If the bike is on hold and the engines mint/depending on how many kms it done, it might be worth keeping it. I used to have one many years ago and loved it.

[blackdog]

get it fired up first, go from there

had an '87 semfiddy and freakin loved it back in the day

as for taking to a mechanic, if it's a project and don't mind taking it slowly, plenty of advice and helpers here for ya so why bother?

[bogan]

If you can DIY the restoration, yup! If not, sell it to someone who can, I would say give, but auckland is a bit far for me to go to pick it up

[JimO]

it may pay to sort out ownership prior to doing anything or you may find yourself handing back to previous owner your restored bike

[robinm]

I agree fully with Bogan, if you can do all, or at least most of the work required your self, then it MAY be a viable project, but if you are paying somebody else to do the work, don't bother, it WILL cost you more than it's worth.

[awa355]

Defintely sort out the ownership first.

If you do not have the training / experience to get into the fuel/electrics yourself, then think about whether you want to spend 3x more than you think it should take, to get it sorted.

There is nothing cheap about motorbikes, if you'r paying someone else to do the work.

In the 'good old days' when bikes had just two wheels, one engine, you could see the complete engine from one side and the carby was one, grandad could've pulled apart, no problems. Today, its a bit different.

[Paul in NZ]

Defintely sort out the ownership first.

If you do not have the training / experience to get into the fuel/electrics yourself, then think about whether you want to spend 3x more than you think it should take, to get it sorted.

There is nothing cheap about motorbikes, if you'r paying someone else to do the work.

In the 'good old days' when bikes had just two wheels, one engine, you could see the complete engine from one side and the carby was one, grandad could've pulled apart, no problems. Today, its a bit different.

Yes and no - Grandad could have pulled it apart but it took a considerable amount of skill to get raw parts fettled enough so that the device worked like it was intended.

Modern machines are made a lot better and mechanically much easier. Sure - its near impossible to restore an ignition module but chances are you can purchase one and then its just a matter of learning how it plugs togeter.

The real decision here is how much do you want to do this? If you think its a sensible choice $$ wise forget it - it is very unlikely. What you will get is a heck of a lot of confidence and knowledge (assuming you are prepared to take your time)

The second decision (assuming you want to go ahead) is do you want to do a functional rnovation or a full restoration... There is a big difference...

If I could get such a bike and the price was reasonable plus I could sort out the ownership I'd dive in.

[avgas]

Get it running on your own (no mechanic).
If you can get thought that get it back on the road (on your own).

Do no pay a mechanic to sort it (not worth it).

[HenryDorsetCase]

Get it running on your own (no mechanic).
If you can get thought that get it back on the road (on your own).

Do no pay a mechanic to sort it (not worth it).

Definitely agree. strip it, see if you can get it running, if it does you can put it back together stock if you can get the parts or want to spend the money, or streetfighter it if you're looking for cheap thrills.

Pre-89's, or trackday bike?

[AllanB]

IMO it is not collectable. Thus ignore it as a restro. First edition GPZ900r would be another matter ......

As above get it running.

Tank flush out with fresh fuel - carbs I presume? probably need a strip and clean but I'd drain the bowls and fill with fresh and have a can of that Yamaha carb cleaner spray on hand when/if it fires up to squirt in the intakes.

New battery obviously.

Oh and the motor will have f-all oil left on the internals so don't rev the shit out of it on start-up.

Tyres will be toast. Period.

If it runs and you get it running well it will bake a evil street fighter project.