'82 Seca 650... keep or sell? | Page 2 | GTAMotorcycle.com

'82 Seca 650... keep or sell?

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ReSTored said:
Just because a bike is about 40 years old doesn't mean it is collectable or worth anything at all................ Would you want to spend any time and money on a Mercury Comet, a Chevrolet Vega or some other type of drone type vehicle?
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Indeed. And in this particular case, if it is a Turbo, it may be worth something as a complete bike especially if it is reasonably clean and in running order, or have parts on it that are worth something depending on condition (it's still not exactly a super valuable bike, but the Turbo does have a following of sorts), and if it is a standard model, it's just another old bike with nothing special about it. If it's a runner, it's worth more (in both cases). A non-runner probably isn't worth fixing ... in either case.

If it were me, and with my tools and my shop, I'd put at least a minor amount of effort into finding out if it was capable of running (since it is definitely worth more that way). Even if the bike as a whole is only good for parts ... an engine that can be heard running is worth more than one that's not.
 
lucky2 said:
i'd slam that vega with a nice small block
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Ken Livingstone had a 350 smallblock in a 72 Toyota Celica.I had the same car with the little 4 banger.Still tons of fun.
 
lucky2 said:
Theres a few out there
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That may well be true, but it doesn't mean there are worth preserving.............. There are a few old decrepid nazis they haven't died off as of yet skulking around in Canada, Germany and other places ....... Doesn't mean they're worth anything or shouldn't be hunted down and put out of their misery. Just saying.............
 
Wingboy said:
Totally agree. But sometime in my life i would like a VW Beetle again.
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A restored beetle is worth a bundle. Many times the MSRP. Few motorcycles do that.

Re the subject bike, almost a guarantee that it will need new tires and a carb rebuild. What are the chances of the brakes and rotors being serviceable?

BTW I know where there's an early VW beetle convertible in upper NY state that I could probably get cheap. Once the border opens I could go down and see if the collapsed barn has been removed from it.
 
nobbie48 said:
A restored beetle is worth a bundle. Many times the MSRP. Few motorcycles do that.

Re the subject bike, almost a guarantee that it will need new tires and a carb rebuild. What are the chances of the brakes and rotors being serviceable?

BTW I know where there's an early VW beetle convertible in upper NY state that I could probably get cheap. Once the border opens I could go down and see if the collapsed barn has been removed from it.
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A beetle is a good example. Restoring a beetle costs roughly the same regardless of the model you start with. Depending on the model you start with it can change the value at the end by a factor of three or more. Pick the right model and specimen and you can be in break-even territory on the restoration, pick the wrong starting point and you are looking at a 75% monetary loss.
 
OverRyde said:
...
It is. now as far as condition goes, i might have to go there and pull the tarp back to see what condition it is in... havent seen it a few years.
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So we are looking for one of these under that tarp:

Yamaha%20XJ650%20Turbo%20%202.jpg


I bet it has at least one mouse nest in it.
 
Any SECA will have mostly sentimental value, don’t expect big bucks from collectors or cafe artists, they don’t have these bikes on their radar.

If you have interest in old bikes, SECAs are as good an option as many of that vintage. They are very dependable and parts are dirt cheap.

it’s always tough to say what you need after tarp storing a bike outside. A few years back I bought one that was outside for 8 years. I got it home, pressure washed her, added gas, oil change and a new battery and she fired and ran like new. Just needed tires to safety.

SECAs are shaft driven so a pint of gear oil is about $300 cheaper than replacing 2 rusty sprockets and a chain on a tarp stored bike.
 
Thanks everyone for all the replies! much appreciated!

Spoke with my father in law and he does have everything for it still; keys, ownership, etc. I might head out there later to take a look. Based on the replies however, we may just sell it as the investment doesn't appear worth it. Ill post some pics to this thread once i get them.

Thank you all!!
 
a turbo under a tarp for x years without running?

The mice won't be happy when you ruin their house, methinks...
 
I've got an xj650 maxim and as long as the engine isn't seized they're super easy to work on. Everything can be done on the centre stand, and it's made with caveman technology so you can wrap your head around any service/replacement. If there's no major rust and the engine is able to turn I'd keep it.
 
RustRider said:
.... If there's no major rust ....
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Under a tarp! In Southern Ontario, I guarantee there is rust inside and out. Condensation kills motorcycles, if it was abandoned in the back of a dry mouse free heated garage it would be fine.
 
I'd be mildly concerned about the turbocharger itself
may not be a bad idea to take the intake boot off to see if it spins
and get some clean oil manually pumped though it before you spin it up
 
OverRyde said:
Hi everyone,

a family member is currently the owner of an 1982 XJ650 and they are downsizing and has to get rid of the bike. Its been under a tarp on the side of the house for a while now. The question is, should i take ownership of the bike or help him get rid of it? Would it be worth it to try to fix whatever may be wrong with it after all these years or not? unfortunately i don't have the garage space for another bike so i would have to figure out a way to store it myself until funds/time/expertise comes along!

Looking for opinions

cheers!
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I used to ride one, which I got from my Dad. He bought it new in 1983 for $1800 out the door. That bike was designed for Yamaha by some guy from Norton (can't remember his name, but he was one of Norton's chief designers) It's a good bike, solid and easy to maintain. Ours required new exhaust pipes and a valve adjustment (at 35,000km) and it was sold with 65,000km. Used as a commuter bike. If you're a guy who likes a comfortable, reasonably fast, all-round bike that handles well keep it.

Probably require carb rebuild, or at the least a good cleaning. It's good once you get it dialed in though. A little buzzy past 110km, like most old Jap bikes, but tolerable. It's never going to be a collector though. Just a good bike for someone who likes to ride sport or distance.
 
i'd be interested if you're looking to sell it, need a project to keep me busy
 
Trials said:
Under a tarp! In Southern Ontario, I guarantee there is rust inside and out. Condensation kills motorcycles, if it was abandoned in the back of a dry mouse free heated garage it would be fine.
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A friend bought a former show car from the Starsky and Hutch days, paying next to nothing. The owner had stored it behind a shed at the cottage for years. On dirt, with weeds tickling the undersides, mother nature dissolved it. He salvaged the stainless trim and some performance engine parts.
 
tat2 said:
XJBikes - Yamaha XJ Motorcycle Forum is still an on going forum and they know everything about 'em. Hit them up before you try to start it up/sell it

They helped getting my '82 XJ750 SECA running when I started riding.
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Great place. I got a bunch of bits & pieces for the FJ from that guy who runs an informal XJ/FJ store. I also figured out which sprockets to get to do a 520 conversion.
 
ReSTored said:
Just because a bike is about 40 years old doesn't mean it is collectable or worth anything at all................ Would you want to spend any time and money on a Mercury Comet, a Chevrolet Vega or some other type of drone type vehicle?
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OF COURSE I WANT VEGA! Who wouldn't want a mini Camaro.
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