Mechanic Needed

[elgranjefe]

Hello XSers,

I have a 79 Standard and a 79 Special, both of which need some minor engine work. Looking for a non-shop mechanic in the Central Illinois area (near University of Illinois).

Please call if u can help!

Thanks,

Jeff
217 260 7113

[trbig]

Are you just the type that has more money than time, or are are you just scared to do it yourself?

These bikes are pretty straight forward. We can help on here with about anything you want to do, though not trying to keep anyone from making a few bucks either. lol.

[webbcraft2150]

trbig can be about a subtle as a shotgun in a squirrel hunt. But he is right. These rigs are old school and most things can be cured with a few tools and following instructions. Perhaps if you threw your problem out here, we could help you. The big problem with with the XS11 is they are older than the guys that are suppose to work on them. If they can't hook a laptop to it, they ain't got a clue.

[trbig]

trbig can be about a subtle as a shotgun in a squirrel hunt

You usually never have to wonder what I REALLY think about something... lol. Subtleties, innuendos and political correctness are NOT by strongest suits..

[elgranjefe]

Political correctness is boring....i love the responses. Actually, i have neither money nor time. Nor mechanical skills. I've had the Standard for 25 years; it was rebuilt by Bob Jones in '06. The Special has 6000 original miles and is nice. I am selling both but they need some work to be tip top!

I could use some help...

[IanDMacDonald]

You Okies are fun, lol.

[elgranjefe]

Political correctness is boring....i love the responses. Actually, i have neither money nor time. Nor mechanical skills. I've had the Standard for 25 years; it was rebuilt by Bob Jones in '06. The Special has 6000 original miles and is nice. I am selling both but they need some work to be tip top!

I could use some help....

The Std has clogged carbs and a leaking petcock.
The Special leaks from the front of the engine....

Its more than i can fix but would be easy for a mechanical XS guy.

[trbig]

I've had the Standard for 25 years; it was rebuilt by Bob Jones in '06.

And THAT is why you don't have any money.. lol. Bob didn't work cheap.

The Special leaks from the front...

Sometimes happens to the best of us as we age. lol.


But yeah, carbs are pretty straight forward. Petcock is a couple screws and an O-ring and gasket replacement. If the oil leak is from the cam chain tensioner, silicone the rubber end cap. If it's the base gasket, clean it up well with a degreaser and rub some clear silicone across the seam.

Oh... Without pics, they really don't exist though..

[fredintoon]

I am selling both but they need some work to be tip top!

I could use some help....

The Std has clogged carbs and a leaking petcock.
The Special leaks from the front of the engine....

Its more than i can fix but would be easy for a mechanical XS guy.

Hi Jeff,
the least effort approach is to put them up for sale "as is".
You have to balance the extra you'd get from selling a fixed up bike vs a bike that needs some work with the extra hassle and cost of finding and paying someone trustworthy and competent to do the fix.
If I wasn't too old, too broke and too far away I'd make you an offer myself.

[trbig]

I think having a pretty bike that doesn't run... vs a pretty bike that purrs, would be worth the effort. A bike that cranks but doesn't run is a crapshoot to anyone looking to buy, and is usually pennies on the dollar. The oil and petcock leaks are of minor concern I would think.

[JeffH]

Cost - Benefit - Risk

the least effort approach is to put them up for sale "as is". You have to balance the extra you'd get from selling a fixed up bike vs a bike that needs some work with the extra hassle and cost of finding and paying someone trustworthy and competent to do the fix.

I think having a pretty bike that doesn't run... vs a pretty bike that purrs, would be worth the effort. A bike that cranks but doesn't run is a crapshoot to anyone looking to buy, and is usually pennies on the dollar.

These fredin and trbig responses pretty well frame your options. If you don't have the Time and the Money to complete the necessary maintenance then I'd think about the Cost-Benefit and the Risk-Reward of what you are attempting to do. Once you have that figured out then your decision will fall into place.

To me it comes down to how & where you plan to Market and Sell these machines. While some prospective buyers might not be too concerned and would be willing to purchase "as is", there is another group that would see "not running" as a serious challenge. They then would be facing the exact situation you have. Time & Money & Knowledge. All that plays into your price point expectation.

A consideration & something to ponder anyways,

Jeff