80 850 triple

[Ivan]

Lee and I stumbled across an '80 850 triple today.

The guy wants to sell it, and is asking $750, but it has a dead miss. Kinda high on the price.

Anyway, as we were talking, I told him I can wrench bikes. So, is there anything typical on that engine that causes a dead miss? Are they pretty close to the 1100 in terms of maintenance and such? I figure if the guy wants me to look at it, I would start with a compression check and run from there, unless there is a typical problem to look toward first.

[Geezer]

I've seen these with a dead section of the TCI so they will only fire on 2 holes...

Geezer

[Ivan]

I've seen these with a dead section of the TCI so they will only fire on 2 holes...

Geezer

Is that repairable with some solder possibly, or is it a replace only item?

[Geezer]

I dunno, I've never tried. The one I worked on, I installed a new TCI unit.

Geezer

[rpgoerlich]

The 850 has electronic ignition with a one piece pickup coil with 3 pickups in it going to a TCI, It could have one of the pickups going out. But since the XS850 and 750 have 3 separate coils with removable coil wires and plug caps, I would guess it would be coil/wire/cap related. If not then I'd be looking at the TCI connections.

I have found that the coil wire cap loosens or someone has taken out the compression ring when they changed out the coil wires and it lets the coil wire come out of the coil.

Price seems kinda high... Bluebook is right at $1k in good running condition. $400-500 might be about right.

[tarzan]

I bought one earlier this summer

Bought it on craigslist. for $100
I have the gaskets and already replaced the broken shift return spring on it.Also rebuilt the carbs.Just need to finish the reassembly.
I have too many projects and I have a demolition derby in two weeks I'm getting a car ready for.
After that the 850 is next on the list.
I cant wait to get it done,I heard they sound pretty neat.
Cool old bike,IMHO.
But I agree that price is a little steep.

[Ivan]

Well, so far, he hasn't called, so it may not be an issue.