I think I found my first Project!

[GLoweVA]

I just emailed the guy for more details, but the price is good and the distance is short, the year is the same as mine.
I think it's a special, but that might be a good thing.

Wish me luck.
http://richmond.craigslist.org/mcy/2652495597.html

['OlGuiltyBoy]

If you wanna get rid of the gas tank, let me know ...

[tom clisham]

Hey Guilty!

A nice tank just came on ebay. Standard that is. It's cheap. It's in England. It might not stay cheap.

['OlGuiltyBoy]

I gotta standard I can clean up already, but I like the shape of the special a little better ....

[GLoweVA]

I got a response back with 4 pics. It's a special. (non original paint)
He says: the battery is dead, but it will turn over and the front brake is locked up from sitting.
As soon as I get home from work, I'll post up the pics so you guys can tell me what you think about it.
It looks like it'll need a whole lot of TLC, but maybe not much in the way of parts though. (Battery, fluids, plugs and some tires, they look flat)

I had another lead on one down in NC, but it looks like someone else might have scooped that one up. It was a black 81 special with bags and a trunk plus windshield. (running too)
I'm gonna email them back and see if it's still available or not.

[GLoweVA]

Tell me what you think

Here's the pics he sent.

['OlGuiltyBoy]

Looks like a lot of rust by those spark plugs and the starter motor ... Other than that it looks alright. Like you said, it's a project ...

[3Phase]

That Special looks a lot better than Bush did after we clipped it out of the hedge and dragged it into the truck to haul it home!

It's hard to tell from the pictures but I think that might be fuel and oil build-up, not rust.

[DGXSER]

Good news, looks like its all there. The not as good news, looks like it sat out since about 05 by the tag on the fork. The front fork cover is pretty nasty, paint it or maybe rechrome. Or replace it.

Definitely needs the general clean up all over. The head nuts and such will need cleaning/replacing. The other area is almost all aluminum parts, so that would pretty much have to be oil and gas and dirt accumulation.

I'd start by seeing if the engine turns over or not, meaning using a allen socket or wrench on the timing bolt under the left side cover.

ITs going to take some time and effort to get it running. But it is fun to take one from dead and bring it back.

[GLoweVA]

The seller says it'll turn over but the battery is dead (I assume that he's using some jumper cables)

I think my biggest concern would be the fact that it's been sitting and one (or more) of the cylinders might be a bit rusty like the plugs look.
I'll bring my spark plug socket with me when I go look/buy.

That 'stain' on the starter looks like some kind of oily residue. Maybe the carbs might have dripped.

On a different note, how much different does the special ride compared to the standard? (I know a lot of you guys have both, so enlighten me.)

[crazy steve]

...On a different note, how much different does the special ride compared to the standard? (I know a lot of you guys have both, so enlighten me.)

There's basically no difference... Yes, there's slight suspension differences, but all else being equal you'll see pretty much the same handling. The only 'big' difference is the smaller-diameter rear tire, which will cause the motor to spin a bit higher at cruising speed...

[GLoweVA]

which will cause the motor to spin a bit higher at cruising speed

Thanks Steve, I value your input.
With the Higher rpms, that means i'll just be more in the power band for passing some of those slow cages on the interstate

Does the suspension 'differences' mean I'll be sitting a little lower to the ground? Sometimes on my G my feet aren't alway flat on the ground.

I'm going to email him today and see about setting something up.
I don't have a truck, so I'll have to rent a u-haul trailer to go get it.
Too bad I've got to work this weekend.

[cywelchjr]

Thanks Steve, I value your input.
With the Higher rpms, that means i'll just be more in the power band for passing some of those slow cages on the interstate

Does the suspension 'differences' mean I'll be sitting a little lower to the ground? Sometimes on my G my feet aren't alway flat on the ground.

I'm going to email him today and see about setting something up.
I don't have a truck, so I'll have to rent a u-haul trailer to go get it.
Too bad I've got to work this weekend.

The suspension differences are better quality front forks, but the weird brake system on the front to make up for it. Better rear shocks as I understand it. The main thing that makes it sit lower is the smaller rear wheel, being an inch smaller sits it down a bit. I'd kinda like to get a special as a run around play bike, and wouldn't mind getting one as a project bike.

[GLoweVA]

Got her Home Last night

So, it begins. I get to join the many of you that have brought one of these wonderful machines back to life.
The stain on the starter cover is oily/varnishy residue that had dripped from one of the carb bowl drains.
The PO said it had been sitting in his garage for 5yrs. (he didn't bother to drain the gas out of the tank)
The throttle wont rotate, but that's probably due to the carbs being all crappy.
The carb intake boots look like Dr. Frankenstine patched them up.
Both the front and rear brakes had tightened up so much it wouldn't roll, but I sprayed some WD40 on the rotors and pads and that freed them up enough for us to push it on the trailer.
Initial inspection of the inside of the tank looked pretty good.

Got home last night and the battery was completely dry, so I added some distilled water and an ounce (or 2) of new battery acid I had left over from my last battery that I bought and threw it on the charger. Maybe I can bring this battery back to life too. (at least good enough to use it for some testing and such)

So, like I said, it begins. I just am a little overwealmed right now and really dont' have a starting point.
I guess first is the tank/bad gas and then the carbs. Then the engine/ valves/ plugs, etc.
Then the brakes and then the electrical.

Is there any logic to my rambling ?!? Maybe I'm just too excited

[3Phase]

Nice!

That doesn't seem too bad. Welcome to the wonderful world of, "I want to restore it!" wall-eyes!

Brakes parts aren't to difficult to find and if the P.O. left fuel in the tank it might be a mess but be careful with the carburetors. Carburetor cleaner will remove gunk (and throttle shaft seals!) but not corrosion and the carburetor floats are probably going to be frozen and gunked in place. Be patient with them or you will be buying new floats.

It looks like a basically decent bike so have fun!