When is it right to part out a bike?

[Eastcoaster]

I am beginning my project to bring back to life at least 1 of 2 XS1100SH ravaged in the Sandy Super Storm one bike faired a little better and I am starting on it today. I am struggling with the other use it for parts on this rebuild? or start looking for parts for the better one with the intention of perhaps trying to save the second bike?
Any Guidelines in a part out verses a save?

[DGXSER]

Here is how I look at it, do you plan to sell the bike when your done or keep it? If your plan is to keep it, you can afford to invest more than its worth as you will get the pleasure of riding it. If your planning to sell it, then it is a business decision, and when it cost more to fix than its worth, then time to sell off the parts.

The big piece for me is if the engine is need of a rebuild. I know a lot of folks here have rebuilt them, but really, there are more engines around than good bikes to put them in. And it is not cheap to rebuild an engine. So that goes back to if your keeping it or selling it decision.

I am not one to get a nice condition bike and sell off the parts just because they are worth more as parts than the bike is worth whole. However, the ones that are worthy of our efforts to keep running need decent parts that are no longer made, so it is not a sin to part one out that is beyond your skill, knowledge, or financial abilities to get back to running condition.

Hope that helps, in the end it is a personal decision.

[Eastcoaster]

its a keep

My Kids will have to sell my Bikes.....

One of my biggest fears in Life is my Kids will sell my Bikes my Guns and My Fishing stuff for what I told them what I paid it.

Coaster

[James England]

Some bikes are simply beyond financial sense to fix. I bought a very tired, abused XS and worked out it would need twice spending on it what it would be worth at the end of it. It just didn't make sense and I broke it for parts and tripled my money. These are not rare bikes, after all. It would be a different thing if it were my ole granpappy's beloved bike, found in the barn and to be restored for sentimental reasons but not just any old knackered bike.

Personally, I think the engine condition is the critical factor. A tatty bike with a good engine can be worth sorting out. Same goes for a good looking bike with a broken engine but tatty and bad engine makes it a candidate for organ transplant.

Something as simple as a re bore and pistons can cost more than a complete, good engine. If you add crankshaft work, gearbox fixing and so on, the price can go sky-high...

[Crusty Snippets]

Srcap it

The main problem is the value of the bikes.
I paid $1500 for Yami. Maybe spent $500 or more, probably more to to make him tidy and run well.

Kid I know just bought a much newer Honda for $3000. Has very low miles and performance is about the same as Yami. He does not know how to fix stuff, so this is the right bike for him.

If the XS11's fetched as much money as early Triumph and Nortons, it would be a different matter. I am looking forward to meeting any old British, on my $700 Seca.

The parting out question also arises with my tractor buddies. I have a 41 Ford 9N tractor. There can be times when I need a parted out part, like rear axels.
Ford built about one million of them, so there are many parts, there is also a good supply of new parts.

And lastly: I enjoy riding Yami, but would the next bike owner, like the kid above. There is some satisfaction in knowing it will stop, because I fixed all the brakes. That sort of thing. But most of all: Mrs Snippets likes Yami best.

Unkle Crusty

[MaximPhil]

Here is how I look at it, do you plan to sell the bike when your done or keep it? If your plan is to keep it, you can afford to invest more than its worth as you will get the pleasure of riding it. If your planning to sell it, then it is a business decision, and when it cost more to fix than its worth, then time to sell off the parts.

The big piece for me is if the engine is need of a rebuild. I know a lot of folks here have rebuilt them, but really, there are more engines around than good bikes to put them in. And it is not cheap to rebuild an engine. So that goes back to if your keeping it or selling it decision.

I am not one to get a nice condition bike and sell off the parts just because they are worth more as parts than the bike is worth whole. However, the ones that are worthy of our efforts to keep running need decent parts that are no longer made, so it is not a sin to part one out that is beyond your skill, knowledge, or financial abilities to get back to running condition.

Hope that helps, in the end it is a personal decision.

Hi Don,
I agree with every word. Could not have said it better.
Phil

[jetmechmarty]

I bought a parts bike. It's a lot better than some of.the bikes.you folks restore, but I needed.a.project.like a hole in the head. It's the same model as the one I'm riding. So, parts it is.

[BA80]

If it has a title don't kill it Marty. There are plenty of bikes with no title to cannibalize.

[jetmechmarty]

If it has a title don't kill it Marty. There are plenty of bikes with no title to cannibalize.

Since I live in Georgia, a title for an XS1100 is not an issue. It doesn't need one.. But if it makes you feel better, it doesn't have one.

[fredintoon]

- - - Any Guidelines in a part out verses a save?

Hi Eastcoaster,
if it's got it's papers it deserves saving.
If not by you now, by you later or even by another.
Or keep the parts and sell the frame.
There's many a poor bastard with a really nice XS11 that the DMV Nazis won't let him register
who could be gotten back on the road with just your licenced frame.

[Eastcoaster]

Papers they have

Yes they have papers both I guess I will see if I can get the first to run and go from there. Thinking if I can get the other engine freed up might be worth a save

I did not get a thing done today it was 60 degrees I took the XJ on our Garden State Parkway it parallels the coast. Had a great ride from Cape May at mm 0 to Toms River mm81 and back real nice day it has inspired me even more to get on the XS started. I would not want any other but an XS/XJ 1100 hope to get at least one XS back for the spring.

Nothing like a good ride in late December to get the bug going