New member helping a friend

Posted: Tue Jun 02, 2020 1:34 pm

So this is going to be a different situation than most. I'll start with that I've always been a fan of the CB1100F. Great lines, awesome bike. Normally, I would have jumped on this, but I've been out of the bike scene for a long time and I have way too many projects on my plate right now.

Anyway, here's the story:

My wife and I have been friends with this family for many, many years (20+), our daughters are 11 days apart, and they have the biggest hearts you've ever seen! They have twice adopted kids with special needs (one has Duchenne muscular dystrophy). They have 6 kids now. Unfortunately last Thanksgiving, Buss ended up in the hospital and never made it out. His wife is an elementary school teacher, and between her job and his retirement, she's doing ok. We've been helping out by getting things for the kids and helping to clear out the garage.

Buss like rotating thru motorcycles all the time; from Goldwings, to Harleys, to the latest bike which was a throwback to one he had in his younger days: 1981 CB900F. He bought it a couple years ago as a complete roller that needed work. He never told me what was wrong with it other than the engine didn't run. He then commenced to taking it apart. And by apart, I mean all the way apart! Shocked

As it sits now, the engine is apart. I don't know why, but he was in the process of splitting the cases apart also. Cylinders and the head are also removed. Frame is stripped. Body panels are there. The tank is there, but has some rust issues (I was told there is another tank, but I haven't seen it yet). Electrics are there. Brake hydraulics were in a box. Instrument cluster is there but the tach is missing the glass. You get the picture... There are a lot of boxes and parts all over their garage.

My goal is to try and help get some funds for the family from this project. Now, I'm all about trying to make sure every old motorcycle gets a new lease on life (as I've done with my past projects), but I'm not sure if that is possible here with this one. I believe (from what I saw briefly this past weekend) that everything is there. But it's hard to say with out doing an inventory. I'm planning a trip back over to the house this weekend to go get everything and bring it home to sort out. I really don't have the room to do so, but I'm going to do what I can.

So, this all begs a simple question: What is it worth?

I know based on the limited amount of info and not knowing all the answers to, what I'm sure will be, a ton of questions, that this is not an easy thing to pin down. I only see two options here. I can try to sell off individual parts a piece at a time, but that would take a long time and use up all of the little space I have left in my garage. And shut down about half of the projects I'm fighting to get done now. 2nd option is to spend a little time to reassemble what I can into a mostly complete roller and sell as a package. Parting out should definitely gain more funds in the long run, but is it worth it?

If I didn't have multiple house projects in the planning stage and a convertible project I've been working on for my wife, then I would find a used engine and piece it back together to a running bike. My focus would not be on originality at this point. I think that ship has sailed a long time ago. But it could be brought back to life with enough effort. How much is the $2k question right now.

Having been out of the "bringing back a motorcycle to life" scene for so long, I don't even know of any bike salvage yards in San Antonio or Central TX areas anymore. I'm sure they're around. But it's been awhile.

So to end this longer-than-long story, I'll try to have more information after this coming weekend. I'll also try to build a (mostly) complete parts list, if possible. If anybody has any interest in this project, reach out to me. I'm located in San Antonio, TX, and I'm frequently in Austin and sometimes in Houston. Delivery options may be available in those areas.

Posted: Tue Jun 02, 2020 3:50 pm

that's a loaded question, but ill give you my two cents.

If it was a 1100F as a complete titled basket case, to me its worth as much as 1000.00

A 900 on the other hand, if again, complete and titled 500.00-600.00 as the bikes just don't have as much value in either complete bikes or parts that are desirable and capable of being resold

Posted: Tue Jun 02, 2020 4:22 pm

Thank you Lindy for the reply. I didn't figure it would gather as much as an 1100. Just trying to put out "feelers" to try and gauge the market some. I was told what was spent on the bike originally and I know it was probably too much. I also know that is nowhere near anything that I could get for it right now. Every bit helps, though.

Ken

Posted: Tue Jun 02, 2020 6:41 pm

IMHO, it isn't worth the time and money to restore a basket case 900f (or 1100f) unless there is sentimental value or historical connection to the bike.

In this case there isn’t so save your time and money and use the proceeds for ice cream cones for the kids.

Posted: Mon Jun 08, 2020 2:51 pm

Picked up the pieces this weekend...

Will start a F/S thread with everything listed.

Posted: Mon Jun 08, 2020 4:06 pm

Link to the For Sale Thread here

Posted: Wed Jul 01, 2020 3:54 pm

Project has been sold and the funds have been sent over.
Thank you to those that offered up information.

Posted: Sat Jul 04, 2020 5:11 am

You are a kind soul. I hope it worked out well for all
concerned. now that you're here don't be a stranger.