What's It Worth? Sell, Sit Or Part Out?

So,  I kind of touched on this on another topic I started about 2 weeks ago.  My '93 VFR got a stuck float after sitting (w/ empty carbs) for 5 months while I was deployed.  I got home June first and the float has stuck to varying degrees through 3 carb cleanings since then.  I clean it,  put it back together and synch the carbs and ride all day.  Sits over night and the next morning it wont turn over. 

I'm really tired of wrenching and the next 6-8 months will have me away for the majority of the time so there won't be much time to wrench on it.  I haven't even touched it since I put it all back together.  Problem?  Stuck float lets gas fill the combustion chamber (cylinder #3) and the next morning when you go to start it up it'll lock up the engine and no start. Easy fix really,  just a little time consuming.

I don't need the money but I don't need to be paying insurance and reg. on it when it's sitting.  Also,  the wife and daughter want a Grom or 250 something to learn on and my garage can't handle 3 bikes nor do I want to drop money on a bike when one is sitting in the garage not doing anything. 

Anyway,  whats it worth?  Here's the details.

I found my VFR almost 2 years ago rotting away in someones back yard. Picked it up for $250 and started the resto. It had been sitting there for 5 years prior to me finding it so lots of time and work went into where she is today. Original color was white for '93 and this is what she looked like when I brought her home.

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The restoration pic.

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Mechanical stuff I'm decent at but I never did bodywork until I got this bike so it is not perfect. While everything is there and it looks great from 10 feet when you get up on it you can see where the plastic needs to be mended or where my painting skills/bondo skills suck. If I keep it I will be sending it to a pro and would probably drop $750 to make the bodywork/paint perfect.

Otherwise, it has 38000 miles. I rode it about 8000 miles last fall (I ride alot) before I deployed over the winter. It has fresh plugs, filter, oil/filter I did two weeks ago. As far as what I did to it last year when I restored it here is the list.

Full 2005 R1 front end (forks, wheel, discs, master, fender, wheel bearings and proper disc bolts)
CBR954 triple with new Honda head bearings. (it brakes and rides perfect but due to the triple parking lot turning radius does suck but is doable)

Fresh oil/seals and race tech 1.0k springs in the forks.
Jamie Daugherty CBR954 rear shock re-valved and sprung for a 220lb. rider
RK 530 gold chain
shorty levers (black w/ red adjuster)
Danmoto convertibars fully adjustable. (a little lower than stock clip-ons but still comfy)
SS HEL front brake lines.
UNI air filter
Volt meter
clock with air thermometer (battery operated gas station special)
Ricks R/R
VFRness (so there should be no electrical issues)
new YUASA battery as of June 10 2013
new carb boots. June 2 2013
gas tank was cleaned and coated.
All bodywork mended and painted (to the best of my ability)

all decals are from www.xtreemedecals.com.
New Airtech rear seat cowl.
new starter clutch

right side engine cover gasket

Emgo mirrors

Double Bubble dark tint wind screen.

It had the Cobra F1 pipe (slip on) when I found it and it works.

I also have a brand new Corbin ($440 new)and brand new Hepco Becker hard luggage mounts and bags ($890 new). But If someone wants the bike I'll probably sell those seperately. Both are new still in the box.

I also have the complete front end with fresh oil and seals installed.

Here's what she looks like as she sits.

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Honestly,  I'm tired of fiddling with it.  If I sold it years from now I'd probably regret it but for the next few years I won't/don't have the time and when I see it in the garage on the lift I get irritated. 

I have no idea what to ask for it and it would be worth a decent amout parted out.



 

Once you fix the float issue you are looking at around $2000 without the Corbin seat or $2500 with the new seat.  It is doubtful that you would get that much if you parted it out since the bodywork isn't perfect.  Most people who would buy an older VFR like that are looking for a clean original bike so your biggest market will be someone who can't afford a newer bike and is looking for a cheap but dependable daily ride.  Parts availability will also be a big concern for anyone buying it.

Rollin

What I have found with these type of bikes is that you need to find the right buyer. To some a rebuilt or non-stock bike is worth much less, however if the mods were done well and they are desirable to those in the know (as a lot of yours are), then the right buyer may very well pay what you want. I would suggest putting a price tag on that you would like to get and see what kind of interest you get. However fixing the carb issue before selling would be ideal. 

IMHO you will not get anywhere near what you put into it whether you sell all or part it out.
If you don't absolutely have to have the money now, I suggest to winterized it, cover it with a tarp and let it sit for a while until you get the tinkering bug back. And you know you will and will be pulling your hair out for having sold what is a 90% there bike for nex to nothing.

install an gas ON/OFF switch in the line runing from the pump to the carbs..

 problem solved!

and helps with anti theft too.. !!

 run the baby till the float needle reseats its self.. 

 dont sell it.. 

I like gll429's solution!!! Simple, effective and cheap!!!
Good luck.

C

I'd say to get any decent money out of it, it needs to be running. You said the float is sticking and have tried multiple times to fix it with carb rebuilds. Not sure what you really mean by sticking, but from my experience with older bikes, the float needle is most likely the culprit. If that hasn't been changed, it might be well worth 2 hrs of your time to put a new one in.

Carbs  never  ending  battle  and  now  there  talking  about  increasing alcohol  by  5%  more   SALE  IT  ..... 

Carbs  never  ending  battle  and  now  there  talking  about  increasing alcohol  by  5%  more   SALE  IT  ..... 

Had the same problem with my 4th gen with sticking carbs.  Fixed it up nice with SS lines, shift kit, RaceTech fork internals, F4i front fairing.  Sold it for cheap.  I kicked myself for the money I put into it and for selling, but I would also be kicking myself for a bike that intermittently won't start or doesn't run right.  I would rather be riding than working on my bike any day.  Sometimes we have to eat our losses.  Ask Timmy about his 500 if you can pull him away from the RC long enough.

I was going to say what has already been said. Cleaning the carbs isn't really enough, probably needs needles and seats. Cheap fix.

if the stater relay is just clicking. the its not getting juice.

are the battery bolts tight? the ground wire tight?  the wire to the relay tight? are the connections CLEAN???

 can you turn the motor my hand?

 remove the crank bolt port and turn it.  :beer:

Did some more checks today.  Jumped the starter solenoid and nothing.  Tried to turn the engine by hand and I was able to turn it through twice before it locks up so........something is locking up the engine.  Great,  time to find out what I guess.

You rotated it over by hand with the plugs out and it locked up?

If so I have a pic of an S shaped conn rod from an early V4 I can post for you....it occurred as a result of carbs leaking by into the number 3 cylinder.

I hope your cause is not the same.

Yes Sir,  that is correct, plugs out and I can turn the engine about 2 times and then it locks.  I have a bad feeling about either a bent rod or valve.

I'll mess around with it a little later this week but if it seems as either of those are the problem I think it'll be part-out time.

Have you drained out all the oil? Overfill could cause a hydro lock?

yeah, oil is out.

Hey Smack... so if you do decide to part it or sell it... can I call dibs on the solo cowl?  :)   You know... One 93 owner to another.  

Hahaha, sure you have dibs.  I really don't see myself selling it though.  It's been on my table lift since I first posted.  Time has been hard to find but I've been getting closer and closer.  I bought new jets and new float needles and seats so we'll see how that goes.  Right now I'm busy messing with a brand new YUASA battery that doesn't want to hold a charge.  Brought it back to the dealer I bought it from to have them test it and see what's what.  Slowly but surely she'll get back on the road.  My wife says I will keep it and start my Honda V4 collection.  We'll see.

:(   :(   But but but... You said I had dibs...     :)