Faced with a fix-or-buy decision:

[James Burleigh]

If it will cost me $4K to $5K to do all the repairs on my 2005 that has 90,000 miles, does it make more sense to spend $6,000 for an '05 with 27,000 miles (curiously, they all seem to have 27,000 miles)? I feel like if the replacement bikes had half or less mileage, then the answer becomes clearer. Also, is the '04 virtually the same as the '05, so that my '05 accessories would fit an '04 (there are some nice-looking '04s out there)?

Regarding my bike: I'm looking at a new clutch and a, let's call it, re-built transmission. The engine seems to be running great. Do I just invest the $5K in my '05 and plan for another 90K miles out of it?

And just to book-end the conversation, right now I can't do much more than $6K, so upgrading to a newer, more-expense bike is not an option.

Here are a couple of local prospects:

2004

2005

JB

 

[SacramentoMike]

Any value to the old bike? You should be able to offset a little of your replacement cost, I hope.

Glad to see you've decided to extend your riding life, anyway, Hans. Good luck.

 

[Patriot]

for me, half the cost

 

[wfooshee]

That's close to what the bike is worth in good shape. That makes it pretty much not worth doing, just fixing the bike.

The '04 and '05 are identical except for color, with the possible exception of the optional ABS being present or not.

As for the old bike, you can sell the bodywork, wheels, lights, seat, levers, etc. Somebody surviving a cam chain problem might like the cylinder head. You could keep the old bike and replace the engine with one from a wrecked bike, which seems to be the choice among those who've been through the cam chain tensioner failures. Since the tranny and engine aren't separate components, you're looking at an engine swap as a good alternative to a rebuild. Coupla grand, maybe three, ought to find you a good motor to replace yours, and keep the bike as is, although you're gonna have to find someone competent to do the swap. RadioHowie did his hisownself, Patriot found a good trusted mech nearby his place.

 

[James Burleigh]

for me, half the cost

Come again: What "half the cost"?

 

[escapefjrtist]

for me, half the cost

Come again: What "half the cost"?

I think Patriot is saying that repairs totaling more than half the replacement cost don't make sense.

I've got to agree...putting $5k into a bike that isn't worth much more than $5k is throwing good after bad. You've still got a bike with 90K on it.

Find a good low mile replacement and part out the old to recoup some $$$.

Good luck!

--G

 

[FJRBluesman]

Hans - This is really a personal decision for you and your finances and comfort zone on keeping the economy going spending $$. You may get others opinions, but would you do it? Do you agree with them?

Personally I'd get a new to you bike. A used 2005 with ABS that has been sitting. A few have popped up here with extremely low miles, one with 3600 and one with 12K. They just sit in someones garage then they decide to sell. If I had to dump $4K-$5K into my bike, I'd got for a newer one, period. You can part out the old one or keep it a while for spare parts.

Really it comes down to what you can afford and what you and the family are comfortable with.

Just don't go BMW on us. I'll never buy another one. You think you have expensive maintenance now, you aint seen nothin yet. :dribble: Some on the forum are like alcoholics and continue to drink the BMW Kool-Aid, I drank it once and puked. :blink:

Good luck.

 

[juniorfjr]

I was talking with Wingshot this evening and you came up. Carl, N2osx in the portland area has a wrecked 05 that was a good runner. Might work out for both of ya.

At the costs you are looking at, I'd be looking at a new to you and take some miles off.

 

[marcusorelius]

2 or 3 thou would be a tough decision but 4 or 5 isn't, hope ya find a good new to ya bike!

 

[charismaticmegafauna]

If it will cost me $4K to $5K to do all the repairs on my 2005

Is that the repair estimate from the shop?

Care to share the diagnosis and repair estimate -- parts & labor?

 

[SkooterG]

Hans - $5k is a most definite 'NO'. Even at $4k I would say no.

There are some good deals to be found out there. That 04 looks like a decent deal, especially if you can get it for $6,000 or less. Be a shrewd negotiator!

And yes, the 04 and 05 bikes are virtually identical except for color - both fairing plastic and wheels and handlebars.

Get a 'fresher' less-mile bike for the same or close to same price and transfer all your farkles over. If you do keep your old bike, rather than pay for the repair, I would buy a used engine off ebay and have that installed. You can get decent ones for $600-$900 if you can wait for the right deal.

Here are some others Hans: Do you insist on ABS?

05 ABS, only 7300 miles, $6500, Mission Viejo.

Good deal on a non-abs 05 with 38k miles and good farkles - $5100 in Pasadena.

04 abs, 17500 miles in Beaveron, OR

 

[carlson_mn]

Came across an '05 at a local bike show yesterday with 1500 miles. A local dealership's tech drove it over because the dealer told him it needed to be ridden a bit since the original owner literally put 200 miles a year on it and he had just done the recall work on it that day. I guess it's going up for sale soon. I checked it out and it was damn clean and sounded brand new. 1500 fricken miles, ABS to boot.

Here's another from wayyyy up here 05 16k $5200

https://minneapolis.craigslist.org/hnp/mcy/2419840228.html

 

[Checkswrecks]

At $5000 I would be in the market to replace.

But first, start calling salvage yards to find find a new engine/trans, and invite some friends to have a beer-fest garage swap.

Too many bikes are scrapped not because they are technically totaled. They get scrapped because it's simply not economical for the insurance company to buy new plastic. Because of that, many of the salvage places will have or make a video of the bike running so you can see what you're buying. Here's an example for $1,000 plus shipping for MUCH more than you need: https://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/04-FJR1300ABS-FJR-1300-engine-motor-car-kit-complete-_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQhashZitem53e3104b78QQitemZ360291781496QQptZMotorcyclesQ5fPartsQ5fAccessories#ht_500wt_1120

Almost all yards normally give a warranty and steer clear if they will not.

 

[DJB]

I replaced my clutch this year and it cost me about 300 with parts. The transmission is something I plan to do after I buy a used engine so when I get to 100K I can swap engines and spend winters rebuilding the original one. I have seen the guys at our shop do a transmission job in 2 day. So unless all the parts are bad I am not sure of why the cost id so high. Pulling the engine is an easy job once you remove all the fairing and gas tank. If you have the space and tools try to get the engine out your self. If you sell the bike in pieces you will get almost all of the money back you need to buy used. So go do what is right for you.

 

[Fairlaner]

Hans if you fly down here i can run you around to look at the bikes ........

R

 

[James Burleigh]

Thank you all for all the great advice! This has been extremely helpful. It looks like not doing the repairs is the right decision. That bike in Mission Viejo looks like a smokin' deal compared with what I've been researching out there on the west-ish coast (thanks, Skoot). And Richard, thank you for that offer. I may take you up on it. Where's Mission Viejo compared to your house? I may have to make a move this weekend; otherwise, I'm outta weekends till Fourth of July.

Mission Viejo bike Skoot found.

JB

PS: And yes, ABS is a must for me.

 

[charismaticmegafauna]

Regarding my bike: I'm looking at a new clutch and a, let's call it, re-built transmission. The engine seems to be running great. Do I just invest the $5K in my '05 ...?

I replaced my clutch this year and it cost me about 300 with parts.I have seen the guys at our shop do a transmission job in 2 day. So unless all the parts are bad I am not sure of why the cost is so high.

...It looks like not doing the repairs is the right decision.

Do they really want $5K to install a few parts in your FJR's engine?

That sounds like highway-robbery, to me.

(how do they justify that... )

 

[Joe2Lmaker]

It looks like not doing the repairs is the right decision.

I agree.

You might consider broadening your search to include the snowbelt Midwest. You might be able to find something with fewer miles.

Next time you visit your son buy a bike and ride it home.

 

[exskibum]

Hans - $5k is a most definite 'NO'. Even at $4k I would say no.

There are some good deals to be found out there. That 04 looks like a decent deal, especially if you can get it for $6,000 or less. Be a shrewd negotiator!

And yes, the 04 and 05 bikes are virtually identical except for color - both fairing plastic and wheels and handlebars.

Get a 'fresher' less-mile bike for the same or close to same price and transfer all your farkles over. If you do keep your old bike, rather than pay for the repair, I would buy a used engine off ebay and have that installed. You can get decent ones for $600-$900 if you can wait for the right deal.

+1