850 T3 1975 ebay rust bucket "very restorable" WT?

[Triple Jim]

I know guys who have time that doesn't have to be turned into groceries (the opposite end of that spectrum) who would take this bike to its smallest component parts, clean and fix (if possible) each one, and put it back together, using good used parts to replace the ones that were too far gone to use ... hundreds of hours possibly, but they've got that, and at the end they might have a nice bike to ride ....

But they'd almost certainly still have more money invested in it than its market value.  I was just telling my daughter that I have almost all the parts needed to put together a Kawasaki S3 (400 triple), but if she decided to do that, it would need to be a labor of love.  She'd have to spend somewhere around 3 or 4 thousand dollars to make a decent rider, and it would then have a resale value around $2,500.

[oldbike54]

I got that same question several times from folks when I parted out the Convert. I do this to make money, a restoration would cost many times the market value. I don't run this business to lose money. 

 Make money ??? On Guzzis ????! Surely you jest  Seriously , I think like you when it comes to losing money on motorbikes .

 Dusty

[steven c]

I've brought home worse. ( see LeMans in my photo) Maybe not smart but I think $500 is a fair price.

[Dave Swanson]

I get the same feeling looking at a neglected old Tonti as I do when I look at the website for the local animal shelter and see all the dogs that need a home.  I get a strong urge to bring them home and give them a good life!   

[n3303j]

The T-3 I had came with police bars and the big police sidestand.  IMHO why would you buy this when you can get a running '98 EV for 2K.

Tex

Paid $3K for my '77 T3 that spent 18 years in the barn unattended. Spent about a year going through everything and adding money. 82,000 miles later all i can think is what an absolutely wonderful machine to have and ride.

Paid $2150 for my for my '98 EV that was lovingly taken care of by the original owner. Rode it the 120 miles home and redecorated it to my tastes (stock). 6,000 miles later all i can think is what an absolutely wonderful machine to have and ride.

But they are different machines and complement each other. I could not see the one ever replacing the other (although they did replace 3 BMWs).

[redrider90]

Paid $3K for my '77 T3 that spent 18 years in the barn unattended. Spent about a year going through everything and adding money. 82,000 miles later all i can think is what an absolutely wonderful machine to have and ride.

I gotta ask. How would you compare the condition of your 77 barn find to the T3 that started this thread?

[Guzzistajohn]

1400 is 900 in WG bucks. Tried to sell a v11 scura here one time, it was a $3000.00 lump. Sold it on CL for 6K

[n3303j]

I gotta ask. How would you compare the condition of your 77 barn find to the T3 that started this thread?

I had to replace piston/ cylinders with Ghilardoni. Rebuilt all calipers with new pucks. I bored and sleeved both master cylinders. Then replace mufflers, cables and all oil and hydraulic lines. The remainder was a major disassembly, clean, lube and polish and a few bearings as required. Transmission and lower engine were all solid.

The one that started this post would probably need sverything mine got and maybe a set of fork fubes and maybe some bearings between wheels,  swingarm and steering headset.

At $500 I probably would have bought it if it were around when I was shopping.

Then again I paid $4K for a '66 BMW R60/2 without matching numbers about 14 years ago. Threw about a year and another $4K on a 100% tear down and rebuild to make her run excellently and look okay (great cosmetics isn't my thing, I'd rather be riding). Rode 50K miles and then wanted more power and better brakes so bought a K100RS low mileage, running and looking great for $3,500 from a dealer.

I always am shown these great deals others get on used machines. Me, I'm the guy who pays too much and then adds more money on top of that (at least that's how my wife sees it).

There is great personal satisfaction in learning a machine that is new to you. There are hours of labor in these restorations. It requires just enough mental resource to totally block out the day to day worries and concerns that nibble away at your calm. It feels like accomplishment. At the end it is a real pleasure to explore new or old places on a machine that you have become intimate with through hours of exposure. It also boosts confidence on the road knowing you have examined every piece of your machine and you know how to fix it.

[RayB]

I've seen some guys start with much, much worse than that T3 when it comes to old brit bikes and have beautiful outcomes....at a cost of course. Some guys spend money at a bar..some like to restore

[Turin]

My 850 T was worse, but not by much. She's a nice bike now.

[guzzista]

My 850T, a $ 1100 Ebay find, turned into this after a good dose of cash injection, lots of elbow grease and , of course time, which could have easily been spent at the bar or a shrinks office, then again I wouldn't have this bike to show for

[nbags]

that bike is on cl for 500 the bike is really rough .ok parts bike

[Tom]

Rat bike like Tetanus.

[canuck750]

My 850T, a $ 1100 Ebay find, turned into this after a good dose of cash injection, lots of elbow grease and , of course time, which could have easily been spent at the bar or a shrinks office, then again I wouldn't have this bike to show for

Nice looking bike!

[injundave]

I just looked at the bike on ebay. Looking at the plate on the steering head it says the bike was built in Jan 1975 and the number is 100675. My bike's plate says Feb 1975 and has number 100674. Hmmmmm, consecutive numbers. From what I have managed to find neither number shows as being in the range of factory numbers. Huh???

I have started to wonder if perhaps the bikes were imported into the US with engine numbers but were not assigned a date until sold. Can anybody help here? Incidentally, if I didn't live half way around the world I would buy this rust bucket in a heart beat.

[unclepete]

I just looked at the bike on ebay. Looking at the plate on the steering head it says the bike was built in Jan 1975 and the number is 100675. My bike's plate says Feb 1975 and has number 100674. Hmmmmm, consecutive numbers. From what I have managed to find neither number shows as being in the range of factory numbers. Huh???

I have started to wonder if perhaps the bikes were imported into the US with engine numbers but were not assigned a date until sold. Can anybody help here? Incidentally, if I didn't live half way around the world I would buy this rust bucket in a heart beat.

That's funny . My T-3 is registered as a '76 and the build plate on the steering head shows it built in Jan. 1975 with # D100922 . Engine matches . Maybe they just picked numbers out of a hat ?
Despite what can be spent to bring one of these back to life they are right now a bargain when compared to other bikes of that vintage .
Of course it's not about money .

[wahoo650]

here' it is on CL.

https://cleveland.craigslist.org/mcy/5680253697.html

[Antietam Classic Cycle]

Here's another, not much if any better, for more $$.
http://harrisburg.craigslist.org/mcy/5678914456.html

[Groover]

The one listed by the OP was listed on CL for I think $1500 for a while, then he dropped it to $500 when he listed it on eBay. Something like that.. it may have even been $1800 at first.

[oldbike54]

Here's another, not much if any better, for more $$.
http://harrisburg.craigslist.org/mcy/5678914456.html

 Translation , " Bought this thing in the false belief that it would be an easy restoration" ."After 5 years of no progress , and the wife saying she needs a new refrigerator that costs $1,200.00 , well..." 

 Dusty

[chuck peterson]

Yup, see there, more stainless fenders, their frekin everywhere...it just gives your brain some signal that there is hope...next thing you know, your placing a $4k order with mgcycle...MAKE IT STOP...I like the black with gold stripes

[Muzz]

Incidentally, if I didn't live half way around the world I would buy this rust bucket in a heart beat.

But Dave, you do.