Modern Vespa

Started scooting four years ago. Cycled through 14 rides before settling on current five.

Now a friend is moving and offered his 1986 Honda Shadow to me for $350. Haven't seen it yet - should this weekend - but he says overall good shape, good tires, 36K miles and negitves are leaking front forks and some rips in seat. Hasn't run in two years, but said ran great before. So it probably needs carb clean, oil change, new battery.

Honestly initial price sounds fantastic, but don't really want to buy and spend up to $1000K all in.

Is this bike even worth the trouble? I love scooting. Not sure what to expect with a motorcycle - particularly this model. I've seen online pics of same and can't say it moves me - just neutral toward it. But what if I try it and like it? What if the deal is too good to pass up? I can always re-sell.

Anyway, just thought streaming on this unanticipated situation.

Do you do your own wrench work? If not, that might end up pushing the price up over a thousand. Might be worth it, they didn't change too much over the years. Hopefully you don't need a carb rebuild, and just a cleaning. Sounds like you'll at least need a new battery, fork seals, probably tires...the rear brake is a pain, but hopefully its okay.

Those are awesome looking bikes though. If I could get my hands on one of the 89 ness designed ones, I would jump on it.

First thing to remember is there are going to be a lot of parts you can't get.

Tread on tires isn't what matters, bet they are dry rotted.
Most likely going to need brake cable replaced and maybe throttle cable.
Then rubber brake lines are getting really old at that age.

I wouldn't take it if it was given to me.

Plus it's a very boring bike to ride. A good starter bike for sure, but it will get boring QUICKLY.

OK - since initial post got off my backside and called two local bike shops. These are the estimated costs:

Dealer A Dealer B
Dual carb clean 225 180
Carb rebuild kit 60 60
Sealed battery 100 80
Forks labor 200 180
Forks parts 50 40
Oil change 60 30
Oil filter 10 15
Plugs 15 15
Tank cleaning 150 180
Petcock rebuild 25 30
Total 895 810

Thinking $800-900 plus $350 is more than its worth. The only thing I'd do myself is the oil change. Everything else they'd need to do or I'd have to buy and install myself anyway. May still go look and see if there's any emotional potential.

Actually I like the Shadow. You need to be sure you are comfortable with the very low seat and forward position of the footpegs though. Some like the riding position, some don't. And there is no reason to go with a beater. The market is full of nice used Shadows at excellent prices (not $350, of course, but you get what you pay for ).

FWIT, Gitder, I bought a 2004 Triumph Bonneville with 17K mi in May of '11 for 3K$. The guy had taken very good care of it, and it has been a great bike. There is a bike out there for you, at the price you want to pay, just keep looking. If you are going to spend around 1K$ anyway, get a bike that is already running and only needs periodic maintenance. Should be lots of Honda, Yamaha, Kawasaki and Suzukis in that price range.

I agree with the 1-2K estimates already offered here.

Early last summer I got an old Honda Silverwing as my first wrenching project. I had tons of fun and ended up spending around $700-800 to get it to a point where it could be safely ridden. After riding it for a bit I decided I didn't like the fit of the bike, so sold it. Part of that cost was tools, which I still own.

If you want to completely restore the bike so it is showroom new, it will obviously cost a hell of a lot more than making the bike run reliably and be safe to ride (good brakes, new tires, upgraded lights, etc.).

I see boomers in Seattle who get that one motorcycle they wanted as teenagers, and they will spend $5000-$10000 and end up with a beautiful fully restored cafe racer... that they will ride once or twice to motorcycle shows and take to a motorcycle bar once in a while.

There's good points being made. And I'm trying to further define my level of interest. I'm not 'naturally' drawn to motorcycles and wouldn't think of getting one if not for this offer. Also don't want a big project bike where total investment would bring me to $1000-1200. If I can get this and get it going for $700-800 total investment then I'm inclined to give it a whirl. That means no tank or carb cleaning better be needed. If its forks, battery, oil change and roll down the road I'll be in. Will check on it this weekend.

Wondering if I bring a GTS or Big Ruckus battery and fresh gas will one of those work to see if it starts/runs? Don't want to buy a battery just to see if it runs and tank is clean.

I would not get it if you just want to spend 700-800 on it. Repair bills have a way of snowballing.

In that case, advise you walk away. Unless this motorcycle was kept in a vacuum-sealed perfectly dry garage for the past 40 years, it will need significant work.

Well hey, lighten up on the rest of us. We like riding our cafe racer to the restaurant
- isn't that why they call them "cafe racers"?

You need to re-do your math
2012 - 1983 = 29
It was only sitting for 2 years.
Still don't think he should buy it though.

Spot on Doog, some boomers grand kid will wear an ear to ear grin when grandpa lets go. I'm glad someone had the $$ to save another piece of history. I got lots of kicks out of my hopped up Super Beetle. Sold it for 6K had probably 10 in and that was near 5 times the original cost. Gosh I miss conspicuous consumption.

If it hasn't started in 2 years,
First: Open the gas cap and smell the gas, if it smells like varnish, you're going to be rebuilding the carbs and cleaning the tank out.

Second: If the gas smells OK, you don't want to just start turning the motor over you could break a ring or score the cylinder walls.
First, pull the plugs, spray a bunch of Penetrating oil into the cylinders and let it sit over night. The next day, spray some fogging oil into the cylinders, now you want to find a way to turn the engine over by hand. Work it back and forth just a little till it feels free, then do a few full rotations by hand.

Once you get fresh gas, try firing it up.

It's pure envy speaking

And you'll see me drooling over said restored bike with the rest of the crowd.

I guess it just feels like 40 years ago!

My previous GL500 was a 1982 that allegedly only sat for 2 years... it that were true, the previous owner was riding a bike around that was incredibly unsafe as the front brakes were completely unusable, the tank was full of rust, the petcock valve gaskets were toast, the fork bearings were completely shot, the carb was full of gunk, etc. It was a hell of a fun project though.

Unless you are going to do your own wrenching, and have fun doing it, I would pass. You are trying to do the math. It will not add up with a bike that old, that you are not even sure you need or want.
You can only expect the unexpected.

Just the personal opinion of a guy that has ridden Shadows - these are heavy bikes and capable of 80 mph. It sounds like you are going at this like rebuilding a Vespa VBB 150. If you aren't willing to put the time and money into the bike to make it mechanically 100% - I'd seriously advise you to walk away.

I restored a 75 CB550 to excellent mechanical state, survivor look... although I am working on that too.

If you can't do it yourself, don't bother.

Having said that, these are damn easy and forgiving bikes to work on. Only a P200 would be easier.

Also, the forks probably just need an oil change and a working in, then they will swell back up and seal. Mine practically jetted oil and after a round of ATF fluid they have been holding a seal for 2 years.

The parts are easy to come by, check out Bikebandit.com, 90% of the OEM Honda parts are available from them, which means the parts are likely available from your local Honda dealer.


Also, there are very active forums on how to fix these bikes, there are many of them and well loved by their owners and fanatical mechanics. Most are more fanatical than Vespa owners...

The crazy thing? Honda is still making them! you can get one with even more retro spoked wheels instead of the Comstar ones on your bike... for a little more than $8K

P.S. Make sure it has the side covers and they are in good nick. These are a bitch to find used or aftermarket, and they get destroyed/lost easily.

If you're not into fixing it, pass and spend a few more bucks on a runner.

I love the Shadow though and almost bought a '04 600 last year. A bit low for me (though I like the cruiser type) but it would be great on fuel and they look really nice. I'm still considering a 750, selling my Yamaha, since the Honda 'feels' lighter.

There are a lot of Shadows on the market, just check Craig's List in March. Especially if we go over the cliff, there may be a lot for sale.

Checked it out and am relieved - it disappointed. Would need some good detailing, of course. Chrome everywhere started surface pitting. Not a big deal, just a lot of elbow grease needed. Otherwise should clean up nicely and is in overall decent condition. Seat had minor tear and grips needed replacing (were those aftermarket foam types that don't age very well).

Owner said when he parked it he's pretty sure he left a little gas and anyway never uses stabilizer. Oops - there's the carb cleaning bell tolling.

What I could see of the tank looked ok, but that doesn't mean anything in this particular case. Haven't seen anything like it before, but the tank opening is mostly blocked by a significant hump/crease whatever so that the gas splashes left and/or right as you fill up, but you can't see around the hump. So the hump looked ok, but doesn't mean anything in this case. So maybe tank cleaning would be required.

Splashed a little gas in it, hooked up a scooter battery and attached a Battery Tender Jr. to it for extra oomph to still see if it would somehow start. Well, it didn't even crank. No lights either. Some sort of electrical gremlin added to the other mysteries knocks this out of any type of contention.

Owner was visisbly upset and apologized, repeating how it ran fine two years ago when he put it away. Started mumbling about how he'll probably have to accept $100-150 to just get rid of it at this point. May be true, just won't be my $100.

Thanks to all responders.