Good airhead project or no?

[Windwalker1]

This is my first post, hopefully more to come.
i am thinking about buy an r90/6 that is local to me and needs some work. Check this link out to a craigslist site.
http://albany.craigslist.org/mcy/5609701061.html

i checked the bike over in person and it isnt too bad.
a short list i compiled as to what it will need.
a master cylinder
mufflers
new ignition, or new key made
headlight
probably a new wiring harness
new lines
battery
and, of course, ill probably tear the whole thing down and refinish the frame and paint.
i can probably pick it up for 1500
im not too experienced with airheads; ive had a few vintage kawasakis, am decent at wrenching, but dont really want to get into the engine, but the owner said it ran about 10 years ago and then was stored while he had a half dozen other bike builds going on.
it has compression.
what do you think? a good project or pass and find something that needs less work?

[melville]

Oh, you should totally go get that. Looks nicer than what I started with.


I may not be the best person to ask, though.


Do you want to ride immediately? Or will it just be fun to fix it this summer (and over the winter and well into next summer) and sit on it every now and then and make engine noises with your mouth?

Practice this--Airhead motor noise is 'tickety tickety tickety.'

[Windwalker1]

I dont plan on riding it anytime soon. i want to get into the process and advance beyond just tinkering.
my father left me a 60s R/something? basket case without an engine in it and i want to try something a little less terrifying to gain some confidence before i take something like that on.
i guess my biggest fear at this point is buying something that hasnt been running for 15 years or so but "has compression"

but yeah, taking it apart and getting back to life would be immensely satisfying i imagine.

[Texer]

I'm the kind of guy that would love that kind of experience again. The knowledge and support is here. The parts are there and available.

[khittner1]

I wouldn't favor a '74. Problematic first-year transmission, and lots of one-year-only parts. At best worth less than half of the asking price. Fixed up and running, it's not really a prize.

[Airbear]

I wouldn't favor a '74. Problematic first-year transmission, and lots of one-year-only parts. At best worth less than of the asking price. Fixed up and running, it's not really a prize.

Don't listen, Windwalker. That is a proper 1974 R90, not one of those later bikes where they fixed the interesting, character building stuff. I love my '74 to bits. And I've just bought another '74 basket case to fix up. The '74 has the /5 handlebar controls - much nicer than the later ones, and you can fit a good aftermarket handlebar-mounted master cylinder quite cheaply to give you a real brake.

[Zombie Master]

I had a 74 R90/6 for 11 years. Great bike. IF you are going to restore it, don't be tempted into lightening the flywheel. That would ruin the feel of the engine.....IMO