This is my first post. Apologies for asking the same rookie buyer questions you get all the time.
Airhead bug bit me couple of months ago. I’ve been learning about Airheads and looking for one.
A R90S has surfaced quite close to where I live, asking $5k. It’s all stock with only 1k miles on it from what I gather. The current owner, a big-time antique car restorer (it was a treat to look at so many old cars restored) bought it from his friend, the first owner, over 25 years ago and it has sat indoors since. He is downsizing his collection due to health issues.
The good:
- Red color – paint is exceptionally good
- Overall, the bike is in quite a decent shape
- Both the front brake discs are smooth – no ridges, no bumps,
- Owners says the carbs were upgraded to Bing from Delorto by the dealer at the time of purchase – don’t know if it is good or bad or doesn’t matter
- New tires, new battery, has original toolkit
- Carbs have been rebuilt, the engine fires up at the first press but idling is quite rough, Tacho jumps between 2k and 3k RPM
- Left and right indicators work
- Break light works when the foot pedal is pressed but doesn’t when the front brake lever is pressed. Parking light turns on but headlight doesn’t
- Reasons for rough idle?
- Corbin seat is flaking/withering, the sponge is hard to touch, needs to be replaced
- No side stand, no saddlebags/panniers (I want them though)
- Front wheel is plenty stiff. I had to try hard to get it to turn 30 degrees. Don’t know if the brakes are jammed or the bearings or incorrectly mounted when the tire was replaced
- Same story with the Clutch lever, very hard to press
- The bike is quite loud, not the soft “pukka”, “pukka” sound Airheads are famous for, and smoky too (perhaps due to oil added to lube the pistons to get it to start?). Tail end of the muffler looks a bit different (see last photo). Louder mufflers were an option?
- Also, the owner says the right muffler discoloration is due to bad needle in the right Bing carb.
- Valve cover looks like the ones on /7. Or did the last of R90S get this too?
- No maintenance records. Understandable if it was stored after truly running for 1k or am I getting ahead of myself?
- Front shock boot (right) is torn
- Seat doesn’t latch/lock
- Clutch rebuild
- Lube Transmission splines
- Brake calipers replace, bleed master cylinder
- Lube front shocks
- Replace exhaust because I don’t like the sound
- Don’t know how much the panniers cost
- New seat
- Given the age, all the sealants, gaskets, O-rings needs to replaced sooner than later? This is my main concern
- New piston rings?
- I’m sure I’ve missed other important stuff
- Importantly, how much all of this would set me back and if it is really worth pursuing?