[Tanx] Friend looking for a TA for sale someplace in New England

[Tyler Yandow]

Bavarian Money Wasters.  I like that.  I had a ‘92 R100R until it nearly bankrupted me.  That’s not to say I didn’t enjoy it.  I bought it cheap and had to invest $500 - $750 a year for maintenance and repairs.  But when the rear end of the driveshaft let loose on the interstate that was the end.  It cost about a grand to fix and that was a bargain.  It is the only bike which has stranded me, twice.  The airheads are cult bikes for sure but if you don’t have money to throw away to stay in the “club”, owning one is not worth it unless you can do all repair work yourself.

 

I looked for a TA literally for years before finding one in decent shape within a day’s drive of home.  I paid more for my TA than I did for the BMW but it has been more reliable.  That said, when it’s cool, it starts on one cylinder. The front cylinder doesn’t start working for 15 minutes – I’ve actually timed it.  My mechanic who works on a lot of older bikes, can’t find the problem.  CDI’s have been changed, carbs cleaned, spark plugs replaced, and valves adjusted.  Has anyone had this problem?

Tyler

VT

 

From: Tanx [mailto:tanx-bounces at lists.micapeak.com] On Behalf Of Jason Howell via Tanx
Sent: Friday, February 19, 2021 1:34 PM
To: Transalp and NX discussion list <tanx at lists.micapeak.com>
Cc: Jason Howell <jphphoto at gmail.com>
Subject: Re: [Tanx] Friend looking for a TA for sale someplace in New England

 

$3500 would be fair for a turn key TA, IF you really wanted one. When you start fixing mechanical things and adding proper protection costs rise quickly. Pay now or pay later. 

 

I sold my R90/6 (not S) for $3400 (I bought it not running for $1400 but put dumb money in it to get it road worthy) to buy my TA with Adam's help and had money left over to pay for upgrades and fixes and still have some left over. . Beth refers to BMWs as Bavarian Money Wasters. I enjoyed it while I had it and put lots of miles riding all over the east coast with it. 

 

My $1800 TA will probably run close to Adam's estimate of $2700 after I add the essentials and work through minor mechanical issues. Carbs needed cleaning but it did ok before that. Minor hesitation off idle and slow warm up. One float height was low and an idle jet was clogged a little more than the other. I am able to do the work myself and enjoy doing so most of the time. It had less than 9,000 miles on the clock so the extra work should be worth the effort and cost. If someone doesn't have the time or ability to fix it themselves, $3500 is good money for something you WANT. 

 

In the process of checking my valves. What a PITA this is. Radiators off and carbs to get access to the valve inspection covers. Putting new plugs in while I'm down there too. I don't plan on ever doing that again till the bike makes me!! 

 

List of things I considered essential in a "turn key" TA:

All regular maintenance up to date and no mechanical work needed. 

crash bars

proper skid plate

proper wrap around handguards

relatively new tires (not 5 years old)

 

Bonuses: 

luggage racks

panniers

top case (if you're into that kinda luggage)

upgraded front disk brake

Race Tech suspension

upgraded rear shock 

tires that suit where you want to ride it

other useful FARKLES . . .

 

It's snowing again in NY. At least I'm not in Ted Cruz's jurisdiction! 

 

 

On Fri, Feb 19, 2021 at 12:59 PM John Borella via Tanx <tanx at lists.micapeak.com <mailto:tanx at lists.micapeak.com> > wrote:

I paid $3600 new for my 1976 BMW R90/S. Now it's worth $15-$20K. Old motorcycles appreciate eventually. My TA has about the same mileage as the one in the ad & lots of nice accessories. I've thought of selling it & that $5k price is about what I'd ask for mine.

 

John Borella

 

  _____  


Subject: Re: [Tanx] Friend looking for a TA for sale someplace in New England 

 

$5000!  Sheesh. I paid $4150 for mine brand new, had it for 10 years and sold it for $3500.  It was a bit underpowered for commuting on the Garden State Parkway.  Wish I still had it - it would be perfect for me now.  

Milt

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