I have been looking for a project bike to tinker with over the winter months. I have never had a good touring bike so I was looking for something to get ready for my wife and I. Bob's BMW had a 2007 K1200GT being sold as a "Project Bike". I initially when to look at it in the fall when it was for sale at $2,495. The bike had 54,397 miles and needed a clutch. Seller claimed start up sounded louder than it should. I assumed the timing chain issue and the clutch was the culprit. The controls were sunfaded as some other parts and there was damage to the right side faring. I made and offer but they refused me. Knowing I could buy a K1200GT in good shape for $5K I passed on their counter offer. The price kept dropping down to $1,995, $1,795, $1,595 then $1,495. Knowing I could part the bike out for more than $1,495 I decided to buy it for that price. As per the dealer, it had new tires, and the spark plugs were changed at 45,612 miles.
When I got it home I began to disassemble all the parts. Noticing the sun faded parts I wanted to give the previous owner the benefit of the doubt that this bike wasn't left outside in the weather and that it just got fades from some serious on the road touring in any weather. The more I took this bike apart the more I noticed the type of dirt build up on it. The there was just so much decomposing matter stuck to the underside of the faring, tank and impossible to reach areas. I found leaves around the throttle body, etc.
That didn't really bother me, the bike ran and everything seemed to work except the ABS and the front heated seat (which the front heated seat wasn't a heated seat).
So, the goal of this post is to give a run along of how my project fairs out in two main areas: Fun Factor and Cost Factor. For the Cost Factor I will break it down into what was necessary to have the bike restored to fully functional and safe riding bike. The second will be the cost of cosmetic restoration. Item not included in the restoration cost will be any tools or gear not specifically made for this bike or accessories/farkle.
Let my project begin.
When I got it home I began to disassemble all the parts. Noticing the sun faded parts I wanted to give the previous owner the benefit of the doubt that this bike wasn't left outside in the weather and that it just got fades from some serious on the road touring in any weather. The more I took this bike apart the more I noticed the type of dirt build up on it. The there was just so much decomposing matter stuck to the underside of the faring, tank and impossible to reach areas. I found leaves around the throttle body, etc.
That didn't really bother me, the bike ran and everything seemed to work except the ABS and the front heated seat (which the front heated seat wasn't a heated seat).
So, the goal of this post is to give a run along of how my project fairs out in two main areas: Fun Factor and Cost Factor. For the Cost Factor I will break it down into what was necessary to have the bike restored to fully functional and safe riding bike. The second will be the cost of cosmetic restoration. Item not included in the restoration cost will be any tools or gear not specifically made for this bike or accessories/farkle.
Let my project begin.