What to look for when buying a RE5?

[erik]

Hi, I'm Erik from Ottawa, Canada. I'm going to check out and hopefully buy a RE5 for restoration this weekend. The seller's price is resonable but I don't know what to look for on this unique bike.

I will likely not be able to turn it over and am willing risk having to replace the proper unit. Any tips or advice or links anyone has would be greatly appreaciated.

Besides the reguler used motorbike checks, I'm hoping to pull the exhaust manifold and check the apex seals. But from what I'v eread so far the only sure check is to see the engine run under load.



I'm not having much luck with image syntax. Here's a link to a picture the sell sent me:

www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10151747536070181&l=c9fd8f3974

[steveuk]

Hi and welcome to the furum, Compression test it first.

[CPKID]

Hi Erik,
How many miles is a good thing to know. I'd pull the plug and have a look at it . Also check the CDI ignition. You should hear an audible whine when the key switch is turned on . Jump 12 volts to it if the battery is dead.CDI units cost big dollars. lots of these parts are hard to come by , and will cost you if you can find them . it was put away for some reason . The RE5 I just restored was parked due to 2nd gear not working. if the proper is beat I'd walk away . Get the best example you can afford. It is a complex bike . Bid low .
Regards,
CPKID

[koolstrike]

I will toss one more thing in. If the CDI box is dead Rotary Recycle has an electronic ignition available which eliminates the need for points and the CDI box.

What else to look at besides compression? What does the rest of the bike look like? Is the paint worn is the seat cracked are the gauges sun faded or missing, how many other parts are missing? Some parts for these bikes are not available or not available inexpensively.

I can tell you that restoring an RE5 is not cheap and there ARE challenges along the way. Like it or not, no matter how "cheap" you think you are going to be able to restore one of these bikes it ALWAYS turns out more expensive than you think.
If your wallet or your spouse get heartburn every time you go to buy "one more part" these bikes may not be for you.

Why are you doing the restoration? Is it love of working with your hands and bringing a dead back back to life or is it a belief that you can restore the bike cheaper than buying one in rideable or in the condition you want?

Many times from a cost point of view you are going to be better off just buying the bike in the condition you want rather than trying to buy it "cheap" and then restorating it.

I am not trying to discourage you, just giving you some reality.

[erik]

Thank you for all the input everyone, I'm looking forward to a hands on challenge. I'm pretty much used to projects going over budget.

Does anyone know the spark plug thread size, and hex tool size offhand? Also how much compression pressure should I expect?

The seller's price is good and he says everything is there except for an oil reservoir and a side panel. The seat and overall bike are in fair condition, just a little surface rust here and there.

Does anyone know what Rotary Recycles is selling working proper units for these days?

[snowrench]

Well, there is always some idiot on Fleabay who has dismantled a proper unit and is trying to sell it piece by piece.... But seriously.... I've got a bunch of nice motorcycles, and the reason why is patience and discretion (being the better part of Valor...) First, get some money! Then put it in your pocket and keep it there. Second, resist most every deal that comes your way. Third, pounce when the stars align: Great clean bike, distressed customer, clear title, feasible transport, absurdly low price, indifferent spouse.... it has all come together! The other posters are correct. Spend your money up front. Let somebody else lose money on the bike they've restored. I've got 3 RE5's, one that runs, one that may run and is rust free, and one that's a turd, but I paid less than $500 for each of them. I recommend buying a spare parts bike, it's way cheaper than buying what you need when you need it. Rotary Recycle will sell you parts that are not junk, unlike the vandals on Fleabay. Remember that a good seat and exhaust can cost as much as complete bike. And the corrosion which is so common to these bikes is expensive to fix, and the parts on Fleabay are usually no better. Proper Units are a vanishing breed, and if it's bad the bike is junk. Good luck, they are a joy when they run, and it's great how people lose their minds when they see one!

[wayne]

The spark plug is 18 mm and the hex size is 21 mm

See this thread as a guideline to compression.

re5rotary.proboards.com/index.cgi?board=troubleshooting&action=display&thread=1173

Also note that cold compression is going to be well down and the figures in that guideline are for warmed up engines.

[erik]

Okay, if the compression checks out, I'm buying it.

Thank you for all the advice everyone!