Advice needed...please help.

[Dad's ride]

My Dad recently passed away at 88 & his 1985 GL1200A Aspencade with 11,248 mi. & every extra accessory that was available when new now needs to be sold.
The good news... looks great since it's been basement kept and covered.
The bad news... it's been stored for probably 20+ years without being run.
It needs a battery to even start it. However a friend said absolutely don't attempt to start it since it was stored without draining the fluids & all that gunk would ruin the engine. He said it would need servicing 1st, i.e., carburetors & gas tank cleaned, oil changed etc. Is that true? Should we start it or not? Should we spend money to have it serviced before selling it? What would be a fair sale price not running? I'm looking for honest advice please, because I'm just a daughter missing her Dad. Thanks.

[redbarron1971]

sorry for your lose, your friend is correct, do not attempt to start it, even if you did try to start it, it most likely would not start if unless it was stored with no gas in the tank and the carb's were ran comply out of gas, as gas gets old it turns to like a rubbery past, its called gumming up. you will need to service the bike before attempting to start it. As for as price you would defiantly get more if it was in running condition, without see pic's and seeing the accessories (I'm a former GW accessories sale person) cant give you what it would be worth, Kelly blue book has it at 2400.00. So i would say without running its worth 800.00 to 1000.00 (not knowing accessories) if running and every accessories that was made for that bike in 85 I'd say its worth 3500.00 to 4000.00. if you have any more question just ask and i'll try and help you. again sorry for your lose and i wish you luck.

redbarron1971
former owner of Silver Eagle motorcycle Accessories in Mason, MI

[Dad's ride]

Thank you for responding. I also found a great article today about what minimum servicing would be needed before starting bike that sat for 20 yrs. Most of which could be done by new owner not taken to a shop. My brothers just want to "get rid of it", but my Dad would be appalled at that. This bike still has a lot of miles of joy to give someone. I appreciate your sound input about pricing.

[blupupher]

A non running bike cuts the value in at least half if not more. If bike looks in excellent condition, then maybe half.
Having a bike that was stored indoors under a cover helps some, but there are always gremlins that will pop up.
Did rats get into it? Wiring chewed up? Air intake clogged? Gas tank rusted up? Brake fluid turned to sludge? Just to name a few.
Just to get it running and riding again as a DIY person is a minimum of $1,000 in parts ($300 for tires, $100 for oil, coolant, gear oil, $150 or so for carb rebuild kit, $50 for spark plugs and wires, $200 for brake pads, master cylinder and caliper rebuild kits, brake fluids, $50 for air and oil filters, and maybe an alternator, stator, RR replacement).
If you bring it to a shop, probably another $1,000 in labor.

IMO, stick it on facebook/craigslist as is with some good pics (wash the bike down and make it look good) and tell the honest story about it, list it for $1,500 and take anything over $1,000.
Someone will get a heck of a bike if they do the work themselves and will be into it for about what it is worth.

[landisr]

A non running bike cuts the value in at least half if not more. If bike looks in excellent condition, then maybe half.
Having a bike that was stored indoors under a cover helps some, but there are always gremlins that will pop up.
Did rats get into it? Wiring chewed up? Air intake clogged? Gas tank rusted up? Brake fluid turned to sludge? Just to name a few.
Just to get it running and riding again as a DIY person is a minimum of $1,000 in parts ($300 for tires, $100 for oil, coolant, gear oil, $150 or so for carb rebuild kit, $50 for spark plugs and wires, $200 for brake pads, master cylinder and caliper rebuild kits, brake fluids, $50 for air and oil filters, and maybe an alternator, stator, RR replacement).
If you bring it to a shop, probably another $1,000 in labor.

IMO, stick it on facebook/craigslist as is with some good pics (wash the bike down and make it look good) and tell the honest story about it, list it for $1,500 and take anything over $1,000.
Someone will get a heck of a bike if they do the work themselves and will be into it for about what it is worth.

Excellent advice in a nutshell.