The "project" '03 AN650 I purchased off eBay on January 6th finally arrived yesterday, Saturday, February 26th. I bought it knowing it was wrecked and needed a bit of plastic, some tender loving care and a good cleaning...or so I thought.
After pouring over the photos, several phone calls to the seller, lots of research on parts availability and much discussion with my husband I bid and won my new Burgman.
Well, it is a GOOD thing I was expecting the worst! I was not disappointed. Ok, yes I was but I got over it quickly since I know it will be operational soon. The bike was in far worse shape cosmetically than I originally thought. The picture angles hid a ton of damage or maybe my eyes were seeing what my heart wanted them too. :roll:
I started tearing down the bike today and am only able to salvage one piece of totally intact plastic on the body! Able to save a few things like the windscreen (need new bracket and cover but the actual screen is in one piece...may just put a GIVI on and be done with it, one headlight, the handlebar covers and one of the storage boxes...but that is about it. Fortunately the guts of the bike, frame, forks, radiator and everything else seem to be in excellent condition. Once I complete the teardown I am going to bring it to my local shop to give it the once over just to be sure before I start putting it back together.
The quality of the manufacturing has really impressed me. As bad as it looks I thought for sure I'd be parting it out. This is a solidly built bike!
I have started a journal and will be keeping a visual record as well for anyone else that might be nuts enough to follow in my footsteps...hurray for James_Eric doing it first!
And in case any of you guys are wondering...I only had to ask hubby for help twice...and only cause I needed an extra set of hands.
After pouring over the photos, several phone calls to the seller, lots of research on parts availability and much discussion with my husband I bid and won my new Burgman.
Well, it is a GOOD thing I was expecting the worst! I was not disappointed. Ok, yes I was but I got over it quickly since I know it will be operational soon. The bike was in far worse shape cosmetically than I originally thought. The picture angles hid a ton of damage or maybe my eyes were seeing what my heart wanted them too. :roll:
I started tearing down the bike today and am only able to salvage one piece of totally intact plastic on the body! Able to save a few things like the windscreen (need new bracket and cover but the actual screen is in one piece...may just put a GIVI on and be done with it, one headlight, the handlebar covers and one of the storage boxes...but that is about it. Fortunately the guts of the bike, frame, forks, radiator and everything else seem to be in excellent condition. Once I complete the teardown I am going to bring it to my local shop to give it the once over just to be sure before I start putting it back together.
The quality of the manufacturing has really impressed me. As bad as it looks I thought for sure I'd be parting it out. This is a solidly built bike!
I have started a journal and will be keeping a visual record as well for anyone else that might be nuts enough to follow in my footsteps...hurray for James_Eric doing it first!
And in case any of you guys are wondering...I only had to ask hubby for help twice...and only cause I needed an extra set of hands.