Inherited 1992 851 DS(?) Research Help - Do I Ride or Display it?

Doug_

I am burning many hours researching what flavor of 851 this is and what it's value is.

I inherited this from an uncle who lost his license (cause of an epileptic episode) and parked it with just over 2K on the clock.

I took it to at a shop to have an assessment of what is needed - upon dropping it off and discussing possibilities, the shop owner stated he'd never seen one with the Dual Seat config and the upside down forks. I told him I know it is all original with no parts swapping, that it had been stored and covered for quite some time - He said well, with a little over 2K on the clock this is rare.

It is 100% original. I'm wondering if it is better to leave the original rubber break lines and hoses as well as NOT have all the seals replaced in the name of investment value?

I'm debating whether or not to upgrade the rubber parts, tune it up and have a nostalgic go around the track since my uncle is the one who got me into racing long ago.

Thoughts?

P.S. What appears as marks on the fairing is actually dust.

marvin

Doug,

That looks like a box stock 1992 851 in really nice shape. Not all that rare except that it appears to be all stock.

P.S. Your Dealer doesn't know what he's talking about ! That seat conf. is stock. There are grab handles that fold out inside. Upside down Showa forks were also stock.

AndrewS

As Marvin said, looks like a stock 851. Personally I'd replace the "safety bits" (hoses, seals in cylinders etc, and some new tyres), service it, give it a clean and polish and ride it! It's a motobike, it's what they're for! As regards investment value, it's a (very nice) 851, not an SP3S for example. Anyway, would an investor really object to new perishable items???

Just my 2p worth.

marvin

As Andrew said, motorbikes are meant to be ridden. But I'm not the one to ask ! If you could find someone who would pay a premium because it is all stock and in excellent condition, low mileage then I wouldn't ride it, leave it just the way it is.(That's conhtingent on someone paying a "premium" for it.??) 10 years ago if you asked me I would say, put some carbon cans on it, cut the top of the airbox out, add some Fren Tubo or stainless front brake lines and ride the hell out of it that's what everyone did 10 years ago. Today I might leave it alone (but then I alreaqdy have 3 other bikes to ride !) The current trend is to put bikes back to stock and "collect" them !! This one is a generic '92 851 and not really very collectable so it's your call. If you do decide to ride it, keep all of the stock parts and do not cut the rear tail/inner fender.

econti

Fix it and ride it. Not worth too much for it to be sitting around. They were built to be used.
Do you know how to ride? Or is this your first bike?

Mr.R

You've a choice to make as it isn't worth that much yet...It's a standard low mileage '92 851.
Either refresh it and ride it as was intended or sit on it for the next 40 years or more and possibly make a killing.
I know what I'd do as bikes are for riding, personally I wish the investors would find something else to plough their money into and leave the bikes to those who want to ride them.
Over 45 years ago when I was a young biker you could pick up Vincent's for under £500, now they're worth a fortune. We'd all be rich with the benefit of hindsight.

Steve R

marvin

Mr.R wroteYou've a choice to make as it isn't worth that much yet...It's a standard low mileage '92 851. Either refresh it and ride it as was intended or sit on it for the next 40 years or more and possibly make a killing. I know what I'd do as bikes are for riding, personally I wish the investors would find something else to plough their money into and leave the bikes to those who want to ride them. Over 45 years ago when I was a young biker you could pick up Vincent's for under £500, now they're worth a fortune. We'd all be rich with the benefit of hindsight. Steve R

I agree Steve ! Mark T and I have a standing joke: "OH, YOU RODE IT ! I don't want it then !"

MarkT

marvin wroteI agree Steve ! Mark T and I have a standing joke: "OH, YOU RODE IT ! I don't want it then !"

😉 😁

Doug_

marvin wroteDoug, P.S. Your Dealer doesn't know what he's talking about ! That seat conf. is stock. There are grab handles that fold out inside. Upside down Showa forks were also stock.

I think he was referring to propensity for different combinations of parts to come from the factory, i.e., a Dual-Seat setup with upside-down forks vs 'wrong-side-up' forks (I just made that term up. he he). From what I have read, the Showa forks were stock, but not the only ones you'd find. In other words, in 1992, both versions were found.

Does this sound correct to you?

Doug_

econti wroteFix it and ride it. Not worth too much for it to be sitting around. They were built to be used. Do you know how to ride? Or is this your first bike?

I was a semi-pro club racer. My uncle gave me the bug by taking me to one of his races when I was 5 or 6 years old. I was hooked ever since, but after I started racing I vowed NEVER ever to ride off-track again - I've seen too much!

Doug_

Mr.R wroteYou've a choice to make as it isn't worth that much yet...It's a standard low mileage '92 851. Either refresh it and ride it as was intended or sit on it for the next 40 years or more and possibly make a killing. I know what I'd do as bikes are for riding, personally I wish the investors would find something else to plough their money into and leave the bikes to those who want to ride them. Over 45 years ago when I was a young biker you could pick up Vincent's for under £500, now they're worth a fortune. We'd all be rich with the benefit of hindsight. Steve R

I hear ya! ...I'm also starting to research what to do with the other bikes he left: '72 Norton 750 Commando Fastback, '69 Kawasaki MkII 750.

griff851

Ah, but things are changing for the rider. There are some bikes that are being made new again. Patton's and Manx Norton's for example. There is even a company here down in Melbourne making Vincent's from scratch.
The great thing is they use better materials and incorporate things like suspension that actually work. Which is great. The conversation then goes- ' I got an original Manx I paid a fortune for, isn't it beautiful. Yeah I guess, I got a new one that is equally beautiful, rides like dream, goes like stink and works every time I go out. I think you've be gyp'd mate!

lefty

I say if you are in 2 minds then don't ride it - every mile you add to it is as a % a lot and these bikes have character (AKA foibles, for examples fuck all steering lock, suicide side stands, engines that do bugger all below 4,000 rpm, spragg starter clutches that punish poor battery maintenance and thin bars to make sure they're hell's stairs to move around), every mile you put on 2000 is a massive increase and you'll soon eat away any 'goodwill' the low miles most certainly give the bike. You need to be 'determined' or 'committed' (sic.) to enjoy these bikes (despite what anyone on this site might say!!) and as you have inherited it it's not like you've practised longing for one and been sucked in by the pure sex that they are. So... either keep it as it is for many years (no point in replacing original perishables that will only - err - perish again over the years) or enjoy recommissioning it with a view to selling it. It's not an SP2 or 3 and, ahem, it has the bastardised non BSK winning silhouette with the 851 engine (rather than the original silhouette or the bastardised silhouette with 888 engine) BUT it is totally original, all there, unrestored and even uncomissioned with one owner from new I eff all miles - I think you'd draw a lot of interest and might surprise yourself with what an afflicted (also sic) collector might pay. Does it still have the helmet lock & tool kit?