Honda

If it needs parts you will likely have to get comfortable with eBay and aftermarket suppliers. Most things I've found available for old Hondas from those two sources.

Usually it does need more than just "cleaning up". Rubber parts get hard. I recommend new tires/tubes and brake pads. Probably need a carb rebuild unless it's really good. It's also not uncommon for the rubber seals in calipers to dry out.

Does the engine turn over and make OK compression?

I've been building and saving old bikes for years. It's not really a money making thing - I break even doing it, but I'm really just doing it for fun.

Paula, it may help if you told us the price. Lots of us here have restored/ reconditioned bikes like that and know what to look for, what to do and what to stay away from.

How many miles? Clear title? etc.

Sam:nerd:

Is it a 185 or a 200? I think the 200 went to a 12v system while the 185 was 6v. I think the 200 would be easier to deal with myself.

The 200 was available in 1972. I sold several for commuter bikes, along with rain gear and front window, for guys that used the ferry regularly. They were also used for the first rider education classes in BC, at my suggestion.

UK

I see faded paint, a carb clean/rebuild, new tyres/tubes, replacing rubber hoses/other bits, and maybe new wheels. Provided a title and a free engine, a fun and not horrifyingly expensive project. It looks like the kind of project I'd take on! With that said, IMO the Twinstars aren't exceptionally popular or desirable so I wouldn't pay more than $1k. But of course, my opinion is based on the local used motorcycle market.

Front fork seals too.

From just the 'Picture.' it does look like a good starting point for a restore.

Sam:nerd:

It looks like it was stored in a pile of sawdust.

cmonSTART said:

It looks like it was stored in a pile of sawdust.

Click to expand...

That's how barn finds work! LOL Want to make a lot of money selling a roughed up vehicle? Just pour some mud and sawdust on it! :wink2:

Must be what I've been doing wrong all this time..

Often the dust cover keeps them in good shape. The handle bars are ugly, and the bolt on crash bar is not that great. They were a nice little bike to ride around town.

UK

The first thing I'll check while looking at old bikes is inside the fuel tank. If its rusty, I'll pass just to avoid having to clean it out and rust proof it. If its clean and shiny inside the tank, then the good news is that motorcycles don't get any easier to work on then a Twinstar. The one in your pic has the 185 motor with a 6 volt system and points and condenser. Honda made lots of them and the parts you cant find online (I think you can buy a new carb online for like $20) a local motorcycle boneyard should have it.

The bike was $600 or b/o. has 8500 mile.
I can't find the listing now. I guess I know I wouldn't make a lot of money off from one but I think I wouldn't want to loose money. I just want to have fun working on one.

Wish I could find that listing, I got distracted this weekend. I was thinking about offering 450 or 500.

Looks like there are several listings in the New York area. Not at the price yours was at. But this time of year you could offer any of the offer you were going to offer this guy and let them counter your offer. I bet you could get one for half what they are asking. I saw a few at $1,200. I don't think they are worth that much but they did all look to be in fair condition.

450 or 500 sounds reasonable unless there's something majorly wrong. Careful buying old vintage bikes - it starts with 1 and then it's a slippery slope.

It does make me nervous starting something like this when I should be house hunting.
What ever I buy I need it to be as close to $500 as I can get, or less.

Having $500 cash in hand does a lot to get a price down. Once the seller knows it's that or no sale, things change quickly. Or can anyway.