Hi, I tried to find something that would guide me without bothering you, but didn't so here goes. I'm considering an MC18 from Florida, the motor is in parts but is supposedly all there. There was "something not running right" according to the past owner, who claims he doesn't know how to fix bikes.

I, on the other hand, have considerable experience with 2 and 4 strokes, having rebuilt an RZ350, TZR250 (now a 340cc monster) as well as my old YZF750.

My question is -- how easy or difficult is it to get parts for an MC18? Where do they come from? Japan? Europe? I am in the US. I'd really love to do an NSR, they are such beautiful bikes, and by reputation much better handling than the late '80s TZR. Is the MC 18 worth it? What about drestricting the ignition Do I have to find a PGMIII?

Any guidance would be appreciated, and you can ping me offline at ari.gabinet@gmail.com

Oh, and the asking price is $4500 US, seems a tad high to me with the motor not working.

wow thats quite a price, I hope the rest of its pristine!

I got my 88 R2J running, but very manky and poor condition as a track bike for $700nz so about $500usd. I would've expected a nice condition road legal MC18 to be worth ~3k US max - but thats here I guess.

De-restricting is covered elsewhere on the site menu to the left, the 88 MC18 R2J is easy as can be simply disconnecting a bullet connector does it. The 89 R5k is a bit harder but still very straight forward.


go on, get one you know you want to

I think that 4500 is way too much, unless of course it's in mint condition. If you are looking for a track bike only, there are ways to look into. If you are looking for a titled MC18 though, well maybe the price is easier to pay, considering there aren't many in the US (I think).

I am about to get my R5k, that's also dismantled, (some parts missing), for approx. 450$.

Only another American can say if the price is fair or not, though as you do see decent mc21's complete offered for around $5000-$6000 it does seem very expensive.
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Please do not PM me technical questions, if you can't find it on the Forum start a thread

Bear in mind you could easily spend another $1000 on parts, and that's if the crank hasn't failed...
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MC21SP Plaything
BMW F800GS Bumblebee
Triumph 9551 Daytona Big boys toy
FJ1100 Sporting relic
GTS1000 oddball

I saw the bike also, it was listed right near the MC-28 for $9600 which I don't think sold.
Here in the states it appears we pay a very high premium for these bikes. Supply and demand.
You might take a look at the classifieds here. I saw one a short while back which was close to my home in Mi. which looked very tricked for 5500.00. A far better deal I'm sure.

Dan

Thanks for the information. I do like the idea of working on the bike, but only if I know I can get parts. Where do folks in the US go for parts? For my TZR, I've been able to order from Canadian Yamaha dealers. And if the crank has had it? I would send the crank out to be trued and welded no matter what.

Thanks again

My opinion - price is way high. If you're wanting to work on an NSR that much, I'll let you work on mine free.

As for parts, Redline Powersports (http://www.redline-ci.com/) orders directly from Japan and seems to be able to get anything that is available new.
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-Jim
'93 MC21

My bad, his asking is $4000, and there's a best offer auction feature, so I can offer less.

agabinet wrote: And if the crank has had it? I would send the crank out to be trued and welded no matter what.

It's not the crank true that's the problem, it's sourcing the bearings. They aren't widely available, and aren't cheap is what I was getting at. You might be adding quite a lot to that purchase price before it is running.

If you have the cash and the itch, then scratch it!
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MC21SP Plaything
BMW F800GS Bumblebee
Triumph 9551 Daytona Big boys toy
FJ1100 Sporting relic
GTS1000 oddball

According to the tech who looked at the bike for the seller, it needs cylinders, pistons, heads, and a crank. Where am I going to find that stuff!

Do yourself a favour, and walk away from it!

A crank is going to cost you $600+, barrels are $300+ each, heads $80, pistons/rings/pins/bearings etc. another $160 per cylinder. Factor in another $50 for gaskets and seals etc., and it`s just going to be a money pit! It`s not worth 1/4 of what they are asking.

If you've got $4000 burning a hole in your pocket, buy the MC21 in Classifieds and arrange an international shipper with the change. Sorry to be frank, but only an idiot would part with $4k for a basket case MC18, regardless of what country they are in and how much they really want one, but you need a reality check!
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There`s no cure for stupidity… but with the endless supply of stupid people around me, I must be close to finding it!

The Lizard tells it like it is!

Read - Learn - Post... not - Post - Learn - Edit!

Vampire?

That's good advice, and I've sent a note to the seller of the MC21. Wonder if I can get it registered in the US?

But I still want to know -- where would I get a crank, barrels, heads and pistons if I wanted them?

To much