82 MB5 Project #3

Acquired Dec. 2023  in Brevard, NC. completely disassembled for $270. I thought the price was too good to be true and I spent most of the 2 hr drive from Athens wondering if I was about to be dismembered in this stranger's basement, but he turned out to be one of the nicest guys I've ever met. The tank was worth the price alone, in good condition (for an MB5), had 2 small holes at the seam that were repaired successfully via soldering. Derusted and cleaned thoroughly inside. This tank has since been swapped onto my daily #1 bike since it is currently the best tank I have.

Since I now have 3 red MB5s, and the frame could use repainting, my plan is to repaint this bike in black. This bike has good bones but there is a lot missing, it was likely someone's parts bike. It is missing lights, cluster, seat, and a laundry list of other small components, all readily available. Someone cut the silencer out of the exhaust it came with, I have since acquired another OEM pipe in excellent condition for $85 from another very nice man in Flowery Branch, GA (you meet the nicest people on an MB5). I estimate it would cost another $500+ to make this bike complete.

The bike appears to have been hit by something hard at some point, putting it out of commission. The swingarm, center stand and brake pedal are bent. I acquired a new swingarm for $50, the center stand and brake pedal will need to be replaced too. The frame and wheels do not appear to be bent or damaged at all.

Thats my cat

The engine looks to be in great shape, crank is squeaky clean and moves effortlessly. I have already rebuilt the top end and the carb. Either someone put a healthy amount of engine oil into the crankcase to protect from rusting (thank you), or the right side crank seal is shot, remains to be seen. I’ve cleaned and touched up the engine paint, except for the left crankcase cover, it looks pretty sharp if I might say so myself.

Currently I am focused on cleaning up/derusting/repainting the smaller parts in the bins. I must wait for warmer weather to paint the frame, this project will be a slow burn but I believe I can build a clean black MB5 out of this pile of junk.

As for Project #2, it is running but will require an engine rebuild due to a horrendously rusted crankshaft. Stay tuned.