1963 R69S shed find. value

[japyke]

Sorry, another one of these posts. Oh well, for what it's worth.
A friend of mine bought this bike new:
'63 R69S 13k miles.
black, big tank, side bags, windshield, luggage rack.
alum wheels (rear bent a little) and I didn't see the mirrors.
I asked him what it would need to go down the road and he said "gas". He then acknowledged that it smokes a little when you start it. It has some corrosion here and there but altogether not a bad looking bike.
I come to be interested in this bike by going one step forward and three backwards. '83 R100RT, '03 adventure, and now '07 adventure. I figured the real adventure may be trying to ride this thing to Tenessee.
He wants $5500. Whadyathink?

[marchyman]

If you can start it and ride it around the block offer him $5K. At least you'd know you have all the major pieces. :rocker

[72598]

Last year my 61 R69S (after rebuilding carbs/petcock, de-rusting tank and new battery) took 14 kicks to start (it had been parked since 86 or 87)

With the low mileage sounds like a good deal, I'd love to have a 63.

[japyke]

Thank you for the prompt replies. I think I'm going to make it through the obsession stage w/o pulling the trigger. I've got R69 on the brain right now from all the forum posts, classified ads, restoration articles, and images. I'm hoping to take off for TN before I buy this bike. I don't know anything further about the bike as I've held off asking for details (like how long it's been sitting). I know it kicks over (yes, I'll admit it, with what didn't feel like tons of compression) but realistically the motor probably deserves a thorough going over before a long trip. I've faced it, the bike is gonna' need $$ and time. Do I want to own and ride one of these bikes that badly?
I've let the R69 rally appearance in TN dream go; maybe next year.
For now I'm just getting the '07 ready for the trip. I can't wait to look at /2's (The R69S in particular!)and meet those of you who ride them. Thanks again.