How much should I offer this guy for his bike?

Posted: Wed May 12, 2010 2:50 am

I'm thinking about $300. Does that make me a bad person

Posted: Wed May 12, 2010 2:56 am

Oh I forgot to mention owner says the starter usually only works when engine is warm. Tach lights go out when high beam on. Motor makes noise on left side and pops when shifting down. Someone told him valve adjust. Some rust in tank. Doesn't think there is rust in bottom of tank (Where there is some rust there is probably more I'm thinking). Title wasn't transfered when he bought it but he has title. Says he is still in touch with PO.

Posted: Wed May 12, 2010 2:57 am

Looks like a $300 bike to me....Offer him $250

Posted: Wed May 12, 2010 4:18 am

I think you're being a generous person. This bike will need a lot of work and$$$.

Posted: Wed May 12, 2010 10:26 am

Something is worth whatever someone is willing to pay for it.

He's not obligated to sell it to you for what you will offer, nor are you obligated to buy it for what he may ask for it. It's called bargaining. If you throw out the first number, just don't make it sound insulting.

Posted: Wed May 12, 2010 10:38 am

If this is going to be anything more than a parts bike then I'd save the $300 for something better to start with. If you do plan on riding this bike get it for as little as possible, its all there, but whats there is very very rough. Good luck and happy shopping.

Posted: Wed May 12, 2010 6:50 pm

god those seats make me barf a little

MB-5 Joined: May 10, 2010 Posts: 7 Location: DSM, IA

eatpasta wrote:

god those seats make me barf a little

I said the same thing about my old seat like that till I rode home on it, I kept it on there for a year! Comfy for my fat a$$ Very Happy

Posted: Wed May 12, 2010 10:01 pm

That seat is UUGGLLYY!!!But down here in Texas thats at least a 500.00 bike,looky here the valve cover is still shiny!I'd buy it for that! Just a little project wiring don't cost much to fix and niether does the major tune-up, a little spit and polish... then you got it.Besides you can always "part it out" and make a profit!Hey where's it at? nick40

Posted: Wed May 12, 2010 11:22 pm

Many days and nights outside in the weather = much $ to repair. Dry rotted tires, seals, brake hoses etc. Then carb work. Electrical issues, bad grounds, mouse chewed wires, etc. Safety first.

Save your money and buy something better unless you want to part it out. Then it's a gamble anymore. Good luck with whatever you decide. Ron

Posted: Thu May 13, 2010 12:05 am

Noise left side of the motor is more than likely loose bolts on the starter clutch. Common and easy fix.

depending on what is ment by only starter only works when motor is warm, loose wiring, same with tach light loose or dirty connections in the light shell.

The seat will sell on ebay no problem.

Popping on down shift, loose exhaust flange bolts, valve adjustment other minor things.

Tanks can be cleaned and sealed.

How much does the guy want for it.

$ 300.00 ain't bad, depending on how soon you want to ride it it could be a fun restore

Posted: Thu May 13, 2010 12:24 am

I would pass. I agree with that weathering rot, tough on all the rubber and stuff. Plus that seat is terrible.

Posted: Thu May 13, 2010 12:29 am

The part i find interesting is the seat only makes eatpasta barf a little!

Posted: Thu May 13, 2010 1:59 am

Only 3600 miles? A diamond in the rough!!!!

Posted: Thu May 13, 2010 1:59 am

Like I said here in Tx that bike for a starter is tits especially for 300 I would buy it in a minute(these things are rare as hens teeth here).You guys are sure lucky!(spoiled Laughing

)I have waited 7 months for a bike like this to come along here(in tx).There have been 2 total and not like this, one a 900 for 2000.00 and that 1100 field find for 750.00.I wouldn't pay 750.00 but 300.00 thats a whole 'nuther story.But if I were you guys..., I can't blame you for being picky, there are ALOT more of these up there than down here, and you CAN find one cheap and in better shape.So if you want to ride, wait, but if you want the satisfaction of knowing you,"built it yourself" and along the way, learn how to fix it, buy this one.Nick40

Posted: Thu May 13, 2010 3:45 am

nick40 wrote:

Like I said here in Tx that bike for a starter is tits especially for 300 I would buy it in a minute(these things are rare as hens teeth here).You guys are sure lucky!(spoiled Laughing

)I have waited 7 months for a bike like this to come along here(in tx).There have been 2 total and not like this, one a 900 for 2000.00 and that 1100 field find for 750.00.I wouldn't pay 750.00 but 300.00 thats a whole 'nuther story.But if I were you guys..., I can't blame you for being picky, there are ALOT more of these up there than down here, and you CAN find one cheap and in better shape.So if you want to ride, wait, but if you want the satisfaction of knowing you,"built it yourself" and along the way, learn how to fix it, buy this one.Nick40

That's what I have said all along. They are very lucky.

Posted: Thu May 13, 2010 6:12 am

Thanks for everyone’s input. I think it's safe to say the majority agree that this is a parts bike. Except of course you guys down south. A limited supply has made your definition of a parts bike different from the rest of the country. You can't blame people for wanting to pass on a sow’s ear when there’s a bike closer to a silk purse available down the road for a few hundred dollars more. Saving time and money by starting with a nicer bike just makes sense. Especially when you look at the price for parts on ebay and such.

So what is this bike really worth I wonder. It was not my intention when I started this thread for it to be an ebay bashing rant but....seems to me ebay is hurting this and other older bikes as much as it helps restorers get these old bikes back on the road. I see ads for parts bikes often stating "this part, and this part, and this part are worth more then I'm asking". Is ebay creating a kind of unofficial fair market value for parts bikes. I don't want to sell parts on ebay. I just want to finish my project without breaking the bank. Maybe I should just wait for the parts I want to become available on ebay and take my chances that I get good parts. Then again maybe I'll just give this guy the price he is asking and sell the parts I don’t need for cheap to people on this website just to make my money back. At least I’ll be able to see what I’m buying before I plunk down my money. The prices I see from members are generally much better then ebay. In addition the parts are being sold by someone who has intimate knowledge of the product they are selling. I would urge anyone considering fixing one of these bikes to check for parts on this website first. You know what, that parts bike is looking better and better. Maybe we don’t give you southerners as much credit as we should for being smart.

Posted: Thu May 13, 2010 11:44 am

If you already have a 900F projest you're working on, I don't think that $250 or $300 for a complete parts bike is a bad idea. Every nut and bolt you might lose or break on your project is right there at your fingertips.

Beyond that, you can part the rest out on e-bay. The body work alone, though rough, could probably bring most of your money back as a set. If it was nicer, it would be worth more than what you want to pay for the whole thing, but a complete set of paintable body work would be a good listing e-bay.

The low milage motor might turn out to be a sweethart too. Loose starter bolts might be the only thing wrong with it.

As parts bike, yes. To restore, depends how brave you are.