Is this bike worth it?

https://huntington.craigslist.org/mcy/6131932348.html

What's the most you'd offer? I may be trading a 22 pistol for it.

 

not running needs tires.
my area running goes from 600 to 900$
I like this one better and its running
https://eastky.craigslist.org/mcy/6128409379.html

 

Sure that's a better bike, but it's twice the price. I wouldn't even be considering the other one if I i wouldn't be trading for it. I gave $300 for the gun. I rescued an 80 xj650 maxim recently and found that I enjoy fixing up old bikes. The xj is running perfect now. Then plan is to get the virago running and sell the xj, then start another project bike, rinse, repeat.

 

That bike is NOT worth the $300 you invested in the 22 pistol.
Offer him $100 - settle for $150 cash in hand. He can't get it to run (but it looks cool ), it is worthless scrap to him.
Leave your phone number with him and walk away . . .

 

I have to agree with Stumplifter. If it doesn't run, its a parts bike, and with the modifications it doesn't even make a good parts bike.

 

+1

Unless thee firearm can't shoot; then it's a fair trade.

 

But it's a Virago not an XJ.
And the XJ has the rare king/queen seat

 

Complete bike not running .25-.50 cents a pound.
That's my rule unless it's a beautiful barn find then that can go as high as .75-1.00

 

I plan to take a battery and voltmeter when I go to look at it on the chance that I can immediately identify the problem.

If it has compression and spark then it's likely to be a fuel delivery problem, and that I know I can fix.

If it's a no spark condition I'll see if I can quickly pinpoint the culprit. I'm going to do a little research on where the different starter circuit safety components are at and how to test or temporarily disable them. If I can't quickly determine the primary cause of the no start condition then I'll offer him $100 like was suggested.

.50 cents per pound would be roughly $230.

New question: If you could verify spark and compression would that increase it's value? This is assuming you are competent at wrenching and plan to repair and resell it at some point.

 

you just want someone to tell you to buy the bike. so here it is trade your gun to him "Great deal". be ready to spend some money on it

you want to ohm out the pickups and ignition coils . test for voltage from fuse to run/kill switch down to tci
all the standard stuff

there is a virago web site out there too

the bike is worth what ever you wish to pay for it

check your inbox left you something to educate your self on the beast you want to check out

 

Ask the seller if you can check for spark and compression, see what he says.
Do NOT offer up that the compression is good and it has spark so I will give you the gun and an extra $100.

You say; "Well there is compression and spark, but the bike still doesn't run - here is $100 to get rid of this problem for you.". Have an extra $50 in your other pocket in case he balks.

Truer words never spoken.

 

No, that's not the case at all. All I want is sincere responses to the question. I highly value the opinions of the guys here. If I thought it was a worth it I would just get it, regardless of anybody's opinions.

I'm assuming by your response that your answer would be "no" to the question of spark + compression increasing the value.

Let me ask you a new theoretical question. Suppose you were me, and while looking at the bike you find a break in the kill switch wire. You splice it together, hit the start button, and she fires up. Would that make it worth $300 to you?

This is what I'm trying to determine, how much I would pay for it.

Thanks! Greatly appreciated.

 

Think about how what selling price you want to ask (or can reasonably get) once you fix it and get it running, vs the expense of doing so. Has to make financial sense. That fact it has been chopped already makes it harder to sell. So in order to hedge your risk a bit I would look at the following large expense items. Does it need tires (check date codes, condition)? Does it need a chain and sproket? Does it need a battery? These three items alone will cost at minium $450.00 to purchase. Brakes, master cylinder, fork seals, etc are cheap in comparision. Next big item would be the enigine. Quick and dirty test would be to take a portable battery jumper (easyier than taking a motorcycle battery) and starting fluid. Take the air filter off and spray about 3 shots of starting fluid in both cylinders with the thorttle open so the mist, at least, makes it past the carbs, at best into each cylinder. Having the battery jumper hooked up, crank it with the throttle wide open. It should fire up for at least 2 or 3 seconds. And who knows, maybe continue running with any gasonline present. If this test fails, than it is proably ectrical related. If it succeds, then you know you have fuel issues. A compression test is always a good idea. Even if it starts up. If you have low compression then, of course, you are looking at another big expense.

 

The ultimate decision on the purchase is worst case. If I can't get it to run can I part it out to recoupe my cost, or how much do I spend to make it run and is there any profit on the back end or do I keep it and could I by a bike for less than invested. Or do I love it so much I don't care how much I pour into it

 

I picked up a XJ750K for 100$ because it was not running . when i did my tests on it it had a broken wire on the ignition fuse (and the fuse was blown) that the owner "fixed".
I did not tell him. he wanted 300$. brought it home. did my acetone and atf to the cylinders for 5 days fixed the wire replaced the fuse it started.
am I a smuck for not telling him what was wrong? maybe. one must be carefull of the exam you do and what you find because you just might get it started in front of the owner and drive up the price or change his mind about selling it.
the bikes I have purchased have all had spark and compression. typicaly just needed the wiring cleaned ,fixed and a solid carb clean to get them up and running. then comes making them safe and reliable.
is the bike your looking at worth 300$ as it sits? this is the high end to me.
I can buy a running 750 v today complete uncustomized for 600$
I would trade an unwanted gun for the one you are looking at. If I had an unwanted gun.
every thing can be fixed but it depends on what your final goal is for the bike.
I put 1000$ into my first XJ550, runs great will I sell it for that doubtful , I will continue to enjoy it for a few years then I may sell it for current market value. of 500 to 700 $. I was offered 900$ this year for it but the guy had no license and it was going to be his first bike. I told him no. he ended up buying a 250 suziki.
my wife asks me what I am going to do with 5 yamahas. I tell her i am going to buy 3 more so I have a bike to ride when I wash the other 7.

 

Wait ... there's such a thing as an unwanted gun? I've never heard of such craziness.

 

Looks like worthless crap, too. A hacked up virago......meh.

 

The'yre not rare.....I have three of them--one doesn't even have any tears

 

Tommy - pardon my french but WTF are you saying here? (AND in your previous question).

Are YOU the one selling this? Why in the name of everything holy would you look for a reason to pay someone MORE $$$ for something that you want to buy?

Look if you have $$$ to throw around come on up to the Northwoods in Wisconsin and invest in my broke butt.
Either you are rather confused or it is truly you that are trying to sell this and are fishing for what would be an appropriate price . . . .

 

It's' a shafty--no chain/sprocket

 

No-- he was selling a non- running bike. He named a price, you named another , he accepted...he could have said no, or countered.

If ai think I figured out why a bike won't start, and I do want to buy it, that's where I stop and say, yeah, I'll take it for 'X', do the transaction , and then Say let me put with it a bit and see if I can get it to start enough to get onto the trailer.......fire it up, load, drive away.

Funny story with that-- quite a number of years ago, ai came across a nice snowmobile that the guy wanted " $300/make offer. It'll start first pull, hit the gas and blow snow everywhere but it just won't move!" I drove over, he fired it up --sure enough just like he said-fired up first pull and threw snow everywhere, but would not move. I Said, "geez.....I dunno----"he said ,"You want to look at it more, or haul it out right now-id be happy the #$R%^ is gone for $50. I quick gave him $50 and said 'done, I'll just load it" He was happy, asked it I wanted help loading, I said, 'no, I'll just ride it onto the trailer". He looked puzzled.......I broke the ski's free of the ice and Rode it on to the trailer. He talked HIMSELF down.....lol

Tell her, 'cause that's what Dave does with his other 40'

 

as a '93, it shouldn't have the ubiquitous Virago starter issue, but just be aware that issue may still present itself---

 

I'm not....I'm trying to decide on what my cap would be. He's asking $500. That's out of the question. The absolute most I would possibly give is the pistol for which I gave $300.

 

Ok so you have probably 1/2 the ones left on the planet
When I sold new maxims from 1980-83
We sold only 2 k/q seats out of the more than 150 maxims that left the store. Rare enough I think

 

guns are like motorcycles always need another one...
wish I had the thompson my father brought home.

 

OK - then listen to this:

Tommy -
I apologize if I read you wrong - maybe you are just very generous.

The seller has a bike that isn't running and chances are good he tried to get it running and failed - it is a boat anchor to him, he wants it gone it is nothing more than a reminder of a failed attempt at making a rat bike and he would like some $$$ for it; no harm in low-balling him.

 

go there look at it probe it with your meter make your offer. if he says no give him your name and number drive away. you likely will not get your truck out of park before he changes his mind.
see those kids toys in the background of the photo ? probaly has been motivated by his wife to sell the non running bike cause she has cut him off for spending money.

 

Here's my approach:

Write down how much you're willing to spend to get the bike you want and to make it safe to ride (purchase price, taxes, title, insurance, parts, labor, etc.). This is your out-of-pocket max. Read these forums and skim the XJ4Ever catalog to understand what parts will cost for common issues. Know what work you're willing/able to do yourself and what you'll need to bring to a mechanic.

Now, go look at a bike, inspect it carefully and make notes of everything. Tread depth, body filler, dents, compression, cold start, frozen calipers, etc. Add up the cost to deal with repairs and maintenance and subtract that from your out-of-pocket max. That leaves you with some amount to buy the bike. Point out the issues and explain what you believe it will cost to have it taken care of and start negotiating.

When you're done, either you'll have the bike you want within your budget or you'll feel good about walking away.

Repeat as needed until you get what you want.

 

I went to look at it. I could've got it for $100. Told him I want to sleep on it. I was in the area already to pick up a freebie. 82 xj?50 Seca. I'm pretty sure it's a 750 because the oil capacity is 2500cc. It's basically trashed but has a few parts I can use.

I will probably go get the virago for $100, haven't decided for sure yet.

Thanks to all you guys for the the input.

 

I just figured out that the free bike I picked up is an 650rj! I was going to cannibalize for when I need a metric bolt on the Maxim but knowing it's a 650 makes me want to restore it.

 

you should restore it is a 82 seca 650 correct?
see this thread
XJ650RJ Seca Build

it is a rare bike

 

Yea I had already seen that thread, it's the only reason I knew it was rare/desirable. It will probably take me a decade to find all the parts I would need to restore it to factory condition...and that probably being overly optimistic.

 

Tommy -

Great score!

Now, here's what you do......don't wait--go pick up the XV for the $100, then part it out. you'll make some money.....now take that money and throw it into the RJ. you'll STILL come out ahead . How do you think ai ended up with over 40 bikes? I only owe anything on one of them... They pay for them selves with parts that are used/traded/sold off of others.

 

Most of the parts are readily available. There are some that will be tough.....,but just keep asking here as there are many of us who have big stashes of parts......

 

Going this evening to pick it up.

 

Yea I know somebody who just picked up a nice seat that would fit this bike....

You plan on using it or reselling it?

 

It's going on my 650rj, but when I'm done swapping things around, I may have something to help you out-----send me a private conversation

 

awesome, pm sent

 

Looking forward to seeing pics.....

 

It's pretty depressing to look at.

Here's the pic from the craigslist add.

 

You have your work cut out for you! If you just think about what it WAS, it's depressing...... but-- if you think about what it CAN BE AGAIN and just view it as a personal challenge and goal, then take your time and yet will be exciting.

 

I've seen worse get turned into show-quality restorations. Take your time and work smart.

 

I already got the virago running. It turned out to be the kickstand switch.

 

I hope you fixed it AFTER You paid for it..... did you fix it in front of him ?????LOL

 

Nope, waited until I got it home.

The funny thing...he told me his neighbor bypassed the kickstand switch while "helping" to get it running.

 

you should take it for a cruise by his house

 

all i would like to know is what kind of 22 was it ?

 

The pistol I mentioned at the beginning of the thread was a Ruger 22/45 P512.

What I actually ended up giving for it was a Marlin model 60. I valued that gun at $100.

It was identical to this one. http://www.armslist.com/posts/27593...glenfield-marlin-model-60-squirrel-stock-22lr

 

22/45 bull barrel target, i have one of those. the marlin was a better deal

 

Without a doubt. I wouldn't have traded the pistol for it after I saw it in person.