Good Deal?

Hey all...
im fairly new to the motorcycle world. (atleast the on-road portion of said world) and i came across a tempting deal for my first road bike. thought i would ask some advice from those who may know....

its described as a 1982 XJ650 Seca. asking $1200

the pics look decent, though the paint has seen better days:




what do you think of the price, and the bike?
thanks for your help,
urn

 

Buy it, ride it, enjoy it. Sounds like a good deal to me.

 

Price? A little much, $1000 tops should the compression test turn out ok. Spare engine is nice but a paper weight until you need it. Rule of thumb on a used bike is $1 a cc and add or subtract for condition. If it ain't sparkeling, less is indicated. Compression test will determine (to a small degree) the mechanical soundness of the machine. Test drive is in order. If all is well, I'd offer the grand as my highest offer (start at $800 and see where it goes).

 

1$ a cc that is what stuck out in my mind when i went to buy my bike.

 

I'm with Robert. If the bike look a lot closer to showroom; then you take into consideration the love and care its been shown over the years.

When it comes with that "Rattled-Krylon" look and a "Subsequent speedometer" with long-miles showing ... you might be getting a bike that's runnin'-out of happy-miles, soon.

It's like that old story, about the farmer, who tells the guy that the sway-back mare he's selling is unique because it's a talking horse.

The guy smells a bad deal and is walking away until the horse says: "Hey, do the deal and get me the hell away from this lunatic. We'll be famous!"

Surprised that the horse does talk ... the guy goes back and gets the farmer to accept several hundred dollars less than the original selling price.

Laughing as he leads the horse away; the guy yells back to the farmer: "Hey, you idiot ... you just sold me a real talking horse!"

The farmer yells back: "Yeah, ... What he say this time? You'll be famous?
That broke-down nag told me he'd win The Kentucky Derby."

 

looks and sounds like its been taken care of...1200 aint bad...ride it for yourself, if it fits and rides nice,i say jump on it. those old secas are good runners if kept clean. nuttin else,you can ride it for awhile and chpo it later if you get tired of the way it looks...or customis it to fit your personality...they also get great mileage, use in the rite manner it could pay for itself...

 

Seems a bit pricey for a 25 year old bike. Would make a great cafe racer but you have to consider the cost of repainting unless you're in to easter yellow. I say lowball the guy. If he puts the bike in storage, he's losing even more. Can't hurt to try. Good luck.