CL list find '82 650 Turbo - what do you think?

Hey Guys,

What do you think of a turbo 650, owner say's it has 40,000 miles, last registered in 2002 and he claims it starts right up.

I currently have an '82 750 Seca that I've owned for 28 years and feel pretty comfortable doing anything on it except perhaps splitting the case and playing with gears.

What are the pitfalls of this bike? He's asking $800, it has the full fairing, but paint doesn't look to appealing overall. I could probably get it for less..

What are you're thoughts, its a 3 1/2 drive to the bike and you just can't tell much from a picture.

Thanks for any feedback.

George

 

I'd ask him for more pictures and throw in a few more questions about tires, brakes, and the things that start adding up real quick to see where you really stand on the restoration. Then go see it with your compression tester in hand, lol, and put all this knowledge you've gotten from here to use.

Mac

 

Big brother is filtering pics so I can't see if you've posted pics but off the top of my head....is it the one with the blue windshield? 40K miles? Too many.....you'll be buying a bike that is well past it's peak. Especially for a bike that has been run hard which a turbo is designed for. It's not the same as buying a Goldwing with 40K. Also, if it is that bike, look at all the crap around on the ground...tells you something about the owner. You also have to pay attention to the 10' rule.....what looks ok at 10' will not look so good when you are next to it!

There are several around with 15K for $600-$800. You might have to wait for one to come up but that is better then buying something whose pistons are going to come apart.

But, if you're he**bent on it, careful of any oil leaks...could indicate the oil pump seal on the scavange pump for the turbo is bad(spliting cases to fix), or the turbo itself needs rebuilding. Turbo rebuilds run $450 or so provided that both the turbine and compressor wheels are perfect, yours will most likely will not be perfect...just the way it is for me anyway. I rebuilt my own. The engine runs hot, very hot so look for evidence of burnt oil and leaks, anywhere. Seats in good shape are getting hard to come by and rebuild kits for carbs run $42 each X 4. The supply side check valve will prob leak and they are impossible to find, you'll have to find a work around. See if once it warms up, how badly it smokes. If after it's good and hot, it smokes a lot, the turbo is bad. Some owners will drain most of the oil to lower the amount it smokes so check the oil before starting it.

Lastly, call him and ask him not to start the bike before you arrive. You want any engine "DEAD cold" when you arrive so you can see and more importantly, hear it as it warms up. Be double sure to pay attention to the guy and how he starts it....does he rev the pis* out of it as soon as it catches? LOL....if he's one of those guys, he's ruined that engine long before you ever arrived. Or, does he slowly bring it up to 2000rpm as it warms and adjusts the choke to keep it close to that rpm? Tells you alot...

I love my bike and have decided to keep it after bring it back from the dead because it's so fun to ride but I only paid 600 for it with 14K on it so I know that I'll have it a long time.

Good luck whatever you decide,

jeff

 

I got 3, well one complete and 2 in pieces and always looking for more.…These bikes are so unique its ridiculous. My bosses son in law has the same 650 yet non-turbo, no resemblance what so ever…. utterly unique.

I’ve seen the turbo alone sell for $200 and if it has the original exhaust, well then $800 that’s a fair price…. though haggling is always fun.
If you have never ridden a turbo bike before….buy it! 8O

I will say this though, you ask of pitfalls, all bikes have their own yet with the turbo XJ…most bikes I can restore in about a month or so yet this took nearly 3….simply put…..complicated!
There is a lot more too them than most other bikes, example: knock sensor, scavenge pump, reed valves (like a 2 stroke), 5 million pieces of fairing, 1000miles of wiring, 600 relays….well not really but you get my gist.

They are more complicated than most other bikes but it is well worth the effort given how individual they are and that they are a piece of motorcycling history, as well I think only 3500 were made each yr for 2yrs, it even sounds like a good long term investment…maybe

I drove 5hrs round trip for mine, cost $500 didn’t run and looked like crap…today, I have no regrets what so ever it was a bargain, to me anyway……

You got the guys number….if its got the fairing, turbo and original exhaust and runs well then I don’t need to see it…..cha-ching, sold! (just kidding, I live in OZ)

 

Thanks guys,

That is exactly what I needed to hear.
After "cooling off", from the initial euphoria (I've always lusted for one of those) reality has set in. While I'm really not afraid to tackle such a project, realistically it would be a big project because I would end up going through the whole bike including painting it myself and I don't have the space right now or the time. As a matter of fact, my current project has taken up what room I have left. I picked up a Honda Spree Scooter and it's being completely rebuilt/overbuilt, only I'm the teacher and my boys, (10, 12 & 15) are doing all the work. Every boy should understand how an engine works and what better way to learn than by doing?

And after that, I have a '79 Honda CB1100 Super Sport waiting for me to go pick up. And I know the history of it too - it's been a garage queen since the early 80's (my brother-in-law). It will take some TLC, but at least it's a known quantity.

George

 

'79 Honda CB1100 Super Sport

Now THAT is worth waiting for. NICE bike, very nice and it's very cool that you're teaching your boys to understand engines. One or more will likely not give two cr*ps about the bike, but he'll remember this time with his brothers and especially DAD, forever....good job Dad!!


jeff