Thining about picking up this xs650 for a bobber project.
- Thread starter hanly2
- Start date
M
Mach-5(50)
Guest
If it were me, maybe $800 tops, assuming it has a title. You have to look at how much the repairs are going to cost, and add that on top of the asking price. What is your time worth if you fix it yourself? Maybe its a quick easy fix and you come out ahead, maybe not.
The other thing I would look at is, how much of the bike are you going to keep as is? Are you leaving the tank? I would assume most of accessories are coming off, as well as the seat. Can you make any money back selling them on e-bay or anything? And, how much are the pieces going to cost to make it the way you want? If you have to drop a few hundred dollars, (and I think we all know that is a a conservative estimate), is it worth $1500 or more to you?
The point is, sometimes you are better off with a bike in a little worse shape, that is still be mechanically sound, you can pick up cheaper. You are still going to have to put money into it, can you get away with starting with a cheaper platform? That bike looks very nice, and (it looks like) someone has put quite a bit of care and maintenance into the bike. Maybe it is a little more put together than you need to start with?
Can you tell us a little more about your vision?
Later,
Ryan
The other thing I would look at is, how much of the bike are you going to keep as is? Are you leaving the tank? I would assume most of accessories are coming off, as well as the seat. Can you make any money back selling them on e-bay or anything? And, how much are the pieces going to cost to make it the way you want? If you have to drop a few hundred dollars, (and I think we all know that is a a conservative estimate), is it worth $1500 or more to you?
The point is, sometimes you are better off with a bike in a little worse shape, that is still be mechanically sound, you can pick up cheaper. You are still going to have to put money into it, can you get away with starting with a cheaper platform? That bike looks very nice, and (it looks like) someone has put quite a bit of care and maintenance into the bike. Maybe it is a little more put together than you need to start with?
Can you tell us a little more about your vision?
Later,
Ryan
I don't think he's too far off. And most asking prices are just that...ASKING prices.
The carbs and starter are a common XS problem. If you can build a bobber, then you can clean and synch the carbs. They may need new needles/seats, but that's not expensive or hard to do.
The starter may just be the spring. You can re-tension it for a temporary fix, but a starter repair kit is less than $40. You do have to remove the clutch basket and some other stuff to get to it, but again, it's totally a DIY job.
Offer ~$900-1000 and I bet he takes it. You can easily make back a couple hundred with the seat, mufflers, headlight, windscreen, etc, etc.
The carbs and starter are a common XS problem. If you can build a bobber, then you can clean and synch the carbs. They may need new needles/seats, but that's not expensive or hard to do.
The starter may just be the spring. You can re-tension it for a temporary fix, but a starter repair kit is less than $40. You do have to remove the clutch basket and some other stuff to get to it, but again, it's totally a DIY job.
Offer ~$900-1000 and I bet he takes it. You can easily make back a couple hundred with the seat, mufflers, headlight, windscreen, etc, etc.
Big question is do you want mags or spokes? Earlier (1975, 76 etc.) XS650's come with standard shouldered alloy rims w/spokes. If you want to go that route, you're better off finding an earlier model. If you like the mags, and the 16" (I think) rear wheel with disc (I think) brake, then this isn't a bad starting point.
Not sure what he means by 'work on the starter' - does that mean the starter motor isn't engaging the engine, or the button is broken or what?
Not sure what he means by 'work on the starter' - does that mean the starter motor isn't engaging the engine, or the button is broken or what?
My vision for the bike is to just drop the back end and put a solo seat and and maybe some different bars and drive it. I have seen some of these bikes but they are all going for like $600 or more and they look like they are in much worse shape. My thinking was that I don't want go all the way back to scratch with this thing like I did my cafe, I'd rather make changes too it as I ride it. I would def sell the windscreen and the seat, probably keep the exhaust. I figure the better the bike is when I start the less I will have to do, I don't want to have to take the motor out of the frame and all that and paint it. The actual asking price is $1300 but I already offered 900 and he countered with 1100. I don't mind the mag wheels at all I have seen some bobbers done with them and they looked nice. I don't even need the starter as kick is fine with me. And I bet the carbs just need jetted because of the new exhaust.
gribbs
Coast to Coast
I agree with Tim: the starter issue is a bit ambiguous and if you have to get deep into the wiring that could be pricey and take time
I think any of these old bikes, not running, no matter what their shape may be, should not be bought for more than 1000 bucks (90% of the time at least) I would rather buy somethin dirt cheap and assume all is fuct with it, than spend a bunch and still have to take the PO's opinion about what is busted on it and why. But, if you pay 1100 and you are willing to spend 1500 to add your seat, bars and need a new carb kit and possible spend time on wiring, then go for it.
Are you going to be doing all the work yourself and time is not an issue? Maybe that is the deciding factor.
I like those rims too, but only if they are painted ALL black
Will be lookin good with just those suttle changes you mentioned
good luck
I think any of these old bikes, not running, no matter what their shape may be, should not be bought for more than 1000 bucks (90% of the time at least) I would rather buy somethin dirt cheap and assume all is fuct with it, than spend a bunch and still have to take the PO's opinion about what is busted on it and why. But, if you pay 1100 and you are willing to spend 1500 to add your seat, bars and need a new carb kit and possible spend time on wiring, then go for it.
Are you going to be doing all the work yourself and time is not an issue? Maybe that is the deciding factor.
I like those rims too, but only if they are painted ALL black
Will be lookin good with just those suttle changes you mentioned
good luck
Check the needles/seats on the carbs. I've had to replace them on the last two sets I worked on. The rubber O-ring gets brittle and doesn't seat the needle valve, causing the carbs to leak.
Here's my latest XS project. Brat Style inspired bobber. I lowered it with Honda Rebel 250 shocks and moved the forks up in the triple tree about an inch. Rides great!
Here's my latest XS project. Brat Style inspired bobber. I lowered it with Honda Rebel 250 shocks and moved the forks up in the triple tree about an inch. Rides great!
I plan on doing all the work myself. I don't think it will cost $1500 to buy a seat and some new bars and shocks. I have seen other bikes like this one for example that are asking $600 and looks like it will cost $1000 just to get it running again. I just think it might be wise to get a bike that someone has been riding and hasn't been sitting so that it doesn't nickle and dime me to death replacing every little rusted and seized part. right?
http://philadelphia.craigslist.org/mcy/1198534299.html
http://philadelphia.craigslist.org/mcy/1198534299.html
For reference, I paid $700 for the bike above..all stock. BUT, it had over $800 worth of work done to it before I bought it. I also sold a few parts off it after I built the bobber.
The bike below started as a $100 CL find. Good title, spare engine, not running.
The bike below started as a $100 CL find. Good title, spare engine, not running.
So how much do you have in that bike? Like 2g's? And countless hours of work right? I mean I could build one from scratch but it would take me many, many frustrating hours. Buying the best bike to start with could save me a ton of time. I am going to try to get some more details on the bike tomorrow, I will let you know how it goes. Keep the opinions coming it gives me more to think about.
Thanks
Dave
Thanks
Dave
gribbs
Coast to Coast
Gaskets alone cost me about 100 bucks if I remember correctly, and I didnt even replace every last one. Nickel and dimes certainly add up! Whatever you do, take it slow and do it right the first time, OR just ride the thing how it is and slowly add your custom touches. I spent 7 months building my bike....i bet i even have over 100 dollars in shipping charges (to canada)...and 200 + just to get the thing registered/plated/tax paid and certified
So ya buy the best bike you can, at the best price, but be prepared to spend way more than expected. I have another 100 bucks in spray paint/primer/sandpaper/aluminum polishing aids,etc....oh god, your thread is reminding me how far over the $1000 goal I am when I first got my 500 dollar non-running cb750
So ya buy the best bike you can, at the best price, but be prepared to spend way more than expected. I have another 100 bucks in spray paint/primer/sandpaper/aluminum polishing aids,etc....oh god, your thread is reminding me how far over the $1000 goal I am when I first got my 500 dollar non-running cb750
M
Mach-5(50)
Guest
considering your intentions, the bike seems like a good candidate. I can certainly appreciate wanting to find a nicer bike to start with, than a complete basket case with lots of "potential". I did the same thing. Bought a $100 bike, that is till in pieces, doesn't run and doesn't have a title. So I just picked up a running bike, almost original, but I paid more of course, but it is titled, and I am weeks away from riding. (waiting on tires and mufflers.) My concern was if you were planning on tearing the bike completely down and building it back, than there may be other ways to approach it. If you are wanting more minor mods that you will be doing yourself and are more concerned about riding than getting to a finished product, than go for it. I saw offer him a G, and call it good.
Later,
Ryan
Later,
Ryan
hanly2 said:
I have less tha $1800 in the bobber, most of that in the paint job.
I have maybe $2500 in the cafe', but only because I had to do a top-end rebuild shortly after I completed it. The cam chain guide seperated, so I replaced it, installed new 2nd overbore pistons and did valve job. If it weren't for that, I'd only have ~$17-1800 in the cafe' racer, too.
That's one good thing about buying a running bike. At least you can get an idea of the condition. The cafe' racer wasn't running when I bought it and leaked like the Exxon Valdese when I got it running.
Again, I wouldn't be scared of carb work and the starter issue. Most of the time the carbs just need a good cleaning....then clean 'em again.
