What would you pay?

[timothyd]

Hi everyone,

First bike, first post. Been enjoying looking through this forum.

Considering a bike, but have little knowledge about realistic prices these days. I would like to change the seat and handlebars.

The owner said:

• I am the 2nd owner, 1st owner had it shipped from japan back in 1980, I have the original destination papers. The 1st owner was not able to ride due to illness.
• The bike was never registered until this spring. I have a clean title .
• There is no rust on the bike.
• The brakes are disk front and back and are the original pads, which are barely broken in.
• I flushed out old brake fluid from system.
• I did put new tires on front and back because the original tires had dry rot from age.
• The carbs were rebuilt with new jets and gaskets.
• The bike is basically new for the exception of a few imperfections in the paint and chrome. The bike needs nothing, runs great and looks good.
• I do have a set of new tail pipes in the box for the xs 650 that I will throw in.

So what do you think is a good price? Appreciate your help.

 

[CDNTX650]

Isbthat a mph speedo? wouldnt japan be metric?

 

[Crashomon]

To a rich buyer, $2500 would be a fair price.
To a poor college student, $1200 might be as high as they can go.

I'd say this is worth $1800 to $2400, depends on area where you live.
(in last two months, 3 1982 XS650 Heritages have been for sale for about $1500 to $1700 here in Chicago/midwest area)

 

[weekendrider]

Hi Tim,
You might get 3K. It runs, is titled, and ONLY 25 miles!
But you will have to find the right buyer. I would think 2-2500 may be more realistic.
This is only my opinion. I favor the standards if you find someone who loves the specials . . .

 

[Crashomon]

'Doh! i didn't see the 25 miles.....yes, $3k would be absolute top end for that bike.

 

[weekendrider]

It is a mph speedo with the 55 mph redline.
They were all shipped from Japan so the "original destination papers" are neither here nor there.
Anyone else notice how Tim showed it runs?

 

[timothyd]

Ok he offered 2500. How much would you estimate it would cost to change the seat and handlebars to something like this? (Found this image in another thread).

 

[retiredgentleman]

$4000 to $4500 would be a fair price to pay.

I find it strange that the exhaust headers are coloured, as if they have been running really hot. Normally the double walled pipes don't turn colour like that.

 

[timothyd]

Hi weekendrider,

What are you referring to? To be clear, I didn't take these photos and am not the owner. I'm a first time buyer.

 

[weekendrider]

The tach is showing an idle speed of 1200 rpm with the neutral light on.

 

[timothyd]

Hi retiredgentleman,

Is that coloring concerning? What's the worst case scenario?

Thanks,
Tim

 

[weekendrider]

20-25 for new bars.
50- 100 for another seat pan, foam and re-upholster.
I wouldn't cut on a nice OEM seat like that.

 

[timothyd]

I was planning to just remove the original seat and keep it for the next possible owner.

Is the high idle rpm in neutral concerning?

 

[Brassneck]

Bars are simple to change... could probably find them for $25 or less or up to $150 depending on where you look...but the swap is literally 30 min, and probably need new cables since they'll need to be shorter. (Brake Hose: $25, Clutch cable: $15, Throttle cable: $15). The seat may be a bit harder, as you'd either need to find a standard seat pan or make something custom... prices vary.

25 miles and the pipes are turning color? A little odd, I think...but who knows?

 

[weekendrider]

No it is correct.

 

[Brassneck]

I was planning to just remove the original seat and keep it for the next possible owner.

Is the high idle rpm in neutral concerning?

Nope, that's normal. I think he's just noting that it's proof of it running.

 

[timothyd]

Ok thanks everyone. Any ideas about the exhaust coloring?

 

[retiredgentleman]

Hi retiredgentleman,

Is that coloring concerning? What's the worst case scenario?

Thanks,
Tim

In 1980 the carbs were changed to BS34s from BS38s. The EPA also mandated much leaner running, but even so the pipes should not be that coloured. Perhaps the PO just ran the engine in the garage, without adequite cooling such as a fan blowing air across the engine.

If the engine runs fine then its just an appearance thing, and no consequences at all.

 

[timothyd]

The owner said he believes the coloring is caused by the bikes running too lean. He said: "When I put the carbs back in I adjusted them 2 and 1 half turns out, the way is suggested by the Manuel. I do not feel the bike is running hot."

 

[deadchef]

i'm calling bs on the 25 miles. look at how faded the ring around the tach is compared to the speedo. seems to be a bit of wear on the text around the key ignition. the pilot box white trim seems to have some fading nor any text left. also, the bluing on the pipes seem suspect to me too. double wall exhaust shouldn't get that much color imo.