Is a 1972 a bad idea for a beginner?

Newbee · Jul 26, 2015

Hey all, got a few questions I hope you can help with. I've searched for a lot of threads on the subject but still have some questions.
I'm interested in getting an XS650 after some time riding smaller Hondas / vintage vespas.
I really like the more classic look of the XS1 - XS2 models. I want to keep the bike stock. As much as the café look is cool I really dig the early 70's UJM look. I have an opportunity to get one that's been owned / maintained by the same guy for the last 20 years. It's got 20k miles and is in solid stock shape, not showroom but original. Probably can get it for $2500.

Is it a bad idea to get a '72 as a main rider? Are parts that difficult to source? Is $2500 a good price for the miles and condition? Should I get over the classic year and just get a more practical / easier year?

Thanks for the advice!

gggGary · Jul 26, 2015

A well maintained 72 with records of what was done, and when is not a bad machine. I wouldn't expect to hop on and go coast to coast. But it should be finie for 100 200 miles jaunts and any around the area riding. I have put maybe a thousand on my 73 this year which is about a mirror image of your 72 in miles, condition, and what would be my asking price! If tires are recent with good tread brake work/lines have been done engine is healthy, I think the price is decent. This is a bit of a shot in the dark without pictures....
I have done several back to back rides this year between the 73 and a couple of 79 standards. The 79 is an easier bike to ride for distances but chalk a lot of that up to my 73's hard seat. Maintenance parts are not hard to find.

peanut · Jul 27, 2015

welcome to the forum newbee :thumbsup:

An XS1 or XS2 in stock form would be my dream bike ... Yes original spares are going to be a bit scarce and at a premium price but that is kind of part of the experience and challenge of owning and riding a vintage bike.

With it being so old you really would be advised to take a knowledgable classic bike owner to view and test the bike. They would be able to look for common problems and check for originality etc .

Unless it has a recent history of complete mechanical overhaul you're going to need to budget for that to make sure that the bike is safe and sound to ride. Otherwise I'd say go for it if you are prepared to spend some money and time fettling it but its probably not the best model to start off with if you're experience is limited

hotrdd · Jul 27, 2015

Do you like to working on bikes? The first question I ask guys when they want an old bike or think they want to build a bike is “Do you like to work on bikes, or do you like to ride them?” Usually guys want to ride a bike that is unique. If you aren’t interested in trouble shooting problems and really getting to know your bike this might be the wrong bike for you. They need love and as your first bike it might be more frustrating than enjoyable. But if you like to work with your hands and anything mechanical it would be perfect.

jaydett · Jul 27, 2015

I have a 73 that I have been working on for a couple years now and I am a rookie when it comes to tinkering on a bike. All I can say is that I have enjoyed every minute and I haven't even gone for a ride on it. There's frustrations and joys to working on an old bike that I have come to learn, love and appreciate. For a running stock 72, $2500 seems pretty reasonable in my opinion based on what my 73 has cost up to this point. Also there is an awesome community of XS owners on here that are always a huge help when you run into hiccups.

Jay

jbenedict · Jul 27, 2015

Do you own a pickup of your own or are you willing to risk your relationship with a friend who owns one?

I've ridden "vintage bikes" the first time around and, while pretty reliable when under ten years old, electrical systems don't age very well even in a dry garage. Same with anything made of rubber. If the carbs were ever left for a year with the bowls full of gas, you might have a problem there, too.

If you just want to hop pn and ride while only replacing tires when they wear out and adjusting the chain, you may not enjoy an old bike. Look and see what you could get that is less than ten years old and has modern technology and how much bike you can get for under $3K. You might be surprised.

However, if you are the type of guy who finds fixing some little problem on a sunny day almost as much (or more) fun than riding, an old bike might be for you. The XS is well supported and you can get most anything you might want in the way of parts from stone stock to custom and racing as well as lots of nice folk who will help you fix them. (Even including crusty ones like Griz.

)

It's a choice you gotta make...

fredintoon · Jul 27, 2015

Hi Newbee and welcome,
nice bike and of course you should buy it, just great for short rides on Sundays and polishing up for a local show'n'shine and just plain OWNING.
But not for flinging your soft bags over the rear seat and heading off on a coast to coast run, no.
It's too old for that and paradoxically, not old enough.
If it were (say) a 1928 flathead single you'd set out coast to coast with a backup vehicle and a TV crew and the knowledge that anything that went wrong with it could be fixed at the side of the road with a crescent wrench and a BFH.
Alas, a '72 XS650 is too new to be that simple.
So yes, buy it. But not as a main rider if you plan to regularly ride more than 100 miles from home.

Newbee · Jul 27, 2015

Thanks for all the replies everyone,
My current vintage bike is an old 2-stroke (batteryless) 1960 Vespa 150. I do enjoy wrenching on it, but haven't really had too do much other than replace the tires, take apart and clean/adjust the carb, and replace a clutch cable. I'm not afraid of getting dirty working on the bike, but obviously an XS650 would be a more complicated endeavor.

As beautiful and uncommon as the XS2 is, I've gotta weigh jumping on this, or waiting for something cheaper and more practical to pop up in the future. After looking four ~1 year, I just don't see these years pop up ever... Even the Standards are pretty rare. And if/when they do they are $4000+

jbenedict said:
Look and see what you could get that is less than ten years old and has modern technology and how much bike you can get for under $3K. You might be surprised.

Nothing that's quite the same as an XS650 or even a Honda CB350, unfortunately

angus67 · Jul 27, 2015

get it before its gone. Learning the basics on the vespa is a good primer for another cylinder.

MrYeats · Jul 27, 2015

just jump in and go for it. Sink or swim, you wont lose money on a nice 72 for that price...

TwoManyXS1Bs · Jul 27, 2015

Just so you know, they come with a price: Your commitment.
The early models were members of the "high maintenance" and "fiddly with often" bikes of that era.

Have a look at these 2 '70-'73 Service Schedules, and note the "thereafter every" columns.

We used to joke back then about bikes of that time that there should be a 10,000 mile column,
with the instruction: "Jack up gas cap and roll new bike under it"...

fredintoon · Jul 27, 2015

Newbee said:
- - - My current vintage bike is an old 2-stroke (batteryless) 1960 Vespa 150. - - -

Hi Newbee,
now there's a bike you CAN fix with a crescent wrench and a BFH.
And a plug wrench and a bandolier full of new spark plugs.
Or at least that's what it took back when I was shaking up 4oz of 30 weight engine oil into a gallon of gas for my Vespa.
But perhaps those modern 50/1 2-stroke self-mixing oils have fixed the plug whiskering problem?
But hey! Get off your duff and buy that '72 XS650 before some Vandal gets it to convert into a hardtail, eh?

angus67 · Jul 31, 2015

so.. did you get it? I think its a great beginner bike. easy to work on, easy to rebuild. got that great 70's look to it. I bet the early xs650's are the mc's '57chevy
Just take care of the early motor. parts are scarce. no racing, or showboating.

Newbee · Jul 31, 2015

I'm still waiting to go look at it! They guy is on a business trip. So I'm constantly going back and forth on whether I need a motorcycle or if I should save the money for a wedding (my fiancé is gonna be pissed if I'm throwing $2500 at a new bike when we should be saving). But it's just so sweet and I've never found one for sale, especially at that cost.

MrYeats · Jul 31, 2015

so tie some cans to it and ride off into the Honeymoon.

650Skull · Jul 31, 2015

Welcome Newbee, If its as good as you say............. Tell the little wife to be, it will increase in value, (true), and in 2 years or less, in the same condition, it will be worth $3500, also it will keep you home, tinkering with it..........Got the honeymoon then 2 years to work out another plan.

If the PO has done regular maintenance, and ridden, (preferably), or run every few weeks or so. The XS2 Bike has a difference, to other early models,the front lowers, (around the axle clamp), and way the rotor is mounted to wheel hub is a "One year model" only. The Rubber damper/bush is rare if not extincted

Check that out on the bike.

Well worth the money and you sound like you would handle any maintenance and learn as you go. Can't go wrong with the help from here

angus67 · Jul 31, 2015

sounds easy , huh? congrats though. When is the baby due? lol

Newbee · Jul 31, 2015

MrYeats said:
so tie some cans to it and ride off into the Honeymoon.

That's what I've been saying about the '60 Vespa

I'll see what I can do when I've gotten a chance to look at it. I'll check out the rubber damper. Anything else I should look for?

I got a picture! How's it look?

Newbee · Jul 31, 2015

And another shot. It's not mint, but I don't mind.

Newbee · Jul 31, 2015

And the tank. Sorry I can only manage to do one photo per post from my phone.

Is a 1972 a bad idea for a beginner?

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