Reasonable asking price for a 81 XS650 bobber project?

Ludachris

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Hi all, I helped tear down an all stock 1981 XS650 several years ago with a friend who eventually lost interest in the build. I took ownership of the project, though I know almost nothing about motorcycles - I'm a car guy. And though I keep telling myself I'll eventually build it, I don't really see it happening. I'm leaning towards selling it but have no idea what to ask.

The frame was sent to TC Bros and they welded on their bobber frame (I still have the receipt). All the parts have been sitting in a box for about 6 years now except for the factory seat which was tossed. I don't really know the condition of the motor or anything else with any degree of certainty. I was told it was running before we tore apart but I never verified that. I believe I have all of the original parts.

With all of that in mind, what would a reasonable asking price be for a project like this? I don't intend to ship it, so I'll be limited to demand in the local Sacramento region. I would try parting it out, but again, I know nothing about bikes and taking the time to learn what all the parts are called, what they look like, and what their value is just isn't something I have the time for, so I hope to be able to sell it all together.
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Any help on coming up with an initial asking price would be appreciated.
 
Thanks Kevin. Not sure about spark or compression... I've done a compression check on a car before but not on a bike. Not sure I have the tools for it. Clean, current title though.
 
Thanks Kevin. Not sure about spark or compression... I've done a compression check on a car before but not on a bike. Not sure I have the tools for it. Clean, current title though.
Most auto parts stores will rent a compression tester out, fairly easy to do on these engine.
 
Would the one I used from Harbor Freight for the car work for a bike? I'll have to see if I still have it in the garage somewhere.

Yes it will. I bought their $30 a couple weeks ago. Comes with various adapters for different plug sizes.

If it doesn't, you can pull a plug, cover the hole with your thumb and kick the engine over. Not super accurate but it'll at least tell you something.
 
So assuming I'm doing it right, I got a hair over 90 on one side and 110 on the other, which I've read is lower than you'd want. I left one plug in while I checked the other side, with the throttle open and kicked it over a few times on each side.

I might try it again to make sure I had the throttle open. If it still reads low I'll try a wet test.
 
Well I went back out and tried it again and got a bit more equal readings on both sides, but it was still only at about 110. I must not have been holding the throttle open on one side on the first test. Is 110 something to be concerned with?

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Leave both plugs out... makes it easier to kick. A few squirts of oil in each cylinder... throttle open.... use something to hold the slide open. Kick as many times as necessary until you no longer get an increase in pressure. Your gauge has the schraeder valve at the gauge. That's the wrong position as you are adding the area of the hose to the combustion area. I'd add 15-20 psi to whatever reading you get because of that.
 
Leave both plugs out... makes it easier to kick. A few squirts of oil in each cylinder... throttle open.... use something to hold the slide open. Kick as many times as necessary until you no longer get an increase in pressure. Your gauge has the schraeder valve at the gauge. That's the wrong position as you are adding the area of the hose to the combustion area. I'd add 15-20 psi to whatever reading you get because of that.
Borrowed a friend's gauge. I'll let him know that. I'll see about trying again with a bit of oil in the cylinders and both plugs out. Thanks Jim.
 
As for price..
In my area, and this is for my area only as I don't follow every deal in the world, if the bike doesn't run and is as pictured, maybe $600 with a title. Running would be around $1,000 -$1,200, more if it was ridable. The market where I live is flooded with hardtails. Lots to choose from in varying states of project-isms.

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Have to lift the slides manually use something to hold them open...........Throttle open won't do that

Also i hope there has been some lube of some kind sprayed into the bore.......if the bike has been sitting for a long time it will be rings on a dry bore..........scratch
 
Have to lift the slides manually use something to hold them open...........Throttle open won't do that

Also i hope there has been some lube of some kind sprayed into the bore.......if the bike has been sitting for a long time it will be rings on a dry bore..........scratch
Gotcha, I’ll try that. I did put a tiny bit of oil in each side so I guess I technically did a wet test.
 
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