I think with your attitude and practicality, then getting a bike that needs some work, and with the advice and information on this site you will learn and advance with confidence to be able to work on all aspects of an older bike with confidence. You have come on here and asked the right questions
There have been people come on here with no mechanical experience and do top end rebuilds.
Yes i agreed with gggAry about that bike being a lot of work and maybe not for you.........But............always a but...........Now you have given us some of your experience and abilities.....read these threads, (from the tech menu),
http://www.xs650.com/threads/bike-wont-start-running-rough.390/
http://www.xs650.com/threads/guide-...checklist-for-the-condition-of-your-find.367/
do a list of things to look for. and armed with information about getting it titled then you can question what the seller says if it is conflicting to what you have found out..........Once you have got that in your head, go and have a look at the bike and have a good look over it with a critical eye and also with a view to buying it, (not necessarily to buy, it but with an eye as if you were), as a learning experience
There have been people come on here with no mechanical experience and do top end rebuilds.
Yes i agreed with gggAry about that bike being a lot of work and maybe not for you.........But............always a but...........Now you have given us some of your experience and abilities.....read these threads, (from the tech menu),
http://www.xs650.com/threads/bike-wont-start-running-rough.390/
http://www.xs650.com/threads/guide-...checklist-for-the-condition-of-your-find.367/
do a list of things to look for. and armed with information about getting it titled then you can question what the seller says if it is conflicting to what you have found out..........Once you have got that in your head, go and have a look at the bike and have a good look over it with a critical eye and also with a view to buying it, (not necessarily to buy, it but with an eye as if you were), as a learning experience