1980xs650

[uksparky]

Hi all...going to look at a 1980 650 27k... at the weekend its a Cali bike, been sitting for a year owner said one carb was leaking when parked...you know the saying it ran ok before lol...it does not run so its a roll of the dice as to say....i am looking for project so it might need a lot of repairs, i do my own repairs so carbs..battery etc re paint..gas tank rust could be head gasket oil leak...anything else i should check...all of my other bikes have been in line fours...what do you guys think of the value.. owner wants $1500....i was thinkin 4 or 500

 

[jetmechmarty]

Nice!

1980 bikes had brass floats. You may have a leaker.

 

[JJames]

Welcome. Yeah. The old " ran when parked ". Looks to be mostly complete and original. While $1500 isn't totally unreasonable and as it doesn't start, neither is $4-500. Maybe somewhere closer to the middle $800- 1000. I'm sure if you're at all handy, you could have er on the road in no time. Plenty of help here for the asking. Plenty of old threads on carburetors, "waking up" dormant cycles and diagnosing charging issues etc. The xs650 is a lot of fun to ride and wrench on. In my opinion largely undervalued. Go for it.

 

[uksparky]

Thanks for the input guys...yes i could have it running in no time but ....It being a no runner ?..i will let you know how it goes

 

[GLJ]

The no runner would not bother me too much if it has compression and spark on both cylinders.
The price depends on the market in your area. $1500 would be high where I live.

 

[5twins]

Yes, $1500 would be high in my neck of the woods too, but I know bikes in California go for more. Yes, offer him 4 to 500, then maybe meet in the middle somewhere.

 

[Jan_P]

I would be suspicious parked 1 year .Would not mean it wont start. In my book . We park them half a year every year for winter
6 months more would not prevent it start --It can protest and be difficult start and run
poorly but it would start.
27 k is also borderline to high
and there is the usual head gasket leak

I don't know the prices but would be scared getting a rattling poorly maintained motor .
Few oil changes and 27 k can be disastrous
I don't think I would be interested at all but if a overhaul is planned maybe.

Personally I would wait for a lower mileage one .Looking worse externally at the lower price range

 

[uksparky]

Your right Jan i have saved the life of a four old bikes in the past and lost out on just one a CB900C costing more than its was worth...thats why i will be aiming low on this one ..if no maintainace record

 

[Kevin Kruse]

Greetings! Nice bike, not in too bad of shape, don’t see too much rust, looks like it’ll clean up with some elbow grease.

$1500 does seem pretty steep though for not running and been sitting. I picked mine up a couple years ago down in San Diego for $1300, no title, was told it had been sitting since ‘97 according to the tags but was able to see it running, rough and not rideable, but running. People tell me I paid too much for an old bike and I’ve put almost 1k into it but I’m happy with it. It leaks oil, not the greatest clutch/shifting, revs out on the freeway, not the best handling(could probably use new tires and steering bearings), but it has character and I always have a smile at the end of each ride, and I enjoy working on it.

I would say $750 max, maybe 1k if I had the money laying around. Looks like at the least new battery, rebuild both brakes, new tires, oil/filters, air filters, carb clean clean clean, and possible charging system, mine was toast.

Check the oil, and turn the motor over slowly, if it feels normal give it some good kicks to feel compression, and if the bike rolls try shifting through the gears. Take a peak under the gas tank for thick rust spots/leaks. And inspect the wiring for any hackery.

Good luck!

 

[jetmechmarty]

I think these bikes are stupid expensive in the west coast states. It’s just the way it is.

I’m anxious to learn how this went.

 

[uksparky]

Bike was in Santa Barbara owners friend's house covered under tree, ocean air took its toll on the exposed bolts etc..everything is there minimum rust in the tank, it's been sitting three years, Cali DMV sticks it to you with expired tags...I offered 250 after explaining to owner what it needs....but I have to go to DMV next week and find out the fees first...owner said ok on my offer...

 

[Kevin Kruse]

That’s a hell of a price drop!! Nice purchase!

 

[uksparky]

Yes Kevin but a lot of work the get it back in shape...harbor freight for new 5 inch wire wheel for grinder lol...owner has a week to think about my offer, thats when i can borrow truck.....

 

[grouchie77]

California DMV f-ing SUCKS.

Long story short, don't disassemble a damn thing until they issue you a title.

 

[grouchie77]

Also, make sure the VIN on the motor is easy for them to read, and it matches the VIN on the title. If it doesn't, they'll think it's a stolen motor.

 

[jetmechmarty]

That’s a hell of a price drop!! Nice purchase!

Yes Kevin but a lot of work the get it back in shape...harbor freight for new 5 inch wire wheel for grinder lol...owner has a week to think about my offer, thats when i can borrow truck.....

Yep! That’s good. Now it will get all new bolts.

I have five XS650s. The first one, I bought new for $2000 with the fees added. Another, I paid $35 for. The other three were gifted to me. I’m currently operating two of them with another that needs to be running by November 1st.

 

[Kevin Kruse]

I hope it works out!

Personally I’ve had more or less okay experiences dealing with CA DMV. I’ve heard you can give a statement of facts form upon transfer stating you weren’t aware of the fees, who knows if it works, also depends on the person you are working with at the dmv. I’ve had no trouble getting titles for some old Honda trail 90s, with no paperwork, just had to have CHP look at them and they weren’t even close to road worthy.

 

[grouchie77]

I hope it works out!

Personally I’ve had more or less okay experiences dealing with CA DMV. I’ve heard you can give a statement of facts form upon transfer stating you weren’t aware of the fees, who knows if it works, also depends on the person you are working with at the dmv. I’ve had no trouble getting titles for some old Honda trail 90s, with no paperwork, just had to have CHP look at them and they weren’t even close to road worthy.

When I got my Dad's bike I took the motor out to rebuild it. When I went to get a title they wanted to look at the bike, I told them the motor was out because I was rebuilding it.

They refused to issue the title until I put the motor back in and took it up there to have them look at it.

 

[Kevin Kruse]

It seems like every dmv operates differently, maybe some more strict than others.

When I was working on getting a title for one of my Trail 90’s, it had a black and yellow plate that I wanted to keep. The first dmv I went to said without a document stating that license plate goes to that frame it is impossible to issue a new title with that plate number. I went to a different dmv and was told, oh ya no problem you just need to fill out a YOM form, and it was that easy.

 

[uksparky]

Thanks guys i use AAA saves being in line at dmv....owner is sending me picture of title...i just go to AAA with that, they will give me info....dont need to take the bike to dmv ....all they want is the back fees