Should I buy this XS?

[ninskrillz]

Hey guys, been hunting around for an XS for about a month now, and I think I'm going to make a deal on one. Last week I took a bus trip up to PA from VA to check out a 79 Special with 6900 original miles. The bike was at the local shop being commissioned for sale. The ad said it was a strong runner and was priced at 1600. I talked to the guys at the shop and they said the bike was ready to be ridden. They did a compression test 160 psi in both cylinder. They cleaned the carb, adjusted the floats, and put new seals etc in. They added a new battery, fresh oil and spark plugs and new tires on it.

I was fairly skeptical, but made the trip. Got up there and the bike looked ok. Checked the title and the numbers, came up clear. I then attempted to start the bike. It wouldn't fire right away. After a few shots with the choke it eventually started. It ran like crap. Wouldn't idle right unless gas was given. The shop manager said its been sitting a couple weeks but they ran it every couple days. He claimed this is the first time its happened. So I take the bike out for a short jaunt. Sputtered like it had a vacuum leak. Sure enough the left side carb boot wasn't seated right. Took it back to the shop but I couldn't. Get it right as it was hard. The guy had old parts all over the shop so I found a boot I could make work. So I fixed the sputtering. Still wouldn't idle right. Probably a gummed pilot jet. When I got the bike back into the shop the left cylinder was burning white smoke. I checked the oil, and it smells like fuel. The guy had both petcocks on prime thinking it was reserve. So I changed the oil out and put 2.5 bottles of oil in it per the manual. Fired it up and still burning oil.

So I told the shop owner I wouldn't be able to offer more than 800 dollars for the bike. He understood, and put me in contact with the owner to make a deal. We settled on 1000 for him to deliver it, 800 if I pick it up. What do you guys think about this? I've been reading a lot of threads here the last week, and am hoping to get some advice from you guys. I've become somewhat capable with a wrench though I'm not the best. And I'm not sure iif a top end is definitely needed or not in this situation. I'm not quite sure I would want to buy a bike that needs a top end although I will have about 800 dollars left in my fund if I make the deal. What do you guys think? Any and all advice or comments welcome.

 

[XSNate]

If you like the bike, $800 is the max for a bike that is not running right. With that compression, might just need carb and intake work. I bought a similar deal. I'm $400 into getting it to run right and just today have felt like I could ride it without being afraid of it breaking down on me. The electrical system (as I am learning) is SOOO crucial to how well it will run. if it has a low battery and the stator is weak it will run like crap!

 

[deadchef]

if you buy it...

first off forget everything the shop told. you need to systematically inspect the entire bike. check compression and go from there. clean/inspect carbs, who knows what jets are in there. really get a feel of what you got. do the cam chain tension, valves, check timing. you may have found a really good deal, a fair deal or the worst lemon you've ever seen. won't know until you start diggin' in. in my opinion though, an $800 'runner' and another $800 left in your budget you can get it to the point of being a reliable rider if you do the work.

how does it 'look' overall? pics?

 

[ninskrillz]

I forgot everything the shop told me right when I tried to start the bike lol. But yea, I've been researching how to do all these things, and a lot I've done on other bikes. This will be my second xs. The bike looked to be in pretty good shape overall, pretty much rust/pitting free. Road grime is pretty much it. I didn't even think to take pics while I was there, although I shoulda. I think I will be ok on this deal, but the oil thing is what I'm worried about. As far as the electrical system goes, I understand. Had a whole heaping electrical mess with the last XS i owned. If all goes well and I get her running right with little cash flow, the first step is a Pamco and PMA. Pretty much just trying to get a super reliable machine before I start digging into customizing stuff.