Should I buy this for a Bobber Project ?

Im looking at buying this to make into a bobber.

It does not run. The owner says its the valve shims that stopped it from running about a month ago. He pulled out the air box to start the job? his words.

The air box is included.
It needs tires and brakes for sure.

Anyone ever make a bobber out of one of these?

$300 79 XS 1100

 

Do a "Google Image" seach for "XS1100 bobber." You'll find some rather frightening examples.

 

if the valve shims stopped it from running. i'd imagine it's got more serious problems that caused the valve shims to go out. he might be hiding a broken piston rod or some other thing.

owners will make up any excuse to make the damage sound as minimal as possible to sell the thing.

 

I think you are right on Snowwy66.
I heard him cranking over the thing for a potential customer when I walked up it didn't sound too healthy.

 

if it don't sound too healthy cranking over then i walk away.

i'm usually a pain in the ass to anyone with a bike not running cuz i always want to hear it crank at the very least. if it cranks ok without any ty pe of noise then i assume the motor is good.

 

Ok, back to CL to find a project.

 

Its still worth trying to get, it is a good parts bike. Offer him 150 maybe he'll take it. I would but the trunk and rack.

 

A motor with a hole in the piston or a burnt valve or worn out rings can sound just fine when cranking it over.

A compression test is the only way to know if a motor is any good; even one that runs.