Should I buy this bike - 1985 xj700 for a first bike

I've been wanting a bike for a few years now, but have never managed to get one. I have an opportunity to get a 1985 xj 700, it was layed down at about 25k miles, it still runs but the rear tire is bald and the gas tank is dented pretty bad, but the owner says it doesnt leak.

"- Tank is dented but does not leak and fully functional
- Engine dust cover broken/does not affect functionality of bike
- Two of the blinker's rubber stems are broken but blinkers are still attached to bike
- Rear tire has no tread
- Speedometer and headlight were removed to be replaced/ still have the originals but are wrecked"

The current owner bought it this fall to fix it up from someone who used it daily, but needs money more than he needs the project.

I'm really ready to pull the trigger on this, but It will be my first bike and I'm wondering how much money it will take to get the tank and tire replaced. I'm hoping to have it cleaned up for the spring and to try putting some money aside for riding clothes and a MSF course.

 

In my opinion it depends on if you want the bike to look good or not. If this is your first bike I wouldnt spent all that much money fixing it up to much. Get new rubber under it and the lights working. If the tank doesnt leak and works alright then leave it alone. Since this is your first bike, then I wouldnt fix much on it just incase you lay it down (due to lack of experiance.) After you get some miles under your belt and some money in your pocket you can start to find bits and pieces to fix it up.

Another question is, do you really want a project bike. If so then you have a good one on your hands here. Clear title and mostly complete bike. If the price is right then go for it.

A new tire will cost around $125-$200, I bought my rear tire installed at the local shop for $135.

Believe me, if you ride bikes long enough, you will find yourself in the situation where your going to lay it down, willingly or not.

The bike looks pretty good to me.

 

I guess that would depend on the purchase price. Tire,tank light stems,and guages are all found still. Gauges would cost the most. But all in all a good bike to start with. Tires can be found at resonable prices if you look. Check american moto tire.com for a resonable price. That is where I got mine. There are a couple of people parting out or having spare parts for these bikes right here at the xj site. If the bike was under 4 to 500 then I would probably get it. Parts you can always find, it just depends on how much work you want to put into it. Go for it.

 

Yikes! I forgot the purchase price. I'll be able to get it for $350 delivered to my door.

 

In that case, go for it, worst case you can part it out and make some money on it.

 

EDIT: OK, you jumped in ahead of me with the price, but please still consider the following...

Although it's a matter of personal choice, my vote is no.

You don't say where you're located, what the asking price is, or how many total miles/kilometers are on the bike. These all play a major role in its' overall value. Some parts are really easy to find, some are like hens teeth, but almost all parts are available for a price - in many cases very high. Shipping costs and import taxes can compound that price.

As it sits, it probably won't pass inspection, which is required in most municipalities. My guess is that you would have to repair and/or replace the speedometer, fender, blinkers, and tires simply to accomplish this task. That's a big expense before you even ride her.

If it were being given to you I would say take the gift; no worries and no losses at that point. You could learn to tool on your "new" ride, which is invaluable and certainly cheaper then your local bike shop. Plus you know the work is done right.

But my advice for you is to really shop for a bike that is already sound, complete, roadworthy, and a good price - maybe not pretty, but at least these things. You can work on cosmetics later, but at least you'd be able to pass inspection, register, license, insure, and ride your bike.

Z

 

I had'nt thought about inspection, and I'm not sure that I will need one.

25000 miles on bike, $350 , I'm located in kentucky, and I agree that cosmetics aren't real important, but I don't generally see any running motorcycles for less than $500 around here.

I'm still on the fence, looking into riding gear and just requested info on the next msf course near me.

 

I'd go for it. If nothing else you could get twice that just parting it out.

 

No question that finding a near-road-ready bike for $500.00 is difficult, but it does happen all the time - especially for our older ~erm~ classic bikes. The story is all too common, someone wants to unload an old bike that doesn't run and is taking up room in their garage.

There are lots of things to consider in this scenario, but it could be as simple as oil/filter, battery, plugs, and clean carbs. That's opposed to what you know you're getting into with this particular bike.

Still, the choice is yours. Really depends on how much you want to spend (in the long run), how much you want to work, how soon you want to ride.

Z

EDIT: Your first post said you've been wanting a bike for years. I take that to mean you want to ride it, not open a salvage yard.

 

i would definitly buy that bike i have a xj700x maxim. Its a pretty good bike and i enjoy riding it. the one post says it all even if you parted it out and sold it you would make a fair amount of money. i seen a guy looking for a seat the other day im looking for parts as well. 350 is a pretty good deal. although mine is water cooled, ithink the parts would interchange. buy it fiddle with it if you dont like it part it out. then you ll have enough money for a down payment on a bike that takes less work. i know i can go down to yamaha and get a decent rider for 6 to 7 grand. good luck.

 

It´s a very fun bike bike to ride - if you like the softchopper chassis/almost sports like engine hybrid style.

Price sounds very reasonable, if, and only if:

1: There are no unknown, serious (=expensive) problems: valves, pistons, gears, starter clutch etc. (Compression test + testrides with check for oilconsumption/noises needed, unless seller is a family member

2: You are prepared to wrench/pay for (aside from what you´ve already mentioned) the possible lack of regular maintenance/wear of a 20 year old bike: Cables, bearings, brakes (lines/pads/calibers), coils/wires, forks (seals, maybe springs), exhaust - you name it.

But again - a fun bike to ride. Mine is my 1.st bike and has/had lot´s of the mentioned problems - but I´m working my way through it and looking forward to spring and my 2.nd season (and playing with the thought of swapping the engine with an XJ900 if I can´t get my oilconsumption fixed cheaply

 

if you put a grand into it...youll have a sweet bike and still be to the good...a nice one will cost ya 1800 to ??? parts are very gettable..yup

 

Headlight, Gauges and tank damaged. I wonder if the forks are still straight......

 

If you don't buy it, I would take it if they can ship it reasonably. Very reliable transportation, easyily maintained, moderately sporty and CHEAP. Mine has been a daily rider for 2 years now. I put about 30 miles a day 6 days a week rain or shine. I have put 2 rear tires, 2 clutch cables,1 set of rear brakes and frequent oil changes. I have 43,000 on it now and it still starts as soon as I hit the button. A reliable,inexpensive,fun bike.

 

I'm weighing in. For $350, it would be a cheap fixer. It looks to be in good shape and the replacement parts/repairs could be had for under $400. Go for it after you get a good compression test. As mentioned before, you could part it out for far more than the asking price. If you have the space and the time, you've nothing to loose.

 

IF ... the bike comes with a 100% CLEAR and VALID --> TITLE <-- The real Title; not a Bill of Sale ... Pay the man and bring the bike home!

Get the bike for the $350.00. Your WAY ahead.

Rent a Plush, Un-limited mileage, pick-up truck from Enterprise.
Buy some tie-down's and every aftermarket part needed to make it pass inspection for DMV street-legal in PA.

Load-up the bike, all your constant companion's, and enough stuff for a weekend road-trip and escape from PA to a little town outside of Boston where your Scary Bike-Father lives at The Yamaha XJ School of Magic and Wizardry.

Abra-Ka-Dabra-Pleez-'n-Thang-Gue!

 

Turin, what are you waiting for??? An invite from one of the XJ wizards has been extended! You have nothing to fear from this moment on. With a wave of his magic YICS blanking tool, all demons will be banished and a resurrected machine you will have!

 

Unfortunatly I think he said he was from Kentucky. Thaw would be a little further trip. LOL But still worth it from what I here.

 

man this turned out to be and interesting thread. i have found some enjoyment following it, and if its that good then i think the bike has already started its life here. very good men! get that bike man....and ride safe.

 

I'd go for it, Get the lights working all the saftey stuff, and ride it, if you like it you can always fix the cosmetics over time

and for the $ you could turn around and sell on ebay for a profit

 

All you need to do is get the bike to that level where they'll look at it, smile and check the box "OK"

Do the buffet' of Used Parts "That fit"

Get some used rubber, a couple of signal lights, ... mirrors are a dime a dozen ... bone-yard, ebay, bike mag. ads., A-P-B online for this and that.
Next thing you know ... you're riding it!

After you've done the buffet' ... if you fall in love ... start thinking about restoring it closer to OEM than Franken-Seca.

If you decide to do a full restore; I'll send you the Panty Hose you'll need to rob banks for the dough to get New OEM Parts from the Dealer.

 

my X was in worse shape than what you have there..ebay is a great place for parts!
Mine was the equivelant of about $300 to buy < I traded a car> and it sat for 3 yrs..now its pretty AND fast.
Go for it

 

Hey, MaxMax --

I saw the National Geographic Special on how that V-Rod is built. I have a whole new respect for the "Engineering" that's included on the V-rod.

Using that high-pressure water injection to re-form the frame tubes to blow-out the pipe bends is genus.

Watching those Robots do all the welding; save for two places that they can't be programmed to "Reach" was unbelievable.

Looks like a real nice piece of work and a uniquely quality controlled build!

I hope he buys the bike and we all get to help find stuff and tune it.

 

I say yes too, in the frozen north, the engine would be worth at least 350. Guys are geting 100 just for an old starter. There's also the "tinker" value. If your married and wife doesn't mind seeing bits and pieces around for a while I'd go for it!

 

I'd definatly get it!
The tire is about 130.00
The tank about 100.00 (that's what I paid for mine)
The rubber stems are about 20.00ea as I recall
Paint the tank for another 100.00

Thats about 270.00

The instruments are about another 250.00

I'd shop the commercial wrecking yards on e-bay the one I got my tank from was something like PinWall cycle parts
If you need the links just let me know and I'll get them for you.

Maybe they will knock off a littlefor a big order like this, I'd get the tire else where

 

OOPs I meant the 1st price of 270 not counting the paint

 

hey dude id jump all over that bike dont wait get it fixing them your self is 25 percent of the fun you could bondo the tank like new and repaint it, if it doesnt leak.
when it does break down on you if its s serious problem you can easily get your money back parting it out.i wish id have had an opertunity like that for my first bike.
you arent going to get anything that runs decent for anything close to 350 bucks

cya good luck no mater what you decide

 

I'd be more worried about this "Engine dust cover broken/does not affect functionality of bike..."

Does he mean a part of the case is missing? Or Literaly just the cover itself?
I almost bought a bike with the same description and found out that the "Dust Cover Missing" meant there was a quarter sized hole in the case, allbeit outside any oil-carrying area.
But Hell, if it was $350 I would have bought it.

 

buy buy buy....

 

My ? here is, DID Turnin buy it or not?

 

It never ceases to amaze me ... how we can become embroiled in a Post that takes someone from a terrible, bad wiring or difficult ... No-start situation; to closing-in on hearing the results of all our thoughts, comments and typing ... only to have the Post fall-off the the rolling billboard list of current best-selling stories, and be shelved with unsolved mysteries or cold-case files!

Then, a week or two passes and a "NewBee" bursts-in with same situation!

You wonder ... ?

Did this guy buy the bike we were trying to fix last week?

 

This is so true rick! I was kinda of enjoying this thread.. just to know wether he bought the bike or not would be worth all the attention (typing etc..). To be quite honest, theres nothing I like more than posting a thread and getting a response. It just seems right to give out the ending. Oh well a bike like that for that kind of money. somebody will jump on it and maybe we will see them here anyways. who knows... :wink: