$500 too much?

You guys who have rebuilt bikes, what's a good estimate of how much money I'd have to put into this bike, which has been sitting for 5 years(!)? http://wenatchee.craigslist.org/mcy/4959046355.html

 

Figure $1k, maybe less if the engine turns out ok. Five years sitting in a barn is hard on a motorcycle.

 

I'm thinking of offering $350. Reasonable?

 

I don't know much about the XV bikes but if its complete and nothing seems trashed, I'd offer $300 and probably settle around $350. It's really hard to tell from those pics what shape the bike is in, might look really good once cleaned up. Regardless, 5 years is awhile for a bike to sit. My 82 was complete but sat 5 years and I've got about $1k into the necessities so far.

 

Well, better than sitting outside! Offer $250 and make sure the pistons are not frozen up. A complete carb rebuild kit will set you back $250 for step one.

 

How do I check the pistons?

 

What else can I check without taking a lot apart? I'm assuming the valve clearances have never been checked, that the brakes will need replacing, etc.

 

Should be a nut under timing cover. use a wrench to manually rotate.

 

Oh, okay; I know now

 

The more you start checking things out, the more clues you give the owner that he can ask more. I save the "checkups" for bikes that run and I plan to ride home. If you're willing to take a small risk, go in low without touching a thing. Even if the motor is free, there's still plenty of other things that will set you back in the $$$ department. Not sure of your skill level, but you could be in for a big project. At $300, you could part out or cleanup and resell if needed.

 

you could also just put it in high gear and give it a push. no tools required.

FU

 

My skill level is low, but I've learned a lot doing basic stuff on my 650. This forum is magic. Since I already have a bike, it's not necessary that I get this one done quickly, and I'm thinking a project bike might be kind of cool...

I figured if he thought I knew what I was doing, he might be more willing to take my offer. But maybe you're right.

 

Don't let me discourage you, but if you can point out things like good compression etc., might be a harder deal. Look at the intake manifolds, point out that those are expensive. Gas sat in it for a few years, yeah that's a lot of work etc. Make it work for ya.

 

showing that it has compression can be a bartering point too. look, I am only offering this much because it has compression. I won't buy a bike unless I do a compression test first.

FU

 

I'd be willing to bet you'll have the " virago starter issue" so there's. couple hundred right there. That bike looks rough... Where's the exhaust.. It's not original. It has been outside enough that the gauges are faded..., and he only said it ran when it was parked--- does he mean; ran perfect, ran rough, barely ran, ran out of oil, ran only on starter fluid, etc......

$200-$250. If you pay $500, you put another $1000 in, you'll have bike still only worth about $1500 if you're lucky. If the mileage was lower, the gauges good and not faded, the original exhaust, and starter fix done, you could probably get more.....

I traded an old snowmobile for mine in very nice condition other than the usual starter issue, and only 16k on the clock.

YES, I know what I'm talking about--- I HAVE an '81 xv750.


Dave Fox

 

I was planning on offering 2-250. There's a 920 parts bike for sale around here as well, and it seems like some parts are interchangeable? Can the Virago starter be rebuilt like my XJ650?

 

the 920 is basically the same bike with a bigger engine. They had the same starter issue, they can be rebuilt, but that's usually not the issue. The whole starter gear train is a problem, and it strips the starter ring gear in the bore. Once it spins, it loosens quickly and compounds itself.

Do a search for 'Virago starter issue' and 'Dr. Piston', or go to viragotech.com and do some searching. You'll learn about it all really quick.

Dave

 

Dave,
Since you have one, is this something I should even consider? I'm willing to take a lot of time, and put money into it, but if it's really not worth it...

 

If you can get it cheap, then yeah.... You CAN make a nice ride out if it. There are starter upgrades that can be done, but the starter gear train is goofy and if the starter gear starts going ( and it will) you have to do the repairs. THAT is the weak link on the early virago.... Otherwise, it's another solid reliable yamaha.

If you can get it cheap, can do your own work, can put money into it .....and not care if you eventually end up with more in it than its really worth ( kind of like most of us) because " it's MINE and resurrected it BY MYSELF" , then by all means get it

 

That helps. Thanks