Hello,

New here - I'm searching and reading through threads trying to find opinions on purchasing a previously downed bike. It has cosmetic damage - the forks are tweaked, motor chip, exhaust looks like crap, top of the mirrors are scuffed... the cosmetic stuff doesn't bother me, my concern is safety.

The bike has been sitting outside for at least 2-3 months with a sale sign. Went and looked at it - it killed a mile out. The start button would not engage starter so talk of bad solenoid, starter problem, or switch issue. However he said it's cold blooded and choke could have been worked a little more, but test drive and weird scenario on highway... ended up pushing it a quarter mile back.

Could probably get bike for $2400. It's an xl883R 2002.

LOVE that bike in any year. I want one. It's close to home. It's a piece right now.

What do you think? Thank you.

Minnesota girl wants a sporty.

 

By the time you clean that pig up, you will be into clean Dyna money - RUN FAST.


To answer your question
A) The title - NEVER by a bike w/a branded title
B) You have DOWN and you have down... This bike sounds DOWN, nope I would not buy one. down - maybe I would. But then you have the mojo factor and that bugs me..

 

Unfortunately for you, I'm in Kebo's camp on this ... by the time you get it to be road worthy ( other than the experience you'll get from doing the repairs yourself ) you be a at major negative return on your investment. Have you considered the consequences of a tweaked frame? It's a possibility and while they can be straightened ( after you totally dismantle the scooter ) it's a major undertaking. You get it all together and realize that it doesn't "tickle your fancy" and you can't ( or extremely difficult to ) get rid of it because of the ( if it has one ) salvage title. I've resurrected many scooters over the years and it's not for the faint of heart or inexperienced rider/fixerupper.

 

Yes, listen to the Uncles. This sounds like it's been "wrecked down" not "I dropped it in a parking lot down"

 

A crashed '02 sportster with bent forks is only worth $500. Never let your emotions cloud common sense when buying bikes.

 

There are a bunch of sporties on craiglist between you and Sioux Falls under 3k. Post rally I'd bet a lot more will turn up in the near future. That one obviously went down hard.

 

Pass.

 

Excellent info. Thank you. Logic over project. Says title is "clean" - I don't think they turned it into insurance. I was concerned how does one find out if twisted fork or tweaked frame? Sucks - o well. Thanks for your replies, good info.

 

What thy all said. You'll easily be 4-5k getting that one fixed.

 

Also, could any of you nice people contact an admin to get my user name changed so my email isn't being broadcasted? Yes, that happened.

I tried IM'ing Terry TheTrollKiller guy - he went offline. I posted on a "delete account" thread to IzzoQuazzo asking for help as well.

Thank you.