So I went and looked at an 86 FXRS up in Connecticut. It was listed on craigslist.. Pictures looked good and the asking price was $4500. Only had 18k on the clock. So I called the guy we talked for a little and he said it ran good and the Paint was good, just had a minor primary leak. The only 2 things that weren't stock were the pipes and the Handle bars without mirrors... The motor was never opened up. Still had OEM cam, lifters and ignition with original cv carb...After a couple phone calls we agreed on a price that seemed pretty fair I thought... $3800.00. So I rented a U-haul trailer and made the trip this morning, don't think it ever went over 33*. Just about 200 miles and 3hrs later I was there. We talked a little as I was looking it over. I wasn't too impressed with the paint. Judging by the pics I was expecting a better initial appearance. Everything was there but it definitely looked as if it wasn't maintained as well as it could have been.. So he started it up and it sounded a little rough with the choke on but I'm thinking ok its cold out, maybe it'll run a little smoother as it warms up. Well even after running for 5 minutes it never did clear up to good..... So I took it out for a 3 mile spin. it accelerated ok But it sure did vibrate a lot (a lot more than my shovel or even my Evo) halfway through the road test I pulled into an open lot to do a walk around and put my gloved hand over the ends of the exhaust make sure the cylinders were firing properly. Well the front sounded good, no problems there but the rear cylinder definitely had a misfire and very 2nd or third revolution it would literally try to suck my hand into the exhaust...Definitely an exhaust valve issue... So I finished out the road test. Got back to the storage shed and told the guy what I experienced in the ride and that the carb needed rebuilding and the rear cylinder had an exhaust valve issue. Which would require a valve job and you know how that goes .... I told him there's no way I can do $3800.. Then he tells me well maybe I'll do a compression and leak down test on it. I doubt that the bike has only 18k on it and I'm kinda pissed that I traveled all that way to possibly buy a decent bike.. Just wish the guy could've been honest with me. Wasted a $100.00 and 7 hours of my time for nothing... Why can't people be honest. It sucks that someone is always trying to pull some kind of **** on you, like what happened to me when I bought my shovel.. Really got ****ed there... This time though I was a little smarter and turned around and left.... What a pice of **** both him and the bike..... Actually the bike was workable but it wasn't what he said it was...

 

Sorry it did not work out. Shame too because the '86 FXRS is a great bike. I have the FXR but converted to belt like the "S". I will never part with it.

 

I don't get the "S" thing... my FXRS has a chain... from new...
Anyway... my bet is that bike had drag pipes on it...

 

What's a bitch is that's a 6k bike out here as it sits. FXR's of any variation are crazy priced.

 

Just curious, did you offer him $3500? I know the paint was a bummer, but I would have expected to do a carb rebuild and perhaps top end.

 

When I told him that there was no way I can pay 3800 for it he put it back in the storage shed and said I guess I have to do a compression and leak down test... The funny thing is he he didn't even try to defend the problems.. he knew what was wrong and wanted to see if he could unload it on a chump or something.. I'll gaurantee that there's a hell of a lot more than 18k on the clock...

 

Probably right but even if it is 18K evidence says those were neglected hard miles.

 

That sucks, but like twisted said fxrs are 10000 if they look good and run good around here in ca. I was at the shop the other day looking at a beautiful roller on the lift. 50000 dollar builds are getting common.

 

Bummer. It would be nice to have another FXR around here!

 

$3800. I'd be all over that. Hell a frame out here is gonna run you almost $2k.