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The owner claims it was just a breather overflow hose as being the culprit for the oil leak, that and he was only looking to take a couple hundred off his asking price.
That's too bad. I have that exact same bike---year, color everything with only a few more miles.
It's been fine. I picked it up a few years ago. The color was probably the main reason.
You did good walking away from that one. Its obvious it hasn't been taken care of very well. All those things you pointed out and a few others too, point to someone that just doesn't give a **** about their stuff. Youll find the right one...patience grasshopper lol.
forgot to add...if it were mine i would have thrown new plugs in it just out of embarrassment lol...thats almost as bad as people who take pictures of their dirty whatever and post it for sale...ok im done
Last edited by Screamin beagle; Jul 8, 2025 at 06:05 PM.
Black Book Powersports says average retail is $6370.
JD Powers says average retail is $6155.
Based on the very old tires, the condition of that spark plug, the corrosion on the brake cylinder cap, and the dirt/grime in the "hidden" places, I think it is fair to say this bike has NOT had a good maintenance schedule...
I believe it is below average retail value, and yet the owner has it priced at $1,100 to $1,300 ABOVE average retail value.
With a below average bike because of a lack of maintenance, there is no way of knowing what is lurking out of view to cost you money.. Just like the suggestion above of checking to see if the tank has rust, or a peeling liner...
I would walk away from this one... There are too many nice bikes for sale at reasonable prices due to the current market... This isn't one of them.
The seller would be insulted at my offer.. I'm not sure I would pay $5K for that bike. ... just too many unknowns and possible "gotchas"...
I'd probably offer less after a thorough inspection...
Good luck with your search...
You got me thinking for future bikes I will look at to potentially buy.
How do you know the 'true' blue-book value on a bike you are looking at that which the seller can't deny?
You got me thinking for future bikes I will look at to potentially buy.
How do you know the 'true' blue-book value on a bike you are looking at that which the seller can't deny?
All the guides are just that... guides.
The two I use, JD Powers and Black Book Powersports, are supposed to get their numbers from recorded sales data, unlike others. For example KBB deals with listing prices.
Regardless of the current market, and actual sales numbers, there are people who are convinced their 24 year old, well-worn motorcycle is a classic, and worth every penny they are asking... Many are too emotionally involved with their bikes and wouldn't listen to, let alone agree with, anything other than what they believe to be true.
I use the guides for me.... not for the seller.
Between the two guides I mentioned, I decide what the average retail price seems be during the current market. Then every bike I look at, I decide if I believe it's average, below average, or above average. Then based on that appraisal, I decide how much it's worth to me, and what I would be willing to pay. I have actually bought a used bike for above average retail price. But IMHO, it was a well above average example of the model I was looking for... I paid about $700 above average retail, which at that time worked out to about paying 10% above average retail for that motorcycle.
My last two used bike purchases took me over a year of looking, and I walked away from at least 3 or more bikes per search, based on my evaluation that the seller wanted more than I was willing to pay.
I have several motorcycles, so it's easy for me to be patient... But if you can manage to be patient, you will eventually find a good, fair deal.
Every once in awhile, you may find that diamond in the rough that becomes a great deal...
I’ve since added an engine guard, saddlebag guards, Capt itch crotch cooler in green gator, and Memphis Shades windshield. Replacing the tires with wide white walls is up next.
Ive since added an engine guard, saddlebag guards, Capt itch crotch cooler in green gator, and Memphis Shades windshield. Replacing the tires with wide white walls is up next.
I believe that was a good one ot "pass" on. Just too rough and too high priced. Much cleaner and well kept bikes out there.
For future reference. - It may have well been the "breather tube" that the owner says was the source of the oily-looking area.
Many of us remove the breather hoses from the intake and route them back to the rear and they can overtime and a lack of cleaning, they can start to make a mess, especially if he ever overfilled the oil tank and ran it with a high oil level. Just something ot consider going forward. It also could have just been someone that never cleaned up the oil spillage on oil changes, as it do not look like an owner that took much pride in a clean bike.
Good luck on the search. Lots of really clean pampered bikes are out there - you just have to wait for the right one. Let us follow your search, it's fun for all of us to watch others buy bikes.
The bike of Mr. D has posted - That is what they are supposed to look like when you walk up with interest in a bike someone has for sale. Good-looking machine!
Last edited by MarlinSpike; Jul 9, 2025 at 08:21 AM.
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