Help troubleshooting a bike for sale.

acamato · April 09, 2009, 05:28:15 AM

I founf a 92 GS on CL and am interested in it. However the guy states "It has 24,000 miles on it. It wont crank up, It turns on but wont crank up. Probably from sitting all winter. It ran fine last riding season. I have no time take it to a mechanic. It have few scratches on. I believe the starter is blown on it. I can give you a new starter with it"

I emailed him to get some clarification. The ignition turns on, and the motor wont crank over. He bought a starter off e-bay for it. He cannot get it started by push starting it. That is what worries me. I am in need of advise of what I should ask him to find out if it is the starter or more like Goat's. I live about 3hrs form the bike so it is not that easy to look at it.

tripleb · April 09, 2009, 05:56:23 AM

I wouldn't pay over $500 for it and that might be high.

Trwhouse · April 09, 2009, 06:58:14 AM

Hi there,
I wouldn't give him more than $100 for it and that might be high.
You don't have enough info here to consider buying this bike.
What is the rest of it like?
These things often turn out to be more complicted than you planned.
Let us know what you find when you actually see it.
Have you seen the bike in person yet?
Don't pay much.
This has red flags all over it.
Best wishes,
Trwhouse

acamato · April 09, 2009, 07:53:06 AM

Here is the CL listing:
http://philadelphia.craigslist.org/mcy/1078226565.html

I will ask him for more photos.

tripleb · April 09, 2009, 08:46:49 AM

There's no guarantee this thing doesn't have serious engine issues so you may be looking a a parts bike worst case. Best case it is just the starter and you get a decent bike. Ask him to try to fix the starter and if he can prove it will run make an offer, but otherwise you should offer him parts bike prices which isn't more than $500 which he said he wont take. Unless he listens to reason and lowers the price a lot or fixes the bike to prove it will run I wouldn't go near it.

RVAGS · April 09, 2009, 10:27:54 AM

It's prbably bad gas or gummed up carbs... It looks to me like he is saying it cranks but wont start... Be careful about it though... 1200 would be a bit high IMO... These things are EVERYWHERE, go find another one.

fred · April 09, 2009, 03:35:39 PM

Offer him half of what he is asking. Probably has a dead battery and a gummed up carb, but it isn't worth taking the chance for more than about $600... It could have a much worse problem, but the most likely cause are carb and battery problems.

lawman · April 09, 2009, 04:01:53 PM

Quote from: RVAGS on April 09, 2009, 10:27:54 AM
It's prbably bad gas or gummed up carbs... It looks to me like he is saying it cranks but wont start... Be careful about it though... 1200 would be a bit high IMO... These things are EVERYWHERE, go find another one.

I'm with this guy. Go and try to start it, see what happens. You might be able to drain the float bowls, replace the gas, and have a running bike. I would go play with it, and if that seems reasonably likely, offer $600. Exploit your greater knowledge. If it was running last season, and you believe him, it can't be that bad unless something serious happened that he hasn't mentioned, which you might see looking at the bike.

acamato · May 04, 2009, 08:31:43 AM

After the advice you gave me. I passed on the bike. I was looking at craigslist today and the guy lowered his price to $650. It is tempting, may be a nice little project bike... A friend is selling a 92 Nighthawk 750 for $1600, it has 4400 miles on it and is very clean.. What to do?

The Buddha · May 04, 2009, 09:19:55 AM

Nighthawk's are nice, but big and heavy ...
If the glove fits though ...
Cool.
Buddha.

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Help troubleshooting a bike for sale.