93' zx6, buy or pass up?

[nsoccer3097]

i'm looking at buying a 93' zx6 from a local guy.  says the bike has sat for a little over a year and that it needs a carb kit.  i've looked at the bike and there is only one problem with the fairing, a crack about 1 inch, that has also made the paint around it "spider" out. when i looked at it the bike does turn over like it wants to start, but it's not completely starting, sort of like when first starting a gs in the middle of winter.  now, i'm not what you'd call a mechanic, but it seems like the jets could be clogged from sitting over a year, thus no gas to the engine.  i guess what i'm wondering is if this is even a decent bike and secondly, any clues to what is actually "wrong" and how difficult it would be to fix?  i have rejetted my gs and removed the tank and carbs more times than i'd like to, so i know a little about carbs.  any help is greatly apprecitaed.

[JamesG]

more info:

How many miles?
Is there any rust on the frame, fasteners, or aluminum parts?
How are the fork seals, rubber bits, and wiring?
Does it look like its been left out in the weather for most of its life?
Tires?
What is the asking price?

[nsoccer3097]

just under 14k miles
no rust that i could find
wiring looked good, no frays, random cut wires
tires look pretty new, i think they were dunlops
said it had been in storage for about a year, but now it's in a garage so there's a film of dirt,  the plastic/paint doesn't look faded or oxidized.
asking price of $1,000

[JamesG]

Really?

Do you have that guys phone#?  I'd be willing to give him a call and maybe go up and inspect it for a "while" for ya.  


IF the bike doesn't have any hidden gotchas, then $1K is a good price Blue Book is $3K. The only unknown is the motor because it doesn't run.  It would be nice to do a compression check on it, that would be a way to gauge the state of the cylinders, which on those old ZXs were one of the 2 things that could go wrong on an otherwise bulletproof motor (the other being a stripped out 2nd gear).

Its really a roll of the dice. I think if I were in your shoes (and the wife let me) I would get the bike as an "investment". They are a bit heavy and pudgy compared to new 600s, but they make excellent medium sport tourers.  ZX6s have been around forever so parts are plentiful, even complete engines aren't too much.
Even if you have to do engine work, you should be able to come out at least even. And if its fine, you can still put in some $$ for upgrading the forks, shock, and other mods.

[fuzzymemory]

If it's been sitting for a year, the battery prob ran out of juice.  I'd ask the owner to give the battery a charge or even let you charge it (it should take 4-8 hours or so on a trickle charger).  I'd see if the bike turns over and starts up after that.

[nsoccer3097]

thanks for all the help.  i guess a miracle happened and the guy who was selling it had someone buy it between 6 PM yesterday and 10 AM this morning.  don't get me wrong, i have no problem with him selling it, but i had to call him to find that out after he was supposed to let me know if he as able to get it running.  oh well, money saved.  thanks again.

[JamesG]

Bummer,  buy a YZF instead. Its a better bike.
:mrgreen:

[etam]

Really?
 It would be nice to do a compression check on it, that would be a way to gauge the state of the cylinders, which on those old ZXs were one of the 2 things that could go wrong on an otherwise bulletproof motor (the other being a stripped out 2nd gear).

.

OLD POST.....

James, how can I tell if there is 2nd gear problem?  I read somewhere that it will pop out of 2nd gear around 11k rpm?

thanks,

Ernest


[edit] found this: http://www.zx6e.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=2314

[werase643]

james is in HELL right now.....Iraq

ya have to ride it and .... it will do what most ZX-6D/E's will do....pop out of 2'nd