Honda XR 600

I am looking at buying a XR 600 off someone. He wants $1500 for it.
It's a late 80's model road/trail and is in good conition and just
needs a new clutch. The clutch is OK but needs a new one because it
slips a little but you don't notice it really on dirt, mainly on the
main road.

Is this a good price?

Thanks.

 

There's really not enough info to tell for sure.

If all that IS wrong with it is clutch, this may be OK, though I'd suggest
that there's not many late 80's XR's around that don't require more
substantial work (unless it's already been done?).

Has it had a top and/or bottom end rebuild?

 

He said it had new rings and it had a blown head gasket and it was re
drilled a few years ago and since then it has barely been ridden. I
have been there and rode it a few times. The tires are good and the
rest of it seems in good order. Only thing that is wrong apart from
the clutch is the seat has faded a bit. It doesn't smoke. Only when it
starts. It's a nice quick bike. No lagging or any tiredness noticable.

This bloke I know well and is very honest.
The bike has been sitting almost unused on the farm for a few years.

 

I trust him so there is no need to get a 3rd party bike mech to
inspect. He is my cousin in-law if there is such a thing.

The clutch will be little to replace as I am aware. I thought people
would be replying saying it's a steal.

Anyway, $1500 for a good condition road/dirt bike seems fine to me if
all I need to do is replace the clutch.

This bike is far from expiring.

Any other thoughts?

 

You anticipated our reply? So your post was simply for self-gratification?

Hmmm.... anyway, having recentlybought a bike of similar vintage ('91
TT600), I can say that $1500 seems to be a reasonable price for a "late 80's
bike", depending on condition. Keep in mind that the clutch plates could
cost $200 or so, depending on which plates you need to replace (the fibre
ones only, or the metal ones as well). If you add a clutch cover gasket,
your're probably up around $225. Then there's oil and filter, which you'll
obviously change while the clutch is being done. While you're at it, do the
spark plug and air filter element (maybe just a wash and re-oil). Assuming
the chain, sprockets and brakes are OK, $300 should see it right. You'll
probably want to adjust the valve clearances as well. No $$$ in parts
(unless a gasket is required), but a bit of messing around if you do it
yourself.

Also remember that in 2005 we are entering the "late" part of this decade,
so the bike in question is almost vintage. (At 20 years you can join the
VJMC - Vintage Japanese Motorcycle Club). Even if things look fine, you can
rest assurred that the cam shaft will be pretty well-worn, the bottom end
will be approaching "sloppy", the rear shock will be sagged and may even
need rebuilding, and the forks will most likely be similarly afflicted
(check the fork seals to begin with).

Whether it's ultimately good value largely depends on what you're going to
do with it. I only ride my TT600 a handful of times per year, so a "rattly"
cam chain and a little oil burning end are of little concern to me, and
certainly don't warrant a complete rebuild. If you want to use a bike
regularly (e.g. every weekend), then you're probably better off scrounging
up some more money to get something that is less likely to need work in the
near future.

 

Thanks for the reply.

 

I hadn't 100%, but if someone suggested not to then I probably
wouldn't buy it.
I wanted to know what else I could think about from replies.

 

I thought someone had said that...

 

I knew there was something fishy about that bike.

Postman Pat

 

<groan>

Sometimes he *is* funnier in real life.

 

You're right, I think he's hooked.

GB

 

X-No-archive: yes
Tim Moran wrote in message ...

~
Yeah but after 90mins you were horny again!
Clem
(That must be why there's so many of them!)

 

Showing your age Clem.

GB

 

You're also unlikely to accidentally type "orange roughy" instead've
"long"...

Postman Pat

 

When Liz decided on a school for Charles, and remembering that the future
king's princess had to be a virgin, Geelong was the safest place to send
him.
Joe M.