Newbie

Hi, Everybody!

I'm in the process of buying a 1980 kz750E that is in need of a total restoration. I have not made the final call but my heart says buy it but head says don't!

I have had a Kawasaki dirt bike back many moons ago but not a street bike. I'm a newbie in more ways than one. The bike was in hurricane Katrina and owner says it did go under water and has been sitting up for about 4 years. I'm not sure if anything has been done to it ;because this is not the original owner. To make matters even worse no title and not much hope to get hold of original owner.

The price is ok he only wants $250 and has said he would go lower.This is what I think it needs,tires,battery,carbs cleaned,motor may be locked up and who knows what's wrong with electrical. Oh yeah the title find a way to fix or get a frame with title.

I have spoke to a mechanic and he said I should really think this one over.His take is parts are hard to find and very pricey. Specifically, electrically parts and if motor is locked up overhaul might be needed.

What's your opinion? What do you think it's worth? Would you even buy it? I can easily verify if it is locked up and maybe even try to crank it before I buy it. Bike does look good for it's age and what it's been through.


Thank You
Ray

I wouldn't touch it. Generally in situations where your head is saying no and you still go for it, your head was right. Plus with any bike that's been in a flood you'll often have silt (read mud) in everything. The carbs, the cylinders, the oil & trans, yada yada. Plus with no title there may be no point if you can't find the original owner. Unless he's giving it away for free I'd stay far, far away.

Just my $.02!

I will second Tim on this...if the bike has been under water, then it is likely a total loss. If the seller will give it to you, then you should consider it...if not, pass.

Hey guys! Thanks for the great advice I will contact seller soon and see what he says. I don't know quite how to ask him ;other than just saying "if you want to give it to me I will take it"

I can give him the reasons cost to much and worth very little ect.

If I get this bike I will need much help with it. Again, I appreciate your opinions and Thank You !

If someone drained all water from engine and put oil in the cylinder right after the FLOOD it may be ok.I would at lease Have a good look inside, maybe take a flash light pull the plugs and look in the cylinders, and scope in the oil fill cap, drain the oil and see what comes out. If the guy lets you make sure of what he is selling. Check the shifter to see if it shifts ,if it doesnt have a kick start ,put it in gear and push it to see what moves, Just let the man know that you realy need to check it out very good or its not worth anything to anyone being swomped.

Great advice and if it is as bad as we think he will know why it's not worth much.Thanks and I will go over the bike!

Salt water flood damage that wasn't addressed over 4 years ago? Run away!!

This was not salt water it is quite far from any saltwater or even brakish water. I belive this was from a freshwater river not far from the house it was stored at.

Update, spoke to seller and he is willing to go as low as $150 and this is the good part he has found original owner has title and keys. If original owner can't produce title he is willing to help with lost title process. This is big half of my problem is the title. I forgot about the key problem and that will also save me time and money.

I still will make sure motor is not frozen and may try to see if I can even turn it over. Check compression ect. I should be able to put bike in gear and see if it will roll.Checking for compression is going to be a little tricky if we have not found keys I would have to try some kind of trick to bypass switch.

Not even if he gave me $10 to take it away.....scuba bike