TOPIC:

Alright guys, so I got a test drive in last night. When we got to his place and started it up it started to leak oil out of the exhaust. A pretty solid drip and created a nice puddle below the bike at idle. The far left cylinder (when sitting on the bike) was fouled with oil and there was some in the combustion chamber. The oil level was checked and it filled the entire site glass on the side. I think there was way too much oil in the bike. Then, once the bike was warm it quit leaking the oil. Ran a little rough due to the fouled plug. So, we cleaned the plug and rode it. It ran well, but I don't think we cleaned the plug enough. Then, when we returned the electric starter button quit working, but it would still kick start just fine and the solenoid could be jumped with a screwdriver just fine. Thoughts? Is this a big deal? Is it a deal breaker? How concerned should I be? idea on cost to fix? I am located in central Ohio, any good mechanics for KZ in this area?

Thanks.

Jason

That can be a leaky valve stem seal, if you are lucky, it's not hard to fix but you need to pop the head off. The electric bug can be traced and fixed, again it wouldn't be a hard thing to do.

I take it the owner is looking for offers, as you have not said he wants $xxxx dollars for it. Start low and see what he does.

Post edited by: OKC_Kent, at: 2006/05/31 08:56

Jason:

Always assume the easier fix, and you are usually correct. As Kent stated, it probably is the valve stem seal, which is an easy fix (be advised it takes a special tool to pull the valves (hence the valve stem seal)). BUT, it could be something scarier. The condition you describe would not scare me off but the bike may be problematic as a daily rider. On the up side, you are in a very powerful negotiating position:) The bike as currently presented, may not be streetable (motor-wise)...parley that information into an enormous savings!!! And there are a bunch of Z-heads in Ohio but most of us eventually end up wrenching on our own scooters.

Buy it cheap, fix it, and use it so some other knucklehead doesn't get it, find out there's something wrong with it, and send it to the bone yard. That bike looks like an excellent starter for a beautiful vintage.

Buy it!! You can get a better deal with the leverage you have from all of the bikes "problems" that you and the owner saw that day. You should be able to fix those problems pretty quick and with just a small investment.
There are a lot of members in Ohio, so advice and help won't be too hard to find.
Make a low offer and see what they have to say. I think they will most likely take the money and run

Take care and ride safe soon

Did you buy this bike yet?

No, I have not bought the bike yet. The seller is deciding what he wants to do about his price and whether or not he wants to get the bike fixed. Not sure how much it will cost me. I was looking forward to buying a running bike. The seller is asking $2300? too much or too little? Should I offer him much less. Is it still worth buying wtih all the potential problems. Will it still ride well as a DD? Done the car thing plenty times before, but motorcycle repair is new to me.

Jason

Well Jason, even in the shape it is in, I wouldn't hesitate at US$2300. BUT, offer him less, say $1500. Your argument might include those negotiating items as costs to take it to a reputable mechanic to redo the head (seals) or even to buy the necessary special tools/parts to do it yourself. With the quality KHI manual in hand, doing the head is de-mystified and with the proper tools (and a slight mechanical background) it can be tackled! The bike still may be rideable, but you may be fouling plugs, etc. and riding a messy bike. The flip side being, if you wanted a functioning bike immediately, you aren't going to get it with the A3...that is your real decision. BUT I still lust after the A3

Post edited by: Mcdroid, at: 2006/06/02 16:17

77kz700? wrote:

Buy it cheap, fix it, and use it so some other knucklehead doesn't get it, find out there's something wrong with it, and send it to the bone yard. That bike looks like an excellent starter for a beautiful vintage.

Seconded. With the shopping list of nits you've outlined, it should be possible to whittle him down. Play up the oil leak, and lean towards it being a valve guide rather than a seal - upwards of a $400 fix in its own right should that prove to be the case. To put her in primo shape, you're looking at a grand, give or take, and I'd let the prospective PO know that - repetitvely.

Offer 1500.

I'm here in central Ohio and know of a couple of mechanics who work on the older bikes. Tackle what you can, and then see what they can do for the rest.

I had never done bike repair before my 750. Get the owners manual and dig in. Much more satisfying to ride a bike you brought bike to life on your own. We also have a couple of pretty good bike salvage places in the area as well.

Here's a guy my buddies have been using for repairs

Bad Daddy's bike shop 614-279-2233

I haven't had any dealings with him, but they seem to be happy.

Good luck!

Well, as it turns out, the guy came down on price and I am picking up the bike for about $1K less than originally offered. I am going to start working on it soon. Where is a good place to get a good manual, facotry service possibly? I hope to be riding soon.

May be in for some serious questions soon. With pics of course.

Thanks for all the info before.

Jason

Are you tellin' us that you picked that thing up for $1300!! If so, that's a steal!!

I'll be down to pick it up with $1800 in hand.