smoking bike!

Greetings all,

I am new to this group and am an avid rider (HD's/Triumphs/Royal Enfield) but do not yet own a kawasaki. I am on the verge of buying my first kz1000. I am really impressed with the KZ's look and performance, and can not wait to own one. Anyhow, I found a kz1000 to buy and we are ready to close the deal, I asked for a video of the bike, the seller informed me of the following:

"I started the bike this morning and it smoked more than usual. After a five minute ride , it is still smoking from the left cylinders (1&2). Apparently is does not want to leave. I would suggest that you pass on this one unless you are ready for a rebuild soon. All I can do to try and rectify this is to lower the price which will hopefully pay for an overhaul."

Can I ask for a prompt reply to the following question: should I still purchase the bike? I'm not sure if it is blue or black smoke, and think the bike has been sitting for a while. What are your expert thoughts about this?

Thanks!
Russell

Ok, just heard back from the seller. He says it is certainly oil and not fuel, and he believes the rings need replacing. Is it worth buying or too much trouble?

A bike sitting for "a while" may have perished valve stem seals and are (relatively) easily replaced. Do a dry compression test on the motor, followed by a wet test to prove/disprove leaky rings. Good luck, Paul

I would say it all depends on how much he is asking for the bike.

Thanks for the reply. I purchased the bike and it is being shipped to me here in the UAE, should arrive sometime in October. When it gets here I will look at the compression test. Cheers.

Powerstroke_fan wrote: I would say it all depends on how much he is asking for the bike.

He lowered the price to $2700, so I bought it, and its on the way to the UAE now. Cheers