Hi folks
As per my newbie intro post, I'm a Brit living in Crete. Being a bit of a petrolhead I am looking for something to work on while we are in lockdown. There are lots of F650s on the island although the price of used bikes are quite high here. Buying is always fun, as things described as "excellent" are not quite as excellent as in the UK-sense.
I have been offered a local F650, as follows: 2000 model year; 95k KM (yep, 95k); the seller says it has two faults: 1. Various electrical problems when you move the bars and 2. unsavoury noises from the engine when it is hot and/or after some kilometres (how many, I'm not sure). It also has the added benefit of being 70s Volvo orange. It has new tyres and the seller says he is the only owner, having clocked up all of those KMs, having ridden all over Greece and to Turkey and back.
In the past I stripped and rebuilt a 1996 Aprilia Pegaso 650, including electrics, carbs, and engine (new valves, piston, cylinder etc) so know that close cousin quite well. That said, getting the exhaust headers off was a pig of a job and it still backfired on the over-run, even after changing the rubber intake manifolds.
Anyway, the guy wants €500 for it, which I think is a bit steep considering the age, mileage and unknown/possibly "economical with the truth" faults. I haven't heard it running, either.
To my mind, half that would be worth a punt. What do you think?
All the best
John
As per my newbie intro post, I'm a Brit living in Crete. Being a bit of a petrolhead I am looking for something to work on while we are in lockdown. There are lots of F650s on the island although the price of used bikes are quite high here. Buying is always fun, as things described as "excellent" are not quite as excellent as in the UK-sense.
I have been offered a local F650, as follows: 2000 model year; 95k KM (yep, 95k); the seller says it has two faults: 1. Various electrical problems when you move the bars and 2. unsavoury noises from the engine when it is hot and/or after some kilometres (how many, I'm not sure). It also has the added benefit of being 70s Volvo orange. It has new tyres and the seller says he is the only owner, having clocked up all of those KMs, having ridden all over Greece and to Turkey and back.
In the past I stripped and rebuilt a 1996 Aprilia Pegaso 650, including electrics, carbs, and engine (new valves, piston, cylinder etc) so know that close cousin quite well. That said, getting the exhaust headers off was a pig of a job and it still backfired on the over-run, even after changing the rubber intake manifolds.
Anyway, the guy wants €500 for it, which I think is a bit steep considering the age, mileage and unknown/possibly "economical with the truth" faults. I haven't heard it running, either.
To my mind, half that would be worth a punt. What do you think?
All the best
John