97 Kawasaki Vulcan 800 questions

[teerexfzj80]

Hi all, I am currently looking at getting my first bike, a 97 Vulcan 800, but there are some questions I need help with before jumping in too deep. I am also looking at a newer bike already with lots of custom parts, but would like to save $ on the front end so I can do the customizing as I get my own cravings.

It has just under 9000 miles on it and they are asking $2700 obo. Is that a fair price? It is clean, but looks like it has some wear and tear on it so I'd give it good to fair condition. It definitely needs some TLC.

Feels like there is a good bit of play in the clutch and the footbrake. It also has several blemishes on the paint, pipes and frame but nothing huge indicating it was laid down hard. Just looks like a handful of little chips and scratches and some electrical tape on teh shifter peg and other foot peg areas. One of the rear taillights is snapped and electrical taped.

They only have one key and it will not open the Battery or tool storage. Battery died as we were starting it today. What are the options to get into it?

I also saw another covered key slot on the right side behind the front forks...I am assuming it is a lock, but want to know just what it is.

It looked like the pipes (drag and sunded nice) had some oily residue on them...it was not blowing any white or blue smoke...while it ran, but that was only a few minutes.
Any Ideas?

I pulled off the air cleaner and it definitely needed to be cleaned / changed and had a good bit of either gasket rot or road dust/debris outside the element.

I don't mind tinkering and spending some money to get it right, but don't want to get into something that will be more headache than pursuit of passion.

I appreciate whatever the group can offer to help.

Thanks,

 

[sessions]

Ok, so first off I'd recommend having your local Kawasaki shop take a look at it! They might charge and they might not? I took a case of beer with me when I brought in a used bike to have looked at and wasn't charged..bribery works. Or find a salesman ask a bunch of questions about bikes (buying signs and they'll be more eager to help)....then hit them up about a trade in. See if they'll give you a price on the bike your interested in buying and usually they'll have the shop look at it to pick it apart (no charge), low ball ya on price and that's when you tell them you'll just keep it.
So the key hole behind the forks is usually a steering lock or maybe the ignition, I can't remember exactly. Take a look at the bottom of the pipes or the ends of the foot pegs to see if they've been dragging pegs around corners and look at how far the tire is scrubbed over it's a good indicator of the rider/how it's been ridden. Regarding the oil leak on the pipe I think the oil filter is tucked up in there? The rear fender looks like it had a mud flap at one time? Electrical tape on the foot pegs/shifter?? Prob not good? Air filter debris?? Might not be good, showing a lack of maintenance and that's the easiest thing to do on a bike! Needs tires? That could be $500 'ish' and the random scratches/blemishes..dunno that's your call. Rough trade in value $1410 Clean trade in $1640 and Average retail $2045. NADA Motorcycle Appraisal Guide 8/08. The guy/gal probably got it for $7999 +frt/prep+licensing+tax. IMO give him $1750 explain the potential repairs/concerns and start from there. The Vulcan line of bikes are good bikes! I think it is liquid cooled and has a shaft drive? Shaft drive bikes offer the least maintenance just check it for leaks! GOOD LUCK!!

 

[Red Herring]

Sounds to me like it hasn't been particularily well loved or looked after. If the price is right, which I have no clue about, it might be worth further investigation. If they were too cheap to replace the worn out rubber on the shift lever, me thinks they were probably too cheap/lazy to change the oil and do other regular maintenance.

 

[teerexfzj80]

Thanks for the heads up...no real surprises with your comments...I bought a different bike Monday.

Ended up getting a 2000 Kawasaki Nomad, 10k miles for $5,000 from a reputable dealer.

"Black Betty"...wham a lam.

 

[sessions]

Nomads are RAD!!!! Great buy!!!!

 

[teerexfzj80]

Thanks, I'm going to pick her up today. I had the dealer add a few items.