Joined
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1 Posts
Hi guys, I appreciate the opportunity to pick your collective brains before I possibly make a big mistake.
I'm 45 years old and haven't owned or even ridden a bike for 25 years. If it matters, I'm 5'9" tall and solidly built, fairly strong. Good legs and hips, but arthritic neck and upper back (not debilitating).
I can turn wrenches (replace auto water pumps, belts, brakes/rotors, alternators, starters, install electronics, etc.) but I am not an "accomplished mechanic".
Found a 1982 Aspencade with 84k miles on Craigslist. Carbs recently been rebuilt, prob need synchronizing (?), missing stereo, broken speedo cable. Guy wanted $3200 to start, we negotiated, he's at $1750 now. I can maybe get him off another hundred, so let's say $1650. I get the feeling he bought it to flip a big profit but it's not working out too well for him. I know he bought the bike within the last 90 days, off Craigslist also; the original owner's ad was still up.
Bike would be bought so the wife and I to go on less than 3 hour expeditions, probably. A way to just get away and spend time together.
Opinions, please:
1) is the idea of picking up such a massive machine a bad idea?
2) am I asking for headaches buying such an old bike?
If #1 is "No" but #2 is "Yes", then how much newer do I need to go before #2 becomes a "No"?
I meet with him Tuesday afternoon...
Thank you so much!
Cheers!
I'm 45 years old and haven't owned or even ridden a bike for 25 years. If it matters, I'm 5'9" tall and solidly built, fairly strong. Good legs and hips, but arthritic neck and upper back (not debilitating).
I can turn wrenches (replace auto water pumps, belts, brakes/rotors, alternators, starters, install electronics, etc.) but I am not an "accomplished mechanic".
Found a 1982 Aspencade with 84k miles on Craigslist. Carbs recently been rebuilt, prob need synchronizing (?), missing stereo, broken speedo cable. Guy wanted $3200 to start, we negotiated, he's at $1750 now. I can maybe get him off another hundred, so let's say $1650. I get the feeling he bought it to flip a big profit but it's not working out too well for him. I know he bought the bike within the last 90 days, off Craigslist also; the original owner's ad was still up.
Bike would be bought so the wife and I to go on less than 3 hour expeditions, probably. A way to just get away and spend time together.
Opinions, please:
1) is the idea of picking up such a massive machine a bad idea?
2) am I asking for headaches buying such an old bike?
If #1 is "No" but #2 is "Yes", then how much newer do I need to go before #2 becomes a "No"?
I meet with him Tuesday afternoon...
Thank you so much!
Cheers!