| Author | Message | ||
     916wi |
Hi Guys, This is my first possible Harley based bike. I have a deposit on a 2002 X1 that has 20 miles on it. I went to pick it up today and started it. White smoke was coming out of the exhaust from the time I started it until I shut it off 5 minutes later. It had sat for 10 years prior. The guy that bought it did not know how to ride and dropped it on both sides in his driveway before pushing it into his garage and leaving it for 10 years. He traded it in on a VW a small town dealership and that is who I am buying it from. They do not know the storage history. I do know that they sea foamed it. Motor is clean, no leaks and it idles fine. I have to go back by Monday to settle up or walk. Do you guys think the smoke is harmless? I'm paying $4K and plan on spending another $1K on maintenance and fixing the drop damage. I don't have a budget to repair serious engine damage. Thanks in advance for any advice! | ||
| 01x1buell |
i would not pay 4k for it, with the drop damage and for the smoke someone else here will be able to help you ouut with that. | ||
| 916wi |
I know the price is on the high side, but the motor/frame/forks and swing arm are spotless. The damage was contained to the turn signal, mirror, scratches on the breadbox, chin spoiler and tank cover and exhaust pipes. It's just unfortunate that all of this happened in under 20 miles. Attached is a pic--  | ||
| S1owner |
Did they sea foam it by drowning it and putting it in the cyilynders like you would for storage? Then it will smoke till the seafoam is gone and it takes a while as far as price thats up to you its a judgement call 20 miles minor damage i would let it run and ride it for 30 minutes or so have them put frash gas in it first it should not smoke after that if it is seafoam | ||
| Essmjay |
Did you dump out the gas in the tank and replace it? Without that, whatever is in the old fuel burning to make the white smoke will continue until it is all gone. There will be rubber parts and seals which may be age hardened despite the low mileage. There should be no engine damage from storage. You should be able to change the oil and primary fluids, replace the gas, and go. After the first tank you may want to run some Techron or similar through the system to clean the injectors. If the damage is cosmetic I wouldn't fix it (other than the mirror) at first, there may be modifications you decide to make that would be duplications of repairs. I would follow a break in procedure on the engine since at 20 miles it was never finished with break in. Wouldn't hurt to try to negotiate the price down some. | ||
| 916wi |
Cool....The bike only has 20 total miles it from new. I would think that it would be difficult to screw up an engine--apart from what could happen while it was stored(possibly improperly) in the garage for close to 10 years? I'll ask the dealership how the sea foam was used..... | ||
| 916wi |
Essmjay--sorry I posted my response to S1 before I read yours. I haven't had access to the bike. The dealership supposedly cleaned it up and cleaned it out. I saw a Fram filter on it, so it looks like they changed the oil. I'll definitely change it again, because I have no idea what they used. Other than that the sea foam was all that was mentioned. The bike was listed at $4K, they were totally unwilling to move aside from waiving the doc fee. Looking on the internet, there have been a lot of really nice x1 models selling for less. I don't know if the low mileage is with it considering the cosmetics and unknowns with this bike...... | ||
| 01x1buell |
very nice looking bike though | ||
| Two_seasons |
Seals will be dry, that is a fact. Aside from that, any damage is worth negotiating for. Just because a bike has 20 total miles means nothing. At this point, it's not a museum piece, due to the damage. It needs to be ridden to get your $4K out of it. More than likely, you'll buy it. It sure looks like a nice bike! But, be prepared to repair/replace some things. Fork seals, rear shock will probably leak. Cheap to fix if you have a budget. Hard to do if you don't and are taping out for the $4k you need. Regarding the white smoke, that probably is due to a healthy dose of Seafoam or Marvel Mystery Oil. But, ethanol was present 10 years ago. Ethanol gets gummy over time. And another thing. I would be concerned about a CAR dealer oil change. More than likely, they don't have any 20w50 laying around. And put a Wix filter on it. Napa Gold filters are Wix. | ||
| 916wi |
Thanks for the advice. I definitely plan on dumping the oil and the fram filter as soon as I get it home(if I follow though with it). They said they will hold it for me until Monday morning. I looked it over extensively for any sign of leaking. The motor and fork tubes looked perfect and have zero sign of any oil residue. Although I realize that could change after a couple hundred miles are put on the bike. I definitely want to rack up some miles on this thing, so reliability is key to me. I plan on keeping it completely stock as well. Already have a line on come new airbox covers and plan on cashing in a favor to get the body painted it's original bright white or a matte aluminum. I realize the price is high but the dealer showed no willingness to bargain. I brought in $3,800 in cash and he didn't even think about it before saying no. I was surprised he waived the $150 doc fee........ | ||
| 01x1buell |
plan on cashing in a favor to get the body painted it's original bright white or a matte aluminum } what is wrong with the color, that is stock and perfect. white plastics, alum tail section, and the nuc blue frame, looks awesome. that is what my x1 looked like when i bought it. | ||
| 916wi |
More than likely I'll keep the white. That pic is a little deceiving-I had to downsize it to keep it at 100kb. The tank cover and the chin spoiler have scratches and a little rash from the tipovers. The decals are also a little messed up. It's all very superficial-no cracks at all-but enough to warrant a repaint to make it look new again. I'll have the cowl, chin spoiler, tank cover and fender repainted white. I have access to a vinyl plotter and a decent amount of cast vinyl, so I can recreate the graphics as well. I think I will go with the older graphics here. Possibly the Buell in silver and the "American Motorcycles" in a reverse similar to the nuclear blue?? | ||
| Essmjay |
The dealer is dicking with you. I really doubt there is a line out the door wanting to buy this bike. You have all the power, money in your pocket. I would rather buy a 20 year old bike that was ridden regularly and taken care of than a 10 year old mystery bike. There are so many good used bikes for sale. This dealer is used to selling used cars to suckers and thinks he has the ace in the hole. But you are holding all the best cards. Go back in and offer $3500 this time, and when he turns you down just turn and walk away. Then take your $5000 and go shopping for a bike. | ||
| Essmjay |
Just for instance- Here is an S2 that Hank has been all through, no more work or investment required. http://www.badweatherbikers.com/buell/messages/21/ 705506.html?1361458708 Just using this as a for instance since you said you expect to end up with 5 g's into the x1. And that is just one example. This time of year there are just so many nice bikes out there to buy, and you are close to a huge metropolitan area. Wisconsin, as well as Illinois, once the snow melts, has a lot of Buells come out of the woodwork in the spring. | ||
| Essmjay |
I just reread this thread, and it sounds like you already committed to buying the bike. In which case, congratulations on the purchase. This will be a good place for you to get help as you work on it. I am leaving my two previous posts up so maybe someone else will learn something about buying bikes. | ||
| 916wi |
I appreciate the reality check Essmjay--seriously. I have an older bike that I just rebuilt last year, so I'm not bikeless but this Buell just came up and really caught my eye. I have always had a thing for the older X1s-and looking online the last hour or two, I see that they are reasonably priced. Maybe I am rushing into this thing....... | ||
| 01x1buell |
well i have a chin spoiler in white if you need one , no mounting hardware but i have it ready to go , just pm me if you need it, it is just laying aroung collecting dust | ||
| 916wi |
Sort of committed--they told me that they will hold the bike until monday. My deposit was pulled when we all saw the smokescreen that the bike made on start up. The dealer is definitely not being pushy or aggressive with the sale. He's just crazy firm on the price. | ||
| 916wi |
Thanks 01x1--I will definitely keep that in mind if this all comes together! | ||
| Akbuell |
N.A.D.A. average retail for that bike in my area is $2760.00. In this case 20mi on the clock is not a plus. And how dried out are the tires? I would consider the tires dodgy at best. Maybe $3500 and the dealer springs for new rubber, at a Motorcycle Shop you mutually agree on. Nice bikes, I have 2. Reliability not an issue. Good luck on your decision. Dave | ||
| Littlebuggles |
DO NOT WASTE ANY MONEY on repainting the bike. Yes, I totally meant to yell. The bodywork on the 2002 is a plastic called Surlyn, it is color injection molded and painting it, unless you want custom is a absolute waste. Wet sand light to medium surface scratches out with a fine grade paper, work up to 2000 grit if it needed sanding, then go over it with the HD Swirl and Scratch Remover, followed by the Harley Glaze polish and it will shine like new. I've restored a number of Beull Surlyn crash damaged parts as well as some that had just some light scuffing. I put too much seafoam in my XB and it smokes white, I suspect it's just the additive. Rockerbox, primary, starter, cam chest as well as the seals and gaskets listed above will very probably go bad in the first 1000 miles. Use this to talk them down a little if you can. If I had the money, I would be stoked to buy a "new" X1 for that price. But I'm a little different that way. | ||
| Littlebuggles |
If the stickers are damaged they are probably available through a Buell dealership as well. Buellistic likes the Fram filters if I recall correctly. | ||
| Jim2 |
You mentioned damage to the exhaust pipes. Do you mean the header? If it's cracked that will cost you a couple of bills. | ||
| 01x1buell |
i think it might be dented on the headers, from the dropping of the bike. my x1 had dented headers from the previous owner when he dropped it . | ||
| 916wi |
That's great news Littlebuggles. It did look funny because it had a "matte" appearance, so that would explain it. The more minor scratches on the tank cover can very likely be wet sanded out then. The right side of the chin cowl had deeper scratches from coming into heavier contact with the gravel. The seals and gaskets being shot was a fear of mine and chasing down oil leaks is not something I want to do. The tires are like new, but after checking the date code were made in 2001, and probably should be replaced. Jim/01X1--Just scratches and a very minor dent in the header pipes. Figured I would sand the scratches out and then have the pipes jet hot coated in an aluminum finish. After looking at what this bike needs for a basic service and to get it back to like new condition-not accounting for potential engine work-I think I would be looking at an additional $800 on top of the $4000 that the dealership wants for the bike. The dealer is absolutely unwilling to budge--and it sounds like a good number of you would tell the dealer to go pound sand based on the price alone. I appreciate the insight because I am really clueless when it comes to the Buells and now I have something to think about tomorrow...... | ||
| Azrael_cervale |
http://wausau.craigslist.org/mcy/3645363185.html http://milwaukee.craigslist.org/mcy/3585624863.htm l Others in your state in better condition though with more miles at the same price but their owners are willing to negotiate. Look at the cost to replace the seals and tires if they are all bad and need it and all the other work and parts you might need, total it all up. Then sit back and see if that's what your willing to okay for the bike. BTW I love my X1, and I cant think of any bike I'd trade it for. (Message edited by azrael_cervale on March 02, 2013) | ||
| Jolly |
I would be concerned about this one....the seals that will or could need to be replaced are an unknown cost that could really drive this up. if the header is dented that could be in the $350.00 price range? (guessing from the last time I had to buy one)..when it dropped did it break the studs in the heads for the header mounting? Each little hidden unknown drives the price up incrementally untill it becomes a very expensive purchase. could be a better deal from someone you really cherished their own bike and did all of the right things to it.... Id be curious as well and on the fence so certainly not saying its a bad deal RUN, just thinking out loud about the unknowns. 35 clean $100.00 bills in an envelope and see what it gets you from that dealership... | ||
| 916wi |
Almost positive that the studs used to mount the header are fine. It started right up and fell into a perfect idle with zero signs of an exhaust leak. The seals concern me as well. The tires, while still having the excess rubber from the molds, have date codes from 2001. That will be a couple hundred right there. The known costs are adding up quickly. I brought $3800 in cash on Saturday and he didn't budge at all...the bike does really show well, has a spotless motor/frame/suspension . I can see someone making a half cocked decision on this one. I almost did, and I always think things through. There's no doubt that it would make a clean, very cool project.... | ||
| Kalali |
I'm surprised to see that you guys think $4K is too much for a practically brand new X1. Another way of looking at it is even if you end up spending $1000 for the fixes, you still have a brand new bike for $5K. That is still hell of a lot cheaper than a comparable new bike. At best, $5K will get you a 250cc Japanese bike. | ||
| M2marc |
If he wont negotiate on price... see if he will add in a 1 year warranty. That way when a seal goes bad he will cover the cost. Ultimately we like to take care of our own bikes and hate to rely on a dealer. but you have a lot of maintainance to do even before you ride 1 mile. just my 2 cents worth though. It is a nice looking bike |
