What to look for?

[aviationfred]

Just from looking at the photos and the info that has been given. My 2 cents is..... All 4 look like great buys. All 4 will perform about the same. Alot of making a choice is a personal thing. What colors do you prefer over another. I will list my opinions of all 4 in year order not in my opinion on which I would pick.

1984, This one has been heavily modded and updated, IMO a good thing. It has a 4 into 1 exhaust. Probably the best selling point is that if is for sale from a fellow member. May be a long ride back to Oregon from Ontario.

1987, This one appears to be completely stock. The miles should not be an issue if the motor has been cared for. 2nd gear could be an issue, a expensive repair if it is. Riding it is the only way to tell. A good selling point is, when you collect it, you get to visit family.

1990, This one is the lowest price, Looks in good shape, has aftermarket slip-ons and a Corbin seat, Leaky fork seals may be an easy fix with the use of a seal mate fix.

1993, This one also looks completely stock. With the low miles and probably long stretches of not running, I would check for oil smoke on cold starts and oil seeping past the valve cover gasket and valve cover bolt grommets. The 93' should not have any 2nd gear issue, the problem was pretty much cured on earlier models. Selling point, Ultra low miles.

To sum this up..... I would offer the asking price for the 84' with no hesitation, the 87' $300 less due to carbs gummed up and verifying the 2nd gear. The 90' has a very minor flaw with the fork seals and battery. $1500 less the cost of a battery would sound good. The 93' for $3k is not bad if no signs of engine rubber parts not dry rotted, (oil smoke on start up and weeping oil at the gaskets/grommets)

Fred

PS..... Personally I would seriously look at the 90'. The 84' close to home is a good choice for $1500 - $1800

[Steve_in_Florida]

I'm skeptical of really low mileages, too. (Ever see the beginning of the movie "Used Cars"?)

The dash gauge cluster is really easy to change out.

The bike does look nice, but that rash on the fairing plastic is more expensive to repair than the seller implies.

...plus it probably rattles, and the oil is (probably) over-full, too!  

Steve

EDIT: Listen to aviationfred's advice above. He's wise!

[CatTomb]

The 87 in SoCal is coming out on top. It is easy. Fly in, visit family, ride home. It is a one-owner (father to son-in-law), it looks the cleanest, best kept. He has all of the service records from new. I found a street bike mechanic 6 miles away willing to look at it before I buy it, tow it back to his shop and clean the carbs for $130. My biggest concern with this one is that I won't be able to assess 2nd gear before I buy it.

The 84, a few miles from me, is the same price as the 87 and even though it only has 15k miles, it looks like it has a lot more (cluster change?), but it runs great and I can ride it to check 2nd gear.

The 93 would need tires before I ride it home. He says the tires are original and show some dry rot. I am also not as big a fan of this color scheme and it is $1200 more.

I think I'll take another look at the local bike and see if he has softened any more on the price...

Thanks for your advice and opinions. I really appreciate the help and feedback.

Jeff

[CatTomb]

Booked my ticket, All systems go! The 87 in Socal might be mine in 50 hours

Flying down on Friday morning. Check the bike with the help of a mechanic, hand over the cash, take the bike to the mechanic's shop, spend a few days with my daughter, pick up the bike, ride north, spend a few days with my other daughter, granddaughter, see some friends and then start the ride home.

I am going to post a ride report, watch for it!

Thanks again for all of your help! 

[movenon]

Sounds exciting. Will wait for the reports Did you get a hold of Randy?
George

[Dads_FJ]

Write when you get there .

[CatTomb]

Talked to Randy!

Fantastic guy! He is going to send pilot jets and gaskets to the shop in SoCal.

Sounds like I probably would have had to wait for these if I didn't call him.

Thanks for the push, George!

[Russty]

What happened?!?!?!!!

Dude, I'm hanging here!
 

[CatTomb]

What happened?!?!?!!!

Dude, I'm hanging here!
 

Hey Russty, Welcome Aboard!

this happened 

http://www.fjowners.com/index.php?topic=8930.msg84761#msg84761

Absolutely love the bike and this forum is a treasure trove protected by a bunch of great guys.