'83 CB650SC - pre-purchase questions

[Baileyman]

A couple of questions about a bike I'm thinking about buying...it's an 83 CB650SC, for $990.

~18K mi.
Looks like a little tiny bit of oil leaking from the head gasket (maybe???)
Turn signals don't work at all
Feels a little wonky in the front end during cornering (I wish I could be more specific, and I wish I knew more about steering bearings, etc.)
The tires are old, hard, and need replacing.  The rear has lost some of its roundness.
Speedo cluster is loose. 

Other than that it seems to be in good shape.  I plan to take it in to get checked out by a mechanic.

My questions...

• How difficult might it be to solve the turn signal problem (worst and best case scenarios, assuming it's not just a fuse)?
• What are some possible things to be concerned about the "wonky" feeling in cornering?
• How does the speedo cluster attach to the bike?  I didn't see any obvious screws / bolts to tighten.
• I'm guessing I don't need to be too concerned about a minor oil leak, as it is an old bike, and I know they are prone to these sorts of things.  I'm also guessing it's pretty straight forward to replace the cylinder head gasket.
• Does the price seem fair?

If I do get the bike, I'll mos def get a manual.  I have enjoyed working on my 78 CB400TII...

Thanks much for the feedback,
BaileyMan
'78 CB400TII
'83 CB650SC???

[ariwhiteboy]

  to the forum!  In my opinion, $990 is a little high for a bike that is going to need $250 of tires in addition to all this other work.  If i was me I would offer the guy $500, maybe $750 max.  Just my $.02 though.

[Bad Boy]

Can be a fair bit of surprises and risk buying an old bike.  Particularly when one has not worked on bikes much and know how to diagnose and repair them.  Two issues, is it a death trap or a money pit.

The last bike I bought and drove home the bolts that held the front axle on were loose.  And this was a one year old bike.  Could have been catastrophic had the front wheel came off.

It would cost more than the bike is worth to pay someone else to fix it for you.  Unless you are skillful at this it is ultimately cheaper to find one that needs nothing or one that someone else has put too much time and money into.

Now if you like to tinker and need a project this could be a learning experience.  Maybe not the easy way.

Blinkers, could be fuse, bulbs, switch, wiring, connectors, flasher unit.

Steering, could be steering or wheel bearings, tires, air pressure, suspension, bent wheel, cables or wires hanging up, brakes, axle, loose bolts.

Instruments there are bolts underneath that go through rubber washers so it is supposed to be flexible.

Oil is most likely from the valve cover gasket,  Those rubber half moon seals are spendy so you are going to want to reuse them and seal them with Honda Bond 4.  Do not put sealer on the new paper gasket.  The screws are hard to get loose and strip easy.

Price is high for a fixer upper, but I don't know enough about it's condition.  For a few hundred more you should find one that has none of these issues.

[Baileyman]

Thanks for the great feedback!

I don't mind doing some tinkering, and actually the reason I'm looking at a second bike is so that I can have something to ride when I'm working on the other.  I'm tempted by it, but not fully sold.  In part because of parts availability.  I hear that there are a number of parts that they don't make anymore, although most are still around.  As far as doing my own work goes, if I have to start trouble shooting carbs, I'd much rather have to deal with two max (I'm pretty new to doing my own wrenching), but man was that 4 cylinder smooth! Besides, I could handle 4 carbs, right?  Just might mean a little more time and patience...

Personally, if I decide to pursue the bike I would 1) take it in to a trusted mechanic and get it checked out, 2) not worry about the leaking valve cover gasket at this point, 3) get new tires, 4) get the steering thing fixed, 5) try to track down the source of the electrical problem on my own, 6) maybe bargain a little on the price.

Thanks again 
BaileyMan

[ariwhiteboy]

maybe bargain a little on the price.

In my experience buying and bartering with lots of people for a wide variety of things, I've learned CASH is the universal language.  Put 5 crisp $100 bills in the guys hand and watch the wheels start spinning,  cash in the hand is worth more than a promise on the phone.