How much would it cost me to get the carbs cleaned on an older motorcycle?
June 27th, 2010 | Articles | 7 Comments »
Amanda L asked:
I’m looking into buying a 1979 Honda XS650 Special with 17,000 miles from an older man in the area. He hasn’t ridden the bike in 5 years due to illness, and so it has just been sitting. According to him, the carbs and gas tank need to be cleaned, and it needs a battery and new tires. How much is a carb and gas tank cleaning going to run me? Are there any other possible issues that this bike could have besides what he says? I don’t know anything about motorcycle engines. He only wants $695 for the bike and its cosmetically pristine. Am I entering into more than I can handle? Am I going to end up putting a lot more money into this?
I’m in AZ, so there is no rust on the frame. No frame damage either, everything is still as strait as it was when it was new. Engine still turns over. My brother and I grew up with a Master Mechanic for a grandfather, so we both know about cars, him more than me. He knows a thing or two about bikes too, so he’ll be the one inspecting the bike. He says he can clean the carbs himself, is that safe? Are they touchy or fragile or anything?
Yes, its a Yamaha, sorry. I don’t know why I put Honda.
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I’m looking into buying a 1979 Honda XS650 Special with 17,000 miles from an older man in the area. He hasn’t ridden the bike in 5 years due to illness, and so it has just been sitting. According to him, the carbs and gas tank need to be cleaned, and it needs a battery and new tires. How much is a carb and gas tank cleaning going to run me? Are there any other possible issues that this bike could have besides what he says? I don’t know anything about motorcycle engines. He only wants $695 for the bike and its cosmetically pristine. Am I entering into more than I can handle? Am I going to end up putting a lot more money into this?
I’m in AZ, so there is no rust on the frame. No frame damage either, everything is still as strait as it was when it was new. Engine still turns over. My brother and I grew up with a Master Mechanic for a grandfather, so we both know about cars, him more than me. He knows a thing or two about bikes too, so he’ll be the one inspecting the bike. He says he can clean the carbs himself, is that safe? Are they touchy or fragile or anything?
Yes, its a Yamaha, sorry. I don’t know why I put Honda.
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If the bike is worth having as a collector’s bike then you will overlook the amount you will spend on it. The carbs will definately need a really good overhaul. As far as the tank, if there was fuel left in it, you’d better cross your fingers that the amount of rust is low. There could very well be more issues to worry about. I would ask a very competant mechanic to inspect the bike and give you rough estimate on how much the repairs will cost you. Unless you really want to have this bike because of pride and joy, it might end up eating your wallet and you stuck with an unfinished project.
If you can not do it yourself, be prepared to pay. Now the next problem is most dealers will not work on a bike over 10 years old. So you will need a non dealer shop most likely. Tires aren’t that expensive, around $275 and a battery is about $80
The brakes will need checked and any and all brake fluids need replaced. You might need some ignition tune up work also, new air cleaner, and have the wiring checked over for chewer spots.
A guess, you are going to be spending another $1000 to $1200 on this after you buy it. For a 29 year old? Also, is the frame rusted out or badly? Will the engine turn over or is it seized? How about issues down the road?
I’d walk away if I couldn’t do the work myself or identify frame, wiring issues and such myself.
I’ve never heard of a 1979 Honda XS650 Special.
Never heard of a Honda XS anything from that era,,,or a any sort of Honda Special from that time either.
Does it look like This?
A Yamaha perhaps?
To get an idea of what you are up against, try adding 1/4 can of fuel injector cleaner to a tank of gasoline. This after flushing out the tank, by putting a little gasoline in it, sloshing it back and forth, and draining it out by disconnecting the fuel line over a big oil change pan, or a similar process. This very well might be all you need to do, unless the tires are visibly cracked, and the battery simply won’t hold a charge and you refuse to use the kickstart. The guy might be being overprotective of you, or maybe just idealistic. All these things can be done with his interested assistance or simple permission, before you buy the bike. If I was there, I’d certainly want to help and save you a bunch of money for partying. Specifically in answer to your question, I feel that my version of the answer is about $3 for a can of fuel injector cleaner! Good luck! Regards, Larry.
TXM is correct.
There is no such production machine.
The honda 650 had 4 carbs.
The yamaha special 650 had two carbs.
Hard to give you an estimate on a Hybrid like you have.
Bout the same as a newer set
As you get bikes that are older than 1990 its hard to get shops to do the work on them and they complain alot. What I would do first is look to see if there are any shops in your area that would maintain it and if so buy it.
If not don’t buy it. Site below has good advice and video audio