I picked up this "beauty" Saturday. A '96 that had been sitting exposed in a carport for a couple of years. It sort of ran when I went to see it. I thought at the time it was probably a dirty carb. The saddlebags were rotting and the lovely skull stickers were peeling. It was sort of a rescue mission.




The one-of-a-kind (I hope) custom exhaust flapped around, held on by a single drywall screw inserted (not threaded) into a hole.



But now it's stripped down and I'm looking for someone to help get the engine back in shape. There was gas in the airbox and intake, and when I drained the oil, it was mostly gas. At least the crankcase got a good flushing.

I know about the petcock problem (among other chronic LS650 issues). It's on the list.

It has 8757 miles on it, which could be a low mileage cream puff, or a bike that has been neglected and abused. There were kludge patch jobs here and there that make me less than totally optimistic. We'll see when we open it up.

justin_o_guy2 wrote on 11/29/10 at 10:16:00:


It'll get more attention in the next few months than it had in the previous 14 years.

MotoBuddha wrote on 11/29/10 at 05:47:02:


What is "kludge"?

serenity3743 wrote on 11/29/10 at 12:55:50:


Think ratbike.

I think I almost went to see that particular bike, did you buy it from a lady?  Looks like a good project bike for sure can't wait to see her when she is done.

Yep that would be me, ended up picking the one up in charlotte instead, can't say it was a better deal seems like both bikes need some work but it could be worse for the money.  That lady seemed a bit odd on the phone when I talked to her though.

Yup, missing a bunch of stuff (key for fork lock, side covers, toolbox and battery cover, sissybar.) but she does run.  Need to fix the plug leak in the top end and petcock is really nasty.