I have read what to look for when buying a used savage the bike i found has been outside for the last 3 years or so it is a 86 the original tank was taken off because he said it had a small hole that rusted through e put another tank on from a different year he said it runs but there was a few vacuum lines that were different that he plug ed off the engine has some light oil build up on the backside of the engine buy the battery but it looks pretty clean considering he said he would take $600 for it says 9,950 miles it has all the original parts except the tank different year the belt looks good as do the tires the brake when you pull on it feels tight and barely moves in but i rolled it and when i pulled it stopped the chain guard looks good. i want to fix it up bit this is my first savage how big of a risk am i taking on this turning into a lot more thin i want to spin is the motor after setting that long OK its had a non op since 2012?

Thank you i will try and get it started this week he was supposed to charge the battery and also get a pick the color is a off red kind of a light faded red figured since that was the fist year it was made it would be worth restoring?or going all out changing the paint and up dating everything if the motor is good?

Thanks again that is a lot of good information i needed to no i am set on getting one one way or another i have had 3 other bikes all shaft drive  the savage looks fun and  appeals to me  I got to get one.Thanks again

I wouldnt be put of by the fact that its an 86 model they came with the 4 speed gearbox that is pretty cool I dont think they need a 5 speed with the 4 speed you can cruise around town in 3rd and hardly ever have to change gears my one is an 86 4 speed it doesnt have the starter gear mod and he cases have broken once a previous owner has been in there and repaired the cracked cases with metal epoxy its not ideal but seems to be doing the job so if you get it for the right price and you are happy with it dont let the age put you off you guys are pretty spoiled for choice though seems like savages are very cheap so you could just wait for a newer one to turn up if you think this one is too old for sure if it's been sitting outside for 3 years id factor a new pair of tyres into the cost as well you can't be sure the old tyres will be safe to ride on but thats up to you if the engine turns over on the starter thats a good sign at least its not seized you could take a battery with you and see if you can start it up before you buy it and lastli it doesn't seem like much of a financial risk at $600 if you dont like it part it out or move it on or throw it away.
my2c ymmv imo etc

Do you have access to a decent bike junkyard? Minimum you'll need a starter gear and the left side case cover. I paid 65.00 at a junkyard here for them. At 9K+ plan on the cam chain tensioner mod. There's another couple hundred with parts, gaskets etc. if you do it yourself. Chances are you'll need the plug cap leak fixed if not now, soon.  At a shop that's about 300.00 to have done. So, how handy are you with tools, a manual and a lot of support from a discussion forum?

I spelled it out,

So why did you have to post this again?  Were you hoping for a more positive response this time?

Yep.......I hear what the others are saying.

It is a parts bike (probably good head, cylinder, starter, etc.), and you will most likely be able to part is out and get your money back.

 - or -

If you like doing "rescue work" it is a project that will provide you with a lot of hours in the garage tinkering and figuring out how to diagnose, tear apart, and fix stuff.  If will be most of the summer before you get it reliable and trustworthy.....and you will have invensted enough money to have been able to buy a bike twice as nice.

IOW, the guy is ASKING 600,, hoping someone will pay it. You really need to get into it a lot cheaper than that to not get to the finish line with too much $$$ in it. You can spend a little more than 600 & get a bike that needs a lot less love to get it on the road. TRust me, all the stuff you see that needs done Is NOT all that needs done,, it never is,.& stuff doesnt sit outside for years & not develop "needs",, The seat may look fine today, but sitting in the weather for 3 years HAS affected it & it will wear at an accelerated rate now. Rubber parts that look okay now have had some of the plasticizers cooked out, theyre almost 30 years old, no one has taken time to clean & keep them alive.
An 86 with so few miles isnt anything but documented neglect. I use fuser oil ( 100% silicone oil) from old copier machines on dashes & interior trim panels & motorcycle rubber & plastic. Thats the part of Armor All that is supposed to protect your car parts, the silicone. Sadly, Armor All is loaded with CFCs that evaporate & leave plastics dry & ready to crack,,I wont use that stuff,, once its been put on & its starts off looking all great, then the stuff evaporates & now the dash looks dry as a bone, demanding another dose of $$ & labor.. But, go to a copier repair place & ask if they have any fuser oil, any kind will do. I pay $5.00 a pint. A pint lasts me a coupla years, Just a few drops on a piece of Tee shirt cloth pulled tight on a fingertip spreads out nicely,
I always do the plastic & rubber stuff before I wash & wax. You know how wax messes up the color of black rubber & plastic,, but it wont stick if ya rub some silicone oil on first,,makes a detail job look great,

OHH,, better hurry & get a few pints, new copiers dont use fuser oil. Lots of places have tossed their old stock out, & 100% silicone oil costs well over $100.00 a gallon.

They guuy is either unaware of what the bike is actually worth or is hoping someone thinks 600 is a good deal.. it isnt.