I’m a sucker for a cheap LS650.  I like these relatively simple big single starter bikes.  I’m on my 5th fixer now (it’s actually not worth saving, so it’s getting scavengered for a few things and parted out).

When you find ‘em cheap, it’s fair to say they’ve been owned by a non-mechanically inclined person that also doesn’t want to pay a shop for even basic maintenance.

Here’s the classic list of what I find.
1) Tires are 10+ years old and dry rotted.  When you get the shoes off, you’re amazed that the dry rotted inner tube can still hold air.
2) Oil is totally black and/or smells like it has a quart of gas mixed into it.
3) The oil filter looks more like a plug than a filter.
4) The air filter also looks like a plug and you can’t identify the collection of insects or rodents that have been chewing on it and nesting in the air box.
5) The battery is dead as a doornail and no amount of charging is going to fix a bad cell.
6) The carburetor usually looks “okay” on the outside (maybe some rust on the top and throttle cable bracket).  Are these hoses supposed to be plugged in some where?  What hoses, ain’t got no hoses…? Pull the float bowl and it looks like an Exxon experiment on how to make algae fuel.  Not terribly surprising is that the brass plug covering the “tamper proof” air/fuel mix screw is gone.  Sometimes Hurcules can’t even turn the screw, and if he can, he finds it set in some weird place (maybe 0 turns out, maybe 5 turns out).
7) The front brake caliper piston is stuck like chuck.  If you can roll the bike easily on to the trailer, you’re having a good day.
8) Is 3/4” throttle free play too much?  What’s freeplay?
9) Humm, the clutch lever is touching the grip without squeezing on it.  I wonder if it needs some attention?
10) I wonder where the battery box cover and side tins went?
11) I still haven’t found one with the key for the fork lock…. Where do those things go?
12) How much rust should be in the gas tank?  Why does it smell like varnish in there?
13) Apparently no one uses the rear brake.  The shoes always have 75+% remaining.
14) Once you finally get it to where it might start, you realize you should have done a valve lash clearance check and decomp solenoid check before you put the key in the ignition.
15) What’s that sound on the lower/mid right side of the motor?  Is that some kind or chain making a noise?  Isn’t there an adjuster or something for that?
16) Are most people really too cheap to title and register the bike in their name?

Once I go through the list with the seller, the price I’m willing to pay is down to $600-$800.  #16 is worth another $300 off the asking price.

They are wonder machines that can't be modified enough !

Hey M&Ms!  Good stories MMRanch!

Are like half the gurus on this forum named Mike!!

Michael Moore - I've hassled with 2 no title bike situations.  I think I'm done with those!  I hear ya!!

Are these bikes supposed to have 4 turn signals?  LOL.  I haven't bought one yet that has 4 stock OEM turn signals (not broken or missing or some totally misplaced looking cheesy signals installed).

Hay Paul

The folks in India have come up with a Belt Drive System for the 350-J machines.   Gates Poly Chain 20mm x 11mm Pitch to replace the 520 size chains.

There is one for the 650 bikes also , its like the Harley belts (20mm x 14mm pitch-Gates Poly Chain.)  but my original chain is still too new to just throw away.

I think I'd like the LS400 .    I've gotten as close to it as I can with the 72mmx86mm B&S Meteor , and now it's Belt Drive too !     You wouldn't believe how much it feels like a new production 25HP Suzuki LS series machine .   I can get a new Jug and Piston to bring it to 410cc ... but Its "ENOUGH" like it is now.  
.......................................

That # 16 cost me the price of a titled frame and the time to switch all the parts over to the new (to me) frame.
But
I did meet a bunch of Really Good Friends because of it !  
In hind-sight it worked  out  to be a blessing .  

MM - That's cool.  Yeah, dog that chain until its toast!

JMac - I remember your Texas title saga and it being a lawyer selling it.  That's just messed up!  The whole bonded title process in Texas is a convoluted nightmare.  I can't imagine Louisiana being worse, but...there ya go!