Should I buy or should I wait?

[paperslammer]

Hello all! This forum is a very awesome resource! I'd like to get your opinions on whether or not I should purchase this bike for $600:

http://picasaweb.google.com/paperslammer

Here's some info on it:

The good:

• -It has compression. When I put it in gear and rotated the back tire, I could feel the different pistons moving. Also when in gear and pushing it forward there was a lot of resistance.
  
  -The oil was amber, and did not have any milky susbtances or metal speck in it.
  
  -Gas tank was just 'redone'.
  
  -Brakes work

Things that are bad:

• The kick starter does not turn the engine over. It does spring back into place when 'kicked' but it does not engage anything. So I am guessing stripped spline or missing gear or something
  
  -When the bike is in gear and being pushed forward there is resistance. This does not change much when the clutch is pulled in. Pictures show it might be a clutch wire because it is pretty messed up.
  
  -No key so I couldn't check to see if the bike would even turn on.
  
  -Throttle handle doesn't turn, guy suggested it was seized up in there.

So let me know what you guys think! Thanks!

[sotxbill]

if its set up , the clutch plates will stick so that will will do nothing when the lever is pulled.. common prolbem, easy fix with the price of a side cover gasket. Clean the oil filter while your there.

[grom]

It seems pretty rough to me for $600. Unless you really like to tear bikes apart and replace parts, I'd wait for something cleaner. From your pictures, you're going to drop a few hundred dollars on parts right away. It makes sense (to me) to wait for a running bike for a few hundred dollars more. But, if you're in the mood for a ground-up restoration, offer $300. Good luck!

[grom]

It seems pretty rough to me for $600. Unless you really like to tear bikes apart and replace parts, I'd wait for something cleaner. From your pictures, you're going to drop a few hundred dollars on parts right away. It makes sense (to me) to wait for a running bike for a few hundred dollars more. But, if you're in the mood for a ground-up restoration, offer $300. Good luck!

[paperslammer]

Thanks guys for your responses! I think I will wait for another one. I'd like to do some tear down / replace parts, but I think you guys are right in that this one would be a lot of work. I might if it's still around and ask a lot less for it and use it as a parts bike.

Thanks!