PNW Riders

Xiled · 08-12-2008, 11:52 AM

hey my girlfriend found a bike she wants to buy, but the problem is it's been sitting for a couple of years. And we know the carbs at least need to be cleaned. my question is if he didn't stabilize the fuel about how much are we looking at in maintenance? also how much does it generally cost to have ones carbs cleaned? it's a 2000 Kawasaki 500.

galenernest · 08-12-2008, 10:04 PM

Cleaning carbs are easy if you want to do it yourself. Or, you could pay someone at least $150 or so to do it for you. But, they may need to be rebuilt (which is also easy to DIY, kits are about $20 per carb on average).

Also, look for rust in the gas tank. That will require treatment. And that can be a pain.

Not to mention a bunch of other things that need to be checked out on a bike that's been sitting for years...

Good luck...

rpappi · 08-12-2008, 10:16 PM

there are probebly alot of things that need maint. chain, tires, carb, fuel, tank, brakes. and im sure a few more. plus if your not willing to do the work yourself the extra money to pay someone to do it for you.

gotta do alittle math and figure if its going to be worth it.

james1300 · 08-12-2008, 10:34 PM

Contact: bubba_zenetti and Fast Kat.
They can give you a closer estimate. If you dont work on bikes, dont have metric tools and a place to work on it, then a shop will SAVE you money.

Dont forget to check the tires and chain as well.
You may consider spending an hour of shop time to have the bike looked over.
(Before you / she buy's it)
Any short comings will be found and a repair value put on it.

Xiled · 08-13-2008, 12:05 AM

were going to look at it tomorrow. the guy that is selling it says he rode it the other day its just didnt sound just right. so well see tomorrow. she forgot to ask him about tires and the chain but we were going to check that out then. he just had the oil changed, new oil filter, new spark plugs and a couple other things.

Gamuru · 08-13-2008, 06:27 AM

Originally Posted by Xiled

...he rode it the other day its just didnt sound just right.

Mice have been known to set up camp inside mufflers... and air boxes.

bubba_zenetti · 08-13-2008, 09:46 PM

Originally Posted by Gamuru

Mice have been known to set up camp inside mufflers... and air boxes.

he kids you not. i have found rat turds and shredded paper in airboxes. i even find chewed up wiring

Lil'Bit · 08-13-2008, 10:18 PM

thanks to everyone that replied! once we looked at the bike and thought about it, it just wasnt worth the trouble. the chain and sprockets were trashed, the tires needed to be replaced, carbs most likely needed to be rebuilt and to top it all off it wouldnt start. the guy told me he rode it about 3/4 of a mile before it sputtered and died. it hasnt started since. when he parked it 3 years ago he did nothing and hasnt touched it since. more money than i was willing to put into it, oh well, there is always other bikes out there.

tophyr · 08-13-2008, 10:25 PM

I've got a YZF-600R for sale with a similar story, but the difference is I know how to (and will) fix it. If you're interested, PM me and I'll make you a good deal on it.


08-12-2008, 11:52 AM	#1
Xiled Streetfighter Joined: Oct 2006 From: Everett, wa I Ride: Blue ZR7	Question please help hey my girlfriend found a bike she wants to buy, but the problem is it's been sitting for a couple of years. And we know the carbs at least need to be cleaned. my question is if he didn't stabilize the fuel about how much are we looking at in maintenance? also how much does it generally cost to have ones carbs cleaned? it's a 2000 Kawasaki 500. Last edited by Xiled; 08-12-2008 at 05:22 PM..


08-12-2008, 10:34 PM	#4
james1300 Track School Dazed Joined: Oct 2005 From: CENTRAL I Ride: When I can	Contact: bubba_zenetti and Fast Kat. They can give you a closer estimate. If you dont work on bikes, dont have metric tools and a place to work on it, then a shop will SAVE you money. Dont forget to check the tires and chain as well. You may consider spending an hour of shop time to have the bike looked over. (Before you / she buy's it) Any short comings will be found and a repair value put on it. Last edited by james1300; 08-12-2008 at 10:37 PM..

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08-12-2008, 10:04 PM	#2
galenernest Pit Crew Joined: Jun 2008 From: Vancouver, WA I Ride: year 'round	Cleaning carbs are easy if you want to do it yourself. Or, you could pay someone at least $150 or so to do it for you. But, they may need to be rebuilt (which is also easy to DIY, kits are about $20 per carb on average). Also, look for rust in the gas tank. That will require treatment. And that can be a pain. Not to mention a bunch of other things that need to be checked out on a bike that's been sitting for years... Good luck...


08-12-2008, 10:16 PM	#3
rpappi Superbiker Joined: Dec 2007 From: sandy beach, minus the beach I Ride: 2002 Suzuki Bandit 1200	there are probebly alot of things that need maint. chain, tires, carb, fuel, tank, brakes. and im sure a few more. plus if your not willing to do the work yourself the extra money to pay someone to do it for you. gotta do alittle math and figure if its going to be worth it.


08-13-2008, 12:05 AM	#5
Xiled Streetfighter Joined: Oct 2006 From: Everett, wa I Ride: Blue ZR7	were going to look at it tomorrow. the guy that is selling it says he rode it the other day its just didnt sound just right. so well see tomorrow. she forgot to ask him about tires and the chain but we were going to check that out then. he just had the oil changed, new oil filter, new spark plugs and a couple other things.


08-13-2008, 10:18 PM	#8
Lil'Bit Pit Crew Joined: May 2008 From: Lynnwood, Wa I Ride: 2001 Sv650s	thanks to everyone that replied! once we looked at the bike and thought about it, it just wasnt worth the trouble. the chain and sprockets were trashed, the tires needed to be replaced, carbs most likely needed to be rebuilt and to top it all off it wouldnt start. the guy told me he rode it about 3/4 of a mile before it sputtered and died. it hasnt started since. when he parked it 3 years ago he did nothing and hasnt touched it since. more money than i was willing to put into it, oh well, there is always other bikes out there.


08-13-2008, 10:25 PM	#9
tophyr Forum Cripple Joined: Dec 2005 From: Seattle, WA Blog Entries: 11 I Ride: Monsters by Fuzzy	I've got a YZF-600R for sale with a similar story, but the difference is I know how to (and will) fix it. If you're interested, PM me and I'll make you a good deal on it.