Should I trade my XL600 for a 700 Nighthawk? - Page 2

SpudRider · 04-16-2009, 11:05 PM

Good trade! Please keep us updated.

Spud

kmoore · 04-17-2009, 07:14 AM

if you did an even trade you did very well even if you had to give a little to boot you still did good you will not be disappointed

truthfriend7 · 04-17-2009, 08:38 AM

Sure thing. I've noticed that there's probably a tablespoon's worth of oil that's dripped on the ground under it since I got it yesterday. Also the "new battery" in it only has enough juice to fire it once, and if it doesn't start then I'll have to charge it. However this was an even trade and the previous own poured over $2000 into it redoing the carbs, starter, and other miscellaneous things.

Maybe it's just me, but I don't see why people put that much money into a bike. Why not put it toward a new one. :?:

Does anyone know if thicker oil will help to slow the leak? The manual says that 20/50 is fine, especially since I live in the FL heat. Is it safe to do any thicker than that? What would you recommend?

Cal25 · 04-17-2009, 09:24 AM

Personally I would not be tempted tp put in anything heavier than what is recomended. In your first post you said the previous owner just had some new seals put in. Are those the ones leaking? If so maybe he could arange for the shop to fix again no charge?

Look real close and see where the oil is leaking from. It might be an easy fix.

truthfriend7 · 04-17-2009, 10:58 AM

Yeah I should have clarified. By seals I meant fork seals. This oil is dripping from the block. Looks to me like its the cylinder base gaskets mostly on the middle and left side. I'm certainly going to avoid disassembling the cylinders if I can. That's why I was hoping the thicker oil combined with running it often would help. I'll at least go the thickest recommended, but I didn't know if I could get away with any thicker since the motor is 25 years old.

SpudRider · 04-17-2009, 01:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by truthfriend7

...Maybe it's just me, but I don't see why people put that much money into a bike. Why not put it toward a new one. :?:...

I agree; that baffles me, also. :?:

Spud

truthfriend7 · 04-17-2009, 04:58 PM

I found a thread of a guy with my bike having problems and doing the same thing-throwing money into it. It's kind of scary, but I supposed it's good to know the worst case scenario. Good news is that the guy still was able to ride it.

http://www.bayarearidersforum.com/fo...d.php?t=234782

After scoping out my oil leak further today, I think it's coming from the very center of the front of the block at the cylinder base where there are 2 nuts. I torqued them now slightly more as well as a few others the might have been leaking. We'll see if it helps.[/url]

SpeedSouth · 04-17-2009, 06:53 PM

Congrats on the bike trade.

Sorry to hear about the oil drip, though. I think many people put money into the classics because they just don't make them like that anymore. As cliche as that might sound. Same as an old Mustang or Camaro. It's done for love more than economical value.

I think, just based on your posts, if it were me with your bike, I'd simply park it where the drip isn't a mess (over a pan or some cardboard) and make sure it's topped off every day I ride.

The bike will hold it's value. There's a couple around here at about $2k - http://atlanta.craigslist.org/mcy/1112069270.html
http://atlanta.craigslist.org/mcy/1089941700.html

Both have about the same miles as yours. I'm not sure what your other bike was worth, but I suspect you could sell the new one (if you wanted) for more. And being a classic, it will go up in value as time goes by, assuming it remains in good shape.

I'd just keep some oil with me and keep my ears open for someone who just has to have this particular model.

truthfriend7 · 04-17-2009, 07:05 PM

That's good advice. I didn't really think about flipping this bike, but it never hurts to find someone looking to pay big bucks for an oldie. My xl wouldn't even sell for $900. So it makes me feel good knowing this is worth more. Hmmm... you've given me an interesting idea. :idea:

I think I'll enjoy the bike a bit first though.

SpeedSouth · 04-17-2009, 09:28 PM

Glad to help.

A lot of guys never really own a bike anyways....they just rent them for a few months at a time.

BillR · 04-18-2009, 07:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SpeedSouth

Glad to help.

A lot of guys never really own a bike anyways....they just rent them for a few months at a time.

Kinda like beer, huh :?:
I never "BOUGHT" a six-pack, but I sure "RENTED" quite a few :twisted: :P

Sorry, couldn't resist.

Great trade, Truth. You'll enjoy that bike.
Bill

DDG1976 · 04-18-2009, 09:40 PM

Wanna trade it for a 2008 Lifan gy-5, I'll drive to florida (LOL)

warrior91 · 04-18-2009, 11:18 PM

shift shaft seal???

truthfriend7 · 04-21-2009, 02:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by warrior91

shift shaft seal???

I'm pretty sure the oil leak isn't coming from there.

Well the other day I learned a hard lesson. If a clutch is ever prone to slipping DON'T GO FAR FROM HOME. I got out on the back roads and it was shifting and riding perfectly. It was a really sweet ride, so I just kept going and going :? . Then all of the sudden in sixth gear the engine started to rev up, and I knew it was slipping. So I turned around and pulled over for 15 min to let it cool. Started back up and... it's still slipping. So I turned it off for 45 min. Went and stared at a few cows for entertainment, then started up and... still slipping :( . I had to push with my feet to even get moving :arrow: :arrow: :arrow: . I ended up limping it home in 5th gear at low throttle slipping in out every few seconds while going about 20-25mph.

But now I'm home and I yesterday I opened up the clutch and good news... the steel plates still look fine

. So I ordered the friction plates and springs for $53 and they should be hear within a week. I'll keep everyone posted who's interested.

Thanks to all you guys for recommending this trade. I can already tell I'm going to love this bike, and the motor really seems to be a strong runner despite the oil leak.

04-16-2009, 11:05 PM	#16
SpudRider Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Idaho Posts: 25,054	Good trade! Please keep us updated. Spud __________________ Spud "Never argue with an idiot. He will drag you down to his level, and beat you with experience." Mark Twain 2015 Zongshen ZS250GY-3 (RX3) 2006 Zongshen ZS200GY-2 (Sierra 200) 2005 Honda XR650L 2004 Honda CRF250X 1998 Kawasaki KDX220 Mods made to my Zongshen ZS200GY-2: http://www.chinariders.net/showthread.php?t=6894
	0

04-17-2009, 06:53 PM	#23
SpeedSouth Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Atlanta, Ga Posts: 710	Congrats on the bike trade. Sorry to hear about the oil drip, though. I think many people put money into the classics because they just don't make them like that anymore. As cliche as that might sound. Same as an old Mustang or Camaro. It's done for love more than economical value. I think, just based on your posts, if it were me with your bike, I'd simply park it where the drip isn't a mess (over a pan or some cardboard) and make sure it's topped off every day I ride. The bike will hold it's value. There's a couple around here at about $2k - http://atlanta.craigslist.org/mcy/1112069270.html http://atlanta.craigslist.org/mcy/1089941700.html Both have about the same miles as yours. I'm not sure what your other bike was worth, but I suspect you could sell the new one (if you wanted) for more. And being a classic, it will go up in value as time goes by, assuming it remains in good shape. I'd just keep some oil with me and keep my ears open for someone who just has to have this particular model. __________________ 2008 American Lifan LF200 GY-5 (930 km) - Sold 2007 Kawasaki EX250 - Sold 2006 Kawasaki EX650R - My new ride! 2005 Kawasaki EX250 - A new project
	0

04-17-2009, 09:28 PM	#25
SpeedSouth Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Atlanta, Ga Posts: 710	Glad to help. A lot of guys never really own a bike anyways....they just rent them for a few months at a time. __________________ 2008 American Lifan LF200 GY-5 (930 km) - Sold 2007 Kawasaki EX250 - Sold 2006 Kawasaki EX650R - My new ride! 2005 Kawasaki EX250 - A new project
	0

04-18-2009, 09:40 PM	#27
DDG1976 Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Ringgold, Ga. Posts: 410	Wanna trade it for a 2008 Lifan gy-5, I'll drive to florida (LOL) __________________ I have all of soberday to satur up!!
	0

04-18-2009, 11:18 PM	#28
warrior91 Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: N.E. Saskatchewan, Canada Posts: 679	shift shaft seal??? __________________ '91 Yamaha Warrior- stage 2 '83 Honda ATC 70 '08 Yongjiang 125cc mx (Loncin) '08 Yongjiang 150cc atv (Jinlong)
	0

04-17-2009, 07:14 AM	#17
kmoore Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: lawrenceburg, tn Posts: 122	if you did an even trade you did very well even if you had to give a little to boot you still did good you will not be disappointed
	0

04-17-2009, 08:38 AM	#18
truthfriend7 Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Florida Posts: 92	Sure thing. I've noticed that there's probably a tablespoon's worth of oil that's dripped on the ground under it since I got it yesterday. Also the "new battery" in it only has enough juice to fire it once, and if it doesn't start then I'll have to charge it. However this was an even trade and the previous own poured over $2000 into it redoing the carbs, starter, and other miscellaneous things. Maybe it's just me, but I don't see why people put that much money into a bike. Why not put it toward a new one. :?: Does anyone know if thicker oil will help to slow the leak? The manual says that 20/50 is fine, especially since I live in the FL heat. Is it safe to do any thicker than that? What would you recommend?
	0

04-17-2009, 09:24 AM	#19
Cal25 Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Terrell and Grapevine Tx. Posts: 1,585	Personally I would not be tempted tp put in anything heavier than what is recomended. In your first post you said the previous owner just had some new seals put in. Are those the ones leaking? If so maybe he could arange for the shop to fix again no charge? Look real close and see where the oil is leaking from. It might be an easy fix.
	0

04-17-2009, 10:58 AM	#20
truthfriend7 Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Florida Posts: 92	Yeah I should have clarified. By seals I meant fork seals. This oil is dripping from the block. Looks to me like its the cylinder base gaskets mostly on the middle and left side. I'm certainly going to avoid disassembling the cylinders if I can. That's why I was hoping the thicker oil combined with running it often would help. I'll at least go the thickest recommended, but I didn't know if I could get away with any thicker since the motor is 25 years old.
	0

04-17-2009, 04:58 PM	#22
truthfriend7 Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Florida Posts: 92	I found a thread of a guy with my bike having problems and doing the same thing-throwing money into it. It's kind of scary, but I supposed it's good to know the worst case scenario. Good news is that the guy still was able to ride it. http://www.bayarearidersforum.com/fo...d.php?t=234782 After scoping out my oil leak further today, I think it's coming from the very center of the front of the block at the cylinder base where there are 2 nuts. I torqued them now slightly more as well as a few others the might have been leaking. We'll see if it helps.[/url]
	0

04-17-2009, 07:05 PM	#24
truthfriend7 Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Florida Posts: 92	That's good advice. I didn't really think about flipping this bike, but it never hurts to find someone looking to pay big bucks for an oldie. My xl wouldn't even sell for $900. So it makes me feel good knowing this is worth more. Hmmm... you've given me an interesting idea. :idea: I think I'll enjoy the bike a bit first though.
	0