Will somebody please talk me out of buying this bike?

 

I used to own a 1974 Yamaha RD350A in the condition similar to what is
depicted by this ad:

http://seattle.craigslist.org/oly/mcy/1860430082.html

It was my first street-bike. Mine was in nearly pristine condition
when I owned it from 1977 to 1987 until it was totaled when I got
taken off of it by a backhoe; yes, a backhoe of all things. I loved
that bike; it was tame while commuting in the city, but nimble and a
lot of fun on the open road.

I now have a ST1300 and I don’t really need small crotch-rocket, but
nostalgia is threatening to get the better of me. Will somebody please
talk me out of buying this bike?

 

On Sun, 25 Jul 2010 16:41:43 -0700 (PDT), RosemontCrest


Not me.  I happen to be big on nostalgia.

The bike appears to have been well taken care of and if it is in good
mechanical condition, and the purchase price will not alter your
standard of living, go for it.

Of course you know it will not feel like the it did back in 77, but
little does, right?

Let us know how it works out for you.

 



That is very, very nice. What I like about it is that it's original and
unmolested rather than restored.

Setting myself up as a self-appointed expert <G> you could point at the
dulling of the frame paintwork, the chips and scratches on the black
engine paint, and a couple of other things, but I wouldn't: it just has
a lovely patina about it.

On this side of the pond, that's probably about £1800-1900 worth, which
is pretty much what the guy's asking, in dollars. I've no idea whether
the classic market in the US supports that sort of price.
 

If that's your rationale, buy it. If you keep it as well as the former
owner has, it'll never depreciate.

The buying experience will be great, because the seller will recognice
you as a kindred spirit.

It'll allow you to re-live a time when, perhaps, you were too old to be
called in by your mother and too young to be called in by your wife.

It'll give you a nice warm feeling every time you look at it. It'll
re-kindle memories long forgotten.

Not a chance.


--
BMW K1100LT  Ducati 750SS  Triumph Street Triple  Honda CB400F
Suzuki TS250  Suzuki GN250  chateaudotmurrayatidnetdotcom
Nothing damages a machine more than an ignoramus with a manual, a
can-do attitude and a set of cheap tools

 

RosemontCrest wrote:

    OK. If you absolutely insist.  From a Cal Thomas commentary:
  >
  In another country also called

  From  > http://tinyurl.com/2bbc5qf

   But having the 350 will make the ST1300 last longer.  You'll be
younger on the 350.  And the 350 will be easier to handle when you get
really old.

 

On Sun, 25 Jul 2010 16:41:43 -0700 (PDT), RosemontCrest


Dude, buy the bike if you can afford it. They aren't all that by
today's standards but the nostalgia factor is immense. I'm seriously
thinking of getting an old DT-1 that has been restored. I just might
do it if the local comes down a bit. He wants 2 grand for it. Probably
has that much in sweat equity alone but I might be able to talk him
down to 1500.   ;-)