Prospective new owner

TexasCam · 01-13-2014, 10:33 AM

Hey, everyone! I think this is the place to ask, forgive me if I'm wrong.. I found myself a possible bike. An acquaintance is selling his 2001 gz250 for $200. Yes, $200. The bike itself is not in bad shape, just a little dirty. The catch is, it's been sitting for a little under a year. I went to take a look yesterday and the bike will turn over (starter works) with good compression and a clean carb. but will not start. Obviously there is no cure-all solution and every bike is different, but I'd love some outside opinions on whether this would be $200 well spent towards a solid weekender bike.

Cathy · 01-13-2014, 11:03 AM

Definitely, yes.
Welcome and I hope you buy it. These bikes are so simple that working on them is a breeze.

TexasCam · 01-13-2014, 11:09 AM

Thanks! I hope to get quite a few miles on it. I forgot to mention it only just broke 9,000

Cathy · 01-13-2014, 11:26 AM

Do you have any other bikes ?
These are great beginner bikes.

**jonathan180iq** · 01-13-2014, 11:42 AM

How long did you attempt to get it to start? If it's been sitting for almost a year, I wouldn't expect her to fire up until she's been given some love.

Had the battery been kept on a tender? Was the fuel fresh? How do you know the carb is clean?

I mean, either way, for $200, go get it right now. We can walk you through just about everything in regards to getting her running again. No problem.

Water Warrior 2 · 01-13-2014, 02:44 PM

Sounds good. Some TLC will have the bike running in no time.

raul10141964 · 01-13-2014, 03:27 PM

Flush the fuel tank an ad fresh gas, use the chock, check for spark

Goose51683 · 01-13-2014, 05:01 PM

Let us know if you don't buy it quick....one of us will. For $200 it would be worth the trip down to Texas...not to mention you might actually have a chance to ride it down there.

TexasCam · 01-13-2014, 05:10 PM

Thanks, everyone! This will be my first road bike, when I get her going.

There was gas left in the tank with a fuel preservative,

no battery (I used jumper cables and my idling truck),

I assume the carb. isn't too bad, the fuel petcock was left in the off position so no gas left to sit and funk. Although it is my first intention to remove and clean it right away.

I the poor starter a great workout, however haha. Do these bikes have a kickstand failsafe? The kind where they won't start if it's down? That may be it.

Cathy · 01-13-2014, 05:44 PM

Yep it does have a kickstand fail safe.

01-13-2014, 10:33 AM	#1
TexasCam Junior Member Join Date: Jan 2014 Posts: 7	Prospective new owner Hey, everyone! I think this is the place to ask, forgive me if I'm wrong.. I found myself a possible bike. An acquaintance is selling his 2001 gz250 for $200. Yes, $200. The bike itself is not in bad shape, just a little dirty. The catch is, it's been sitting for a little under a year. I went to take a look yesterday and the bike will turn over (starter works) with good compression and a clean carb. but will not start. Obviously there is no cure-all solution and every bike is different, but I'd love some outside opinions on whether this would be $200 well spent towards a solid weekender bike. Login or Register to Remove Ads
	0

01-13-2014, 11:09 AM	#3
TexasCam Junior Member Join Date: Jan 2014 Posts: 7	Thanks! I hope to get quite a few miles on it. I forgot to mention it only just broke 9,000 Login or Register to Remove Ads
	0

01-13-2014, 11:42 AM	#5
jonathan180iq Super Moderator Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Dalton, GA Posts: 3,996	How long did you attempt to get it to start? If it's been sitting for almost a year, I wouldn't expect her to fire up until she's been given some love. Had the battery been kept on a tender? Was the fuel fresh? How do you know the carb is clean? I mean, either way, for $200, go get it right now. We can walk you through just about everything in regards to getting her running again. No problem. Login or Register to Remove Ads
	0

01-13-2014, 11:03 AM	#2
Cathy Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2013 Location: Vancouver BC Posts: 157	Definitely, yes. Welcome and I hope you buy it. These bikes are so simple that working on them is a breeze.
	0

01-13-2014, 11:26 AM	#4
Cathy Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2013 Location: Vancouver BC Posts: 157	Do you have any other bikes ? These are great beginner bikes.
	0

01-13-2014, 02:44 PM	#6
Water Warrior 2 Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Squamish B.C Canada Posts: 11,409	Sounds good. Some TLC will have the bike running in no time.
	0

01-13-2014, 03:27 PM	#7
raul10141964 Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Elkhart, Indiana Posts: 369	Flush the fuel tank an ad fresh gas, use the chock, check for spark
	0

01-13-2014, 05:01 PM	#8
Goose51683 Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2013 Location: Indiana Posts: 621	Let us know if you don't buy it quick....one of us will. For $200 it would be worth the trip down to Texas...not to mention you might actually have a chance to ride it down there.
	0

01-13-2014, 05:10 PM	#9
TexasCam Junior Member Join Date: Jan 2014 Posts: 7	Thanks, everyone! This will be my first road bike, when I get her going. There was gas left in the tank with a fuel preservative, no battery (I used jumper cables and my idling truck), I assume the carb. isn't too bad, the fuel petcock was left in the off position so no gas left to sit and funk. Although it is my first intention to remove and clean it right away. I the poor starter a great workout, however haha. Do these bikes have a kickstand failsafe? The kind where they won't start if it's down? That may be it.
	0

01-13-2014, 05:44 PM	#10
Cathy Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2013 Location: Vancouver BC Posts: 157	Yep it does have a kickstand fail safe.
	0