Possible new owner, need advice - '05 XB12R Firebomt

[SouthPawCO]

Possible new owner, need advice - '05 XB12R Firebolt

So I've been looking at getting a buell for about a year now and stumbled across a possible good deal.

The story is, the bike has been sitting for three years. The owner purchased it, rode it home and it died on his way there. He said it would try to start but wouldn't catch. He has new plugs, wires and coils for it. The battery is completely dead now and from the pictures it appears it was laid over at least once on the throttle side. Currently has 18k on the clock. I can grab it for $1000 but don't want to get into it if it's a going to be a mess. I originally wanted an 1125 but I may use this till then or flip it if it's cost effective.

One good thing, I have a really good buell mechanic that is in my backyard. Some of you may know Dennis as he was part of the 1125r team but he is my go to guy for all my motorcycle repairs that I cannot do myself. He is a complete wizard when it comes to two wheels and a motor.

Is the $1000 worth the gamble? He only has a few pictures of it but here they are. Any opinions on this would be great.

 

[rchuff]

For $1000 don't think you could go wrong. You could part out or fix her up all depends on what you really want to do. You can look on ebay for parts or call Surdyke H-D for new ones. I would personal fix it up because the smile on your face the first time you ride it will be worth it. You can download a manual on our site to help you. But that's me.

 

[SouthPawCO]

I'm going to try and go look at it today or tomorrow. I spoke to Dennis and he said as long as their is no significant damage on the right side, should be fine. I know it is needs a muffler as well.

 

[user_deleted]

that right there is an XB that has been beaten to death. don't even ask how i know. use caution. all the freshening up in the world can't polish a turd.

 

[Silverrider]

You might consider, putting a Bat in and bump starting it so you can hear the motor run . To help make a decision to buy or fly.

 

[MakingPAIN]

I was thinking she had a hard life too. Be careful if you can't hear it run. It might not be worth the effort

 

[Chicknstripn]

I would ask your friend Dennis to go with you.
He would know what to look for.
Anything visible on the outside is merely the tip of the iceberg. It's inside the possible electrical nightmare, motor and trans nightmares that you really need to worry about.
There have been many people that have come and gone on this forum that have found Buell's of higher quality and higher price that have taken huge loses because they couldn't figure out what exactly was causing a running issue.
Does your friend Dennis have ECMspy or ECMdriod? That software and a fresh buttery are key to better understanding the condition of that bike.
Now if the owner will take 500 bucks cash, go for it. Then you'll at least be certsin to make you're money back if you decide it's best to part it out.

 

[SouthPawCO]

I keep looking at the pictures and debating back and forth on it. I've bought some rough looking bikes in the past but when cleaned up they were nice. Those bikes also had very low mileage and were jap bikes so I wasn't scared as those things are bullet proof.

Dennis called me and said he thinks it's a good buy even for parts but I'm not in the market for parting out things. I have owned a total of 13 jap bikes so I don't know enough about these bikes to gamble with.