Potential problems with a low-mile '84 750 Interceptor / with pics

Browsing Craigslist I found an '84 Interceptor that supposedly has less than 5,000 miles on it. After looking at the pics from the seller, however, I'm noticing some problems. He is asking $2,000 for it...

The seat is pretty torn up, not too big a deal. I guess the first owner's wife got mad and stabbed it with a screwdriver several times. But what's up with the drooping turn signals? And where are the mirrors?

 

This one shows a scuff to the left side of the fairing, and more "droopy" signals up front...

 

PASS on that one.....2000 is way to much for that bike......

 

And last, there's a better shot of the front, including what looks like a screw missing from the windshield....

 

I totally agree with Crusty...2k is way toooo much ! It looks like a pretty nice example of a first gen though. For someone who wanted a nice '83, I think it could be worth 12 or 13 hundred on a good day. It's a nice bike and one that could be close to perfect with some work.

 

correct me someone, if I am wrong...It is a somewhat rare machine, like one of mine it is one of the 750cc 84s (rather than the taxed down 700cc).

 

Did they have the cam problems figured out by '84?

 

turn signal stalks = gravity

seat can be recovered


offer $1300

 

No they didn't.... gear driven cams were in the 86 models... I also said pass on it because there is no plate on the bike..which means it has been sitting for a while....which means lots of carb work.....

I don't know about it being all that special..... these bikes are heavy and have the cam issue( I know ...not all have had cam problems) but you don't know anything about this bikes back history.... wife stabbed the seat? what else did she possibly do to it? and yeah 2000 is way to much..... I would say a grand at the most if it ran and ran really good...ie compression was spot on, the valves were spot on+- a bit and the cams had no signs of wear....anybody that wants top dollar for the Average motorcycle of the early 80's needs to have one that is damn near pristine..

 

Mmmmmm... chocolatey pre'86 cams.

Yum.

 

If you go for that bike, you'll be disregarding the several warnings you got here, including mine.

Find something without KNOWN ENGINE PROBLEMS.

 

I'd pass on it, get a 86 and up, any old bike I've looked at that sat usually needs tires, chain, batt, carbs rebuilt, tank cleaned, lots of rubber parts, fork seals, valve adj, plugs, misc, brake pads and all fluids flushed...then any problems it has that need repaired..........if you want it to be reliable. Then there's cosmetics and upgrades.

 

After looking at those pics close you will notice the brake lever is bent and it looks like the clutch lever has been broken off. I probably wouldn't buy that one. If it really only has 5k miles on it a top end oiling mod would alleviate most of your cam worries though. One that is in near perfect condition both cosmetically and mechanically is worth right around 2k so with that one looking like it's been dropped a few times it wont be worth anything close to $2k

 

The droopy turn signals are normal. I've replaced the stalks on all of my '86 bikes. The seat cover just looks dry rotted. The levers are broken / bent, so you might need to see if it was tipped over. Other than that, it does look to be in pretty good shape. If you're interested, make a reasonable offer, then add the top-end oiling kit as mentioned above. The warning here is that it is still an old bike and will need more attention to keep if going.

 

I would think if it ran real well its a $1400 bike. Its very hard to find a good running anything with low miles for much under 1500.

 

Looks like there's a fork problem too. Weak spring or bent brace, check the tube height in the pic with the missing winshield screw.

 

I think that may only be an optical illusion caused by the wheel being turned to the left... maybe... either way, I was ready; cash-in-hand-ready; to buy it before taking a closer look and learning more about the first - gen bikes. Thanks to everyone for all of the advice! Hopefully I'm becoming a smarter buyer.