Topic: Why wont it run?

[Sillian]

I am looking at a 73 cb500f that doesnt currently run and I am curious if anyone might have an idea why.

Current owner says he had the carbs redone, new chain and general tuneup. It ran great for him last year but when he went to start it this summer, it did not start. He says he had other bikes so he didnt bother to investigate.

Any ideas? Does it sound catastrophic?

He is selling for a good price and the bike looks good in general. I am hoping it a small enough problem that I wouldnt have to dump a ton of money into it to make it run again.

Thanks in advance

[Duke McDukiedook]

Take anything a PO says with a huge grain of salt (unless you personally know PO and their bike work).
Then proceed from there.

[mrbreeze]

Gotta check the basics.......fuel, spark, compression, timing, state of tune. It doesn't matter what the owner said has been done to the bike. I could tell you mine has 500 hp. It's up to you if you want to believe it. If he can't make the bike run I would offer him less money. Does it even crank over? If yes.....does it sputter like its trying to start?
The problem with buying one of these bikes is that you just don't find them around every corner like it used to be. When you find one that looks good...great but if it won't run it's worth less. If it has no paperwork....worth less. Has visual signs of needing work....less. You need to do your homework before buying. See if you can find other bikes like it. Look on Ebay, Craigslist, etc. and look all over the country. Location plays into it also. You may have to spend some money to have it shipped so if the one you're looking at is right there in front of you....that's money saved. Good luck! Oh...and there are lots of parts available for these bikes so that's one less worry.

[flybox1]

You can make ANY bike run. 
Some just cost more time and $$$ to get there.

All good info above.
If you have pictures, or a link to the add, and what the PO is asking, we might be able to give you some things to consider.

[Sillian]

He claims to have receipts from a reputable local mechanic

[Sillian]

He claims compression is good

[Sillian]

What do you believe the two main culprits are?

[mrbreeze]

My crystal ball says.............lack of investigation
Man....it could be a number of things. Are you right there with the bike? First thing I would do is check for spark and fuel. Do what Fly suggests and put up some pictures. You still haven't said weather it cranks over or not. Do the lights come on when you turn on the key?
If you are gonna go somewhere that you've never been to.....you don't just get in the car and start driving!

[Retro Rocket]

I know a guy that "claims" to have a bridge for sale.....

[Sillian]

It does crank

[Sillian]

Here are some pics

[Sillian]

he says it cranks and turns over

[Sillian]

Heres the add:


Classic motorcycle with cafe bars for sale. This is an awesome bike, Ive owned it for 5 years and ALWAYS kept it in the garage. 14220 miles. Last spring (2014) I had all four carbs disassembled and cleaned, front brake rebuilt, put on a new chain, and gave it a general tune up. All work done professionally by the guys at the MOTO Factory. It ran great all summer, i took several trips to and from eugene, great fun. Waking it up this spring (2015) it didnt start for me, and i already have too many motorcycles so I never got to fixing it up and getting it going. Now im passing it on to somebody who wants to give it the TLC it needs and get a great value from this deal.

Disclaimer: People, this is a forty two year old motorcycle. It is old enough to be some of this ads viewers mother, its no freshman college girl. it needs to be warmed up, adjusted often, leaks oil (needs a new oil plug), and has a hole in the left exhaust pipe. If you know nothing about fixing old or any motorcycles this is not the bike for you. If however you know your way around a beautiful old engine like this one, and want a classic bike or excellent foundation for a project bike, you are at the right place. It wont start for you when you check it out, but the engine turns. You wont get to ride it around the block. Im selling it for less than the price of the work i had done last year. A decent grease junky could have it running in an afternoon. There are no other cb 500's on CL right now. If it was running I'd want at least 2500 for it, since it needs love i'll settle for 1500. bring your pick up. for an extra $50 I'll take it to your garage in mine

[Gene]

Could be all you need is new plugs and/or caps (small $).  Could be a bad battery ($$).  Could be a complete rebuild ($$$$$$$$$). Could be a clogged fuel line (cheap).  See if he'll let you pull a plug, ground it to the head and try to start it to see if you can see a spark.  Then ask him if you can check all four.  And then ask him . . .

I'm not being snarky here.  If the price is right add $1000.00 to it in your head immediately and plan on it (this is called "hope") costing you - after all is said and done - that much money.  Then offer him less than he's asking which puts more fix-up money in your pocket.

I've never rebuilt an engine but with the knowledge on this site and a FSM I think I could.  You've got this place to back you up - but we can't help you make a decision without all of the information.

Is it titled?  The ad doesn't say.

[madmtnmotors]

Motorcycles don't get any simpler than these. More often than not it boils down to fuel or spark.

Non-running I wouldn't pay a penny over $1200, and it would have to look real good (with title), but I don't know your market or budget.

The market here would barely support $800 for a non-runner...

[seanbarney41]

you have got to ask yourself... If I was selling this bike, why would I not spend a day and $100 to get it running instead of getting $1000 less dollars?   bingo!

     

[Sillian]

What does everyone think about the 350f? Does it do well long distance? How about handling on the highway?

[Retro Rocket]

What does everyone think about the 350f? Does it do well long distance? How about handling on the highway?

Poor choice for a highway or touring bike...

[madmtnmotors]

What does everyone think about the 350f? Does it do well long distance? How about handling on the highway?

Poor choice for a highway or touring bike...

+1

[Retro Rocket]

What does everyone think about the 350f? Does it do well long distance? How about handling on the highway?

Poor choice for a highway or touring bike...

+1

Kinda like doing the tour de France on a unicycle...

[mrbreeze]

you have got to ask yourself... If I was selling this bike, why would I not spend a day and $100 to get it running instead of getting $1000 less dollars?   bingo!

   

Exactly! The picture of the bike looks good but it is kinda fishy that the guy would rather lose $1000 than do some basic checks on it to see why it doesn't run. Is there anyone with some mechanical knowledge that can go with you to check it out? Bring a can of starting fluid along and a spare spark plug. You don't have to pull a plug. Does it sound even when cranking over? Does it even sputter when cranking over? Tell him you might take a gamble on it for .....say $500. See what he says to that.

[Retro Rocket]

you have got to ask yourself... If I was selling this bike, why would I not spend a day and $100 to get it running instead of getting $1000 less dollars?   bingo!

   

Exactly! The picture of the bike looks good but it is kinda fishy that the guy would rather lose $1000 than do some basic checks on it to see why it doesn't run. Is there anyone with some mechanical knowledge that can go with you to check it out? Bring a can of starting fluid along and a spare spark plug. You don't have to pull a plug. Does it sound even when cranking over? Does it even sputter when cranking over? Tell him you might take a gamble on it for .....say $500. See what he says to that.

People are lazy too Fred, I sold a car for a guy, I lived on a busy road, good spot for selling stuff. He dropped it around and while it was a reasonable car, it was filthy, he wanted $1500 for it, I gave it a wash and cleaned the interior up nice, took about an hour, first guy that stopped to look at it gave me my asking price of $2500 dollars, my mate was pissed off that I pocketed a grand for an hours work, I called him a lazy pr1ck and laughed, he got it.... Still pissed off though....

[mrbreeze]

Too bad a guy couldn't do that all day Mick! Hell I could wash and maybe mildly detail 3 or 4 cars a day for $1K apiece! Just goes to show that appearance does matter to most people.

[Retro Rocket]

Too bad a guy couldn't do that all day Mick! Hell I could wash and maybe mildly detail 3 or 4 cars a day for $1K apiece! Just goes to show that appearance does matter to most people.

Sure does mate...

[Stev-o]

Could be a $1 fuse.   Offer him $1200.....