[Snake2715]

I know we seem to get a lot of these as more new users come to the forum. I am recently joined here and for our first bike we picked up a low mile (700) 2006. I have been hunting for the second bike since that pruchase.



I have looked at a few and walked away due to pricing or issues with the bikes.



I am going to look at a 91 or 92 bike tonight (I forget its the black and blue color combo) and wanted to get a few users thoughts.





This bike is clean titled <3500 miles.



The iginition was taken out by the former owner (previous to the current owner) and he has a simple switch in its place. I have not went to look at the bike yet, but does anyone have an opinion here? I do plan on riding it in town, so I am guessing I may need to replace the ignition. Anything I need to watch for with this being done to the bike? I have never hooked up an ignition and am not sure if they make a more universal one, or if I will need to order a Tw200 or XT350 ignition to replace it? Obviously I will need to get the gas cap re keyed or just use two keys on the bike for the gas cap thats on it.







The left panel is missing.









Claims it runs good and can be cold blooded, I suspect maybe that means the carb is a bit dirty as well, but we will see when I make the drive tonight.



Really just am curious as to others thoughts on what I might look for on this bike.

 

[jontow]

If the price is right.. then, well, I have a disease that can be summed up with simply: "dooo it".

I'm a new TW owner as well, so take this with a grain of whatever you like grains of. Beware:

long-winded-and-bored-on-my-lunch-break reply ahead:



Make sure it has good tires on it--seems to be the item that costs the most to replace on a TW.

The ignition sounds like a reasonably easy fix if you can find one--someone on the board may have

a parts bike with that item, otherwise I'm sure yamaha will be happy to sell you one.. in fact,

stadiumyamaha.com lists one ('2GK-82501-01-00') for $113.17, and a new gas cap ('48Y-24602-00-00')

for $76.01. I am, however, not sure how you'd get these two items keyed alike.



They also list the side covers; but some are backordered, etc. I'm more inclined to say someone

may have a good set of plastics for sale on the board, I've heard they're compatible between

all or nearly all models; so its finding a color combination you like.



As far as the ignition goes, if they replaced it with a switch: figure out what else they've done

to the wiring harness that may or may not be reversible. Look for electrical tape and crimp

connectors.



Look at how far adjusted out the brakes are; it seems to be a good sign on how much life you'll get

out of them. Mine felt ok, but were adjusted almost all the way out, so they're pretty much ready

to be replaced.



Look at the chain and sprockets. Make special note of whether the previous owner(s) have replaced

the chain with an o-ring one (certainly a good thing), and how worn/rolled the sprocket teeth are.



My '97 is certainly not "cold blooded", so I'm inclined to agree with you that the carb is probably

dirty, and maybe the gas in the tank is aging a bit.. How exactly is the previous owner putting gas

in it with no key for the cap? If you can get the cap off.. does it smell varnished inside?



They're pretty simple with a fairly light aftermarket, so the likelihood that someone botched the

installation of an aftermarket component is pretty minimal; only the OEM ones that fail, which

I've also noted seems rare

Again -- if the price is right (including all obvious repairs), then don't let me stop you.

 

[Snake2715]

I have yet to address the key issue. I suspect he has a key for the cap, but for some reason they removed the ignition... seems odd, and were there no title it would be more obvious as to why... however given he has a clean title.



I will report back with what happens. It is the black plastics that I will be after, so hopefully that is not an uphill battle. I think the 2005 year was a black set of plastic as well, so I will cross my fingers there.



*edit*



I just called the local dealer and for a 2005 left panel cover he listed me just over 47 with 3 day delivery. Not as bad as I feared, but still costly for a piece of plastic. I guess it comes down to what else is going on, on the bike.



Thanks jontow for the reply.

 

[PJungnitsch]

Mine was fairly cold blooded when I got it, I adjusted the pilot screw out to 4 and that mostly fixed it. You may want to check what yours is set at, you can use a screwdriver from the bottom (much easier when the exhaust is cold!).

Note, you don't have to remove the float bowl like this or twist the carb around or anything, I was changing jets at the time.

 

[jontow]

PJungnitsch: did you have to drill out a plug from that spot, or was it

already done when you got the bike? I've read somewhere on the forum

that yamaha had cast a plug into it to stop people from adjusting it.



I haven't checked mine, but was considering drilling it out if its plugged

to troubleshoot an issue I'm having.

 

[PJungnitsch]

No plug there when I got it, might have been already done.

 

[Snake2715]

Well....



Didnt make the trip Friday as he was headed out about the time I could get down there.



Made it down tonight..



The bike was being worked on to start it when I got there as it had been sitting. The battery was dead so I could not test the electric start. As he was kicking it the the lights would flicker and he did get it to start. It did seem cold blooded.



The big issues for me, beyond the missing ignition and replacement switch..



Cold blooded and the fact that the headlight surround and headlight were white and from another bike on a black and blue bike. The head of the motor seemed like the paint had been really hot.. in my opinion it had more than 3300 miles or was ran really hot.



He did get her going and shot around the land on it...



Overall I am thinking it may have not been that well taken care of and I had to pass for the while.

 

[805gregg]

There is way too much iffy crap on that bike, I'd pass, get one with all the parts, so you can decide what to remove. There are lot's of low mile TW's around, you'll find another.

 

[Snake2715]

Yeah the wife was with me and when he took off with it looked at me and said no, without saying anything. Once he came back I told him no thanks for the time and that I would have to look into the ignition pricing. Shortest look I have ever had.

 

[srs713]

The head of the motor seemed like the paint had been really hot.. in my opinion it had more than 3300 miles or was ran really hot.

Sounds like "old oil" circulation problem. Might have gone too long between changes & had too little oil getting to the top of the engine.



I'd say good call on walking away.