Need the gangs opinions here.

[foreda]

OK.. This is a 1980 Midnight Special in Dallas I am considering adding to my stable. Price is $1200. Have a look at these pics and tell me if you would pay 1200 for this machine. Thanks in advance.Here is the craiglist add.
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http://dallas.craigslist.org/mdf/mcy/1256750239.html

[WMarshy]

Yes

Personally I would pay up to $1500! It looks like a great bike, lots of potential there. Wish it was in my area.

[Bronzeback]

She'll need some wrench time for sure...running now? Unless she's what you've always been looking for, I'd wait a week and off 7-800. Fluids, carb rebuild, tires, brakes looks like she'll need it all but very doable.

[foreda]

Needs

She'll need some wrench time for sure...running now? Unless she's what you've always been looking for, I'd wait a week and off 7-800. Fluids, carb rebuild, tires, brakes looks like she'll need it all but very doable.

Will definitely need to rebuild calipers, rebuild carbs. Looks like PO used some spray paint in some areas and of course, the dented tank. If buy this one. it will be a frame off rebuild and complete professional paint restoration. Won't be cheap!

[dbeardslee]

According to the add it's been in storage since '85. That suggests that it's been sitting for 24 years. I'd have questions about the condition of the valves, rings, and cylinder walls. Are the cylinders free? Is it possible to do a compression test? Cosmetically it doesn't look that bad, but mechanically it may have issues. Might not be a bad idea to put a DMM on it too and see what kind of readings you get on the electrics if the owner will allow it. $1200 seems kind of steep for a bike that hasn't run in such a long time.

[65oldsboy]

I wouldn't pay anywhere near $1200 for something that's been sitting that long. Maybe $500-$600. It looks nice (except for the dented tank) but just about everything will need to be gone through. A lot of it will need to be replaced. It won't be cheap.

[WMarshy]

A$$

I ASSumed it was running. I like the looks, too bad the tank had such a hard life!

[Poprock]

My 80 SG sat for 20 yrs. It works well after the usual cleanups were done. If the PO hadn't left aluminum chips in #2 after a stripped plug incident it would still be running on original parts. How many Midnights are there left?

[DiverRay]

I paid $1200 for my 1980 midnight, and rode it the 130 miles home. This was last September, and there IS a thread about it someplace on here. Didn't look as good as that, but it DID run well. Go ahead and let the owner know this, as you are looking at at least $800 in parts, not counting the tank repair or replacement.
I would offer $800 to 1,000 for it, only because it's a MNS.

[thewiz]

It looks a bit weak ...

compared to the other very fine rides of yours. I thought the one that DiverRay bought looked better ... but he says not ... and he ought to know.

[Jerry]

Ray:

You've been to this dance before. In addition to the purchase price, it will take another $500.00 or so minimum (tires, battery, air filter, brake work) to get this bike on the road. Add some more for tank repair and paint.

MNS always bring more than other XS11s, but I think your $800 - $1000 range is a better fit for this bike.

Then, of course, you would have a matched pair... The nice thing is that you would have time to work on it since you have other rides, so the money could be spread over a period of time.

BTW, did you ever get a call on that RC Engineering bike that was discussed at the James Dean memorial?

[redbone]

this much i can tell you...2 yrs ago i pd. 1100 for mine. its tank was not dented like that one, but the engine looks much better than mine did. the carbs on mine fortunately were impeccable, [very rare] but i had to do the usual stuff/rebuilds...like master cylinders and calipers and fluid changes and electrical goblins etc. that all cost me about $400. but it was what i wanted then. knowing what i know now....i should have offered the guy $800.
hope this gives insight.
redbone

[CatatonicBug]

Definitely a nice MNS! The dented tank is a bummer though. I paid $500 for mine, and though it had only been sitting for a couple years, I had to do all that stuff to it as well. Mine looked almost that nice (trade the dented tank for a torn seat and a bit of road rash on the pipes), and I ended up spending a few hundred to get it operational again. $1200 isn't extraordinarily high, for a MNS of that cosmetic condition, but it will take some work on the internals. I'd say to lowball to $800-1000, and see if he bites.

[XS1100 Newbie]

I just purchased my 1980 XS1100LG last month for $1500.00. It had 11000 miles on it, and had not been stored. I love it, but i think $1200.00 for this one is a bit much considering all you have to do to get it road worthy.

[fredintoon]

Hi Foreda,
if you want a MNS this one looks to be complete and if you plan to pony up for a full resto it don't matter +/- ~$200 what the purchase price is.
What could be the minimum outlay to get the bike back on the road?
New rubber? That's an ongoing cost anyway. Coupla caliper rebuild kits and she stops, a tub of bondo and a rattlecan to fix the tank to look OK except from up close, those big batteries ain't cheap but still - - -