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I've owned many bikes over the years, some fast, some slow, but I sold them immediately before my first Daughter was born 2 1/2 years ago. My last two bikes were a 2001 Kawasaki ZX-7R that I bought new, and a Streetfighter I built out of a Yamaha FZR600R, both sold the same weekend... It was a very sad two days. I didn't think I'd own another bike until at least my Daughters were old enough to fend for themselves. But, that all changed last weekend..

I was offered a genuine one owner 1997 Yamaha XJ600S "Seca 2" with only 1900 miles on it. I know this to be genuine because the seller is one of my best buds, and I went to the dealer with him when he bought it new and rode it home for him because he didn't know how to ride yet. Anyway, long story short, the bike was used very little then put in a garage and forgotten about until last weekend when he offered it to me for $250.00. Now, this wouldn't be my first choice in bikes, as I don't really like the "standard" riding position, and I feel like I graduated from something like this bike many years ago, but I just couldn't pass it up, so I bought it.

Obviously, it's been sitting a long time and needs all the usual stuff, but the bike is for all intents and purposes new. The question is, what do I do with it? I have a limited connection with this bike, being the first person to ride it when new, and I am kind of a sentimental person. I don't particularly like the bike, or the color, and I really don't want to ride again until my Girls are older. If I sold it, I would stand the chance of upsetting my good friend who offered it to me first and at a ridiculously low price because he knew I would take care of it, etc. etc..

What is the morally correct thing to do? Stick it in the back of the shop with a cover on it for another 10 years, or sell it on and potentially make him mad? Oh, there is another choice.. My 62 year old Father wants it. He hasn't ridden in 20 years, and if I gave it to him I would worry that I'd be giving him his last ride...

Opinions please!!! :)

Cheers,
Dave

I had an 81 Seca 550. That bike was just too much fun to redline, and I was headed for trouble so I got rid of it.

I would just tell your 'best bud' what you're thinking . . . let him know that if he wants to split the costs to get it ready to sell - you will split the profits with him . . . everyone wins.

If he gets huffy - let him buy it back from you (you don't really want it right now anyway)and wash your hands of the matter.

I know...Sell it to me for $300, and when he asks tell him it's in storage.

I'd suggest keeping it nominally running, even if you don't
take it out often, to keep corrosion off the parts and hopefully
the rubber bits from decaying.
.
_H*

Get leathers and a helmet. Some of the commercially available leathers are racer-quality and have dramatically reduced the adverse effects of biking.

Even if its low speed and infrequent, it'll keep the rust off for when the kids are older. And it'll keep you and your buddy happy.

I've used Yamaha's armored leathers while snowmobiling and felt a lot safer wearing them even though I was pretty careful, as it protected me from some of the Yahoos/Neighbors on the trails.

I'd ride it. But if you're dead set on getting rid of it, I'd give it to pops.

I would ride the darn thing and enjoy it. The trend now days is we die still raising our adult kids. So don't let the kids stop you.

Heck you could teach the old man to ride on it. Get some saddle time and have him go buy his own bike.

While Im still eyeing new bikes. Its come to light. That I have lost some of my nerve when it comes to riding in the city or in heavy traffic. The idiots in the cages with cell phones have taken on a whole new way of not being able to drive. The fatal bike wrecks in traffic have sky rocketed here.

The days of rocket riding are over. A few weeks ago the wife was following me to the local BMW dealer to take a look at a 135i. We had been going in opp. directions all day long. So it was kind of funny we met up on the east side of Tulsa. Anyway,,, we met up at Starbucks. Had a coffee then headed to the BMW dealer. On the way a gent on a FZR came up behind us on the freeway on the rear wheel around 100 mph. Blew right pass us. Her in the Accord and I in the Mazda3. She never saw him coming in her rear view mirrors. Nor did she even see him when he went by right next to her. I saw him coming from a mile back.

Who is more dangerous? My wife the idiot cage driver? Or the want to be Kenny Roberts? And then to think I many times in the past was the idiot Kenny Roberts want to be on the back wheel like that. With the wife on the back with me. And she enjoys it!!!! LMAO

Euroford, I'm ready to make the purchase, but being a sentimental person myself, i definitely understand what you're going through. ellen made a very good suggestion, i would let him know what you're thinking then sell it to someone who you believe would take good care of it..or make the most out of it rather. (I would hypermile the heck out of it btw). Tell your friend you dont think you will use it (take care of it) and offer to give it back to him so he can sell it to someone on here at a reasonable price. you'll still get to see the progress, your friend is happy, doesnt think you cheated him, everything's set.

I see your problem with the buddy and all.Ellendanis has the right idea.
Spiff it up-usual stuff-maybe run a lot of carb cleaner thru it if it is running a bit dodgy(I would try to avoid pulling the carbs, but it isn't too bad a job).

In SC the riding season must be starting soon; you should get a decent price.It would go for maybe $1800 if it looked fairly new (in New Orleans).Your economy is probably better,so maybe you can get more.Don't be too "hard" on the price;you want to get rid of it quickly.You'll know if you are too high-no calls.If you are too low-it gets sold the 1st day-a good thing,since $1800 isn't going to be waaaay off.

I've owned many motorcycles-40 or more-over the years.They were all smallish midsized bikes,and mainly Yamahas from the 70's-early 80's.I would buy them,spiff them up,ride them for several months,and then sell them.It was strictly for fun.I doubt I did better than 80% return.

I had at least 4 Seca IIs.The prettiest of the bunch-a green 1993-was down on power.It was so down I finally had to pull the tank and eyeball the carbs. The slides were literally glued shut with gasoline varnish goo! It was more or less stuck at idle, but it would rev a bit,and would get to about 60 mph with just the tiny opening that was left.

I also had at least 3 550 Secas.It was a lot more fun than the rather vanilla Seca IIs. The Seca II is geared too tall for maximum fun. Heck I probably have a new bigger sprocket around here for it, or the SV650. You don't need any parts of course.Don't put any $$ in a bike you don't like.

Sell it-split the profit with your buddy.
Charlie
My only current bike-1980 SR500- heavily modifed motor-still extremely slow, but so am I!!