Total Motorcycle Community Forums

If it's just a problem with the petcock, and the petcock is fixed/repaired and then the oil changed, how bad is it in the long run?
would you buy a used bike with this problem?

Depends on how much fuel is in there. If it just smells like fuel, that's pretty normal. If it's overflowing w/ fuel it's probably a bit more of a problem ...

thanks. sorry if it sounds like a dumb question. but i'm new at this and i don't want to make a big mistake buying my first bike. I'm deciding between a bike in good running condition. or getting a fixer uper in non running condition (it starts, but due to the bad petcock, it's not really "running" condition). The 76 doesn't need much but the 77 would need about $200-300 to get it into top shape (tire, battery, etc.).

Should i go the safe route or take a gamble and try to save some money and learn some DIY?

The last bike I bought for under a grand was a 1991 Suzuki.

It was a runner, but had been in storage a year befor I purchased it.

To get it roadworthy, I had to replace fork seals, rear shocks, fork oil, light bulbs, rewire the fuse box that some idiot had messed up, clean the carbs, clean the fuel tank, replace tires, replace steering head bearings.

About $1000 worth of stuff (Rear shocks are expensive and I also replaced the fork springs for good measure) I recently sold the bike for $1500. I lost $500. But I don't mind, it keeps me busy and usually it's a friend that buys the bike, so for me it's a labor of love.

Anyway My point is that on a bike that old, you are probably going to have to do alot more than change the tires and battery. There are things you won't notice until you ride it a few times. Learning DIY is good, but can get expensive and frustraing on an older bike. It's also dangerous - Especially when it is your only ride, and you want to get it out on the road more than actually fixing it properly...

My advice is to save your pennies and get something newer. Buy the cheap 70's fixer-upper when you have something else to ride.