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Mumps (Lurker) View all posts in this topic  
Mon Dec 15, 2008 8:47 pm
please: Advice on buying/fixing up a used 2003 EX250        

Hi everyone,
I found a used 2003 EX250 for $1200 CAD (~975 USD) and it's in pretty bad shape. I should note that I live in Canada, where we have to overpay for vehicles of any nature. This would be my first bike, and I know next to nothing about working on and fixing bikes (though i'm not afraid to, and i've done basic work on cars before). the bike seems to be in bad shape (see list below) but this is the first 250cc i've found in months of searching that i could get for under $3000 CAD (~$2430 USD). I'm not sure what sure what type of financial and time requirements i'd need to get it up and running as a decent bike.

I nabbed the mechanic sheet from the used dealer to see everything that is wrong with the bike <--- great advice from this site.
-sticky throttle
-needs a muffler bracket (the right muffler is sticking out at a weird angle from the bike, more than the left one does)
-no chain guard
-no lisence plate bracket
-broken clutch lever (been set down pretty bad i figure?)
-needs new rear tire (though i'd get a new front one too i expect)
-cracked fairings/windshield
-needs fork sealed
-fasterners/ plugs
-needs valve adjustment.
-"pogo stick, right side" <-- this one confused the hell out of me, i have no idea that could be?
- and i'd need to clean carbs, get a battery, and get it approved for riding in canada (expected things)
-mileage: 45000 mi

Some of this stuff i have an idea of how to fix and all of it i dont know what costs i'd be looking at for parts. I must admit i'm afraid of the 45k miles on the engine. I've found 500cc's and higher for cheaper than this, but i have my heart set on a 250 so that i can learn properly, and hopefuly not well... die. I'm being pushed to get a bigger bike, ironically even by my dad, but i just keep refusing to.
So i'm wondering if anyone can lend me any advice on what I'd be expecting to get myself into in terms of time and money to repair this thing, or if i even should given the miles on the engine. given the state of the bike i don't think the engine was treated well by any means, could I expect another 10k miles out of her?

Thanks for any advice anyone can give!

p.s. i know i'll have to buy used, because, as awesome as the 08/09's look i cant spend the $5k ($4053 USD) being asked up here for a new one.. i am a student after all, though i would be willing to go 3k CAD for a used if i have absolutely no other choice.

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