Very possible due to the old gas and being half filled, the fuel pump/filter is clogged or gunked up with possible water in the system. You could bring some jumper wires to try to get the pump to run directly off the battery to test. If the battery is toast and the pump etc is in need of cleaning or repair, not much that you can do. If you can bring a good motorcycle battery with you, that might help. But, draining the tank and filling with new gas and pulling off the fuel pump plate to inspect the insides may be too much to ask of yourself. Since he doesn't seem to care about getting this bike up and running, you may just take a gamble and offer $1,600 and buy not running. Without it running though, you really don't know how "perfect" the rest of the bike is. Or the engine, for that matter. You will either luck out or buy a money pit.

 

I wouldn't try to start it for him. if you spend 2 hours trying to get it running and can't it's a waste of your time. If you get it started he may decided not to sell to you and put it back up at $2,500 (which I think it would be worth in running condition).

The most I would do is check the clutch switch, make sure there are no FI codes and slosh around some sea foam in the gas. Beyond that it's a waste of time.

Also, him saying the bike started last night is BS. It's a machine and if nothing changed since last night there is no good reason for it to have problems staring today.


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I am going to spend about an hour if we can get it working at the most. The first price I told him was $2100, so if I can't get it started I will make him go lower. We shall see.

I work on people bikes on the side so an hour isn't a big deal to get a bike. I will post up tonight and let everyone know how it goes. Hopefully my trailer will be loaded with a running bike.

 

I am going to spend about an hour if we can get it working at the most. The first price I told him was $2100, so if I can't get it started I will make him go lower. We shall see.

So if you fix the bike you will pay more. If you don't fix the bike, you'll pay less.

That's not really the best way to go about negotiating a price.

 

try to pick up the bike at a lower price. Say $300 bucks less. to me sounds almost like a definite fuel pump issue. The battery straight to fuel pump is a good idea and i've freed many seized fuel pumps that way. Dont just try to run the pump with the battery. reverse the battery leads on the pump and "tap" your circuit closed to spin your pump backwards just a little bit. Most of the time this will free a pump that cannot otherwise be unstuck.

Oh and make sure to empty out the tank before you do all this. most of the time. having the tank full of good gas and getting the fuel pump to spin, (and continue to run) will have you trouble free as long as you dont let it sit for months on end again.

 

Oh picked up the bike. After looking at it, I knew it was the fuel pump. The tank had a lot of surface rust and the gas was dark brown. They could only take off $100. So I got the bike for $2000. I was fine with that, still a steal! I just ordered a used pump off ebay.

The bike was in great condition, besides that. Not a scratch on it. It does need new tires though, since the ones that are on it are over 5 years old.

So I am going to clean out the tank and install the new pump and it should run like a champ. Going to drain the oil, flush the coolant, bleed the brakes and clean the calipers. The battery is on a tender but I think it should be fine. Worst case I get a new one. These are all costs I assume with any used bike.

Leaving for vacation tomorrow and the pump will be waiting for me when I get home. Can't wait to strip it down and do a complete safety check.


Thank you everyone for the help.

 

Update:



I am home from vacation and started working on the bike two days ago. Before I left, I broke out the multimeter and checked the fuel relay and the pump. The relay worked and but the fuel pump was toasted. I ordered all the parts I thought I would need before I left, so there was a pile of packages when I got home. Awesome!

The gas tank was really bad and more than just some surface rust. There were big flakes coming off. I couldn't open the gas cap since it was seized. I removed the fuel pump and it was a rust party in the tank. I ordered 100 1/4" steel ball bearings before I left. Threw them in the empty tank with a couple cups of degreaser, wrapped in in a blanket then put it inside a sleeping bag and duct taped it. I then put it in the dryer for about 10 minutes with no heat. I rinsed it out and there was probably 2 pounds of rust that came out. I rinsed it several times.

Then I poured a gallon of evapo-rust in the tank with the ball bearings still in it. Shook it and rotated it every 30 minutes for 3 hours. Rinsed it for about 15 minutes. Removed the ball bearings with a telescoping magnet. I used the shop vac to remove the tiny bit of water left in the tank. Then I put about cup of kerosene in the tank and shook it up to coat the tank, so it couldn't flash rust. Removed the kerosene. I pried the broken gas cap out without damaging the filler neck...somehow. Installed an aftermarket gas cap. Filled the tank up with fresh gas. If rust starts to come back, I will get the POR15 motorcycle tank kit and seal it. I will just keep and eye on it for now and keep my fingers crossed.

While I was cleaning out the tank I was also working on the bike:
Installed new plugs
Changed the oil and filter
Drained and flushed the coolant
Soldered some electrical connections
Luckily the air filter was brand new
Installed a battery tender connection
Put the correct fuses in the fuse box


The bike was ready to start. The moment or truth.... It fired up in less than 2 seconds!!! It was a beautiful thing. The bike sounds awesome! Took it for a ride down the road and not a single hiccup. I was all smiles, this is an great bike and just as nimble as my 675. I never road one before and was pleasantly surprised. My wife was waiting for me at the end of the driveway to hear the verdict.

She is excited but a little nervous because she can't flat both feet like she could do on the Ninja 250. I told her to get over it, she is on the tips of her toes on both sides at the same time. That is more than enough. We are going to practice tomorrow night in a parking lot so she can get used to the new bike. Worse case she will have to do the one cheek sneak, but I don't think that will be necessary. I will have her watch some videos on youtube. We will be going to Washington Cycle Works in a few weeks to get her suspension adjusted to her.

I will be finishing up the bike tonight. All that is left is:

Install taillight modulator
Bleed the brakes and inspect the pads and lube the pistons
Tighten all nuts and bolts to spec
Soak the chain in kerosene and clean
Order some replacement bolts and push rivits from bike bandit
Install frame sliders

It needs new tires shortly but I am going to keep my ears open for some deals. I am also looking for a blue solo cowl.

 

Thats a great price man, congrats, definitely get that tank lined before you get lazy with it. It takes a few days to let it dry with the POR-15 but then youll have nothing to worry about.

 

Thank you. I am a little OCD when it comes to motorcycles. First sign of rust, it will get lined immediately or hopefully the it won't rust at all, but I will be lining it in the winter time nevertheless.

I am that guy who strips his bikes down in the winter and cleans everything with a toothbrush. Usually all that is left on the bike are the forks and basically the engine in the winter, then it all gets rebuilt again.

I will likely be powder coating most parts on the bike. I will let the wife make a list of what she wants done and what colors. What she wants done now and what can wait until the winter. I do all my own powder coating and sand blasting.

I'll post some pictures of the bike once it is all cleaned up, likely in a few days.

 

Hey man! Congratulations on getting the bike and fixing her up. I too bought a sv650 that would not start upon purchase. I took the risk and decided for $1900, I should be able to get it fixed. It was 2003 with 2400 miles on it. With new spark plugs. I recently installed an aftermarket exhaust. (I had recently collected $4500.00 from totaling my Yamaha FZ6 so I had some extra money to throw into the bike need be.

Like your story, the fuel in the tank was so old it started eating away at the inside. I cleaned it out once with the hose for at least an hour; shaking it up, and running water through it to push the rust particles out.

I recently had to take apart the fuel filter and pump and clean it because more rust chips got into the assembly, clogging, and restricting fuel flow.

This causes my bike to sputter at higher rpms and it doesn't run right. Other than that, I love my SV650 so much compared to the Yamaha FZ6.

Enjoy the ride.