08 650 Strange Background..

Do they have a key for it?

Yes


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If the seller has any proof/paperwork from the towing co. or a police report then it is pretty low risk. One issue for a salvage title is that you probably can't get comprehensive insurance, liability only but that varies by state, but who cares for a ~15yo bike.

Also, a salvage title will impact the resell value and many potential buyers won't even look at it even if it has a "story". TBH these Gen1 bikes are selling around $2-$3K anyway so it can't go much lower than that and if it runs well and you have evidence it was abandoned not wrecked I think it would still sell.

Yeah with a salvage title, probably $1,200 -$1,500 depending on condition. Don't overpay for it even though bike may be solid.

A good deal is always a good deal. Hope it works out for you.

If it was abandoned, how did they get a key?

Not sure they might have gotten it from Suzuki.


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I suggest that you remember to test that the ignition key to works on all three of the locks on the bike, aka ignition switch, fuel cap and saddle release.
I can't help wonder as to the reason behind the bike being abandoned in the first place.... Stranger things happen all the time. I for one wouldn't want to find out the hard way that a bank or a loans company holds the title to the bike, etc.
As far as I know, on this side of the world, a police clearance certificate basically confirms that the bike has not been reported stolen, but a police clearance doesn't safe guard any buyer if the bike was previously put up as security to make a loan or if any other outstanding debt on the bike, etc.
Best to cover all the bases to protect yourself.

Nice immaculate and original bike with added main stand and hand guards. You have to wonder why the owner would abandon it.

Meh, things happen. Owner moved away suddenly (happens often with military folks), went to jail, died, divorced, etc etc etc.

We were looking for a new Mazda 3 for my wife with the manual and the base model. They were pretty rare. Most were the fancier trim edition/model and another 2 grand.
Then the sales person called us and said they had one just like we wanted. A guy had ordered it special in that configuration. Literally on the way to pick it up and do the paperwork, he was in a car accident and broke both legs. He decided he had too much on his plate for the next year and it was suddenly available.

The bike looks great. Bummer about the tank rust. Do a search on tank rust to see what is involved, it gets complicated and an endless battle if the rust is bad enough. I'd consider a tank swap. Always park the bike with a full tank to avoid rust issues.

I had a 2014 Wee that sat for a few years and had mild rust and it took me over a year to get resolved. I pulled and rinsed the tank a number of times, went through three inlet filters and one high pressure filter before I finally got it under control. That will get very expensive if you don't DIY.

Good looking bike. I would change the fluids, check the air pressure, fill it with gas, and start riding. And then immediately remember that the windscreen needs replacing, it needs a new seat, fork brace, lowered pegs, and mirror extenders.

Seriously though, it's a great find. Should last for several hundred thousand more miles.

Just finished removing the tank and emptying the fuel it’s pretty ugly in there. Taking to a radiator shop now where they will clean it out and line it. Shouldn’t be a problem ever again.


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YukonC said:

Just finished removing the tank and emptying the fuel it’s pretty ugly in there. Taking to a radiator shop now where they will clean it out and line it. Shouldn’t be a problem ever again.


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Click to expand...

Inspect the line which runs inside the tank, (for the overflow). If that tube has rusted through you will have a mystery fuel leak.

Nice clean looking 08, my black 08 says "Hi" back. Hope you can get the rust under control.

dmfdmf said:

The bike looks great. Bummer about the tank rust. Do a search on tank rust to see what is involved, it gets complicated and an endless battle if the rust is bad enough. I'd consider a tank swap. Always park the bike with a full tank to avoid rust issues.

I had a 2014 Wee that sat for a few years and had mild rust and it took me over a year to get resolved. I pulled and rinsed the tank a number of times, went through three inlet filters and one high pressure filter before I finally got it under control. That will get very expensive if you don't DIY.

Click to expand...

I would get the tank boiled out, then clean it with phosphoric acid. Let it dry and use Master Series Silver as directed.