[Mike in Oz]

G'day guys,

I'm looking at getting a used classic 500 from a mate, its a 2013 model and has 99600 kms on the clock.

Yes you read that right it 4k short of a 100k.

Now this will be my first enfield so have at it internet, what should I look out for in the way of potential dramas!

[wildbill]

id play this one smart.....what price are we taking here $1000 max if more forget it!
that bike will cost you long term ...lets say bigger $$$ down the track
I actually know a guy selling a pegasus if your in the position fund wise to do the deal...just barely 200 klm on the clock
it will last you for many years rather than look at what your thinking of now which could end in many tears.....
just a thought...what if its one of my old bikes.....there out there everywhere...LOL

[Mike in Oz]

id play this one smart.....what price are we taking here $1000 max if more forget it!
that bike will cost you long term ...lets say bigger $$$ down the track
I actually know a guy selling a pegasus if your in the position fund wise to do the deal...just barely 200 klm on the clock
it will last you for many years rather than look at what your thinking of now which could end in many tears.....
just a thought...what if its one of my old bikes.....there out there everywhere...LOL

Hey buddy,

I'm willing to spend $1000 AUD on the purchase (subject to tyre kicking and test ride) but I just want a cheap runaround and this bike apparently is rock solid.

A pegasus would be amazeballs but I'm 99% sure I can't afford it unless you have a brain snap and literally give it away! 

[wildbill]

well if you can get it pretty cheap you might as well take the risk and see what happens.
either way once you start riding it I am sure you will have a bit of fun.
that Pegasus is serious $$$ so it looks like that unit is out of the question.
should you go ahead your best move is run say 100 pages back through these threads and look into 013 plated bike issues -that way you are partly prepared for the unexpected.

[GlennF]

That is a lot of km for a 500cc single.

The viability of  the bike will depend on a lot of factors including whether the engine is original or rebuilt and whether you are able to do basic maintenance (chain, oil change, fork oil air filters etc) yourself or will be relying on a dealer.

[gizzo]

I'd jump on it.  If it was going to break down it would have done it by now (my philosophy behind driving a 500,000km commodore) so it's probably bombproof. Just be sure to get it cheap.

[Mike in Oz]

Thanks guys,

I'm pretty happy to be able to do the basic maintenance stuff and to be honest I quite like that sort of thing.

Gizzo has the right of it I think, if it was going to kark it, I think it would have done so already....

I'll update more after I get a look at it.

[Bilgemaster]

All I'll say is that it sounds MUCH better in American English: a five year old bike with about 60,000 miles for 700 bucks.

That's close to "Parts Bike" money around here. If it runs and stops and shifts...

[mattsz]

As long as you understand and accept that "2013 classic 500" and "rock solid" aren't often written together... but Bilgemaster has added some useful (I think) perspective...

[Stanley]

I paid $1700 for my barely running Bullet and it's become a truly pleasant exasperation.
$700 is close to free!

[wildbill]

see how you go on the inspection. if you decide it's not for you and the seller is in NSW just tell him I will buy the bike sight unseen and have some-one call and collect.
I could then for just plain curiosity sakes do a shoot out comparison 2018 model with 1000 miles against a 2013 with 60,000

[Mike in Oz]

lol thanks for the input guys, I will be duly cautious and expect a ongoing fixer upper project.

The seller is in WA so I think I'll grab it and just see what happens.

I'll post some pics of the saga as it unfolds, I'm just hoping its not a rusted lump of crap after six months under a tarp! 

[Bilgemaster]

A little surface rust just gives it "vintage character," and the worst of it should polish right out. Just change all its fluids and filter to put it on notice that a kinder gentler new master's at the helm, and enjoy that beast. Most all of my rides have been "rescue dogs", and I've seldom been disappointed. Best of luck go with you, and yes, let's see some before and after pics, yeah?

[wildbill]

price is good especially if local. no good for any-one interstate as the transport cost and re- rego would sour up a great deal on a cheap bike.
you are in the right place at the right time.

[gizzo]

too right, Bill. Bike prices are usually less in WA, i guess it's the transport cost and small pool of local buyers keeps the cost down. A mate bought a SV1000 from Bunbury (I think )  a few years ago for an absolute steal but ended up costing over a grand to have it delivered to Adelaide. First transport Bunbury-Perth then Perth-ADL + extra for spares.