*UPDATE* Got it running! - First 450 - AMA sticker on frame?

DerickYZ
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2/26/2019 7:00pm Edited Date/Time 3/6/2019 9:46pm
After weeks of looking at 05 YZ125's in my area being listed for $2800+, I decided to go a different route. I got on Craigslist this morning and found a 2009 RMZ450 for $1700. After texting the owner and getting more pictures, I decided to hop on the highway for 30 minutes to check it out. Met the owner there, was shown the bike and immediately knew it wasn't taken care of the best. The bike didn't start. Owner says its an electrical problem (I will find out Monday as that is my next day to really tear into the bike to see what's going on).

However, after looking over the bike I noticed an AMA Pro Racing red sticker on it. After inspection the bike doesn't start, has a blown shock, some missing bolts and just needs a good wash.

Talked him down, I got it for $800. Loaded it up and off I went. The kid needed money for a car, so I guess it works out Tongue

This is my first 450 ever. I never rebuilt a four stroke either (done many two strokes, whole motor overhauls, etc). I am confident I'll be fine with proper organization and patience. Here is my gem, well, going to be at least. I apologize with the messy garage, it's been hectic recently. Pinch



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MOTO732
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2/27/2019 12:41pm Edited Date/Time 2/27/2019 12:42pm
Boy...I would have walked. Actually, I would have ran away from this deal. $800 is dirt cheap for a 450 if you can use it for parts etc. $800 for a 10 year old 450 that doesn't run for unknown reasons and you expect to actually ride it...IDK. Then add the AMA pro sticker and you literally have no clue what lies inside this thing engine wise.
5
SEEMEFIRST
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2/27/2019 12:42pm
Well at least it passed an AMA tech inspection at some point.

The Shop

mattyhamz2
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2/27/2019 12:46pm
MOTO732 wrote:
Boy...I would have walked. Actually, I would have ran away from this deal. $800 is dirt cheap for a 450 if you can use it for...
Boy...I would have walked. Actually, I would have ran away from this deal. $800 is dirt cheap for a 450 if you can use it for parts etc. $800 for a 10 year old 450 that doesn't run for unknown reasons and you expect to actually ride it...IDK. Then add the AMA pro sticker and you literally have no clue what lies inside this thing engine wise.
Worst case scenario he has to do a full rebuild himself. $2500 and a fresh motor later. Bike should get him another 100+ hours.
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mx_563
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2/27/2019 12:50pm
Any idea as to whose bike it was?
lostboy819
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2/27/2019 12:51pm
This could go either way, if you get into it and its a simple fix or just normal wear parts then you did good but if you crack it open and the motor is blown it could take more in just parts than its worth to rebuild it but you could always sell it for what you paid if its going to be big $$$ . I would have paid $800 for it so I think you did pretty good if its a electrical issue. Cool
5
MOTO732
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2/27/2019 12:56pm
MOTO732 wrote:
Boy...I would have walked. Actually, I would have ran away from this deal. $800 is dirt cheap for a 450 if you can use it for...
Boy...I would have walked. Actually, I would have ran away from this deal. $800 is dirt cheap for a 450 if you can use it for parts etc. $800 for a 10 year old 450 that doesn't run for unknown reasons and you expect to actually ride it...IDK. Then add the AMA pro sticker and you literally have no clue what lies inside this thing engine wise.
mattyhamz2 wrote:
Worst case scenario he has to do a full rebuild himself. $2500 and a fresh motor later. Bike should get him another 100+ hours.
A guy who pays $800 for his first 450 probably isn't going to pop $2,500 for a new engine. I would be curious what happens though.
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Moto520
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2/27/2019 1:10pm
keep us updated
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Sluggo77
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2/27/2019 1:17pm
If he does all his own labor how much would a complete motor rebuild cost?
Forty
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2/27/2019 1:18pm
Let us know how it goes.
mattyhamz2
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2/27/2019 1:19pm Edited Date/Time 2/27/2019 1:20pm
Sluggo77 wrote:
If he does all his own labor how much would a complete motor rebuild cost?
If valves and all are in good shape, $1800-$2300. That's with a new cylinder
2/27/2019 1:22pm
I just sold this 2010 for $2500. 55 hours. I would have kept looking.
Tbteam
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2/27/2019 1:28pm
i think I'd still be looking for a 125.
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just James
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2/27/2019 1:31pm Edited Date/Time 2/27/2019 1:32pm
With a coupon, you can get a fresh motor for $99 at HF. Probably have to fab some mounts though.
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Sluggo77
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2/27/2019 1:31pm
Two things I guess, he is going to learn how to rebuild a 4 stroke motor, and in the process, know exactly what he has and with zero hours on it. Seems like a pretty good scenario to me.
mx_563
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2/27/2019 1:38pm
If the issue is really electrical, then worst case, it need a new ECU right? If all you wanted to do was flip it to some poor sucker, then I think there's a potential profit margin in this endeavor. Key word is potential....it's no doubt a stretch.

I would have bought it because I have the Jay Clarke disease and feel compelled to save any and all neglected dirt bikes that will otherwise never run again.

I've got three basket-case purchases/rebuilds on my resume...
1978 IT175
2001 GasGas300
2001 Husaberg 650 FE

Made negligible profits but had a blast bringing them back to life. There will likely be more.
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DTR830
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2/27/2019 1:55pm
MOTO732 wrote:
Boy...I would have walked. Actually, I would have ran away from this deal. $800 is dirt cheap for a 450 if you can use it for...
Boy...I would have walked. Actually, I would have ran away from this deal. $800 is dirt cheap for a 450 if you can use it for parts etc. $800 for a 10 year old 450 that doesn't run for unknown reasons and you expect to actually ride it...IDK. Then add the AMA pro sticker and you literally have no clue what lies inside this thing engine wise.
mattyhamz2 wrote:
Worst case scenario he has to do a full rebuild himself. $2500 and a fresh motor later. Bike should get him another 100+ hours.
that would mean he paid 3300 for an 08 rmz
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mattyhamz2
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2/27/2019 2:00pm
MOTO732 wrote:
Boy...I would have walked. Actually, I would have ran away from this deal. $800 is dirt cheap for a 450 if you can use it for...
Boy...I would have walked. Actually, I would have ran away from this deal. $800 is dirt cheap for a 450 if you can use it for parts etc. $800 for a 10 year old 450 that doesn't run for unknown reasons and you expect to actually ride it...IDK. Then add the AMA pro sticker and you literally have no clue what lies inside this thing engine wise.
mattyhamz2 wrote:
Worst case scenario he has to do a full rebuild himself. $2500 and a fresh motor later. Bike should get him another 100+ hours.
DTR830 wrote:
that would mean he paid 3300 for an 08 rmz
True, but it will have a fresh motor and he should be good for quite a while.

Better than buying one for $2000 and then dropping $2500 into the motor.
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SEEMEFIRST
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2/27/2019 2:01pm
mx_563 wrote:
If the issue is really electrical, then worst case, it need a new ECU right? If all you wanted to do was flip it to some...
If the issue is really electrical, then worst case, it need a new ECU right? If all you wanted to do was flip it to some poor sucker, then I think there's a potential profit margin in this endeavor. Key word is potential....it's no doubt a stretch.

I would have bought it because I have the Jay Clarke disease and feel compelled to save any and all neglected dirt bikes that will otherwise never run again.

I've got three basket-case purchases/rebuilds on my resume...
1978 IT175
2001 GasGas300
2001 Husaberg 650 FE

Made negligible profits but had a blast bringing them back to life. There will likely be more.
Same here.
I presently have an 89 KX 500 a buddy gave me.
Not sure how I'm going to settle with him if I sell it.

He's a good friend so I'll have to split profits somehow. Even though he'll likely try not to accept it.
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resetjet
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2/27/2019 2:08pm
If
Its too much work you can part that out on ebay for about 2k if you really strip it down.
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MotoMan12345
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2/27/2019 2:09pm
I just sold a 2016 RMZ250 for 3 grand. You may end up spending more then 3k total on this 08 bike. Good luck man
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Jbulz
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2/27/2019 2:23pm
Oof
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tobz
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2/27/2019 3:46pm
Interested to hear how this turns out.

Sorry no one can help with the ama pro racing sticker though.
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resetjet
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2/27/2019 3:49pm
Thats chad reeds bike.
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2/27/2019 4:10pm Edited Date/Time 2/27/2019 4:12pm
OP, if the responses here are giving you a major case of buyers remorse (which, surely it is)- I'm sure you can still list it for over $1000 and end up getting your $800 back (maybe even make $50-100 on top) by selling this "project you bought but realized you don't have time for" to another unsuspecting buyer with good intentions of buying a budget friendly project bike, much like yourself. Hell, put some elbow grease into and clean it up about as good as it will get, remove some of the tacky decals (along with the awful spoke skins), SC1 the plastics, scotch-brite the frame, and consider this a lesson learned.

It probably goes without saying that you can market it "as is" without being misleading or dishonest about what the buyer is really getting. It's the buyers job, as it was yours, to perform proper due diligence on what they might be up against with repair costs.
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erik_94COBRA
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2/27/2019 5:05pm Edited Date/Time 2/27/2019 5:08pm
Could be an easy fix. Could be a basketcase. Hard to say from those pics alone. However, knowing the RMZ is pretty durable, it's probably not a total roach.

If the engine is fuckered, then look no further for a solution:
https://www.vitalmx.com/forums/Moto-Related,20/my-Rmz-200-sx-build,1263…

Edit: This is the one I was actually looking for, but the other thread is fun:
http://www.pitracer.com/threads/51999/
Knobbyjake
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2/27/2019 5:33pm
Don't forget to add in the suspension rework, maybe wheel bearings, brakes, steering stem, etc. which probably all need work if it was taken care like it seems it was. Dizzy
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