Need bike advice?

[Greyd]

Ok so....I'm thinking of buying a bike from a guy 1996 Kawasaki Vulcan 500. Went to look at it - small scratches here and there. However, the tank had a dent in it (small and not too bad). The paint is not cracked and the metal isn't creased - but I called around to bike shops and autobody shops and no one says they will fix it. The bike has about 8000 miles on it.

He wants $1800 - looked at kbb and NADA. Prices on kbb seem a little higher than Nada which says the bike goes for about 16-1700.

So here are my questions:

1) I'm worried about the dent - can I just use a dent puller?
2) Hows the price he's asking?

 

[Greyd]

bump

 

[gourmettea]

Not seeing the dent I dont know if it is fixable, however by the time you pay someone to fix the dent and fix it it might be cheaper to buy a new tank. I think the price is negotiable, but that really depends on the other party. Feel him out see how desparate he is to sell. I'd show him the KBB and negotiate from there. You can always slap on a tank bag and cover the sucker or one of those tank protection magnate pads, but i have a feeling the dent is not on top but on the side right?

 

[Greyd]

yeah...left-side corner. Its a small dent....not that deep - hasn't creased the metal or chipped the paint. However, I've called around everywhere and no one will take it out. I also heard that since the metal is not like car body panels, I could actually do more damage trying to pop it out.

 

[MikePanic]

if he has records of service work done to it it sounds like a decent price

 

[cipher00]

Check with a dealer for the price of a new tank. Then decide. FWIW.

 

[gourmettea]

Originally posted by: cipher00
Check with a dealer for the price of a new tank. Then decide. FWIW.

Agreed.....


I've seen some tank fixes before....it was not popping out a dent...i dont know if that's possible...the fixes i've seen is more like patching drywall....they slap this stucco stuff on sand it down and repaint.....