i am new to the forum, so would like to start by saying hey. Now, im looking at a 1996 f3 600 with 20,000 miles on it. its got alittle body damage, after market exhaust (forgot brand), and is coming from a bike repair shop, so it has all new fluids, clutch, rear tire. My 1st question is price, he was asking $3000, and we negotiated to $2700. is that a fair price?
2nd question, everything seemed 100% mechanically on the bike, except the little bit of noise it was making, that he said was the cam chain something, that is a common thing to go loose on f3's, and that i could get a billet one for around $60 and he would install it for me for free. is that true, that thats most likely what the noise is? he also said its safe to ride the bike like that, its just going to make alittle bit of noise at idle.

is there anything else in particular i should look for before i buy the bike, like any little quorks or common problems? becuase everything else felt 100% fine, and it rode great.

 

I bought my '96 f3 for 1200. It was a stunt bike so it is rough around the edges but it runs great. But for the negotiated price you mentioned, I could have bought something newer.

 

i think the price is too high. and the problem he mentioned is most likely the cam chain tensioner. common problem. makes a clicking/rattling noise. can purchase a manual one on ebay for around or under $75 i believe.

 

i bought mines for 1000. great condition but was not running. after cleaning the carbs it was perfect.

i think the price is high. you can probably get a newer model for that price. maybe an f4 or f4i in good condition.

 

I bought this bike for $2600 a year and a half ago. It was in this condition, 10.000 miles on it. In this photo, I had just picked it up in Syracuse, NY and rode it to S. FL. I did wash it before I took the photo though. I've got 28K on it now and still going stong. I think you can do better for that money, but you can't go wrong with an F3.

 

the bike has been repainted flat black, and it isnt the best paint job, but not the worst one either. I literally only have 2700 max to spend, and so far this seems to be one of the better deals i've come across in the chicago land area. im kind of just sick of looking for a bike, and this one runs strong and probably has atleast 15000 more miles on it left. i just want to buy something that requires nothing and is ready to ride. maybe ill see if he can throw in a free new cam chain tensioner for that price, because i think hes holding firm as i already got him down from $3000. i just want to get back out there on a bike already.

However, if everyone agrees that i am just getting completly ripped off, i wont get it on friday and i'll figure something else out. the more input the better, thanks guys.

 

If you're not **completely** satisfied with the buy, pass it. There's always another good deal down the road. $2,700 is a bit too much for the condition it's in... You may be able to turn right around and find a great one for $2,200. I know i'm kicking myself now because i spent $600 on a bike and a week later saw a mint condition of the same bike for $900 Live and learn bro.. Good luck!

 

almost happened to me...2 days before i picked up my cbr, i was going to get a rf600r...same year which is a 96...waited it out...and bam! 96 cbr f3...not running but i kinda know how to work on bikes and engines in general...here's a pic of mines....bad flat black paint...but it did come with a vance and hines slip on...

 

bamer02, thats pretty much the exact same black as the one i am looking at. i am completly satisfied and happy with the f3, and like i said ill probably just buy it because i just really want to ride, and it is worth a 2 or 3 hundred to be able to just go get it now and have a strong running cool looking bike.

 

Way too high. I just bought a 96 F3 with 9k (NINE THOUSAND) miles. Body was MINT, needed a new front tire and rear brakes. He threw in brand new plugs and synth oil and filter. He was asking 3k, but it sat for 3 years so it needed carb cleaning and I was able to get him down to 2k. I see them going on Craigslist in worse condition and higher miles for $2000 - $2300