Dilemma about selling my 1999 VMax with 5,000 miles on it.

[retrosdad]

You can send pictures to [email protected]

Give me a little time on the photos. I have to get some garage junk out of the photo in order for bike to look it’s best

 

[Fire-medic]

If you want to have multiple potential customers, add your location below your screen name.

 

[retrosdad]

If you want to have multiple potential customers, add your location below your screen name.

Ok I will try to figure out how to do that. Thanks

 

[retrosdad]

Hi all, I have a dilemma about wanting to sell my 1999 Yamaha Vmax with a total of about 5,000 miles on it. I'm the second owner and I purchased it in Dec. 1999 with 1,500 miles on it. Never wrecked or suffered any problems with it. I'm 81 now and about 5 years ago I had put the bike in storage because I was getting too old to safely ride it. But I loved the VMax and didn't want to part with it. I considered it "garage art." While it was in storage, every week I visited it and rode it around the neighborhood. Until the last time I tried that. Bike would crank fine but would not even attempt to fire up and start. The week before, when I gave it the weekly ride, it had started up and ran fine. After that ride, I parked the bike in the storage unit and did not see it until I went back a week later. Absolutely nothing had been done to the bike from the time I parked it, after a normal and successful ride, and one week later, for some reason it would only crank but not even attempt to start. I didn't have any easy way to trailer it to a mechanic so the bike sat in storage for at least five years without me being responsible and prepping the bike for storage. But now I wish to sell it. I know it need all fluids change and gas tank checked for rust and carbs cleaned out. I always used alcohol free gasoline so that might have helped. So, it looks like this is a common situation. My dilemma is that, to get a decent price for the bike, I must spend time, effort and probably a couple thousand dollars getting the bike back on the road. Just so I can then sell the bike and get my couple of thousand dollar back, and hopefully one or two thousand more. I feel positive there is nothing majorly wrong with the bike and it is probably a minor electrical problem that caused it to refuse to start. Is there any alternative to my dilemma than spending money to make money?

I need to post this so I don’t risk getting a bad reputation here or anywhere else. I believe I implied or said nothing major has been done to the bike. But now I remember that about 13 years ago, I had all four carburetors removed, disassembled, cleaned and replaced on the bike. The reason is that I let the bike sit too long a time leading up to the 2010 carburetor work. We all know what happens when a bike sits too long now days. I had to go about 30-40 miles from my home (Olathe to Leavenworth) to find a motorcycle shop and a professional mechanic who was able to work on a VMax. After that expensive experience, that is why, a few years later when I again put the bike in storage, I attempted to start and ride the bike once a week. I did that until the day I have already described when the bike would not start. I haven’t thought about this event for many years so I’m glad I had a chance to clear this up.

 

[Radioguylogs]

We all appreciate your honesty.

I doubt anybody is going to be disappointed that the carbs were worked on once before, so don't sweat it.

 

[retrosdad]

Well, time to face reality. Quit being Mr. Lazy Guy. From years of observation I knew that trying to get a good price on a motorcycle that will not start was an impossible task. About the only more difficult sale is selling with no title. But it’s going to be a long time before daughters fiancé and I have the time together for us to get the bike road worthy. But I do have a really nice motorcycle lift, plenty of tools and a garage for us to work in this winter.

 

[retrosdad]

Ok I noticed where a member offered a 1985 VMax, not running, for $1,500. So I am going to offer my 1999 VMax, not running, for $2,000. 5,000 miles. Always used ethanol free gas. I bought from original owner in 1999. Had 1,500 miles on it. The rest of my story can be seen at the start of this thread. I am going to get my grandson to show me how to post photos. I live in Olathe Kansas.

 

[retrosdad]

Ok I noticed where a member offered a 1985 VMax, not running, for $1,500. So I am going to offer my 1999 VMax, not running, for $2,000. 5,000 miles. Always used ethanol free gas. I bought from original owner in 1999. Had 1,500 miles on it. The rest of my story can be seen at the start of this thread. I am going to get my grandson to show me how to post photos. I live in Olathe Kansas.

Please notice the gap between mufflers and exhaust pipe. Both sides. Caused by bike wallowing somewhat when being transported in a trailer and tie down straps were somewhat loose.

 

[Dominooch]

Please notice the gap between mufflers and exhaust pipe. Both sides. Caused by bike wallowing somewhat when being transported in a trailer and tie down straps were somewhat loose

Sent you a private message.

 

[Dominooch]

Interested. Sent you a private message.

 

[Fire-medic]

From those pics it sure does look clean.

Say, I don't want to be insulting by this comment, but have you ensured that the kill switch is in the 'run' position?

 

[retrosdad]

From those pics it sure does look clean.

Say, I don't want to be insulting by this comment, but have you ensured that the kill switch is in the 'run' position?

Any sincere offers of advice are always welcome. It has been a number of years but I’m pretty sure I checked the “run” switch. But wouldn’t it be a funny joke on me if that was the problem.

 

[DirtieGirtie]

That's a minty bike. If you were in the Massachusetts area I would snap that up for the full $2k in a heart beat. Really, if I saw it on Facebook marketplace I've been know to offer $100 over asking to make sure I get it and the seller gets the enjoyment of telling the people that offer them $1,000 or $1,500 "in cash today!" to go pound sand.

The lift and other tools you mentioned should be sold separate. Probably make another $200 - $300.

 

[Fire-medic]

It's a bit-more than an hour's drive for each of you, to meet in the middle, between Olathe and Derby KS, the other would be Sean Morley, to get off that bike. Try [email protected]

Maybe not in the middle of the bad weather in the country, but sometime when things are less of a risk travel-wise.

 

[tonyv169]

I can come by today, I live in Olathe as well, let me know. Would love to see it

 

[retrosdad]

Deal went through. Sold

 

[xoker]

Well...that was certainly quick after the initial lull; I love it when a plan comes together!

 

[vmoa4239]

Damn I live outside Lawrence and have the exact same 99 Vmax with 64K rode it last week, would have been a good vmax twin brother to mine to have. Although my Vmax rides 4 miles of gravel to hit pavement the last 20 years... Looks like something from madmax most of the time. And its had some of Sean's Morley Muscle upgrades and is full time boost. Also dynod in Topeka 10 or more years ago we did a Vmax dyno days pulled a 128 or 132 HP as I recall looking like a madmax dirty machine amongst all the clean city bikes it beat all but a few on the dyno - Also great Vmax mechanic in Lawrence I have used for decades - Tim Wolf's Motor Care in Lawrence.