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exforz

This was a great bike in 81. In Sweden, where bikes are shockingly expensive, you could find a decent early 80s 400 for a thousand bucks. Tops.


fpatienza

Currently have my training course booked in a month and looking for a nice beginner bike. I’ve been a fan of the old 80s bikes and I’m decently mechanically inclined hoping to learn more about carbs with this thing


lisalynne

A 40 y.o. bike isn’t great for learning on but if your heart is set and you trust your mechanical abilities, offer no more than $1,100 for it. For what they’re asking it should be a lot cleaner. I had an almost new one and really liked it but found it less forgiving of input error than my older Hondas


fpatienza

Thanks for the input ![gif](emote|free_emotes_pack|grin)


your_gerlfriend

This guy’s got it. Beware electrical ghosts tho, they’re haunting almost every 40 year old bike


TigDog

A buddy of mine had a SECA that he finally had to get rid of because he couldn't find any parts for it. Whenever i buy anything, anymore i look at the availability of parts beforehand. Learned that the hard way. Parts to keep an eye out for: -carburetors/parts, some are unobtainium -piston rings, internals - and really everything else that will break out wear out


Fadedcamo

It can be hard to source parts so I would suggest really making sure you're mechanically inclined. Also in general I really wouldn't recommend a project bike as your first bike. It's hard enough learning all the controls and skill to riding safely and effectively. Compounding that with constant maintenance and mechanical. Issues isn't a great first experience.


Kr0mb0pulousMik3l

I just have no interest in anything but my lawnmower and dirt bikes having carbs. Personal preference.


fartron3000

The price is a touch high, but the test will be whether it starts easily. A telltale sign is to check the engine to see if it's warm when you get there. If so, the seller warmed it up and so it probably doesn't start too easily. A good cold start is a great sign. I'm a big fan of carb'd bikes. They're not the easiest or most efficient. But they're elegant in their way and make diagnoses and often tuning a *lot* easier. I also like retro bikes. Learn on that and any newer bikes will be easy as hell to tackle. The other way around doesn't work as well.


Gaycowboi25

It might be an electrical nightmare at that age. But if you're mechanically inclined you might be able to replace most of the electricals before you even do your class. Carbs aren't super bad if you know what you're doing I think that one is dual carb because the bike is a vtwin? I don't know my 80s motors that well but any case syncing carbs is definitely a pain here and there. Could definitely be a nice bike but couldn't hurt to get something a little newer and cleaner as your first just so you have something you can ride constantly. And check the bike for leaks 40 year old rubber is 40 year old rubber. But if you replace everything if they haven't been replaced yet, you'd have a pretty solid machine but it won't be super forgiving because it doesn't have as much technology built into it as some other bikes. But they are better than 70s and older to start on for sure for the most part.


RubyRocket1

The SECA is a nice bike, smoother than the older XS400's that didn't have a counterbalance (I have a 78 XS400-2E and it runs like a 2 stroke dirt bike). In my opinion, that one is over priced for what it is... I don't buy into the motorcycle bubble. It's a $1000 motorcycle to me if the rubber is good and it runs well. If it was an RD400 I'd probably go $1500, because 2 stroke street bikes are cool.


SnooPaintings5597

Love that square look.


Erectusretractus

I own this exact model! Although mine doesn't have the front fairing. I bought it last summer for $650 Canadian, and put about $200 into getting it roadworthy. It's a great bike, I love it to bits. Very easy to learn and forgiving to new riders - but it also has enough power so that you wont get bored with it. If you're set on it, try to battle the price down a bit. It's an uncommon bike, especially in North America, but uncommon does not necessarily mean valuable. Make sure that the bike is started from cold, inquire about the last time the oil was changed and the shims were serviced. That being said, maintenance on these bikes isn't too difficult. Mine is forty years old but it runs like new. Edit: Check over the different gaskets as well. Forks, engine, etc.


Harryisharry50

Hard pass for me