1984 Seca - Should I buy? - Opinion Requested

[brackerman]

Hi all,

I am a beginner rider looking to purchase my first motorcycle. I was browsing Facebook for something on the cheaper and smaller side that I could hone my skills on and enjoy. I have already taken the basic rider's course and I have my license, just need the machine now.

I found a listing for a 1984 Yamaha Seca 400 at $600. It allegedly runs, has 20,478 miles, and has a clean title.
After speaking more with the seller, I was informed that the last time someone rode it was in 2020. The seller told me than they essentially bought it, put it into climate controlled storage, and then didn't get the opportunity to ride it ever and now is just trying to make their money back on it.

I am curious on your thoughts on the bike and whether you think it could be a good purchase.
If you have any thoughts on it, I would also appreciate things to look out for if/when I go look at it.

Also I read another post from someone picking up a similar bike and they mentioned resale value, but I don't really care about reselling it and really only care about the possibility of getting it to ride safely and somewhat smoothly to ride regularly.

 

[tstidham]

The 400s are great beginners bikes and just great bikes all around. I used to ride in my late teens to early 20s 40 years ago and decided to get back in it and bought my 78 xs400 four plus years ago and I'm still riding it. But then I always prefer the smaller displacement bikes myself. I've never had anything bigger than a 700cc.

 

[Travis]

A running bike with a title for $600? Buy it. Check the date on the tires and look for dry rot.

 

[GuyS]

Check the tires like Travis suggests. They will have a date stamp on them as well (it’s a number of 4 digits that gives the month and year of manufacture). If there are cracks or dry rot, don’t take any chances. Replace them.
I just bought a non running 1982 Yamaha Maxim. I am in the process of getting it running.
My thoughts are you should be prepared to do your own work on the bike mechanically. That is primarily being able to take the carbs out and clean/adjust them or deal with other mechanic issues as they arise. My bike is a real oddball being a 12R Maxim version of the bike. So far I’ve been able to find parts but I’ve had to search North America to find them.
The good news is these bikes were made to be repaired and serviced by the owner. Thats possibly less true with more modern bikes. Mine was a barn queen too and suffers from being not regularly run. They need to be! I’m redoing the front brake caliper “as we speak”. There is a huge amount of Youtube videos and information (like this website provides), to help with the process. 400cc is not going to be a screamer but yet has adequate power for hills and highway speeds. That’s all I need. I love the look of the bike.