I may be about to buy a 2000 ds 650 and I was wondering what to look for? Anything that is known to go wrong with these? I was also wondering how fast they really are?

 

ds tips

 

thanks that link helps alot.

 

check the swingarm bushings if there is side to side play these are 56 dollars, i thought mine were bad and baught some stupid me the swingarm bolt was just loose, check the upper and lower front ball joints 90.00 a peice if they have not been greased again not a weak item just need to grease, check if the steering stem is bent, look down the stem and you will see were it passes through a tunnel in the tank cover turn the handle bars side to side while looking and see it the stem gets close to the plastic on either side indicating it is bent, squat down facing lugnuts on the front tires and grab the top of the tire and pull towards you and push away from you to see if you have any play, if you do then look at the upper and lower ball joints to see if the play is there or the inner a arm mounts were they mount to the frame there is bushings there like maybe 20 dollars a side once again if the guy has greased it everything should be ok, look at the bearing on the bottom of your steering stem to see if it is bad it is 12.00, take a 12 volt continuity test light with you and disconnect the negative battery post and clip the alligator clip on the battery cable and touch the tester to the negative post and with the ignition off and lights and everything off it should not light up if it does then you have a short in your wiring somewhere, there is a few more but i have posted way to much already i just dont want you to get screwed these are really good machines bullet proof, ask the guy what kind of oil he has in it and ask him if you can take 2 or 3 quarts with and pull the drain plug on the bottom of the motor and check for metal shavings on the magnet either silver or brass, brass means rod or crank bearings i beleive, the torque on the drain plug is 30 ft lbs, Guys hate when i go look t something for sale I pick it apart trying not to get screwed, let us know how it turns out, ask him when the last time was he had the valves checked?front wheel bearings are cheap no big deal , I am just trying to think of any other spending things that he might be trying to get past you, good luck brother

 

what did you find out walker? did you get her?

 

yes? no? maybe so? lol

 

lol !
I just took that test on mine, jackass!
Then I realized you forgot to add "try to start it up" [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-happy.gif[/img]
That is a great test, though
If it runs, and you are allowed to ride it, see if it shifts smooth or slams. See if the clutch slips, going slow in a higher gear and then giving it throttle. See if it goes straight when you let off the throttle.
$10 says if there are little dimples on either side of the tank and cover, shes been on her back!
Stand 15' away from both front and rear, checking for straightness.
Is it piped? Any aftermarket anythings?
It is a real solid machine that was made well. Parts and oil are expensive and sometimes hard to come by. But more and more companies are making things for them.
How fast do you want to go = how much money you want to spend.
Other than that, they will do a little over 70mph in a straight line.
But what fun is that?

 

Yeah, I got it. It is going to be about two weeks before I really get a chance to ride though (vacation, with the family).

 

Cool!
Just don't let the kids ride it!