Buying problems

They say buying used is buying someone elses problems. To this date, it has been 100% true. Every used motorcycle Ive bought has been littered with various problems of neglect, abuse and other hidden surprises. Sometimes the deals seem worth it, usually not in my case. A poorly written craigslist ad that essentially read "bike in a box". The price was almost the value of scrap metal. Sure enough it was a bike in a box. The story was told about the issue and at the time I didnt care, it was that cheap. I love putting things together, winter was setting in so why not. 

My kind of puzzle!

A nice paperweight. 

The reality sets in. The backstory was clearly a lie. Stripped and rounded fasteners everywhere. Liquid gasket slathered around. Okay Ill finish the rest of it instead. 

Without the engine, the rolling chassis has a value. I really hoped to get it running just as an accomplishment. If the backstory was true, I probably could have. 

Well nevermind. Broken metal and shavings everywhere. I lost my patience and unloaded it for cheap. It was fun putting the rest of it back together but I think I am done buying used without a very intense inspection. After having gone through the problems with so many different bikes I have a keen eye for such, its now more of a matter of being patient and not buying a bike just because I want it. Perhaps another revelation of age.