howdy...well my ? is..i have a chance to buy a 89 katana 750 for 1,000...it has 16,000 miles and is in great shape..it's not runing..it will back fire threw the carbs..i think theres water in the gas and the carbs need to be cleaned?....but i was told to stay away from katana's and that its not worth 1,000...do y'all think its worth it?

First and foremost, I am not sure if a Katana would make a good first bike. In fact, it's probably a poor choice at best. Take a look-see through the stickied thread in this forum that talks about beginner bikes, lots of good information in there.

As for backfiring through the carbs, that says timing/ignition problem, to me. It's sparking and the flame is going through the intake ports, putting all kinds of pressure on the carbs. This means you'll probably have to pull the carbs and rebuild them, if they're still salvagable.

For $1000, I'd pass on it. You could probably easily sink another grand into it, not including labor. Keep looking, you'll find a better deal.

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Practicing the dark and forgotten art of using turn signals since '98.

well its not really my first bike...just my first str. bike.....iv bean riding dirt bikes and other peoples bikes since i was like 8...my dad knows the kid and if theres to much wrong with the bike he said we can bring it back to him..we know him well so we trust him...i dont think that its timing or anything because it ran last fall this was the first time he tried to start it this year?

Even as a first street bike its not the best start. Its top heavy and not great riding in my opinion. Its always a chance when buying a bike that isnt running. I'd see if you could get it for less. I might consider it if it was $600 and if everything else didnt need work or need tires maybe $800 at the most.

redneck..dont buy a pig in a poke.

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dr bob

It could also be a slipped cam chain, or tight intake valves...chain is pretty involved to fix, especially for $1000 pricetag. Valve adjustment would be pretty simple, but who knows if there's a bent valve? Kindof a "crumb" shoot imho. I'd Pass....

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Ride safe...God bless!
-Ron