What to look for in a 500

[JustinSB]

So I am hoping to pick up a '99 500 at the end of the month. It was raced by a buddy of mine a few years ago, then it sat in his garage for a few years. I took it out recently and loved the power. What should I look for before I buy it?

Also, after I rode it, it started to make some weird clutch noises. It made a clicking sound like a playing card was stuck in the front wheel. And the chain would be slack then jump like it was receiving power, then fall slack, then jump, then slack. Any ideas what this could be?

Thanks

[DoldGuy]

Justin,
I would assume the bike had fresh fuel?? if had been sitting that long. The noise could be Detonation you are hearing. The chain slack mentioned sounds like it could be an engagement dog on one of the tranny gears. Does this happen when you gently roll on the throttle (very small torque load on the tranny) & does it happen in all of the gears?

[KXcam22]

I would complain like heck about having to fix the trans...then buy it cheap and ride. Cam.

[KX500freak]

if a chain is not maintained for years ,it could become rusty,checked that ?
cuss if so ,the chain tends to jump like you mention here too ,
its because of rust 

goodluck on the buy