I bought this:
...1982 Suzuki GS1100L for $350. Finished fixing it up, rode it a bit, botched a clutch job, and finally it had so many issues it wouldn't even run anymore.
I traded this non-running bike, with full disclosure about all of its issues, plus $400, for this:
...1982 Honda Silverwing GL500 Interstate, in perfect working order aside from a broken tach cable - and he included an uninstalled replacement with it. I've done long weekend tours on this bike (after adding a set of factory hard bags from eBay). This bike climbed Mt. Washington. I could probably sell it for $1500, and the $400 I spent on it plus the $350 I spent on the GS1100L equal half that.
So yes, I'd say it can work. 
