The things we do...lol.
I bought an '03, while I was on crutches, from a friend of a friend.
It wasn't clean but I wanted the bike, the price was fair, and the seller said the swingarm bearings, etc. had been maintained.
Yah, right. I spent the winter hobbling around on one leg going through the whole bike making it perfect (new swingarm bearings, etc.). I disassembled the PV and cleaned it as spotless as the whole bike. I managed to reassemble the PV incorrectly. When all was "complete" I had my buddy start it. 3 seconds later the motor stopped with a "rap" and there was coolant spilling out of my cracked cylinder.
I thought I was going to puke.
I ended up putting $1500 + many hours into a $3000 bike but in the last 2 years I've enjoyed this bike like no other and I'm keeping up with a group of riders that used to have to wait for me.
I probably couldn't sell my bike for 1/2 of what I've spent on it but I already feel I've got my money's worth in enjoyment and I plan to keep it for a long time. My next bike will be another EC300, for sure.
I hope you reap the same pleasure from your time and money.