New Guy
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 7,495
Likes: 3,705
From: Santa Klaus County, Cali
Don't know a great deal about the newer Sportys. Looks like he has added some chrome parts. The independent drag pipe means a whole lot of noise and scraping the $hit out of the front pipe on anything but slow wide turns. Right side of front hub by the bottom of the slider tube..is that grease or rust? If it is rust ya gotta wonder the last time the seals and bearing were greased. Looks like he put on an over-long front brake line. That is Mickey Mouse IMO. How many miles on the tires. If they are worn down that is about 300-400 hundred in rubber right out of the box.
First and foremost...clean an clear title, does title match frame and motor.
What year, how many miles on the motor and tranny. Service records.
You go to look at it, tell him you want to see a cold start, After it is running and warmen up, have him shut it down and heave him pull both plugs so that you can take a look at them.
Any bikes I have owned and sold, I do not allow test drives. I will drive it around for you and you can follow me or parallel me on whatever you are riding/driving. There are a great many opinions on this (to allow test drives...or not) and all have valid talking points. It is personal preference IMO.
Big thing is take your time, examine the bike closely (sometimes paint and chrome are only 10-footers). Looks at the overall condition. Does it look likie the owner takes care of it? Any oil leaks? When it is running is it spitting through the carb or does it idle smoothly.
First and foremost...clean an clear title, does title match frame and motor.
What year, how many miles on the motor and tranny. Service records.
You go to look at it, tell him you want to see a cold start, After it is running and warmen up, have him shut it down and heave him pull both plugs so that you can take a look at them.
Any bikes I have owned and sold, I do not allow test drives. I will drive it around for you and you can follow me or parallel me on whatever you are riding/driving. There are a great many opinions on this (to allow test drives...or not) and all have valid talking points. It is personal preference IMO.
Big thing is take your time, examine the bike closely (sometimes paint and chrome are only 10-footers). Looks at the overall condition. Does it look likie the owner takes care of it? Any oil leaks? When it is running is it spitting through the carb or does it idle smoothly.
Road Warrior
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 1,979
Likes: 2
From: Northern Colorado
Less than 10,000 miles on a 23 year old bike? That's like 400 miles a year! You know the old saying "moss don't grow on a rolling stone"... well that stone ain't been a rollin' haha! Internal corrosion and rotted hoses would be my biggest concerns. Better hope the previous owner(s) kept it well maintenanced, 'cause they sure as hell weren't riding it! JMO
I bought an 84 Roadster with less than 9000 miles on it just last summer. The only thing I need to replace is the tires. And even those weren't that bad. As much as I love it....I am already itching for something bigger! Just keep an eye open for leaks, oil messes, and buildup. Tire rot, chain tension, rust in tank, brakes surgeing under load. If you have any mechanical ability, youtube and a shop manual will be your best friend!
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Joined: Mar 2010
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From: Washington
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Tourer
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 328
Likes: 2
From: IBEW Local 94
The owner him/her self should be able and willing to tell you exactly what the condition of the bike is and what it needs. Be very cautious with anyone who tells you an older bike is in good shape and needs nothing. The thing would look like a mint, pristine show bike if that were actually the truth.
All older bikes need some sort of work somewhere, guaranteed. Sometimes it's small/minor, something that can wait and/or is just preference, and sometimes it's something vital that just has to be done. But there is always something and an honest owner should be able to rattle off a list of exactly what those things are when you ask. I would walk away from any bike and anyone who doesn't provide that info, as the odds are pretty damn good they're hiding something.
Obviously, you're not looking at a "needs nothing" bike. The price alone refelcts that. Aside from what appears to be rust on the hub of the front wheel, the triple tree also seems to be badly weathered. Though I can't tell from the picture, I'd be willing to bet there's a lot more on that bike that's also a little rusted and weathered too. That doesn't mean the bike is junk and you should avoid it, but you're certainy going to want to confirm for yourself that it starts, runs, shifts smoothy, etc. and you're going to want to make sure the owner is honest with what the needs of the bike are. If you feel like you're not getting that vibe from the seller, then this is definitely one you're going to want to walk away from.
All older bikes need some sort of work somewhere, guaranteed. Sometimes it's small/minor, something that can wait and/or is just preference, and sometimes it's something vital that just has to be done. But there is always something and an honest owner should be able to rattle off a list of exactly what those things are when you ask. I would walk away from any bike and anyone who doesn't provide that info, as the odds are pretty damn good they're hiding something.
Obviously, you're not looking at a "needs nothing" bike. The price alone refelcts that. Aside from what appears to be rust on the hub of the front wheel, the triple tree also seems to be badly weathered. Though I can't tell from the picture, I'd be willing to bet there's a lot more on that bike that's also a little rusted and weathered too. That doesn't mean the bike is junk and you should avoid it, but you're certainy going to want to confirm for yourself that it starts, runs, shifts smoothy, etc. and you're going to want to make sure the owner is honest with what the needs of the bike are. If you feel like you're not getting that vibe from the seller, then this is definitely one you're going to want to walk away from.
Road Master
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 916
Likes: 12
From: NoVA
Ratbike brings up something that I really wonder about. The lower triple tree looks rusted. I've never seen one like that. Maybe some minor scratches by a fork lock, but that's it.
So, given where your from, any chance that bike saw Katrina from the bottom of the flood? That would put a damper on mileage too.
So, given where your from, any chance that bike saw Katrina from the bottom of the flood? That would put a damper on mileage too.