Checking a bike over

[Ste]

I askedon IRC easlier wot to look for/ at when checking a bike over before buying it. Kev told me to check tyres (easy), pads (easy, and the sump plug

now, he said this is where the oil comes out. I dont actually have a clue where this is other than under the engine... could someone point me in the right direction as what I am looking at, and what I am looking for, and what I should avoid if I see.

Also, what else are thing to look out for on a bike before buying?

Cheers for any input

[craigT19]

what i check

_____________________________________________________________

body work - for obvious reasons
tryes - again obvious
exhaust - if it has a race can ask for the standard can also (if it doesnt have the standard can why not??? it may have been destroyed during a crash)
coolant color - nice bright coolant means its been changed recently
oil color - look in to the porthole and make shur the oils been changed, again recent survice)
pads etc same as what kev said

ermm stuff like that
____________________
Bikes owned :- 2001 nsr125, 1999 zx6r, 2006 yzf-r1, 2009 xmax 250, 2012 yzf-r1, 2015 MT-07
Current bike : - 2016 MT-10
BCF member pops. sadly missed 1945-2003

[WildGoose]

those lovely things known at chains and sprockets, good indication of whether its been cared for
____________________
So in other words, he stopped you for being flagrantly in posession of a motorcycle in direct contravention of the Hippies, Darkies and People Whose Face I Don't Like The Look of (Police Powers) Act. 1976

[M1ke]

check for play in the rear and front wheels (side way movement means bearing has gone)

Also check there is no play in the handle bars (legs either side of front wheel and try and turn handle bars)

also check all electrics (indicators, lights etc)

Look for leaks under the bike (good indication of expensive repairs)

check the forks for signs of corrosion and also make sure they bounce up and down smoothly... look out for leaks around the seals.



When the owner is talking you through everything this is a good oportunity to see how he has cared for the bike... ask him things like 'do you need to warm the bike up etc' if he says no then you can see that the bike will have been thrashed from cold Also when he starts the bike does he over rev it?


thats all i can think of for now

[McJamweasel]

See if the sump plug has been drilled - they have to be lock wired for racing. Check wheel rime - plenty of scratches could point to lots of tire changes which can mean racing. Also, is the bodywork very clean and tidy for the milage/condition of the fram/wheels. If so it could again point to a race bike.

Engine and frame numbers

Thats all I can think of for now.
____________________
BCF: Be yourself, just don't be an arse.

[G]

The sump lug will probably be on the lowest bit underneath the engine. It will be a largish bolt probably with a washer.

A few more bits:
Check rear suspension by bouncing it (with someone else holding the front) .. is it smooth or any 'clicks'?

Check the frame actually 'looks' straight, especially the rear subframe.

Are the foot peg hero blobs excissevily ground off?

Check if the engine is warm before starting... might suggest strating troubles when cold so the owner started it beforehand. And also how long it takes to start, does it restart easily when warm.

... some other stuff... but I gotta go to work

[Demonic69]

Check the Radiator
Chips can be blocked and be expensive to repair if they go.
Ask what spares they have for the bike. More spares generally means more problems.
If the frame's polished check for damage. Look closely at the fairing for plastic-welding.
if anything's non-standard ask why. The guy who bought mine was releived to see I still had the original screen as they can be one of the 1st things to damage in a spill.
As G said, ask them not to start the bike till you get there. If they have already started it leave it to cool while you look around it.
Ask for all receipts for any work done.
Ask what it rides like etc from their pont of view.
____________________
Back on a Blade. Just feels so right.

[Ste]

thanks all, all above points noted. its from a dealer, so I cant talk to the last owner :S

And he insurance company are being bitches, said £30 extra in dec. to take me onto a zx6r TPFT, just rang now to quote again, and they wanted £485, i asked for thier best quote, and they then said £130 extra. bleh

[JimboJ]

just keep ringin round, have u sold the beast yet?
____________________
[00:42] <NSR-Andy> which one's the missionary position
[00:42] <NSR-Andy> i've heard it's good
[9:42pm] <Shaun> you came first mike | <Shaun> yes gav, because I really want to fuck you

[Ste]

i reckon i can get them down to about £80 by telling them ive rung around and had better

And its nearly sold, just waiting on buyer to confirm he has cash in his hand

[McJamweasel]

Check the head bearings - hold the front brake on and rock the bike forwards on the suspension and turn the bars from lock to lock. It should be smooth, with no notches or clunks. (unlike mine ).

And get a test ride - if they wont let you take it out then be tempted to walk away. Also, take someone with you who knows about bikes, that way they might see something that youve missed and you should be less likely to make a mistook.
____________________
BCF: Be yourself, just don't be an arse.

[eon_tal]

A in-depth guide to buying a bike can be found here:

https://www.clarity.net/%7Eadam/buying-bike.html

but make sure you have lots of time if you intend to read it through
____________________
They all know- they tried to control the day!!!
You don't control the day- the man controls the day!
But WE WILL... control the night!

[Deano]

Also, I dont know if anyone has already said this coz I didnt check, but look for play on the chain and sprocket if there is alot of give and you can move the chain on the sprocket then that means you gonna need a new chain and sprocket kit coz its shagged....
____________________
Dean Stone #777
EMRA 2012 final standings, Formula 600s 3rd, Superstock 600s 3rd.
www.triplesevenracing.co.uk: www.ljmotorcyclerepairs.co.uk www.gettaylored.co.uk BN RaceScience, Now officially run out of money to carry on racing

[Robby]

make sure you ask to see the bike cold, so you can check it starts from cold and there no funny rattles or knocks.

[Kickstart]

Hi

Checking the sump plug is to watch out for ex race bikes. Down side is there are odd bikes around that have a drilled sump plug as standard. Early Aprilia AF1 does (the engine is basically the old Rotax motocross engine detuned), but fortunatly this idea is rare.

Check everthing for scrapes, the stranger the better. Try to find the ones they forgot to replace

Check the condition of the tyres, brake pads and chain, as if shagged that is £250~£300 to fix.

Check the wheels havent got loads of chips from tyres being changed (which would be the sign of a race bike, or one doing loads of track days).

Personally I wouldnt buy a bike with a polished frame

Check the rear suspension linkages. Get someone to hold the back end in the air then feel for any play.

Take someone along who is impartial. Then they can stop you being blinded by wanting another bike desperatly

If it has a race can make sure it comes with the original as well, as you will need it for MOTs.

Check the condition of bits like the rubbers on the footrests isnt more worn than you would expect for a bike of its claimed mileage.

All the best

Keith
____________________
Traxpics, track day and racing photographs - Bimota Forum - Bike performance / thrust graphs for choosing gearing

[EuropeanNC30R...]

I'd be suspicious of nice shiny sump plugs too, remember it would only cost someone a few quid to replace a drilled one with a new one. Ideally you want to see a grimey chewed up plug so you know its at least been used

[TJ NSR]

another zx6r loverrrllly


hope its in GREEN




tj

[Ste]

it'll be silver, but if this nsr buyer dont email me back, its not gonna be anything

[Demonic69]

Silver with a mingin can!!
____________________
Back on a Blade. Just feels so right.

[Ste]