A. Twin but no history

[olionel]

Hello;

I know it is impossible to tell without seeing (which I will Friday I think), but I found an Africa Twin with 12k miles on it, but it has no service history... should I stay away ?

It is on sale at a car garage and the guy on the phone said he doesn't know much about bikes but it has passed its MOT recently (doesnt mean much these days as I watched a Fazer with an illegal exhaust and no lower beam pass an MOT recently).
I think I will get at least an HPI on it to see if its all legal etc and haggle the price down a bit more.

I know the post is a bit pointless but what are peoples views on service historyless bikes?

I mean the A. Twins run for 150k+ miles when looked after... at 12k it's barely starting to age... its a 2001 model... I guess I can question the guy on how he got it (probably a PX) and obviously look at it carefully when I go to see it for real...
____________________
1989 CG125 - Childhood Sweetheart (she got kidnapped by baddies)
1998 ZXR400 - Teenage Love (lasted three years, then she turned lesbian and left me)
2001 XRV750 - Wife Material (still getting to know her but head over heels in love)

[chris-red]

Just look it it you sould be able to see if a bike has done 12k there should be very little corrosion. Ally parts are where you can normally tell they shouldn't be furry.
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Well, you know what they say. If you want to save the world, you have to push a few old ladies down the stairs.
Skudd:- Perhaps she just thinks you are a window licker and is being nice just in case she becomes another Jill Dando.
WANTED:- Fujinon (Fuji) M42 (Screw on) lenses, let me know if you have anything.

[deleted111]

Give it a good look over and if you're not satisfied, walk away and don't be tempted just because it's there.

I made the mistake of buying a bike because it was close to me and luckily I didn't get screwed over.

It's my current CG, I didn't see it prior to it being dropped off at my house, no service history, no tax or mot, no past mot certificates, f*ck all with it apart from the V5 but HPI'd it and it's all good.

Just because it's got no service history I wouldn't dismiss it fella, give it a good look over as has been said, and decide then.

A lot of people do their own servicing and if it's 2001 with only 12k otc it's probably been well looked after, or ragged to f*ck with minimal servicing, either of these will become apparent upon viewing.

Got nothing to lose mate, if it's dodgy, don't buy it and you're no worse off

Cheers,

Steve.

[swiftb]

Cant you check all the mot history online these days or something?? Pretty certain you can, need some info of the logbook and the current mot i think.

[deleted111]

[Skudd]

I wish I hadn't given away my spare Africa Twin.
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Petty Anarchists look at "1984".............. The Visionary looks at "Animal Farm".

[olionel]

[yen_powell]

Go to XRV.ORG and ask if it belonged to anyone there, good chance it did and they may be able to tell you the history.

Things to check in person not by asking.

Ask them to remove the front sprocket cover so you can check the front output shaft, especially if it has been dealer serviced, they adjust the chain too tightly. Walk away if they won't let you or if it has side to side play, it's the most expensive thing that can be wrong with the bike, nigh on 1500 quid to repair if you use a Honda dealer.

Start it, let it warm up (the needle doesn't move hardly at all don't panic) and see if it ticks over smoothly. If it hunts the chokes are sticking.

Whilst it's ticking over, turn the lights on. Stand so you can see the headlights and ask someone to rev the engine up to 2,000 rpm and back again a few times. the headlights should brighten and err unbrighten. This will indicate that the regulator is okay.
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XT1200Z and a DR350 in bits

[olionel]

thanks for that yen_powell.

I did an HPI and an MOT history check on it, after I rung the guy.

He said it was a stolen recovery.
HPI and also I checked on another site and it has never been reported stolen but it is infact a category D writeoff. Either the car garage guy has been lied to or is lying to me. The chassis number etc all matches up to what he told me though. A Cat D writeoff isnt going to be a cracked frame or anything is it? Although I may have insurance and claiming problems in the future.

The MOT history showes consistent mileage increase over the years and 2008 it stops around 11k. I rung the garage who gave its MOTs 2005 onwards and they dont keep service history, which is a bummer. He was quite helpful anyways.

HPI also showed a mileage discrepancy but it more looks like a DVLA monkeys fault.

27 July 2007 it was recorded as 1000miles (but previoius MOTs show different)
01 August 2007 10000miles and in between there is an MOT, mileage recorded as 10k something something.


I am going to give the guy a ring and tell him the info and let him explain or I might ring the salvage people who re-registered it in April 2010.

It all feels fishy but I am strangely drawn to its 12k miles (if genuine). I'll update when I gather more info...
____________________
1989 CG125 - Childhood Sweetheart (she got kidnapped by baddies)
1998 ZXR400 - Teenage Love (lasted three years, then she turned lesbian and left me)
2001 XRV750 - Wife Material (still getting to know her but head over heels in love)

[swiftb]

Sounds a tad dodgy that mate. Look for another one I say