ex-Bike buying blues.. XD now with pics!

[blade023]

Ok so I was thinking, I'm doing my DAS and I want to have a bike lined up so I can start riding a proper size bike asap. I looked in ads, looked online, and checked ebay. oo, a nice Yamaha xj600, looks in good condition from the pics, description looks good, only 5 bids with a current price of £500 and a couple of days left!

Hmm, calculated risk, so I bid £600 maximum and I'm the high bidder right up until 30 minutes to go. I get outbid with 10 minutes to go, but being a bit shrewd I decide to bid my absolute limit with as little time left as possible, and I get it for £720

'97 reg Yam xj600n: https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/170709901595?ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1439.l2649

The bidding ended at 9:30 pm, so I'm not too surprised when the seller doesn't answer until the following morning when I ask what the best time is to go look at the bike to make sure all is well. Then he hits me with the bad news; it's not running right, oil is leaking from the cylinder head and it sounds like it's dropped a cylinder.

He's taking it to get looked at and will let me know by Monday, but I'm pretty disappointed as I was all geared up to checking it and getting it home to sit on whistfully while waiting for my mod2 test.

Bearing in mind the seller has 100% positive feedback I don't *think* it's some kind of scam, so I'm now waiting to hear if my newly won bike is a bust.

On the other hand I'm having issues trying to organise the transport of it. I have a quote from shiply which works well with ebay, but I was also considering hiring a van and getting my brother to drive it. Hiring seems cheaper, but I can't make sense of the confusing charges they talk about on the thrifty hire website. The distance is about 30 miles, plymouth to near newton abbot (in devon)

So while I'm sitting here wondering what else can go wrong, I started thinking about maybe I should get it checked out by a mechanic before making payment. That is.. if the seller gets back to me and says it's fixed.

Maybe I'm being too negative about it (bad things happen y'know) but years of experience have made me more of a bitter cynic than I realised

Sorry for rambling on here, but I wanted to share it on the off chance someone could offer some insight or whatever.

Thanks y'all.

[Alex_B]

Well, two or three things spring to mind.

It's not reached what he wanted and he wants you to say "pfff, no chance mate" and **both** parties agree to cancel the sale. No bad feedback etc.
He's found a private sale and gets to keep his ebay fees by not selling to you.

Or, it's legit and he really did have all these problems all of a sudden like
Looking at the ad he wanted £700 so it's probably legit and the bike is fubar.

I'd chalk it up to experience and forget it.

You will find another, probably better for the same money.

You didn't pay via paypal yet did you?
____________________
My Lane Position is always AWESOME!!

[Rogerborg]

Walk away, there's plenty of other bikes out there that won't come with a story.
____________________
Biking is 1/20th as dangerous as horse riding.
GONE: HN125-8, LF-250B, GPz 305, GPZ 500S, Burgman 400 // RIDING: F650GS (800 twin), Royal Enfield Bullet Electra 500 AVL, Ninja 250R because racebike

[blade023]

I haven't paid anything for it yet, so far it's just wasted time, which I have plenty of since I don't have the license yet. On the other hand it would be nice for things to go smoothly for once..

Went to look at another bike in Plymouth the other day and that had been dropped the night before I went, loads of things broken on it that would cost about £100 to fix plus the bike itself didn't look that smart; bits of rust on the frame and brake discs, and the rear tyre looked like it was starting to degrade (small cracks in the rim.) No chance I was going for that one.

Saying that, it *seems* genuine (the ad I just mentioned) so I'll wait to see what the guy says about it. Is it really that much of an issue? I know it's a bad sign, but cost wise what's the worst that could happen after it's fixed up? Just so I can get an idea.. What would be the best and worst case scenarios based on what info I've got?

The thing is, I looked through his feedback before I even bid, and that makes me doubt he's trying to pull a fast one. I may even just come straight out and ask him if it had any local interest. Not as likely this time of year, but who knows.

I'll keep searching and find my baby Just need to get this out of the way so if I find something I can bid without worrying about a 'contract' to buy the bike I won.

[McFlufferson]

You could probably get out of that 'contract to buy' already. This is assuming nothing has changed since your last post here.

Fact of the matter is that the bike isn't what was advertised when you won the bid.
____________________
Think that you'll stay loyal to a loving bike? So did I. Only rich men can afford to stay loyal. The poorer of us will whore ourselves out to any two wheeled monstrosity that will take us.

[ninja_butler]

[Marmalade]

https://www.bikechatforums.com/viewtopic.php?t=230091

Does sound like he's trying to get out of the sale.

His address might be found somewhere on the ad or purchase history.

Pop round 6pm one evening and ask to see it so you can decide.

I'd put a quid on it having nothing wrong
____________________
Nobby the Bastard: How yo tell the difference between the actual japanese and her just screaming because she's had live fish stuck up her arse? [url=https://www.nicks-shop.co.uk/bcf-goodies-15-c.aspGet BCF stickers and things here[/url] Reflective helmet stickers - Legal requirement in france - Clicky

[blade023]

Just an update on the situation.. I sent a message to ebay, saying i want to withdraw from sale and they said to contact the seller. I did this, and he replied a few days after the sale to say that's fine and he would do the same. I have since sent him another message to say that the auction is still active, and is showing as "I need to pay for 1 item." Still waiting to hear back now, but thankfully as I said before, no money changed hands, and none will for this auction.

On the other hand, I went to look at a cb500 ('96) that was very nearby, and ended up buying it for 650! So I now have my new cb500 sitting under my bike shelter, safely chained in place and a new back tyre for it which arrived about 2 minutes ago. Most times I go out for a cig break it can be heard revving

I didn't want to risk riding it without changing the tyre first as it had some dodgy looking cracks in it. Can't wait to pass my mod2 tomorrow!
____________________
Current: VFR800 2008 13.7k and rising rapidly!
Sorn: 2003 FZS1000 30k(ish) looking to sell.

[Alex_B]

[McFlufferson]

Good on you.

Pics plz
____________________
Think that you'll stay loyal to a loving bike? So did I. Only rich men can afford to stay loyal. The poorer of us will whore ourselves out to any two wheeled monstrosity that will take us.

[dannymassive]

Glad to see you're being positive about your MOD2 tomorrow

As above, post some pic's of your new machine
____________________
Previous Ride's - '01 Aprilia SR125 (Sold) '08 HONDA CBF600n (Sold) '96 CB500 (Sold) '01 FZS 1000 (Sold) '06 CB1300SA (Sold) '07 CB600F Hornet (Sold) - '93 Suzuki Savage LS400 (Sold) '98 Honda VTR1000 Firestorm (Sold) '05 CB600F Hornet (Sold) '01 FZS1000 Fazer (Sold) 2016 Harley Davidson Street Bob SE (Sold) '02 Kawasaki ZX9R (Sold) '98 CB600F Hornet (Sold) '04 Suzuki Bandit 1200s (Sold) '13 Yamaha FZ1-N

[Rogerborg]

Nice one!

https://team-rennen.com/forforums/this_thread_is_worthless_without_pics.gif
____________________
Biking is 1/20th as dangerous as horse riding.
GONE: HN125-8, LF-250B, GPz 305, GPZ 500S, Burgman 400 // RIDING: F650GS (800 twin), Royal Enfield Bullet Electra 500 AVL, Ninja 250R because racebike

[blade023]

lolol.. ok ok, as soon as I've got my mod2 passed tomorrow I'll head back home and get some pics. It's no stunner, but it's MINE! And it'll go up hills! :O

And yes, I'm positive about my mod2, I looked forward to my mod1 and passed it with no minors, that was after being worried about the fig8 bit. On the day it went swimmingly. So I'm optimistic about mod2 now, being the easier part. My obs are good (imo) I'm familiar with the area and mostly I've got to credit Ace Rider training over on Heathfield industrial estate. They're just brilliant, and their pass rate is impressive to say the least. The examiners are almost always impressed with the students from there.

Going to start passing my mod2 at 12:17 tomorrow so wish me.. a fun ride? (Don't believe in luck )

Cheers guys.
____________________
Current: VFR800 2008 13.7k and rising rapidly!
Sorn: 2003 FZS1000 30k(ish) looking to sell.

[Noobie_42]

Good luck for the MOD2,just treat it like another lesson
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Still gettin away with it.MOD 2 passed 29/09/11
CBF125>Bandit 600n>Speed Triple 1050>Street Triple R

[blade023]

ok, so I found a way to download images from ebay. Here's my new ride..

https://www.kenhawley.co.uk/images/cb500_1.jpg
https://www.kenhawley.co.uk/images/cb500_2.jpg
https://www.kenhawley.co.uk/images/cb500_3.jpg

It's having a brand new bt45 tyre fitted on Wed, and insurance + tax Tues/Wed.
____________________
Current: VFR800 2008 13.7k and rising rapidly!
Sorn: 2003 FZS1000 30k(ish) looking to sell.

[Cheerfulgrin]

Nice first bigger bike, its in the best colour too!
enjoy the ride tomorrow!
____________________
--Current Bike: '98 Hornet CB600F
--Previous Bikes 2012 Hyo GT250R - 2010 YBR125 - Back in '91:Suzuki 50cc moped & Honda CB125T Superdream
--CBT -Feb '11, Theory -Nov '11, Mod 1 -Jan '12, Mod 2 Feb '12

[FerretFing]

Good solid first bike, good luck with the mod2

[McFlufferson]

Nice. Very nice.

Have fun and don't die. (:
____________________
Think that you'll stay loyal to a loving bike? So did I. Only rich men can afford to stay loyal. The poorer of us will whore ourselves out to any two wheeled monstrosity that will take us.

[blade023]

Thanks for the posts peeps. Good to know it's a decent bike to start with. It feels more comfortable than the er5 to sit on, the only thing I was wondering was about putting a small front fairing on it. For the moment I'm going to save up for a screen, but at some point I'd like to fair it, like the cb500s (sport version.) Is that an easy thing to do? Not sure if the fittings are on it for that..
____________________
Current: VFR800 2008 13.7k and rising rapidly!
Sorn: 2003 FZS1000 30k(ish) looking to sell.

[Alex_B]

That's a nice bike..

I'm thinking of similar myself. I can tour on that and that is my main priority so maybe that's my ticket to freedom.

Now, we expect to hear about the Mod 2 later, how you did great and nailed it.

Good luck
____________________
My Lane Position is always AWESOME!!

[Rogerborg]

[dannymassive]

[Alex_B]

C'mon Blade.

How'd you do? I reckon you did it
____________________
My Lane Position is always AWESOME!!

[blade023]

@Rogerborg, I don't buy everything I'm told u know, their pass rate is 95% and that's coming from outside Ace Rider. And along the lines of "everything with a pinch of salt" the impression I get ("made up my own damn mind" to quote matrix) is that their training is first rate. If it weren't and I still passed my test I'd not credit them for the pass. All due respect an all that

Which leads me on to... Mod2 PASS!!

Now the proud owner of a full unrestricted A license. XD more details to follow!
____________________
Current: VFR800 2008 13.7k and rising rapidly!
Sorn: 2003 FZS1000 30k(ish) looking to sell.

[P.]

Well done, now you are on a full licence, sell the 500

Become a boss on something mental