Viewings (no mechanical clue)

[McfcChris94]

Hi guys,

simply, what do i look for when viewing a bike to buy off a private fellow, IE mechanically and all the paper work? write as basic as you can please!

[CaNsA]

This is tried, tested and proven

Things to keep an eye out for...

-Check the discs dont have a massive ridge at the edge.
-New brake pads
-Ask about the wheel bearings, put it on the centre stand (if the bike has one) and spin the front wheel, and the same with the back. check for a grinding/knocking sound from the centre of the wheel > if so then new bearings.
-While on the centre stand, sit on the bike, lean back so the front lifts a few inches and slowly move the bars from left to right. If you feel and notches then you will need new headstock bearings, ballache of a job to do and costly on labour if you got to a garage to get it done.
-Check chain and sprockets
-Listen for a knocking sound from the engine.
-ask him not to start the bike until you get there, you want to see how easy it starts from cold.
-feel the engine before it starts to see if he has warmed it up. if he has, ask why. if you dont like his answer walk away.
-look on the downpipes for any holes, and feel/listen for any blowing from the downpipes and exhausts pipe and can.
-take the oil filler cap off and look for any white cheesy looking gunk > water in the engine not good.
-The gearbox should make a re-assuring "THUNK" when you knock it into 1st gear. The clutch may rattle/rustle a little and it should stop when you pull the clutch in.

If at any point you get a bad vibe, not to be mistake for a scared of the power vibe, then walk away. there are thousands of other bikes out there.

[dodgydog]

Check engine and frame numbers against the V5.
HPI check it.
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I know that you believe that you understood what you think I said, but I am not sure you realise that what you heard is not exactly what I meant

[Wyldkat]

Check this out
https://www.bikechatforums.com/viewtopic.php?t=16507



*edit - a lot of info but makes for good reading
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Oldie - 1987 Suzuki GP100 SOLD!
Current (as of 12/7/12) 2001 Honda Varadero 125

[Sako]

[Taught2BCauti...]

Text the registration number to one of those 'History Check' services before you travel to view the bike.

Make sure everything on the V5 matches the bike - engine and chassis number, colour, etc. and that the registered keeper and the seller are one and the same person.

From the date of first registration, if the bike is more than 3 years old, it will need an MOT test certificate - so check the details on that as well - including the address of the testing station. If it is more than a few miles away, ask why, but it could be that it was done near the seller's work or uni - but unusual if it isn't local.

If you are new to vehicles, you may not know that all V5 documents were changed by DVLA for the new 'Red Top' ones last year, because a number of the old blue ones were stolen - so your V5 should of course, have a red top.

If you don't get the chance to test-ride the bike yourself, at least ask the seller to ride it up and down the road a couple of times so you can observe any wheel-wobble, smoke and rattles from the side of the road - you probably wouldn't be able to tell much yourself from riding it anyway.

If you do end up buying the bike, make sure the new keeper's details are completed fully, and that you keep section 10 of the V5. You could offer to send the rest of the V5 off to DVLA yourself - even though it's the seller's responsibility, there's no guarantee they will do it.
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Honda Varadero XL125(V8)
www.TheFutureIsHere.eu

[lihp]

Also if you're local, and want somebody to check just gimme a shout and I'll help you out

[numpty2]

Everything above is all very good advice.

I'd also try and have a good phone chat first & ask all the paperwork questions: log book, MOTs, number of keeper, registration etc. All of these can be forged as well, but I think they can be checked online. Service history in owners handbooks can be faked. You could always phone the dealer listed and ask them if they really did service the bike. I've done this before.
If he/she is evasive , then be very suspicious. Any of the "selling it for a friend", "lost the log book", comments should make you cautious.
Phoning first will save you a wasted journey.

If at all possible, take a mate, ideally one who knows more than you. 4 eyes are always better than 2.

Beware of anything that rattles but he/she claims it goes away when the engine is warm. Not always the case.

I always ask to see the engine start from cold. He/she might have spent a hour bump starting it or charging the battery before you see it.

Is there a pile of oil on the floor near the bike? The bike might be freshly cleaned, but its history is on the floor.

Also bear in mind how much you are spending. If it's only £200 then you can't be too picky. £2000 is a different matter!

[Dan79]