Is There a "What to Look For in a Used Bike" Thread?

[JohnG]

Not sure where to post this up so I'm throwing it in here. I thought about the Bike Shop but I'm just over 30 posts and still can't post new there.

So the deal is, I've recently bought a few old Suzuki's (pre '83) and know my way around them, but I'm getting ready to go look at a VFR800 and, frankly, I'm not sure what to watch out for. This would be the first fuel injected, water cooled bike I've ever had.

So what do you look for when shopping used? Is there already a "how to" out there?

Thanks!

[swingset]

This is a used bike checklist I found on a site a while back, still very useful.

What to check when buying a second-hand bike.

VISUAL - ON STAND

Plastics, tank, seat :- splits , repairs, tyre rub, seat foam deformed or hard.

Frame :- dents under frame rails, repairs, alignments, tightness of footpegs.

Pipe / silencer:- dents, leaks, repairs.

Engine / gear oil :- level, colour.

Radiators :- bent , repaired , evidence of leaks, coolant level / colour.

Controls :- light smooth action on cables, sponge in brakes,

Handlebars :- straight, tight, rubber into top yoke, grip ends, slack in levers.

Seals :- fork legs, rear shock, output shaft, gear shift, any oil leaks / repairs around sump plug.

General :- heavy spannering, replaced nuts / bolts, fuel tap, oil leaks.

Chainset :- wear, alignment.

MECHANICAL - ON STAND

Wheels :- dents/ repairs, spoke tension, spin to check rim, tyre, disc alignments, pad/disc wear.

Front end :- wheel bearings, fork bushes, headset- wear and roughness.

Rear end :- wheel bearings, swing arm bushes, slop in linkage.

Suspension :- do all adjusters move.

Seat off and check air filter for fit, holes and cleanness.

Gear shift lever / kickstart tight on shafts.

OFF STAND

Feel suspension, ride position.

START AND RUN ENGINE

Compression, ease of start.

Noise :- tick over, clutch in/out, rev up, exhaust note.

Electrics :- On /off/kill, lights Hi/ low, brake light switches, indicators, horn, neutral light.

Can you get neutral with engine running.

TAKE FOR A RIDE

Does speedo work /odometer move.

All gears up and down and smoothness of change.

Try for clutch slip, test brakes, suspension.

Flat spots , hot restart.

PAPERWORK

Proof of ownership, MOT cert, Tax disc, V5, previous owners.

proof of year, work done receipts, handbook.

DECISION

Yes:- cash, receipt, means of transport.

No :- justify

Maybe :- names and phone numbers, set time for yes or no.

[serpentracer]

if you plan on taking something for a test ride be prepared to hand the seller your money first.

I'd never let someone ride my bike without that.

ask in depth mechanical questions if you're mechanically inclined yourself, you'll be able to tell if the person is inept at maintenance himself and I'd really look it over closely at that point.

make sure no one has stripped out the drain plug on the oil pan. or if they did the oil pan has been replaced. so many people have stripped those and you don't want a half assed drain plug to have to fix.

Edited March 31, 2012 by serpentracer