Topic: Ever bought a bike sight unseen?

[calired67]

I just agreed to purchase a motorcycle from an ad in the local rag. All the ad said was...

Honda 750SS..new battery....leaks oil but an easy fix..good to cruise around town.

he didn't have any pictures I have no idea what year it is and it is an hour drive just to get to the bike. I think I need some sleep. anyway the price was right  $350 I talked to the guy on the phone just long enough to make sure he would be home when I got there. So either I will have a new toy or lots of parts 

Will post some pics either way

[seaweb11]

If you don't like it when you get there. Don't buy it

[6pkrunner]

Yup - twice. But both times it was grab bag collection and I knew that whatever was there would have to be gone over with a fine tooth comb. But as a single driver bike that is worth money - no. I would always insist on at least a test drive besides a visual and auditory once over.

That said, in 1970 three of us were having a few wets in a tavern and a guy came up wanting to sell a 1962 Thunderbird for $200. A guy with us bought it sight and existance unseen right then and there. Us other two laughed the rest of the night at him being such a fool. The next day we went to drag home a carcass, if there was even a real car in the story. What he did buy was a beautiful 8 year old Thunderbird that had been looked after during its life. And to top it off there were about $90 worth the tools in the trunk that came with it. $90 worth the tools in 1970 was nearly a trunkload. That was the one and only time I seen something like that work out. I expected the whole time he had the car for either the police to show up and impound it, or for some local gang to come looking for it back. Never happened.

[putnaja1]

Hey, I wonder if the 750SS will turn out to be a DOHC model?  Sounds like a CB750F either way.  I guess they called the SOHC 750Fs supersports too, didn't they?

I bought my 550 (bike in my avatar) essentially site-unseen.  I mean, I did see pictures, so it wasn't literally site unseen, but I didn't see the bike in person before I paid for it (does this count?)  Fortunately, when it was delivered, it was just fine:  A 77 with like 7600 original miles, new battery, running, looks like it's always been shiney side up too!

for 350 bucks, even if it's in need of a little work, that sounds like a good deal..

[calired67]

Well I am off to pick it up. The suspense is driving me crazy now. I never thought about it being a twin cam. Surely for $350 is is not. I am suprised it has lasted the 3 days that it has. I live in California and usually they get scooped up by the used parts houses. I have to be back by 1pm to watch the cowboys kick the crap out of Jacksonville.

  Go Cowboys

[justfours]

I bought an 80 750F sight unseen for $300. Talked to the guy on the phone about what was wrong with it. He said it was only running on 2 cylinders. From what he told me, it sounded like ignition was the only thing left that he didnt try to trouble shoot. I took a chance, found a good electronic "points" pickup on ebay for $20, got the part 2 days later and drove to get the bike. I looked the bike over, and was excited that I thought I made a good guess. I pushed the bike across the street and spent 10 minutes changing out the ignition. It started up and ran great. I drove it around a little before loading it in the truck and driving back home. Ive changed all the fluids and put new brake pads on, but other than that its been a great bike and a great deal.
 Good luck.

[lsutton]

I almost bought a cb750f a few weeks ago in Redwood city.  I said I would buy it for $200 based on his description over
the phone.  When I got there, what a disappointment.  It was a rust bucket.  He admitted that he misled me somewhat
 (an understatement) and told me I could have it free.   I passed.   I have bought two bike on ebay almost sight unseen,
and have been happy with both.  A Yamaha rd400 and a CB77 Superhawk.

[nickjtc]

I've always wanted a TL125 trials bike. Won the auction for one on eBay, and it was just over the border in Washington. I was drooling, if only bacause the price was very right. We get down to the nitty gritty and it turns out the seller doesn't have title. He suggested that we smuggle it over the border. I declined. I cried.

He sold it to someone who showed up at his doorstep.

"If it's too good to be true, it probably is!"

[calired67]

Well I got it. It turns out to be a 1979 double cam. Not too bad 16000 miles. Missing the tail section and brake light. Oil leak is from laziness when installing top valve cover. Paint is crappy on tank. @ brand new side cover and a new battery. started pretty easy and sounds pretty good. Kinda loud it has a 4 into 1 header (unknown maker) Still it wasn't what I was hoping for .......but I did buy it for $200. It will give me something to do until I find the one I am looking for.

[grumburg]

Sounds like a good deal got even better.

[Snowdigger69]

The bike in my av was bought sight unseen.. I had been talking with a friend at his shop complanning I hadn't found a bike all summer. His customer had overheard us and said he had one he would sell. I asked if it ran.. he replied it had when he parked it. Oh well I'll give you 500 for it.. He agreed and delivered it to my friends shop. My friend calls a couple days later and says it's there.
I go over and look... don't see a five hundred dollar machine in his stuff, ask if he put it out back.... No, it's right here...1978 cb750k 14,530 miles on it, last registered in 1994, 12 years... He had put conditioner in the fuel and run it befor putting it away. He had put fuel in it and started it, broke the throttle cable, front disc had to be cleaned flushed and refilled. Nut on new tires, horn was junk, inspected and I was off.. I'm at 19850 miles and ready to give her a run.. Leaving on Sept 19th for a trip to Florida. Best 500.00 I've spent..

[Peterbylt]

I was rebuilding a 72 CL350 and answered an add to buy a set of handle bars for $20.00. When I got there the handle bars were still attached to the motorcycle I was told that the I could only have the Bars with the rest of the bike. When I looked over the bike it was in great shape just dirty from sitting. It was in much better shape than the one I was restoring and ended up being the bike I restored. 

[seaweb11]

I was rebuilding a 72 CL350 and answered an add to buy a set of handle bars for $20.00. When I got there the handle bars were still attached to the motorcycle I was told that the I could only have the Bars with the rest of the bike. When I looked over the bike it was in great shape just dirty from sitting. It was in much better shape than the one I was restoring and ended up being the bike I restored. 

That happens to me all the time
God I wish...............

[mrbreeze]

No  #$%*!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[nickjtc]

I was rebuilding a 72 CL350 and answered an add to buy a set of handle bars for $20.00. When I got there the handle bars were still attached to the motorcycle I was told that the I could only have the Bars with the rest of the bike. When I looked over the bike it was in great shape just dirty from sitting. It was in much better shape than the one I was restoring and ended up being the bike I restored. 

Some guys get all the luck, to quote the Rod Stewart song.