I'll have to admit, that I'm showing a prejudice in favour of the 550 already. Mainly as a runner and it's a four.
Try and get a run on it, and make sure it shifts through all the gears (up and down again). Does it fire on all cylinders (dab each header pipe with a finger, spit on the finger first
. Be careful because those tyres (tires ?) could be made of wood by now.
Personally I'd be checking the wheel rims for rust, I'd lift the fork gaiters (the corrugated rubber boots) to see if there was any evidence of chrome pitting or damage to the forks from being bent in a smash. If you take the bike off the stand and hold the front brake on, do the forks move up and down OK ? On the stand, do the wheels spin without major signs of runout ?
There are some signs that it has laid up a while, have you heard the motor start, and idle a while ? Did the oil pressure light go out ? Don't take anyone's word that it is a runner without seeing and hearing it. As it idles, pull in the clutch and release it, any major difference in engine noise ?
Are all the cylinder and cylinder head fins intact ? any gravel damage to the underside of the alternator casing (left side as you sit on the bike) or the points case opposite ?
Important : when the motor is running, any funny noises or oil leaks ??
Do the lights work ? Ask the owner to lift the saddle and remove the fuel tank. Does the wiring loom look intact without evidence of burning or shorting ? Ask to remove the headlight and look at the wiring inside the headlight bucket. Any evidence of shorting or bad wiring repairs ?
Take a look inside the fuel tank with a light (not a match). any signs of rust ? Any fuel leaking from it on the outside or bubbles in the paintwork that might indicate corrosion about to burst out. Does the fuel tap (petcock) function correctly ?
With the fuel tank off, check the top rail of the frame. Any sign of buckling ?
With the 500T as a non runner, I'd not offer much on it, it's probably too much of an unknown.
On the 550, I'd ask the owner to keep the carrier and take some money off the asking price in exchange.
Best of luck.
Kev
More views welcome.
