Topic: Tips for buying a first bike

[Chad]

I am looking for advice for buying my first bike, a vintage bike. What are the things you look for, (and avoid) when evaluating a used bike for sale?

[nickjtc]

When you say first bike do you mean that you have no prior riding experience? If so get something that fits you; ie is big enough but not too big.... Honda 'midsize' twins and fours spring to mind.

How much work do you want to do on the bike, or rather, how often are you prepared to work on it? Again, the Japanese bikes are usually easy to fettle and are not too onerous to work on.

If you don't mind being more intimately acquainted with your steed, on a very regular basis then something European would work. Trouble is, old Brit/Italian/German iron is getting more and more expensive to buy.

[Chad]

I haven't ever ridden, but I am taking an MSF course this weekend. I am looking for a vintage honda mid size. I am looking for a list of things to look for when test riding, and talking to the seller.

Any ideas what I should ask/check out?

[76 cb550]

What is your height, weight?

What do you want the bike for? Commuting, joyride, touring...

Basics...(Things I wish I had done)

1. Check engine compression.
2. Check to make sure all lights and electrics work properly
3. Go through wire harness as much as possible and look for damage
4. Check the tires for age and wear
5. Check the brakes for proper function and wear
6. Look in the air box/filter assembly...things tend to be missing from here
7. Perform a Spark test...or atleast check the exhaust pipes to make sure all are getting hot
8. Check inside of gas tank for rust
9. Test ride the bike...take it all the way to fifth gear if you can safely...if the clutch is slipping it will show it in the higher gears first.
10. ask history questions...what if any maintenance has been done on the bike...who did the maintenance and is there any record of it. 
11. Make sure the bike has a clean title.
12. Get a mechanic to look at the bike if you don't feel competent.


This may seem excessive but trust me when I say that it's better to find out that your wiring harness is fried, your carbs need to be cleaned, your front brake locks, you need a new rear tire, your fuse box is melted, etc... before you pay 1500 for the bike.  All of these things are resolvable problems, but each problem decreases the value.

Oh and don't take the PO's word for it...no matter what it may be.

[nickjtc]

What he said, plus check the consumables very carefully (Points 4/5/6/7). A $500 gem can become a $2000 boat anchor if once you've bought it you have to replace the tyres, chain/sprockets, battery, air filter, sparkplugs, fork seals, plus do a complete tune up and clean out the carbs, and then pay someone to do all this.

I've seen a lot of sellers proudly proclaim that the tyres on the bike are still the 'original' ones. Check the age of the tyres and if they are indeed over 5/7 years look for signs of aging. The cost of a new set of tyres is a good bargaining tool.

Good luck on the MSF course. "Don't be afraid to ride the friction zone of the clutch; look where you want to go; HAVE FUN"

[rugger81]

I read over this guide a few times before I bought my first bike and I found it helpful.  It's more geared towards modern bikes though.

http://www.clarity.net/~adam/buying-bike.html

Also, I was in a similar boat as you when I started riding 2 years ago.  I had never ridden a motorcycle before I took my msf course, then a couple days later I bought my cb750.  If you have a choice of motorcycles to ride at your msf course, I would take one thats closest to the type of bike you want.  If they happen to have nighthawk 250's, like they did at my msf course, try and take it on one of those.

[Chad]

These are great tips, guys! That clarity.net link is a ton of good info. Thanks so much!

[mystic_1]

If you're going for a vintage bike, might be a good idea to check eBay for parts availability.  If a search returns thousands of results, you're probably good, but if you only get back 5 or 10 results, not a good sign if you should need replacement parts.  Not a definitive guide but should give you some idea as to parts availability.

mystic_1

[Holdingfast]

nice! I m glad i serched the forum before asking the same question twice. the http://www.clarity.net link is awesome, thanks!
s.

[vanillagorilla]

I will tell you one thing, you are in the perfect city to get a good deal on a vintage bike!!! My father in law has about 8 vintage dirtbikes he didn't pay more than 400 bucks for!!! Course he had me around to get em runnin... 

[westondc]

i started with a CB350 twin i bought off CL for $300. spent part of a summer rebuilding the carbs, new chain, tires ect. good leaning experience and an easy bike to ride. upgraded to a CB500 this summer and sold the CB350 to a friend who wanted a vintage bike and something to learn on. if you keep a close eye on CL http://craiglook.com/ and get yourself a cheap honda twin to work on, youll be a happy camper.

[Uncle Ernie]

I look around;  how clean is the bike.  Not just the tank, but nooks and cranniews.  Does the chain look good?  What's his garage look like?  What's the sellers demeanor?  Why is he selling and is he lying.  Stuff like that.  Any weirdness, tell him you love it and you just need to talk to your wife.  The universal weenie way out, but it saves face.

How vintage is vintage and what's your budget?  Almost all used bikes need something like a battery.  You need gloves, helmet, jacket etc.

I love the early 80's bikes like a Honda CM400, or BMW R65.  Cruiser, feet forward riding is an advanced technique because y0ou have less control over the bike.  A "standard" where you feet are under you and the bars put you in a slight lean forward is optimal while you learn.  Well- forever, actually.

[78whiteorbs]

if buying a four series cb when started from a cold start carefully feel all the header pipes that they are all getting hot . Many times you will find that many aare running on just three and it is a GREAT bargaining chip in my experience and very easy to sort out after you get a great deal . A hold header pipe means a better deal in my book!

also check for sprocket wear and chain stretch , if you see the chain tension adjusters are almost maxed out then you got another bargaining chip that is a very cheap basic tune up repair.

Look for weather checked ,dry rotted tires . The treads may look good enough to ride but if you see many cracks in the side walls you need new tires and that is another bargaining chip.

check for clutch slippage. If the bike is hard to find neutral after riding a little then after coming to a complete stop then the  clutch plates could be warped or it could just need different oil , either way that is ,you guessed it , another chup....

Big ONE here , check for rust in the tank. If you see it then you are gonna have to get it sealed or all that garbage will clog your carbs  sooner or later.

Induction leaks : spray some carb cleaner around the rubber between the carb and the manifolds. If it revs up then you its sucking air and you are losing HP and probably running lean.

oh yeah and broken spokes are lose revits on mag wheels .

that's all I can think of ....

oh one more thing check that it is not puking any gas at idle through the drainage tubes .

none of these things would scare me away but can drastically reduce the bikes price which puts more money in your pocket for gear, Mainly a top notch helmet. Spare no expenses wehn it comes to your safety . Enjoy motorcycling and remember

You meet the nicest people on a HONDA!

[Johnie]

When looking at bikes I sometimes get off track and forget to check things. I created a check list for myself to keep me on track. Feel free to add to it.

[Holdingfast]

When looking at bikes I sometimes get off track and forget to check things. I created a check list for myself to keep me on track. Feel free to add to it.

nice list!
It turns out that some guy bought the CB 550 yesterday that I wanted to look at today...! I was pretty bummed. but oh well.. on monday i hope to be able to get to look at another cb so that list will come in handy!