Topic: What to look for before you buy a bike?

[germanicus777]

Hey guys just wanted some advice for purchasing a bike.

I'm looking at a 1978 Honda Cb750. Supposedly the engines been rebuilt and the carbs have been redone.

But some of the things I've been wondering is what should I look at before I buy the bike when I go to check it out?

My friend told me one of the things is the throttle shouldn't stick (which is obvious) but what other things? Tank rust is another? Chain being clean... etc...

[cougar]

Hello germanicus ; In looking through the threads I ran across this, http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=98431.0 . There seem to be a number of helpful things listed there. Hope this helps.   ...cougar...

[Terry in Australia]

Whenever I think about buying another bike I look to see what my wife is holding. If it's a blunt object or an edged weapon, I don't tell her.................... 

[germanicus777]

Thanks! I'll check out the link you posted right now!


Yeah I actually brainwashed my girl by having her try different motorcycle gears and telling her how cute she looks in them. LOL I think that eased the tension a bit

[sopo400f]

Here is what i put together the other day.

No cracks in the frame.
Raise the front tire and turn handle bars to check the bearing in the stem. should turn smoothly.
Check for bent or twisted forks.
Raise rear and check for swing arm play.
Turn both wheels to check for rolling resistence in the bearings.
Check the fastners on the engine for signs of recent or poor work.
Wiring- not melted, cut or missing.
Check for frozen switches.
Bring a battery and check for electrical function.
Fuse flock present and not crispy, same with rectifier.
Make sure coils are intact and not hacked up.
Gauges not overly faded.
Bald rear tire is a sign of abuse.
Color of oil in case or lack of oil.
Dates on plates can indicate lack time of use.
Seat pan not overly rusted out.
Look inside timeing cover.
Pull cap on valve cover to check for corosion.
Pull plugs to inspect chambers and state of last running.
Check for sproket wear.
Fork seal leakage.
check for brake function.
Binding or loud suspension.
Cracked or overly rusted wheels.
Long parallel scratched means the bike was laid down. short perpendicular scratches means the bike was dropped hard.

Im sure there are things i missed.

dan

[sopo400f]

Write down all of the wrong things you find when checking out the bike and then use the ebay app on your phone to get a quick idea of how much its going to cost to bring the bike back to your idea of functional.

[Magpie]

Unfortunately with these desirable old bikes, while you are doing your due diligence and making sure it's a good bike, there's someone going with his heart and waving money around trying to get the seller's attention.
 
Cliff.

[Rigid]

Here is what i put together the other day.

No cracks in the frame.
Raise the front tire and turn handle bars to check the bearing in the stem. should turn smoothly.
Check for bent or twisted forks.
Raise rear and check for swing arm play.
Turn both wheels to check for rolling resistence in the bearings.
Check the fastners on the engine for signs of recent or poor work.
Wiring- not melted, cut or missing.
Check for frozen switches.
Bring a battery and check for electrical function.
Fuse flock present and not crispy, same with rectifier.
Make sure coils are intact and not hacked up.
Gauges not overly faded.
Bald rear tire is a sign of abuse.
Color of oil in case or lack of oil.
Dates on plates can indicate lack time of use.
Seat pan not overly rusted out.
Look inside timeing cover.
Pull cap on valve cover to check for corosion.
Pull plugs to inspect chambers and state of last running.
Check for sproket wear.
Fork seal leakage.
check for brake function.
Binding or loud suspension.
Cracked or overly rusted wheels.
Long parallel scratched means the bike was laid down. short perpendicular scratches means the bike was dropped hard.

Im sure there are things i missed.

dan

If you can answer "yes" to 10 or more of these items, you are looking at an average CB750 for sale.    

[germanicus777]

Thanks sobo for the great recommendations I've copy and pasted it into a word docu.

Thanks guys for the comments haha I hope it passes these!

[sopo400f]

Rigid is correct. There will be plenty of things to fix on a thirty year old bike, but thats what winters for.
I made the list so I wouldn't have any surprises and so I could budget for the repairs.

[Terry in Australia]

Unfortunately with these desirable old bikes, while you are doing your due diligence and making sure it's a good bike, there's someone going with his heart and waving money around trying to get the seller's attention.
 
Cliff.

Agreed Cliff, I'm that other guy!

[Magpie]

Me too, when I have enough to wave arounfd that is!
Cliff.

[333]

Just the basics, really.  Look to see if the motor is not locked up, how complete the bike is, and most importantly, that the VIN and title match.

[Terry in Australia]

Just the basics, really.  Look to see if the motor is not locked up, how complete the bike is, and most importantly, that the VIN and title match.

I've just noticed your avatar mate, Disgusting! (but amusing, nonetheless)

[xsmooth69x]

not stolen 

[Don R]

Here is what i put together the other day.

No cracks in the frame.
Raise the front tire and turn handle bars to check the bearing in the stem. should turn smoothly.
Check for bent or twisted forks.
Raise rear and check for swing arm play.
Turn both wheels to check for rolling resistence in the bearings.
Check the fastners on the engine for signs of recent or poor work.
Wiring- not melted, cut or missing.
Check for frozen switches.
Bring a battery and check for electrical function.
Fuse flock present and not crispy, same with rectifier.
Make sure coils are intact and not hacked up.
Gauges not overly faded.
Bald rear tire is a sign of abuse.
Color of oil in case or lack of oil.
Dates on plates can indicate lack time of use.
Seat pan not overly rusted out.
Look inside timeing cover.
Pull cap on valve cover to check for corosion.
Pull plugs to inspect chambers and state of last running.
Check for sproket wear.
Fork seal leakage.
check for brake function.
Binding or loud suspension.
Cracked or overly rusted wheels.
Long parallel scratched means the bike was laid down. short perpendicular scratches means the bike was dropped hard.

Im sure there are things i missed.

dan

If you can answer "yes" to 10 or more of these items, you are looking at an average CB750 for sale.    

My bike had almost all of those and a few not listed. I still happily paid $650 for it. It has parts worth more than the cost of the bike. 812 kit, jardine header,  NOS K0 side cover and 18/19" lesters. moral of the story, look closely at what is good as well.

[kck3]

Before I go check out a bike I look for a 6 or 12 pack.  So when I get the bike home I can have a few in the garage and admire my new acquisition.

[brooze72]

 

[mono]

what to look for before you buy?  money.  lots of money.

but really, now that i'm no longer a total noobie when it comes to bikes, i'll take a battery with me (they allllways have dead batteries) to check the electrical out (working starter motor, etc), check for compression and whether the engine will turn over, look in the tank for rust... anything you can unless it's in pieces.  :/