Hopefully buying first bike on Monday...

KingIsabella

Hey, I'm going to view a bike on Monday evening with the intention of buying it there and then if everything else checks out. I called the guy who was straight up in saying that it needs a back bearing and a speedo cable (got a quote from rosses for 100 quid for parts and labour). So if everything else checks out on this bike I have the intention of buying it that night. Just wondering whats the usual procedure.....is cash ok? Will I type up a receipt?

Also is there anything i need to look out for? It's a 99 Bandit with 23k and a replaced tank due to rust after it was imported from england?

Are there any recurring problems in these bikes i should be looking out for especially?

Any help is much appreciated!!

RustyNut

Check it out in good daylight.

Some feirce chancers out there.

LookBehindYou

Bring a mate with you that knows about bikes. 23 k on a 99 bike is low miles.
Maybe the speedo reads that.

professore

+1 on bringing someone else with you. If the bike is for yourself, you tend to make emotional decisions.

Make sure he has the ownership cert (logbook) and get him to fill it out and sign it yourself when you hand over the money.

Have you checked out tax / insurance? Is it restricted - since it's your first bike it will have to be.

Good luck !

KingIsabella

Yeah it has a restrictor and cert, he said he'd fit it back in but i'd say ill get the garage to do it or double check it while getting the speedo cable and bearings done. Ive a friend comin with me who knows a bit about bikes so ill get him to test ride it also. He said it had low miles when he brought it in, is there any way of finding out if the speedos been dialled back at all?

Cedrus

Why does it need a speedo cable? That sounds a bit dodgy to start with, not a normal wear item unless it's been in a drill chuck.

KingIsabella

The ads been up for about two months, he said the speedo is only a problem from the last couple of weeks. is it ok to link the ad?

BlackWizard

Yeah it's fine, link away

KingIsabella

http://www.donedeal.ie/for-sale/motorbikes/2740612

Taxed for the next three months, 1999, 23k miles, new tank after imported to ireland, new wheels also, back bearing and speedo cable need replacing.

Andromeda_111

KingIsabella wrote: »

http://www.donedeal.ie/for-sale/motorbikes/2740612

Taxed for the next three months, 1999, 23k miles, new tank after imported to ireland, new wheels also, back bearing and speedo cable need replacing.

Looks like a clean bike from the pics, nice first bike. If you end up buying it the very best of luck with it!

daenerysstormborn3

I'd be sketchy about the speedo cable but it does look clean. Definitely bring someone with a bit of know-how with you

AgileMyth

Cedrus wrote: »

Why does it need a speedo cable? That sounds a bit dodgy to start with, not a normal wear item unless it's been in a drill chuck.

I've a bike out the back that needs a speedo cable. Its just wear in my case so not necessarily dodgy.

Cedrus

AgileMyth wrote: »

I've a bike out the back that needs a speedo cable. Its just wear in my case so not necessarily dodgy.

No, not necessarily dodgy, and neither is the low mileage. 23,000 in 13 years would be low for a bike that's used daily but not for a weekender. But, low miles and missing/damaged speedo cable is an alert to look closely for signs of clocking.

Zebbedee

Speedo cables regularly snap due to lack of lubrication. I've had loads go on me over the years.

KingIsabella

Thanks for all the replies so far! Are there any tell tale signs of clocking that would jump out at me?

Cedrus

KingIsabella wrote: »

Thanks for all the replies so far! Are there any tell tale signs of clocking that would jump out at me?

Just the overall condition, what's worn etc. I'm not saying it has been clocked and even if it has, there's nothing wrong with buying a high mileage machine so long as you know that more stuff is going to need replacing. It's not even necessary to wind back a odometer since you can just go to a breakers and get a younger one. In any case its the bike itself you need to be looking at not the mileage and the claims of a seller re maintenance.

KingIsabella

Well i know of those tweo things, and a slight tear on the front of the seat. Other then that, how much slack should i expect from the chain? I know to take the bike for a spin, get through all the gears in high revs, then let it idle and check if the fan does it's job when its idle after a spin. Are there any other little things like this is hould do?

I've a friend coming with me whose ridden bikes in spain and that so i think he'll have a fair idea of what should and shouldnt be.

rock22

KingIsabella wrote: »

Hey, I'm going to view a bike on Monday evening with the intention of buying it there and then if everything else checks out. I called the guy who was straight up in saying that it needs a back bearing and a speedo cable (got a quote from rosses for 100 quid for parts and labour). QUOTE]

I would assume mileage is inaccurate when speedo is no working,

I would really wonder why the seller had not sorted out these problems. It could be that they mask a further , more expensive problem. i.e. perhaps speedo is faulty etc.

If I was selling a bike I would certainly fix simple things like speedo cable and I would be suspicious of anyone who wouldn't so same.

Good luck with you decision (and purchase if you go ahead.(

KingIsabella

In one of those pics there are two bikes, the other looking like its had more wear and tear and its the cleaner looking one he is selling. Is this something to be suspicious of also?

Cuddlesworth

KingIsabella wrote: »

In one of those pics there are two bikes, the other looking like its had more wear and tear and its the cleaner looking one he is selling. Is this something to be suspicious of also?

So in four pictures the bike he is actually selling is in one, beside the nicer one? Drop it and walk away. Its not going to be worth it, not with that type of shoddy snake oil tactics.

Cedrus

KingIsabella wrote: »

Other then that, how much slack should i expect from the chain?

The chain could be slack or tight, that's something you'll have to do weekly anyway but you're looking for scope for tightening on the adjuster and the teeth on the sprocket should be symmetrical, if they're hooked, you'll need both chain and sprockets replacing.

rock22 wrote: »

I would assume mileage is inaccurate when speedo is no working,(

It's certainly safe to say that the odometer has recorded nothing since the cable was disconnected, and it would have been a simple job to replace it.

KingIsabella wrote: »

In one of those pics there are two bikes, the other looking like its had more wear and tear and its the cleaner looking one he is selling. Is this something to be suspicious of also?

The other bike doesn't look like a bandit, I'd guess the seller just used pictures he already had, the last one has the bike with a screen on it so they weren't taken at the same time.

Del2005

The speedo cable on that vintage Bandit go regularly, but are easy to replace if you wanted the correct mileage showing.

OP have you or your friend motorbike licences and open ride insurance? How are you planning on getting it home?

Before you hand over any cash go to the address on the VLC and make sure the seller can get in, you could always be dieing for a hit and miss! Cash is fine for a bike of that vintage. Make sure you meet in a public place with CCTV during daylight if possible as darkness can hide a lot of stuff, street lighting isn't good enough so bring torches if you have to view at night.

KingIsabella

Bought the Bike! Was delighted with it last night, Brought a friend who checked it out and said everything was ok, rid the bike back and around for an hour or so, no problems whatsoever.

Got up this morning to bring it to the garage to get the restrictor that came with it fitted, speedo cable and baxck bearing.....turned it on....fiddled with the choke and conked it Hasn't started since......being picked up by the garage this evening!!

Some luck! I had to go fiddlin!

daenerysstormborn3

Did you contact the person you bought it from?

Cuddlesworth

pixiebean22 wrote: »

Did you contact the person you bought it from?

Private sale. No comeback.

daenerysstormborn3

Cuddlesworth wrote: »

Private sale. No comeback.

I know that. That still wouldn't stop me ringing up the person and asking a few questions if I was in OP's position.

Please Kill Me

pixiebean22 wrote: »

I know that. That still wouldn't stop me ringing up the person and asking a few questions if I was in OP's position.

Likewise!!

KingIsabella

He said to call him if theres any problems cause he doesnt want to sell a dirty bike, and got the impression he was really gutted to see it go. I'll see what the problem is before i call him back, because it started grand this morning, only conked when i opened the choke without letting it heat up or a bit. Ill see what the problem is before i go calling him over my rush to get back out driving it! Rode it around for 2 hours last night, no problems whatsoever. Friends of mine, riding big bikes for years, huge into the mechanics side of things said its a sound bike that way.

Please Kill Me

KingIsabella wrote: »

...it started grand this morning, only conked when i opened the choke without letting it heat up or a bit...

Did you not put on the choke, THEN start it, and knock off the choke when it warmed up?? You don't put on the choke after it has been started, you put it on when starting it first thing.

KingIsabella

Stupid mistake! And finishing my IBT and buying a bike nearly 5 months afterwards without riding in between being a close second! So open the choke up a bit, start her up for a while and then turn her off? I turned the bike on and then started oping the choke and it conked. Im pretty sure it was my own stupid rookie mistake! I just hope its not an expensive one! Feel like some eejit!

Please Kill Me

KingIsabella wrote: »

Stupid mistake! And finishing my IBT and buying a bike nearly 5 months afterwards without riding in between being a close second! So open the choke up a bit, start her up for a while and then turn her off? I turned the bike on and then started oping the choke and it conked. Im pretty sure it was my own stupid rookie mistake! I just hope its not an expensive one! Feel like some eejit!

No need to feel silly. We all have to learn. But yes, the sequence is as I stated, turn on the ignition, put on your choke, push the start button (don't touch the throttle) the bike should start, revving a bit. As the bike warms up, reduce the choke and turn it off completely when the bike warms completely. And don't worry, it doesn't damage the bike.

KingIsabella

Shes in the shop now, he said he'd call me when shes up and running but it wont be until sometime tomorrow he gets a chance to see to it. Once shes up and running hell do the cable bearings and restrictor.

KingIsabella

So so far my biking experience has been a total disaster!

Your man in the garage called said to come down, bike needs a good bit of work. went down and he said parts alone would cost 1000 and i wouldnt see change of 1500 after labour. not bad considering a paid 1400 for the bike so to put the problems right itd cost what it would have to bought a bike for a bit more. But i dont have that kinda money lying around! And when i told people where the bike was, ive heard from nearly everyone thats hes a gangster or a cowboy....not to mention some of the things on his list, the guy i brought with me said id get another 5-6 months out of.


His list:
Discs front (said they're warped)-My guy said the back disc was more worn but had another 5 months in it.

Front brakes sticking-didnt feel this on my two hours ride.

rear tyre- partly worn in the centre but both sides are grand-my guy said id get another 5-6 months out of it.

rear wheel bearings and speedo cable-problems i was aware of.

battery and rectifyer-guy i bought it from said it was a year old battery. maybe the rectifyer is to blame?

clutch cable-was a bit tight but i thought this might be downto the way the guy had it adjusted and i'd adjust it myself after finding a way i like it.


The garage probably can justify this, but the conflicting opinions, the way the bike rode while i was riding it for two hours and the guys apparent reputation has me wondering.

I paid him the 25 he charged for looking over it and said i can call back for it in the morning if i dont want to go ahead with the work, hell start it up and i can take it away.

Im going to take it to the lee honda centre see if they have a different opinion. Anyone else know of any other smaller motorbike garages around that i could try and suss out?? If the work is going to cost more then i paid for the bike, while id love to do it as i love the bike, the bike will be lying up a month or two while im trying to save up the money.


Disaster.

KingIsabella

Also, are some of those items listed....would any of them be ok to try get from a breakers? clutch cable/speedo cable/discs/chain/sprockets/recitfyer?

Please Kill Me

Ah man, that's so sh!t, I'd be getting onto the f**ker who sold it to you like that! :mad: Anyway, here's a couple of things...

"And when i told people where the bike was, ive heard from nearly everyone thats hes a gangster or a cowboy...not to mention some of the things on his list, the guy i brought with me said id get another 5-6 months out of."

If you heard from nearly everyone that this guy is a gangster/cowboy, why the hell did you buy the bike?? I feel for you man.

"rear tyre- partly worn in the centre but both sides are grand-my guy said id get another 5-6 months out of it." This is a squared off tyre. Depending on how badly it's squared off, you might not even get 5 or 6 months

battery and rectifyer-guy i bought it from said it was a year old battery. maybe the rectifyer is to blame? If you have a dodgy rectifier, it's gonna f**k up your battery. Normally if you're changing one, you should really change the other.

Mate I'm sorry to say it but ya got shafted!

Lee Honda have a good name. There's a lad in there (Eric) he'll set you right. I don't know of any others down that way I'm afraid. Hope you get sorted and best of luck.

Please Kill Me

KingIsabella wrote: »

Also, are some of those items listed....would any of them be ok to try get from a breakers? clutch cable/speedo cable/discs/chain/sprockets/recitfyer?

You can get any/all of these from a breakers, but are yo going to be sure the discs you get from a breakers aren't warped either? You need to be sure. Sprockets - unless it was only recently put onto the bike that's being broken, you may as well just get a new one. They're not mad expensive anyway. Same for a chain.

KingIsabella

Please Kill Me wrote: »

Ah man, that's so sh!t, I'd be getting onto the f**ker who sold it to you like that! :mad: Anyway, here's a couple of things...

"And when i told people where the bike was, ive heard from nearly everyone thats hes a gangster or a cowboy...not to mention some of the things on his list, the guy i brought with me said id get another 5-6 months out of."

If you heard from nearly everyone that this guy is a gangster/cowboy, why the hell did you buy the bike?? I feel for you man.

"rear tyre- partly worn in the centre but both sides are grand-my guy said id get another 5-6 months out of it." This is a squared off tyre. Depending on how badly it's squared off, you might not even get 5 or 6 months

battery and rectifyer-guy i bought it from said it was a year old battery. maybe the rectifyer is to blame? If you have a dodgy rectifier, it's gonna f**k up your battery. Normally if you're changing one, you should really change the other.

Mate I'm sorry to say it but ya got shafted!

Lee Honda have a good name. There's a lad in there (Eric) he'll set you right. I don't know of any others down that way I'm afraid. Hope you get sorted and best of luck.

Sorry i meant the garage that i brought it to, after i brought it to that garage, i heard that hes a gangster. Unfortunately!! I thinkl i may have a friend of a relation working in a shop close by that ill bring it to, but ill call those two breakers first off and suss out parts! Ill bring it to the lee honda centre in the morning and other smaller places just to see what i can do and if buying the parts cheap from a breaker will do me any justice!

fairly gutted!! I should think of it as an investment into future happy biking! Positive thinking and all that **** right?? Althought everytime i hear a bike outside i wanna punch whoevers happily riding it!!

Please Kill Me

KingIsabella wrote: »

Sorry i meant the garage that i brought it to, after i brought it to that garage, i heard that hes a gangster. Unfortunately!! I thinkl i may have a friend of a relation working in a shop close by that ill bring it to, but ill call those two breakers first off and suss out parts! Ill bring it to the lee honda centre in the morning and other smaller places just to see what i can do and if buying the parts cheap from a breaker will do me any justice!

fairly gutted!! I should think of it as an investment into future happy biking! Positive thinking and all that **** right?? Althought everytime i hear a bike outside i wanna punch whoevers happily riding it!!

Ah, I got ya now. Yeah I was thinking €1000 for the parts you mentioned is a bit steep alright. I recently got a rectifier AND battery for a CBR600 and it cost me €45 and €35. The rest of the parts you listed, won't cost you that much, no way.

Ah chin up mate, the joys of! It'll work out.

Del2005

Please Kill Me wrote: »

You can get any/all of these from a breakers, but are yo going to be sure the discs you get from a breakers aren't warped either? You need to be sure. Sprockets - unless it was only recently put onto the bike that's being broken, you may as well just get a new one. They're not mad expensive anyway. Same for a chain.

Chain and sprockets should be done at the same time. Changing them separately is false economy, as they'll all wear out faster.

Please Kill Me

Del2005 wrote: »

Chain and sprockets should be done at the same time. Changing them separately is false economy, as they'll all wear out faster.

Yep. Agreed.

KingIsabella

ill try get those two together, the bagttery and recitfyer together. ill get a few opinions on the tyre, dont want to be stressing about the price of that if it can wait until another payday! i presume the clutch cable will be ok to get from another bike, as with the speedo cable? what about the speedo drive? the bearings arent too costly.

Mother of god, im chinnin up alright! But the last thing i want is for the bike to be lying up developing more problems while im savbing to put these ones right!

Please Kill Me

KingIsabella wrote: »

ill try get those two together, the bagttery and recitfyer together. ill get a few opinions on the tyre, dont want to be stressing about the price of that if it can wait until another payday! i presume the clutch cable will be ok to get from another bike, as with the speedo cable? what about the speedo drive? the bearings arent too costly.

Yeah the clutch cable and speedo cable would be ok, but again, they're not expensive new so you might be better off getting them new. Speedo drive should be ok second hand though.

KingIsabella

Gonna ring around a few breakers tomorrow, pop into a few garages and hopefully get the bones of the parts for as cheap as possible!! My only problem is, everywhere i go, i have to be sure that if i switch off the bike, theyll be able to turn it back on again with a bandy battery and rectifier so i can move on to the next place!!

Wish me luck!!

Cedrus

KingIsabella wrote: »

Wish me luck!!

Best of luck, you've been missing it this week.

Check the lengths and the ends on the cables, there's a bit of variety in the breakers. Try online as well specially for the less urgent stuff like chain and sprockets.

KingIsabella

After a quick search on ebay, the price including shipping comes to 275 for:

Speedo cable:£9.95+£2.50 shipping.

Slinky glide clutch cable: £9.95+£2.5
OR
Quality Glide Clutch Cable: £7.50+£1.95

Chain and sprocket:£75+£9.99+£10 (P&P)

front disc: £160+£10 (P&P)

Battery: (£22.50+P&P)

Couldnt get a recitifier...

ill compare these to any breaker quotes i get in the morning...

fingers crossed i can do this!!

Del2005

KingIsabella wrote: »

After a quick search on ebay, the price including shipping comes to 275 for:

Speedo cable:£9.95+£2.50 shipping.
!

It's usually the speedo worm gear that goes on these Bandits as it made out of soft plastic, the speedo cable rarely goes. Don't buy it 2nd hand as it'll just go again.

KingIsabella

Quick update! Went down to P&T Breakers in cork, nice guys! Laughed when i told them your man wanted 1.5k for the jobs.

They said the chain just needs adjustment, but has another 5000 miles on it, theyll adjust that when they're chaning the tyre and bearings.

they said the breaks werent sticking, theyll change all the pads and oil up the pistons on the brakes and discs. but they dont need to be changed. New back tyre.

speedo cable and clutch cable, no bother, tenor each, maybe the drive, 35.

they said the battery was charging fine so theyll get me a new one, the alternator and r3ectifier are ok as its charging.

All in all...parts and labour....no more than 400 quid!!

Kev.OC

KingIsabella wrote: »

Quick update! Went down to P&T Breakers in cork, nice guys! Laughed when i told them your man wanted 1.5k for the jobs.

......

All in all...parts and labour....no more than 400 quid!!

If you ever needed proof that it pays to shop around...

KingIsabella

Stop! Well your man originally said that the bike wont start after he starts it after i shut it off. I had the pleasure of driving past him after being down to the lads and giving him the nod!

Nice long spin today, tickin over like a mouses heart!!

Boooked in for restriction monday morning, i have them, just need them installed. and then down to the boyus to get the jobs done!!

All in all, things are coming up trumps!

Please Kill Me

KingIsabella wrote: »

After a quick search on ebay, the price including shipping comes to 275 for:

Speedo cable:£9.95+£2.50 shipping.

Slinky glide clutch cable: £9.95+£2.5
OR
Quality Glide Clutch Cable: £7.50+£1.95

Chain and sprocket:£75+£9.99+£10 (P&P)

front disc: £160+£10 (P&P)

Battery: (£22.50+P&P)

Couldnt get a recitifier...

ill compare these to any breaker quotes i get in the morning...

fingers crossed i can do this!!

Excellent, so where did the other lad get €1000 from???? FFS! Hope it works out lad.

Cedrus

Please Kill Me wrote: »

Excellent, so where did the other lad get €1000 from???? FFS! Hope it works out lad.

1,2, .....skip a few..99,........ 1000!!
I've a four year old who counts like that

Although in fairness if he quoted new OEM parts they are going to add up plus he's going to have a higher mark up in a shop than a breakers needs to have.