things to check when buying a bike?

metamorphpwner

metamorphpwner

metamorphpwner

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Hi,
what sort of things should I be checking when looking at a used bike, i'd normally take my dad but due to us both working different shifts we'd have to wait until weekend and it could go before then.

2003 zx6r 636. 17500 miles.
tyres, brake, steering, engine noise, bearing noise when rolling, straight forks etc.

any other things? the guy is putting a full mot on the bike once sold, so assuming it's a clean pass then it should be all good?
 
That and fork seals is all I can think of really.

Check the oil level too to see if they truly maintain it :p

Service history ? Or how often have they maintained it?
 
Oil leaks at bottom/generator of engine, Brake binding, Coolant level etc

Check to see the not stuffed cloth inside where the fork seals, common trick used to pass mot.
 
Should be fine with that mileage, check brakes arnt binding,steering is smooth and no notchyness from lock to lock that's about it

Those will flag up come mot time anyway but worth checking

Ask when the valve clearances were last checked,that can be expensive
 
all good points, i'll try to remember everything. i'm going to try contact my uncle to take him If I can, he'll be able to test ride if I can't.
.
how many miles do you get from the chain/sprockets?

MOT history site:
oil leak - around 6000 miles but not listed on any of the newer tests, so should have been fixed.
pads/tyres near limit
+
chain too loose/tight - six time over 10000 miles
noisy exhaust

mainly wear items, but also maybe not getting checked by previous owners/
 
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Make sure it's cold when you check it, start it up yourself. If it's warm, why is it warm, why did he start it before you arrived?

Where was the oil leak? When it did leak?

Check that the forks are dry - wet / lubricated forks could mean that the seal has gone. A costly job if you don't do it yourself.

Check the general condition of the tyres and that they've worn equally, same with the brakes / discs.

Adjusting the chain 6 times over 10,000 miles is a lot. Check chain for excessive wear. While you're down there check the sprockets and that they don't show excessive wear. (the points will be sharper and rounding off at an angle "hooked")

Check the bodywork, particularly the footpegs for any damage. Tell tale signs are obviously deep scuffs, but also if they look particularly new; has the bike been dropped?

Check that the head stock bearings are sound, the steering movement should be smooth with no grinding or snagging.

Make sure the chassis /VN number matches up to the logbook when / if you eventually buy it.


metamorphpwner said:
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how many miles do you get from the chain/sprockets?
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It depends on the bike but I'd definitely check it if it's done over 10,000 miles. Some bikes like my Bonneville begin to show wear on the front sprocket @ 10,000. You'll knacker your chain (which can do many more miles than a sprocket) if you ride on a worn sprocket.
 
metamorphpwner said:
the guy is putting a full mot on the bike once sold, so assuming it's a clean pass then it should be all good?
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Once it's sold....??!!
So it wouldn't pass an MoT beforehand and once you bought it, it's your problem?
Sounds a bit suspect to me...

Get a copy of Bike Trader magazine - Every issue, usually inside cover pages, they have a full breakdown of what to look for as a potential buyer, as well as a seller's guide too.
 
Yeah definitely get them to do the MOT before its sold, its what? £25 to get an MOT for a bike, he is going to have a hard time selling a bike to anyone with no MOT.

At that sort of years/mileage you should be thinking about having the valves checked if they've not been done already.
 
If he put an MOT on it before it was sold it would mean if it didn't sell for a month the new owner would only get a 11 months MOT - I'm guessing it's already got an MOT, just means it'll have a nice fresh 12 months MOT for the new owner. Nothing bad about that.

I.e. once someone has put a deposit down, it'll be MOT'd before they collect it.
 
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ttaskmaster said:
Once it's sold....??!!
So it wouldn't pass an MoT beforehand and once you bought it, it's your problem?
Sounds a bit suspect to me...

Get a copy of Bike Trader magazine - Every issue, usually inside cover pages, they have a full breakdown of what to look for as a potential buyer, as well as a seller's guide too.
Click to expand...

sorry, I meant once someone was interested. so it would come with the full mot before cash is paid.
 
TallPaul_S said:
If he put an MOT on it before it was sold it would mean if it didn't sell for a month the new owner would only get a 11 months MOT - I'm guessing it's already got an MOT, just means it'll have a nice fresh 12 months MOT for the new owner. Nothing bad about that.

I.e. once someone has put a deposit down, it'll be MOT'd before they collect it.
Click to expand...

exactly this, mot is april so would get full 12 month for the new owner.
 
metamorphpwner said:
exactly this, mot is april so would get full 12 month for the new owner.
Click to expand...

If it's only got a month or 2 left on the MOT I'd expect a decent dealer to put a new MOT on it, shows confidence in the bike that they know it'll pass - and I'd probably walk away if a bike only had 2 months MOT left and they didn't want to stick a new MOT on it.
 
One of the checks that no one has mentioned is the type of use its been subject to. Daily commuter/courier/race bike/garage queen?

Has it been used as a track bike? Quite a popular bike to use as a dedicated track tool the zx6r. May have been returned to road trim to get shot easier. My mate has just put his track bike back to road trim and sold it on to a dealer, but he told them it's history, would the dealer be so honest to a potential customer...?

Worth bearing in mind :)
 
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