Buying a bike...

[Neka79]

umm didnt we have a guide of things to look for when buying a bike??

id like a copy for a bloke whos a bit of a noob to bikes who wants to go look at a 99 zx6r.... the checklist of things to look at... cant find it anywhere here...

any1 know where it is?

[Daisy]

I had this one on the desktop...

BIKE INSPECTION CHECKLIST

This does require a little knowledge about bikes and is not an exhaustive check list…a guide only and the checks will vary, depending on whether you are looking at a road bike, traillie or race bike…

The FIRST TEST is LOOK

Does the bike look OK?

Does the bike look straight-look from rear/front and side on

Eyeball-front and rear wheels- are they in line?

Eyeball-is the rear wheel square in the swing arm? check markings at chain adjusters on swing arm

Does bike have all operating bits- brake&clutch lever, throttle grip, mirrors (2)

Does bike have lights and 4 indicators?

Does the bike have 2 switch blocks with horn switch, safety switch, indicators etc

Are tyres OK?.. NOT flat, squared off and have cuts or holes, can you see tyre belts?

Are the wheels complete? no broken spokes or if alloy, no scrapes or cracks

Is bike complete?…has (both if pillion separate) seats, mudguards, hugger, both pillion pegs?

Does fairing look OK, square to frame? Does it have all retainers, no empty bolt or screw holes?

What is condition of bike- cosmetically? check for rust, check tank for dings

What is mechanical condition-is engine clean or oil covered?

Is there oil or fluid on the outside of the front forks?

Is there oil dripping off the bottom of the engine?

Is the oil dripping off or covering the rear suspension?

Check for Petrol leaks from tank or fuel lines or carbys (or injection)

Check levels of –coolant, brake fluid, engine oil (all will have markers for the correct levels)

Check chain-clean/dirty?

Check Sprockets…pointy teeth? no lubrication?

Do electrical harnesses appear retained or and clipped in place, no loose wires running everywhere?

Remove seat and have a look …does it have tools, owners manual?

Remove seat and have a look… at the battery ….is it clean or covered in white powder?

Does bike have a side stand?, a centre stand?

Is bike registered?. CHECK DATE!…is rego sticker displayed?

Does the bike have service stickers on it?…a service history available?



The SECOND test is TOUCH and LISTEN

Grab exhaust (whilst COLD!) and shake..does it rattle? does it squeak, is it attached firmly?

Grab handle bars…are they loose?, do switch blocks seem tight? are mirrors attached firmly?

Shake handle bars…is front wheel loose (bearing check)

Shake handle bars…do they flop in either direction, is there any rattle or squeaks

Grab gearshift lever…does it only move up and down?(not sideways)

Grab brake pedal...does it only move up and down?(not sideways)

Grab rider and pillion pegs…does it only move up and down?(not sideways)

Grab brake lever…is it stiff to work, or does it move freely

Grab clutch lever….is it stiff to work, or does it move freely

Grab rear wheel (preferably while on a stand)..can you twist wheel sideways?

Are there any noises during the operations of the levers…squeaks

Is the chain adjusted correctly…25-30mm sag in middle of bottom chain run

Check all lights work..turn them on, Headlight High Beam? Stop Light? Instrument lights?



The THIRD test is SIT

Sit on bike and compress forks (hold front brake to do so)..squeaks, groans?

Bounce up and down on seat…noise from rear suspension?

Twist handle bars, do they move freely or are they stiff? (head stem bearing check)

Twist handle bars…do they flop from side to side (loose head stem bearings)

Are bars or clip-on loose?

Do all normal controls appear there….levers, pedals, switches

Bounce bike up and down…rattles?

Is seat loose? does it move when you sit on it ? torn? foam soft and saggy?



Finally…ENGINE/GEARBOX (assuming bike is running and has Fuel in tank)

Is the engine easy to start or does it require a SPECIAL start routine! like… pump choke 3 times etc…

Is the engine rattly on start up, does it blow smoke(watch 2 strokes)…does exhaust rattle

Noise level excessive?…no baffles?, exhaust leaks?

Push in choke…will bike idle without choke once warm?

Put bike in gear…lurch? easy to select gear?

Do safety check before riding bike…do brakes work? (test them)

Go for a ride…check Engine rattles, chain (zmmmy)noise, gearbox operation and noise (NO grinding noises)

How does it STOP?, CORNER? ACCELERATE? CHANGE GEAR?…smooth or jerky?

Is throttle smooth to use?

Are all controls easy to use?

Can you imagine spending 2 hours riding it?…………

any help?

[Neka79]

thats a great start!!..thanks daisy!!


see...sumtimes womem CAN be usefull !!

*hides in corner*

[Daisy]

I am SO useful. I took a break from polishing to post that for you.

[mick_dundee]

Think that was what used to be on the forum anwyays, also think Smitty is the author and if i'm right that means the old bastard is still useful, who woulda thunk it

[ozx6r]

I am SO useful. I took a break from polishing to post that for you.

if ur good at polishing, ur very useful

[aardvark]

http://ksrc-au.com/index.php?itemid=16

[Neka79]

http://ksrc-au.com/index.php?itemid=16" target="_blank

hahah thanks..i couldnt find that anywhere!!

passed up the bike...looked in good nick.. were few little things (chain, sprockets, tyre) that needed replacing...

THEN...we discovered the rear brake rotor seemed warped..upon closer inspection it was..and the wheel sat abt 30mm to one side ...so either the swingarm was twisted, or the frame... given the damge to the swingarm (pick up spool bolt hole snapped off, and bottom near adjuster had gouges) we decided it was prob best to leave this one alone..