Buying a track bike - what to look for?

[samhasa636]

I am going to look at a '95 ZX6, race prepped bike, after-market suspension, zorst, tyre-warmers, stands etc... asking $3k. I know the seller and I know they are die-hard kwakka fans who has looked after this bike.

The photos look like the bike is in pretty good nick, so is this a good price for the vintage? So what should I be looking for?

1) Frame alignment
2) Head bearings
3) Wheel bearings
4) oil leaks

Any tips my green blooded brethren?

[Neka79]

umm $3k??
does it have a motor??
does it run??
fark id just buy it...lol..seems like a bargain....

[YAPPA]

sounds like a fair enuf deal 2 me

[HemiDuty]

Sounds good to me, I would love a track bike. Oh wait I have one, but have delusions of making it a road bike again. But I still want a track bike. I am confused. Might go for a ride.....

[Wannabe]

Have a real good look at the frame. They were prone to cracking if used hard or abused. The place to look is the underneath part of the frame, around where the ram-air ducts go thru.

[samhasa636]

Have a real good look at the frame. They were prone to cracking if used hard or abused. The place to look is the underneath part of the frame, around where the ram-air ducts go thru.

Ahhh, see that's the kind of info I was after.

But for $3000 I will haggle down the price for the cracked frame and then try and source one from somewhere.

[MadKaw]

Hmm track bikes..... Well considering the price hike and sole operater policy at the creek the cheaper the better as track bikes aren't worth much anymore.
You might also consider racing it as the PCRA have a new era class for pre 96 model bikes. Rob can fill you in the info on that if your interested.

The obvious things to look for are smokey exhausts and excessive oil use as track bikes have a tendancy to bounce off the rev limiter a little more than road bikes. If possible, and it may not be, get a compression test done as this will give you an idea of the engine condition. Valves don't last long at high rpm either....
Frame straightness is another difficult to check item but track bikes seem to fall over a lot... A simple check is with a string line.

Bent shift forks making shifting difficult, gears jumping and false neutrals can mean gearbox problems...

Generally if it looks in good nick its probly been looked after...

Oh, and make sure you give it once over and check that bolts are tightened, exhaust clamps are in good condition and the tyres are ok..
Some ppl don't do that and then only have themselves to blame....
you know who you are...

[Damon Z1000]

[dave#3]

But for $3000 I will haggle down the price for the cracked frame and then try and source one from somewhere.

I'd have a good look around and see if you can really find a frame before comitting to that sort of deal ... I suspect a good frame for a 10 year old zx6 would be difficult to find .... old Kwaks don't die, they just get smashed, crashed and bashed to the shithouse