Thoughts on this corrosion
Discussion
If it's cheap enough and you're just using it for transport then it'll be fine. It's just cosmetic/surface stuff.
Though the new nut on one exhaust header implies it's been off for some reason.
If you're after something shiny looking then obviously look elsewhere.
No point paying more for a minter if you're going to use it and abuse it though, better maybe to buy one that's already been used and abused!?
Though the new nut on one exhaust header implies it's been off for some reason.
If you're after something shiny looking then obviously look elsewhere.
No point paying more for a minter if you're going to use it and abuse it though, better maybe to buy one that's already been used and abused!?
PTF said:
Though the new nut on one exhaust header implies it's been off for some reason.
He says new gaskets as it was blowing. I don't mind cosmetically challenging looking as long as it doesn't like leaving me at the side of the road. I'd probably full service/strip the surface/coat etc.
I'm looking at 1300- 1400. The new MOT missed a split throttle cable hose (he's WhatsApp me a pic of that so he seems upfront which is refreshing).
MGZTV8 said:
Condition says a lot about the owner (s) the bike has had
Thats my approach when buying used bikes too, don't look at the obvious shiny bits, look at the bits that are slightly hidden and see how clean and cared for they are. Someone who has cared for the bike will have most likely taken the trouble to clean those areas.That doesn't apply to bargain basement hacks though.
Judging by the state of that chain and the other filth surrounding it I'd personally look at something else.
Header condition wouldn't bother me too much, the missing bolt might set spidey senses off though.
A fair few years ago I was looking at thing like 5 year old BMWs.
There's often a fair bit of corroding stuff out of sight behind the plastic bits.
Owners are no longer supposed to look under the fairings it seems?
I think pressure washers take some of the blame?
My 20 year old bike is in much better nick than that, it's been ridden in all weathers, although I don't go looking for ice and salt.
It does get hosed off and stored in the dry though.
For a while I had a 5 year old Yamaha, which I spent a fair few hours painting bits like exhaust.
I've long believed it's worth paying a bit extra for the best example you can find.
Sometimes the premium you have to pay for a nice one is not that great.
If you are not totally focussed on an exact model, there is a world of choice out there.
Then again, if it's silly cheap and it works, you can ride it for a year then break it ot move it on.
There's often a fair bit of corroding stuff out of sight behind the plastic bits.
Owners are no longer supposed to look under the fairings it seems?
I think pressure washers take some of the blame?
My 20 year old bike is in much better nick than that, it's been ridden in all weathers, although I don't go looking for ice and salt.
It does get hosed off and stored in the dry though.
For a while I had a 5 year old Yamaha, which I spent a fair few hours painting bits like exhaust.
I've long believed it's worth paying a bit extra for the best example you can find.
Sometimes the premium you have to pay for a nice one is not that great.
If you are not totally focussed on an exact model, there is a world of choice out there.
Then again, if it's silly cheap and it works, you can ride it for a year then break it ot move it on.
I'm not binning 1400£ after a years use. I'd rather buy well, pay more.
All your thoughts confirmed my suspicions. I'd rather buy something garage stored yet old than stored outside, pressure washed or never washed soaking in salt all year.
Many of the bikes I've enquired about have no history at all. Maybe one in the first year then nothing. My brother in law said maybe that's bikers, they self service every year but each bike has no love shown really!
All your thoughts confirmed my suspicions. I'd rather buy something garage stored yet old than stored outside, pressure washed or never washed soaking in salt all year.
Many of the bikes I've enquired about have no history at all. Maybe one in the first year then nothing. My brother in law said maybe that's bikers, they self service every year but each bike has no love shown really!
Biker9090 said:
It just looks like a year round commuter tbh. Nothing particularly bad albeit I'd probably powdercoat the swingarm (like £40) as it'd annoy me and fit a hugger.
Same here. My F800 gets used every day for commuting and rarely gets a clean so it has all sorts of grubby bits and corroded bolts so looks far from mint. However, as it is a daily and I don't want to be stranded by the side of the road in the middle of winter, it gets treated to six-monthly oil and filters, and regular checks of other consumables (like pads, discs, battery etc) to make sure that the risk of it failing to proceed are minimised. If I wanted a weekend bike to go for a jaunt and come home and lovingly polish, I wouldn't buy that bike. If its going to be used every day whatever teh weather then check the condition of the important bits and don't worry about the cosmetics.
I think you’ll struggle to get much better for £1400 or so.
As long as the fasteners, bolts, etc, all look reasonable, history is ok and it doesn’t need a full suite of consumables, I wouldn’t let that mild corrosion, or the exhaust stud, put me off too much….but then if you’re not feeling it, you probably won’t be happy owning it.
As long as the fasteners, bolts, etc, all look reasonable, history is ok and it doesn’t need a full suite of consumables, I wouldn’t let that mild corrosion, or the exhaust stud, put me off too much….but then if you’re not feeling it, you probably won’t be happy owning it.
Hugo Stiglitz said:
I'm not binning 1400£ after a years use. I'd rather buy well, pay more.
All your thoughts confirmed my suspicions. I'd rather buy something garage stored yet old than stored outside, pressure washed or never washed soaking in salt all year.
Many of the bikes I've enquired about have no history at all. Maybe one in the first year then nothing. My brother in law said maybe that's bikers, they self service every year but each bike has no love shown really!
I think the best and the worst bikes have no service history.All your thoughts confirmed my suspicions. I'd rather buy something garage stored yet old than stored outside, pressure washed or never washed soaking in salt all year.
Many of the bikes I've enquired about have no history at all. Maybe one in the first year then nothing. My brother in law said maybe that's bikers, they self service every year but each bike has no love shown really!
I've always done everything myself, apart from things like crank grinds and rebores many years ago. All you'd get from me is a few old MoTs and some receipts for oil and stuff if I could find them. My bikes are never the most immaculate, but like most DIY bikers, when I service a bike I do a lot of of little jobs that aren't on the main dealer's tick list. Change grubby fasteners, clean electrical bits, look for minor faults and sort them. Other DIYers will have higher standards than me.
Some of the worst bikes will just get oil changes now and then and repairs for MOT and breakdowns. A bit like my car :-)
You can look at the service schedule for most bikes, it doesn't add up to many hours of TLC.
Of course some people pay professionals to do a great job of absolutely everything, generating wads of receipts, but this gets crazy when a bike is a few years old.
Some things do well not being fiddled with once they've left the factory, mate of mine works on satellites, says they're very reliable, because there's no 'technicians up there fiddling with them.
Tribal Chestnut said:
I think you’ll struggle to get much better for £1400 or so.
As long as the fasteners, bolts, etc, all look reasonable, history is ok and it doesn’t need a full suite of consumables, I wouldn’t let that mild corrosion, or the exhaust stud, put me off too much….but then if you’re not feeling it, you probably won’t be happy owning it.
I know what you mean but it'd pray on my mind. As long as the fasteners, bolts, etc, all look reasonable, history is ok and it doesn’t need a full suite of consumables, I wouldn’t let that mild corrosion, or the exhaust stud, put me off too much….but then if you’re not feeling it, you probably won’t be happy owning it.
Hugo Stiglitz said:
Tribal Chestnut said:
I think you’ll struggle to get much better for £1400 or so.
As long as the fasteners, bolts, etc, all look reasonable, history is ok and it doesn’t need a full suite of consumables, I wouldn’t let that mild corrosion, or the exhaust stud, put me off too much….but then if you’re not feeling it, you probably won’t be happy owning it.
I know what you mean but it'd pray on my mind. As long as the fasteners, bolts, etc, all look reasonable, history is ok and it doesn’t need a full suite of consumables, I wouldn’t let that mild corrosion, or the exhaust stud, put me off too much….but then if you’re not feeling it, you probably won’t be happy owning it.
A little bit of corrosion (and that is a little bit), a replacement stud and nut (they often break or strip) and a snapped hugger bracket wouldn't put me off.
Great bikes, very reliable, quite fun to ride and cheap to fix/service.
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