Tips when looking at bikes

steve-d · Post by **steve-d** » Nov 27th, '07, 23:10

Hey, Just looking for some advise, again.
Basically found a kawasaki zx 400 for sale in brixham, has been off thje road for a year, has past 2 mots, bit of service history. Passed its last mot then started to spray it green but only got as far as the tailpiece so its half blue and tailpiece is eiter in primer or green im not sure. He says it runs, ticks over and revs fine. He only wants 300 for it. I've got to ring him tomorow to arrange a time to visit and im just wondering if theres anything to look out for on these bikes. Im slightly suspicous about it tbh.

Funky · Post by **Funky** » Nov 27th, '07, 23:29

for 300 quid i would be too, make sure it does start up fine, I learnt the hard way about that. You should only have to press the starter button and maybe if it's cold or been resting a while put the choke on for a little bit.

If it doesn't have a current MOT think to yourself why and give it a good check. If the guy is spraying it wonder why, has it been chucked down the road rather badly?

thelastsuperpower · Post by **thelastsuperpower** » Nov 28th, '07, 14:43

If you can get hold of the reference number on the v5/MOT cert,do an online MOT history check which is totally free.
The bike may have passed the last MOT but it could have got a shedload of advisory notices too=more money spent.

I learned this the hard way when i bought my 'mechanically sound' bike-it needed new head bearings,collector box/downpipes,rear disc etc etc.

SteveR3 · Post by **SteveR3** » Nov 28th, '07, 17:15

If the engine isn't stone cold when you go round - Beware!

When he fires it up and gives it hell on the throttle [cold engine] - walk away very quickly!

If he drops the price without too much argument - walk away very quickly!

If the oil looks bad with white froth around the dipstick - walk away very quickly!

If the floor under the bike looks kacky - walk away very quickly!

If there's little or no MoT left & no Tax - scrap value only, see if Speedy want's it!

Ace · Post by **Ace** » Nov 28th, '07, 18:42

Watch out for fork seals as well, they go hard after a while and can start to leak as soon as they are used again.

Also make sure it has been sorned and is in the current owners name. You can be stung for loads if the sorn is not upto date.

Ace · Post by **Ace** » Nov 28th, '07, 18:43

Oh and the brakes, if they are binding then they may need a seal kit.

Mike Daytona600 · Post by **Mike Daytona600** » Nov 28th, '07, 19:05

All above and...

Make sure it's straight.

When looking at cars I always tell the person, when on the phone arranging a time to veiw, to make sure the engine is cold.

Take an old rag with you to put over the end of the exhaust to make sure not leaking.

Get the engine nice and hot and then check for oil leaks,

Check the chain for siezed links. I know it's easy to sort a new chain but you still have to pay for it if you do.

Make sure the discs arn't warped.

Check all the lights etc.

Make sure the key works all the locks.

Check for rust.

Check all the other little things, tyres etc

Check the head stock and make sure the lock stops are ok

steve-d · Post by **steve-d** » Nov 29th, '07, 21:31

Well hes has someone round to see it already, who said he'll have it and hasnt heard back from him, that was on sunday, he said he'll wait till friday and then he will pass over to me. So hopefully he hasnt come back to it. Spoke to him again yesterday, said he bought it as a project bike 3 years ago, rode it for 2 years then started spraying it, never finished and bought a bigger bike. So its been sat for a year, discs are rusty general crap from being stood for a year needs new tyres. But for 300 quid if it is a good honest bike its a great deal even if it does need a few hundred spending on it its still a good buy.
Cheers for the tips everyone. Hopefully itll be ok.

Little Loris · Post by **Little Loris** » Nov 30th, '07, 00:31

If it runs on all 4 cylinders I'll have it.

chris_1127 · Post by **chris_1127** » Nov 30th, '07, 12:05

is it a zx400 or a zxr400? they did an earlier, squarer zx400 styled a bit like the old zx10's. if its a zxr its pretty cheap but dont know that a zx4 thats got no ticket is worth much more than 300 quid tops really.

steve-d · Post by **steve-d** » Nov 30th, '07, 16:55

Its an import, he says its the early model of the zxr 400, i think its the squarer version like the box type tail unit. I've only seen a picture of it in the newsagents when it was dark and i was drunk. Have to ring after work tonight and hope te other guy hasnt came through with the money

chris_1127 · Post by **chris_1127** » Nov 30th, '07, 17:22

it's a different bike to a zxr400 - think they were actually made at the same time as early zxr's but with different styling and bits - more of a budget bike. greybike reviewed one about 14 years ago, supposed to be a good bike still, and pretty sure its the same engine. just less focussed and with cheaper cycle parts/suspension

just be careful re getting parts if its a less common import.

if it's been sat outside, check things like brake caliper pistons for rust - pistons for two sets of four pots could easily cost you 160 quid plus seals if theyre rusted; check fork legs for rusting and pitting, check it doesnt smoke like a b'stard on startup after being stood through stem seals going brittle, check bottom corners of tank for any rust - look for yellow staining on the paintwork in bottom corners (any water in tanks can settle and rot rom the inside out). check headraces haven't got notched through being sat in one place for so long

Some bargain bikes are exactly that - bargains that someone cant be arsed to spend a bit of time fixing. Others can be complete money pits - from experience

best thing to do if it is still available is go with an open mind, and don't be afraid to walk away if it's a shed

chris_1127 · Post by **chris_1127** » Nov 30th, '07, 17:34

also worth making sure its not actually a zx400a/b/c/d1 - commonly called gpz400 but officially called a zx400-whatever on the logbook - a sleeved down gpz550 (if oil cooled) or gpz600 (if water cooled) and imo possibly not worth 300 with no ticket unless its really nice and would pass an mot easily enough. baskie had one, might be able to tell you what he bought/sold his for

Mike Daytona600 · Post by **Mike Daytona600** » Dec 1st, '07, 09:46

I had to do the caliper seals on my ZX6-R G2 when I had it. So thats 2x6 pot calipers = 12 pots. So that's 12 seals and 12 dust seals = 24. I was told around £90 retail

, and that was about five yeras ago.

But if the piston are to rusted then that's new pistons too.

steve-d · Post by **steve-d** » Dec 1st, '07, 14:39

Seen it this morning before work put a deposit down, need to pick it up some how.
The guy selling it is the dad of a mate from school, it does seem like a genuine bargain. Only things are the tyres, discs are rusty but will clean up, and paintwork. Plastics are in good condition, tail unit has been painted yellow which doesnt look bad, and the front fairings have been rubbed down. I cant see it costing any mnore than 3/400.
Now to get my lisence.