Stupid question

jcerion929rr · 07-17-2009, 6:44 PM

I just got an 02 919 and I was an idiot. I didn't really check the bike over as well as I should have before buying it and I have clearly been duped. I just saw that the bike was cheap and I went for it. The bike isn't in the greatest shape and has definitely been wrecked, and possibly more than once. The guy told me that the bike had 6000+ miles on it. When I look at it, it looks like it should have a decimal in between the two last numbers, but it doesn't. Is it possible that this bike has 62,000 miles on it? I really hope not.

When I got it yesterday it started right up, and now that I have it home, it won't start. I'm thinking that the battery might be dead, but I have no idea how to get the seat to release. How do I pop the seat? I can't find it for the life of me. Thanks.

arg954 · 07-17-2009, 6:48 PM

pull back the corners at the rear of the seat where u should find the ofending allen bolts

jcerion929rr · 07-17-2009, 7:06 PM

I didn't find anything at the corners at the rear of the seat but the bolts that hold the back part of the fairing on.

arg954 · 07-17-2009, 7:13 PM

I had a 954 and would imagine them to be the same, if u pull the corners of the seat back they should be there remove the allen bolts lift the seat up and pull back away from the tank hope this helps?

on1wheel01 · 07-17-2009, 8:11 PM

man sucks you should have taken some 1 that knows bikes. Hope all works out

partyhardryan16 · 07-17-2009, 8:22 PM

yea, every bike ive owned has the same seat setup. like the other guys suggested ... the rear part of the seat, closest to the tail of the bike, bend the back of the seat up, and you should see 2 allen bolts in there. remove them, and your seat should slip out.

once you get this figured out, try jumping the battery or hooking it up to a battery tender to charge it. hopefully that works for ya and its just a battery issue. also, the title you got from him should say how many miles were on it when he got the title in his name. if he was the first owner, it wont really help, but if he bought it used and the title says 20,000 miles, you prolly got stock with a bike that has a lot more miles than you thought.

929trf · 07-17-2009, 9:34 PM

Fyi - my 2001 929 displays milage like this:

http://i144.photobucket.com/albums/r...6/IMG_2248.jpg

on1wheel01 · 07-17-2009, 10:58 PM

man those blue gauges are the **** im wantin to change the color of mine some time

zookmor · 07-18-2009, 2:23 AM

to get to the battery on a 919 you put the key in the tail and lift the seat, and then there is an allen screw and a side cover on the right side of the bike. it is different from a true RR bike. There are 2 covers, and the first higher one is a little triangle with 2 bolts. You want to remove the larger cover with only 1 allen bolt, and the cover should be black while the little triangles are silver. It is quiet possible that the bike has over 60k and still running fine. Odometer does not show decimals, and tripometers only show 1 decimal.

Twincam · 07-18-2009, 12:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by zookmor

to get to the battery on a 919 you put the key in the tail and lift the seat, and then there is an allen screw and a side cover on the right side of the bike.

It is quite possible that the bike has over 60k and still running fine. Odometer does not show decimals, and tripometers only show 1 decimal.

The battery is located on the R/H/S of the bike (if you were sitting on it) - be warned its a little fidley to get to.

Also, be careful of the allen key heads - they might be a bit weak.

How much did you give for it if you don't mind me asking? Any pictures?

jcerion929rr · 07-18-2009, 9:27 PM

I'm definitely starting to realize that I got screwed in this deal. I think I'm gonna either try to fix a few things and ride it as is, or just sell it to someone else. Don't worry though, I can't with a good conscience not divulge what I have learned about the bike.

And I bought the stupid thing for $1800. I'll take some pics and post them later.

Also, the spot where the keyhole would have been on the tail has been bodyworked over, I'm assuming for aesthetic reasons, even though the paint job is complete crap on it. I lifted up the ends of the seat and I see two regular hex bolts that I believe hold on the rear part of the fairing. And they are also insanely hard to get to due to the seat. I contacted the dick who sold the bike to me letting him know I knew he screwed me and that I have to deal with it, and that all I needed for him to tell me was how to get the seat off and his wife called me and told me that he told her that I needed to take the side fairings off. I did that, and I couldn't find any clues on how to get the seat off. I'm starting to get frustrated with this machine. I know it runs because I rode it, but it won't even come close to turning over. Thanks for all the help so far. I really appreciate it.

Twincam · 07-19-2009, 2:55 PM

If a different tail has been put on it, maybe he made the cable exit somewhere else which in turns pops the rear clip (holding the seat)?

$1800 for a 919 sounds very good if you ask me, mine stands me (after I did the work etc) at about £3.5-4K GBP. Its done less than 2000 miles and I probs won't ever get rid of it.

What happens when you turn on the ignition? Do you hear the fuel pump priming?

jcerion929rr · 07-19-2009, 3:09 PM

I thought it was a good deal too at the time. But probably wouldn't have bought it if I really thought there were 60000 miles on it and now I see a rebuilt title.

I can hear the fuel pump priming. It tries to turn over but then runs out of power almost immediately, and then all I can hear is what I think is the starter. I'm thinking that maybe the battery needs replaced. What else could it be if it's not the battery? It started right up when I bought it, and I'm thinking the guy may have trickle charged it right before I got there.

I'm ok with putting a little bit of work into it and I'll probably get a new paint job and new rearsets and a few little things to make it aesthetically presentable.

Also I have looked everywhere and can't find a wire or anything that will release the seat. If I can't find anyway to get it off will taking off the undertail and rear fairing get me to it? Once I'm in I'll rig something up so I don't have this issue again.

Twincam · 07-19-2009, 3:19 PM

Just to burst your bubble a little more, batteries for both the Hornets and 954RRs (are identical) are quite costly... I would spend a little more and buy a Yuasa battery. A good investment would also be a battery tender/optimiser.

Does it say on the papers that it has been re-built before?

Hornets (or 919s) can go on forever, as long as they are treated with the right amount of TLC. Give her a service (fresh oil and filter is a must). Over here the Hornet 600s are often used as courier bikes (they are quite reliable - the 900s are more expensive and a little heavier).

It does sound like the battery is struggling to turn the engine... I would start by (first removing the seat) charging the battery and seeing what happens (the battery could be screwed but at least you know that it is the only problem).

I think if you were to strip her you could probably get your moneys worth.

jcerion929rr · 07-19-2009, 3:28 PM

As soon as I can actually get to the battery I will put it on my trickle charger and see how she responds. Even though batteries are expensive, it would be nice to know what the problem is. What kind of oil would you recommend for this particular bike? I used Motul on my 929 and liked it but it's super expensive. I've been reading about Rotella in some of these forums and apparently it's much cheaper and a good oil.

It does say that it's a rebuilt on the title.

And I appreciate you helping me out. I feel a lot better about my whole situation now.

I'll take some pics and post them as well.

jcerion929rr · 07-19-2009, 3:34 PM

Here are some pics of her and her terrible paint job. I'll take better ones when it's nicer out.

Twincam · 07-19-2009, 3:36 PM

No worries, I'm glad we could help (and are still trying to).

Since I re-built her I have just been running the standard grade oil in her (I think its 10W30 according to the manual).

Never heard of Rotella but if its mean't for motorcycle engines I wouldn't see why not.

Check the condition of the downpipes (not sure if you suffer from salt as much as we do over here) and also the chain and sprokets...

on1wheel01 · 07-20-2009, 1:05 AM

does look pretty nice

jcerion929rr · 07-20-2009, 6:23 PM

It's not in the worst shape ever, but certainly needs a lot of TLC. And to make matters worse my car just blew a headgasket and I have no money to fix it since I just bought this bike. Haha. . . when it rains it pours I guess.

Twincam · 07-20-2009, 6:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jcerion929rr

...when it rains it pours I guess.

What car is it? I suppose you could do the head gasket yourself (its not a hard job, depending on how badly it has gone - and the car).

My daughters car gave up about a month ago (injector pump went so wouldn't start), then my Passats brake switch as gone (causes a loss of power), then I learn't my MGB GT leaks (fuel tank when full and also the rad)... Grr

jcerion929rr · 07-21-2009, 5:44 PM

97 Acura 2.2 cl. Even if I were to try and do it myself, I highly doubt I have the tools needed to do it. I love trying to fix my toys myself, but I don't think I have the know-how to do a head gasket.

I finally got the seat off. It turns out there was a zip tie completely hidden from sight that popped it. I hooked it up to my trickle charger and when I put it back in the bike started right up. I'm pretty sure that the handlebars are bent as they hit the tank when brought to the far left. Where would you recommend getting a new set? She's definitely fast and sounds super mean (D+D pipes), but I fear I'm gonna need to put a lot of work in. I also need mirrors as well apparently. This will be a long project as I don't have the money to buy all the parts at once. I'll check ebay and see if I can't find some of these pieces for cheap.

on1wheel01 · 07-21-2009, 6:01 PM

oh the 2.2 is easy to work with with just about a simple set of sockets would get the job done. I've got a 97 3.0 cl almost impossible to do work on it.

Twincam · 07-21-2009, 7:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jcerion929rr

97 Acura 2.2 cl. Even if I were to try and do it myself, I highly doubt I have the tools needed to do it. I love trying to fix my toys myself, but I don't think I have the know-how to do a head gasket.

I finally got the seat off. It turns out there was a zip tie completely hidden from sight that popped it. I hooked it up to my trickle charger and when I put it back in the bike started right up. I'm pretty sure that the handlebars are bent as they hit the tank when brought to the far left. Where would you recommend getting a new set? She's definitely fast and sounds super mean (D+D pipes), but I fear I'm gonna need to put a lot of work in. I also need mirrors as well apparently. This will be a long project as I don't have the money to buy all the parts at once. I'll check ebay and see if I can't find some of these pieces for cheap.

Mirrors?! Who needs those? (Unless your law is to have them - over here we can pick or chose)

Regarding the handle bars - it depends really - new or used? Could try eBay for OEM bars or even think about getting a nice set of Renthals.

When I bought the bike the handle bars had gone into the tank splitting it open.

jcerion929rr · 07-21-2009, 7:27 PM

I'm not sure what the law is here in MD. If I don't have to have them then I won't get them. I could care less new or used. At this point I'm just trying to find a good deal on a decent set of bars, could care less if it's OEM or not.

When the bars went into the tank was it on the left side? Is this something that is normal for these bikes or were your handlebars bent? It stops just shy of hitting it on the right side of the tank.

On1Wheel01- Do you know where I could find a DIY for a head gasket job? At this point I'm willing to try just about anything to not have to pay the 1200 the shop wants to charge me. Thankfully a friend gave me a minivan that i've been driving around.

zookmor · 07-21-2009, 11:41 PM

sorry that he took you for a ride. But if the seat should loosen when you turn the key in the back of the tail section, and then it should take a little lifting and pulling toward the back of the tail to get the seat off. for 1800 I say keep it and fix any issues that arise.

PM me if you are needing any stock parts I have a decent bit of OEM parts for the 919 that i'll sell.

A few parts I have off the top of my head are:
Stock Headers
Stock Y pipe
3 pairs of stock handlebars
Stock Mirrors
stock Bar end weights
Chrome RR bar end weights
Stock front and rear reflectors
Stock Spark plugs
Stock Air filter
Stock Horn
OEM Rotors
pairs smog system

Evidential you don't or can't accept PMs so I typed it all in here

jcerion929rr · 07-22-2009, 2:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by zookmor

Evidential you don't or can't accept PMs so I typed it all in here

I can't find out how to PM so you can just e-mail me at joshuadcaldwell@gmail.com

I would definitely be interested in some of those parts.

Thanks

reefkprZ · 07-22-2009, 8:57 AM

I know up here in maine the law only requires one mirror on bikes it doesnt matter left or right. as long as there is one. I would just call a place that inspects motorcycles and ask them if you need a mirror for a sticker or not.

(and if you think that bike is in rough shape take a look at my "rust demon" thread, in the cruisers section.) its not so bad. at lerast they tried to make it a decent looking paint job, mine was spray bombed with what looks like house paint......

Twincam · 07-22-2009, 1:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jcerion929rr

When the bars went into the tank was it on the left side? Is this something that is normal for these bikes or were your handlebars bent? It stops just shy of hitting it on the right side of the tank.

They should be clear of the tank - When mine went down it basically washed out going around a left corner... Headlamp, clocks, mudguard, handle bars, stator cover, rear seat cowl, cans were either broken or scratched badly.

A new set of clocks (they come in four pieces) retails for about £700 in the UK. Be thankful yours are ok.

Quote:

Originally Posted by jcerion929rr

I can't find out how to PM so you can just e-mail me at *******

I would definitely be interested in some of those parts.

Thanks

Looks like you have a bit of a break through.

New members are limited to when they can start PM'ing other members, you should be able to soon.

Did you manage to get any pictures?

zookmor · 07-22-2009, 2:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jcerion929rr

I can't find out how to PM so you can just e-mail me\

email sent

jcerion929rr · 07-23-2009, 12:25 AM

Took some more detailed pics today.

So I know I need new handlebars and rearsets as well as a paintjob. The stator cover is scratched up as well but it looks like the dude rhino lined it or something. Or maybe it's just black spraypaint. It looks like the headlamp will need replaced as well. The clocks work but the left hand side doesn't have a back light. I haven't ridden it at night yet, so I don't know how bad it's going to suck not having it. As you can see in the pics, the dude did a terrible job of trying to cover up the holes in the tail section where the keyhole and handles used to be.

After I charged the battery she started up 7-8 times with no problem and then wouldn't start today when I was trying to show a friend the bike. I'm going to buy a new battery as well and hope that's what it is. I've seen them for $50 on Ebay, but I'm assuming that it's probably super cheesey and should probably go for something nicer.

Question: When I let the clutch out, it catches instantaneously as soon as I let it out at all. I have tried messing with the cable adjuster, but it hasn't seemed to work. I've never had this problem and was wondering if that could be just the cable or if it was a more serious problem.