NEED opinions QUICK!

Doc_Busa · 08-14-2007, 2:30 PM

Hey Guys:

Since our baby was born and my wife quit working, I had to liquidate my bikes

. In my search for an affordable ride, I ran into a local deal on a 1999 Superhawk. I can get the bike for $2200. The catch is that it will not start. I trust the owner and he claims it ran perfectly just a month ago. The bike has 11k miles and looks very clean. Tires are good, everything seems in great shape. It spins the motor no problem, but not even a sputter.

I love the bike, and I can afford it, but is this something I should stay clear of due to the no-start? I realize everything is a gamble, but an informative information would be a HUGE help.

Thanks

06CBR1KMFNRR · 08-14-2007, 2:37 PM

Will he let you trouble-shoot it before commiting? Define "trust."

Doc_Busa · 08-14-2007, 3:37 PM

Thanks for the prompt response. The guy is a police officer and he and his wife just seem like great people (yes, I guess it is still risky). He told me the bike ran perfect in June of this year, ZERO problems. Then, he did not ride it in July, but did fire it up a couple of times. Last week, he went to start it and it will not start. He said it did fire up and ran for a few minutes, then shut off again.

The battery seems very strong. He is located in Las Vegas, and the bike was in a covered parking area, so temps could easily hit 110+. I am wondering if the gas went bad and varnished the carbs...

If you got some quick and easy test ideas, PLEASE send them ASAP. I am supposed to get the bike tonight, if I am willing to take the risk.

Thanks!

08-14-2007, 4:23 PM

Ask him to get it fixed & you'll pay for half of the cost if it comes back running right.

06CBR1KMFNRR · 08-14-2007, 5:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SPEED

Ask him to get it fixed & you'll pay for half of the cost if it comes back running right.

That works if your town has better mechanics than mine does. If not, you're kind of hosed. I'd probably try pulling the plugs to see if they're wet. If so, swap them and then the wires. If they're dry than you're right about the carbs.

Either way, you do want to get rid of that gas. For $2200, I might take the risk. That's assuming I know where the guy lives.

Doc_Busa · 08-14-2007, 5:32 PM

Thanks guys. I am going to roll the dice. Worst case scenario I end up parting it out. Seems like a lot of great parts no matter what.

Can anyone give me a hint on how to get to the plugs and carbs on the Superhawk? I never worked on a v-twin before.

THANKS!

06CBR1KMFNRR · 08-14-2007, 5:47 PM

The only potential problem with that plan is the potential that he swapped out the guage cluster. If the milage is accurate, you're right about the parts. If he swapped out the cluster and it's a 80,000 mile bike, it may not work out as well.

But my perspective on it this. If you know where he lives and he burns you, even if you don't get your money back, you can make sure he doesn't get to enjoy it.

hotnanas · 08-14-2007, 5:49 PM

eh...seems kinda high priced for a non running 8 year old bike IMO...

i'd buy a non running bike for under $1000 no more.

Doc_Busa · 08-15-2007, 12:39 AM

Well, I got the Superhawk... and I got it running!

The fuel smelled like diesel and the chain is rusty. He may have ran it in June, but I bet the last time he bought gas was a year ago. He bought the bike at the dealer in Jan. 2003 with 9200 miles, it now has 11500. I am guessing he probably never did anything to it but ride.

It has a K&N filter that is a little dirty, but not too bad. The bike was covered with spider webs and old leaves.

I sprayed some starting fluid in the carbs, and not much happened, just a small sputter. I pulled the front plug out and put in a new one (I just happened to have from one of my former bikes) and wha-la! It fired right up!
The plug was powdery black and looked OLD! I would guess it could be a factory plug...

So, now I have to figure out how to get the rear plug out and the carbs cleaned, and hopefully I will be good to go!

Any info on how to get the rear plug out and some procedures for getting the carbs cleaned would be GREATLY appreciated!

Thanks.

06CBR1KMFNRR · 08-15-2007, 12:46 AM

Can't help you with any tech data, but for christ's sake it's a carburated twin!

Congratulations and good luck!

hotnanas · 08-15-2007, 3:08 PM

nice work. i'm glad it all worked out for ya...i would have lo-balled him

texassuperhawk · 08-17-2007, 2:12 AM

^^^^thats only cause you don't know how good a bike the Superhawk is lol. To get to the rear plug you gotta pull the tank to get to it. Its not hard, Just unbolt the 2 bolts at the top frnt of the tank and the one at the bottom rear of the tank. Lift it fron the front and remove the fuel lines from the petcock,vacuum and tank vents. REMEMBER WHERE THEY GO its easy to put the vacuum line back on in the wrong place. Oh before you pull the lines off, turn off the fuel. You'll have to fo it with a pair of plyers. Put the tank on the bench and change your rear plug. VIOLA!!!

hotnanas · 08-17-2007, 9:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by texassuperhawk

^^^^thats only cause you don't know how good a bike the Superhawk is lol. To get to the rear plug you gotta pull the tank to get to it. Its not hard, Just unbolt the 2 bolts at the top frnt of the tank and the one at the bottom rear of the tank. Lift it fron the front and remove the fuel lines from the petcock,vacuum and tank vents. REMEMBER WHERE THEY GO its easy to put the vacuum line back on in the wrong place. Oh before you pull the lines off, turn off the fuel. You'll have to fo it with a pair of plyers. Put the tank on the bench and change your rear plug. VIOLA!!!

Howdy!
No, If a bike isn't running but has good compression, I generally can get it running, and it's nice to get one for $500, change some plugs, clean a carb and you've got a bike! And the seller is cool with selling for so low, since it doesn't run anyhow.

motokam · 08-25-2007, 6:31 PM

I'm sorry I don't have any suggestions for your 1999 SuperHawk. However, I have a 2003 model that is immaculate, has fewer than 2000 miles on it, and I could deliver to you in Las Vegas. I bought the bike from a private party in Colorado and rode it home to find out that 49 state bikes with fewer than 7500 miles cannot be registered in California. You can have it for $6000 if you are interested. Otherwise good luck with the '99. If it runs, you won't be dissappointed at all.