What to look for when buying a used race bike?

Nickelii · 08-25-2006, 11:36 PM

Buying a used race bike. Any thoughts, ideas, or suggestions would be appreciated.

Scout · 08-25-2006, 11:55 PM

A #1 plate?

Good luck!

Nicky66 · 08-26-2006, 12:03 AM

Same things you look for in a regular bike. If the thing looks punished...it probably is. Some race bikes are taken care of better than a street bike. But some racers don't care. Find one that looks nice.... with a lot of upgrades... and for goodness sakes get a title with it...

Repeater · 08-26-2006, 1:17 AM

Definetly have a leakdown and compresion test. look closely at the frame for any cracks. ask what wieght the bike was set up for. make sure it has lots of upgrades! i'm also looking for a fully kitted bike.

good luck. i saw an ex ama eron racing f4i fully kitted at the track. nice bike. the guy had just picked it for 3k! i was pissed i saw at least 3500 in quality parts on it.

good luck. and ask for all the spare parts.

Hammer · 08-26-2006, 10:19 AM

What are you looking for? 600 - 1000?

abtech · 08-26-2006, 4:01 PM

What to look for when buying a used race bike?

A good mechanic.

ND4SPD · 08-26-2006, 4:03 PM

Make sure it has an air filter.

abtech · 08-26-2006, 4:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ND4SPD

Make sure it has an air filter.

Nickelii · 08-26-2006, 5:19 PM

I expected more from you guys

ucfmotorcycle1 · 08-26-2006, 5:21 PM

Ok it was probably a fluke but my used race bike had no air filter in it. Then the rubber seal that goes under the air filter got sucked into the throttle bodies, the throttle was stuck at about half open. This was while going around a track so it was not fun.

Scout · 08-26-2006, 5:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ucfmotorcycle1

Ok it was probably a fluke but my used race bike had no air filter in it. Then the rubber seal that goes under the air filter got sucked into the throttle bodies, the throttle was stuck at about half open. This was while going around a track so it was not fun.

clutch, release, clutch, release, clutch, release......coast.

ucfmotorcycle1 · 08-26-2006, 5:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Scout

clutch, release, clutch, release, clutch, release......coast.

Yeah it was more like clutch, ROAR (from the engine bouncing off the rev limiter) and hit the kill switch, coast, tell the corner worker to radio the crash truck.

Nickelii · 08-26-2006, 5:39 PM

Well, I'm leaving to go look at it (2003 600RR), hopefully I'll be back with a new bike

seamus · 08-26-2006, 6:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nickelii

I expected more from you guys

You've been here long enough to know better than that.

abtech · 08-26-2006, 6:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ucfmotorcycle1

Yeah it was more like clutch, ROAR (from the engine bouncing off the rev limiter) and hit the kill switch, coast, tell the corner worker to radio the crash truck.

sheepofblue · 08-26-2006, 8:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nickelii

I expected more from you guys

a passenger sheep

08-27-2006, 12:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nickelii

Well, I'm leaving to go look at it (2003 600RR), hopefully I'll be back with a new bike

Well?

seamus · 08-27-2006, 10:15 AM

He's still looking at it.

08-27-2006, 12:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by seamus

He's still looking at it.

Holy crud Batman......... talk about browsing! What's so tough about it? First

then

Nickelii · 08-27-2006, 1:07 PM

Now I'm going to work on it

Needs some TLC

08-27-2006, 1:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nickelii

Now I'm going to work on it

Needs some TLC

This Thread Is Worthless Without Pictures

& details

BDA116 · 08-27-2006, 3:52 PM

We can help you work on it on Labor Day.

Nickelii · 08-27-2006, 9:44 PM

What a couple of days. I picked it up yesterday and began cleaning it as it was filthy. I spent another 3 hours this morning cleaning and then began on the other stuff. It needed a new radiator because the one on it was bent pretty badly and I didn't feel comfortable with it. Pull the old one off, put on one of Traumattic's spares and fill her up. It then begins to leak so I pull that one off and am now waiting for Traumattics 2nd spare which he is going to bring over on Tuesday. I also drained the oil and was shocked at how tight the drain bolt was on. I am still unable to get the oil filter off and am going to have to use the screw driver method I have a feeling. All that being said, I bought it from a guy who knew literally nothing about bikes. He bought it from a racer in April of 2006, rode it a little and sold it to me for $4300. He said he changed th oil which doesn't surprise me with how tight all the bolts were/are. It has 6600 miles on it and came with:

Jardine Full system
Vortex clip-ons
Vortex adj. rear-sets
BMC Filter
1/4 turn throttle
Scotts/Ohlins Damper
Galfer Superbike lines
Galfer pads
Elka shock
Racetech springs and valves
TCM lightened rear rotor
Vortex 520 sprockets
RK chain

With all that I need to order a new wiring harness, although it's functional, it's ****ed, I'll post some pics below. It needs a new radiator, new chain and a new cover for the tach (which is already on order). It has hotbodies on it which are in good condition except for the tail which Matt can fix when the time comes. I'm also going to take it to the shop and have them check everything to make sure it's good before I bring it to the track.

Nickelii · 08-27-2006, 9:52 PM

Here's the wiring harness. Everything seems to be functioning okay but you can see it's ****ed. Anyone know how difficult it is to replace or should I have the shop do it? The rest of the harness is fine except for this connector. Kind of blows to pay $300 for a connector and some wires that could simply be stripped, soldered and fixed