Here we go, I picked up the bike (actually... rode 35 miles home, leap of faith), from a mid twenties guy with a young wife, lots of babies and no MC licence. The bike had a grey, dusty desert parched look to it w/31K miles. The guy claimed horn problems(?) and a possible clutch problem in first gear. There was also oil dripping from the timing chain tensioner. I test drove the bike for about 45 minutes, stopping, waiting, listening, looking and feeling for tell tale signs of impending doom or catastrophe. No major defects, aside from the first gear, noted.
I brought her home, soaked all the messy spots with degreaser, followed with a presoak of simple green, scrubbed her down and put her to bed for the night after a full WD40 bath.
The bike cleaned up pretty nice and I actually would not be ashamed to drive her the way she looks right now (wait till I introduce her to "Mother's Mag and Aluminum" polish).
Now here is the question, besides knowing that I am going to be wearing down the clutch by starting in 2nd till I can do (or have done) the first gear repair, what are the other majors I should look for? This is my first shaft driven motorcycle.
Any input would be greatly appriciated.
Last note: I have spent the last 17 years in okinawa, japan trying to keep the mighty Pacific from eating my motorcycles. Plastic rusts in Okinawa.
I brought her home, soaked all the messy spots with degreaser, followed with a presoak of simple green, scrubbed her down and put her to bed for the night after a full WD40 bath.
The bike cleaned up pretty nice and I actually would not be ashamed to drive her the way she looks right now (wait till I introduce her to "Mother's Mag and Aluminum" polish).
Now here is the question, besides knowing that I am going to be wearing down the clutch by starting in 2nd till I can do (or have done) the first gear repair, what are the other majors I should look for? This is my first shaft driven motorcycle.
Any input would be greatly appriciated.
Last note: I have spent the last 17 years in okinawa, japan trying to keep the mighty Pacific from eating my motorcycles. Plastic rusts in Okinawa.
Comment