Hello, and questions :D

Originally Posted by Duck-man

Hello all,
I am going down to Durham to look at this bike http://www.tomconway.co.uk/showroom/...ash=3adf20271c and was wondering what I should be looking for asking about?
......
cheers

£2.3k for a 99 seems a lot of wonga, its not like it is stupidly low mileage or something either?!!?

Why are you looking at dealers only and not private too??

I am looking at dealers at the mo cause I dont have a car so i have to rely on public transport so the bike needs to be within walking distance of the station (ish)

And there isnt many bikes that close to me in edinburgh at the mo, or within my budget.

and according to parkers

Original Price £ 4299
Independent Dealer £ 2540
Private Good £ 2200
Private Poor £ 1525
Part Exchange £ 1865

I am also looking at W reg at a dealer near me for £2600 but it is half faired, and has a race can on it

I bought my SV from Tom Conways. Great bunch, good service. When are you going down, I don't mind popping over to have a look with you (edit - or even pick you up from the station) if I'm around, I'm only just around the corner really.

I am going down on the train on Monday morning, getting the 0900 train, so I should be getting into durham for about 10:45ish and then a bus up there so I should be there for about 1115ish i suppose.

That would fantastic if there was someone else there for extra advice, if you can make that would be grand cheers

[fizzwheel]

OK what the others said plus.

1. Look at the front forks are they corroded and chipped, This is pretty common on a high milleage SV thats been used in all weathers. Its a good indication of what the bikes been used for and also if the milleage is correct. i.e if the forks are chipped and manky but the milleage on the bike is low then start asking questions. Same goes for the handlebars and footpegs.

2. Have a look at the disks and pads. What condition are they in. SV's are known for the brakes sticking on if its not been looked after. Again this is especially relevant if its been used through winter and neglected.

3. Look at the chain and sprocket and the tyres. how much life do they have left in them, and slack worn chain with hooked teeth on the sprocket mean that its going to want changing soon.

3. Electrics, some people including me have had trouble with blown fuses caused by the wiring loom rubbing on the tank. So ask about that to.

4. If its a private sale, if you can get a sneaky peak in the owners garage, have a look for stuff like, paddock stands, a good set of tools, cleaning products, chain lube etc on the shelf, It'll give you an idea of how the current owner looks after the bike.

Dont be put off by high milleage as long as you can see that the servicing has been done, either by stamps in the service manual or receipts for parts used. A high milleage bike thats been ridden is better than a low milleage bike thats been stood for ages and has got all seized up.

Use things like worn tyres, chain and sprocket as bargaining tools to get the price down. Make sure you do a HPI check to make sure that theres no outstanding finance or the bike hasnt been involved in a accident at some point in its life.

Remember that non standard parts dont increase the value of the bike. So dont let the bling bits distract you from the of the bike, better IMHO to buy a mint standard bike than sh*tter with loads of aftermarket parts bolted onto it. Things like a hugger, a scotoiler are sensible modifications though as is a race can but only if you like the sound / look of it.

If you're not sure, Walk away from the bike, or take somebody with you who does know what they are looking at. Make sure you look at plenty of bikes and never buy the first one you look at.

HTH good hunting

Originally Posted by Duck-man

I am going down on the train on Monday morning, getting the 0900 train, so I should be getting into durham for about 10:45ish and then a bus up there so I should be there for about 1115ish i suppose.

That would fantastic if there was someone else there for extra advice, if you can make that would be grand cheers

Damn, I've got a meeting at 11am on the other side of the region. Sorry!

Hey no probs

work always gets in the way of me having fun too!

haha!

Originally Posted by Duck-man

I am looking at dealers at the mo cause I dont have a car so i have to rely on public transport so the bike needs to be within walking distance of the station (ish)

Hey mate.

If there are any down the south west (greenock - ayr) way then give me a shout, I can always look at them for you.

Just a side note, you should know I have bought 6 bikes off ebay and travelled over 250 miles for each one even though I only had their description to go on. Thankfully, because I speak to the seller and only buy bikes with decent adverts, I have always bought minters. Don't be scared to bid on one on ebay and travel down on the train to pick it up! You save a LOT of money that way.