New RG150 been in storage for approx 4yrs

[Cronan]

Hi, I'm fairly new to the forums (been a member for ages... Just not active :facepalm:) I'm thinking about getting an 98 rg150 that's been in storage for about 4years. It's got 34,000kms on the odo.

I'm just wondering what things to look out for in a bike that's been in storage for this long? I don't know a huge amount about bikes but I'm trying to learn - started by finding a rg150 service manual...

The plan is get my restricted after having my learners for 7+yrs :drinkup: and also I'd like to give the streetstock series a go next year! Another bike that I've seen on trademe is this kr150 http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/Listing.aspx?id=391772314 or rg150 http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/Listing.aspx?id=390948615 . The second rg150 is a little bit more than I'm really looking at paying for... but would it be worth it??


Any advice or tips about getting a bike (for the road and the track) including the bikes mentioned would be MUCH appreciated, also any links/books/anything that'll help me LEARN about 2smokers and racing would be appreciated too. I'll keep digging around these forums as I know there's a wealth of info here as well as the rest of the internet


CHEERS!

Croydon

[eelracing]

If the plan is to ride it and get your full license first and your really sold on the idea of a smoker then get the best one for the money you can afford.If it was me i'd be leaning toward the RG on Trademe.It is very tidy and the owner has obviously looked after it (always a good sign)In saying that though I would never buy a bike unseen or unheard so you've got to go and have a look before handing over your hard earned.It could well be worth the little bit extra...hell the guy might even be up for haggling if your carrying cash.

Two strokes that have been sitting in storage for awhile (4 years is a long time,you have to ask why)could be hiding all sorts of horrors inside the motor if moisture has been allowed to enter.Always on the cards with an open port and crank seals could be cracked from drying out.For that reason a regularly ridden and maintained smoker is your best bet.

If you do buy one,ride it to a couple of the Vic club winter rounds at Manfeild and talk to the guys that race these things they will be more than helpful in schooling you up in the ways of smoker ownership.

[Lurch]

I agree with Eelracing that the RG on TradeMe looks like a preferable choice.
My first bike was a 98 RG150 but it had under 9k on the clock at the time. It was a fun bike and the idea that it had bang for buck was enticing but the reality was that it would have been easier to learn on a 4 stroke.

In my opinion an RG150 with 36,000Kms on the clock that has been stationary for years is likely to be a lemon. It will be well overdue for a bore and rings at that Km range and it's unlikely the power valves are in good condition.

I do not regret my time on the RG but to be honest when I got my Hyosung GT250 it felt much less like a toy than the RG did.

[Cronan]

Thanks for the replies :) I've had a gt250r which I really enjoyed, and was thinking about getting another one (first one got wrote off when an old farmers ute cut in front of me at a set of lights...), and I also started out on a kr150 which I took a slide on when trying to learn how to ride...

I'm dead set on getting a 2smoker! One of the guys from work who's into his bikes said that as long as the bike started up and ran for 10mins without blowing up then the crankseals should be alright, and considering it's selling for a half the price of the other rg on tm, it'd be a good buy as he'd help me replace piston and rings. How would I know if it's due for a bore(I'm having trouble finding out what a bore is on google :s)

The guy says that they've done the carb jets as the clogged up after drying out - Is that from being storage I'm guessing, anything to worry about? He also says that the power valves were done about 5k ago, although I'm unsure how long ago that was...


Still worth having a look at this rg, or would I still be better off paying double for something that I'll at least know has been well looked after...?

Ta :D

[Lurch]

I think it's guaranteed to be temperamental but there's no doubt they can be fun (and simple) machines to own. If it starts easy, runs without sounding like it's a bag of marbles in a tumble drier (right through the rev range) and sits comfortably idling along for a few minutes by itself then I can't see why you shouldn't take a punt.

Oh but don't forget to look for all of the other dodgy things about an old bike, are the forks entirely fucked? Does it actually change into all of the gears? Do the lights work? Etc etc.

[Jay GTI]

How would I know if it's due for a bore(I'm having trouble finding out what a bore is on google :s)



The bore is refering to what the piston sits inside, ie the inner part of the cylinder or barrel, as they are often refered to. When checking, you're looking for obvious signs of scoring marks or damage, a wear lip from the piston rings or even the bore going oval. You can rebore (with oversized pistons) or recoat if it's nikasil, but on a cheapie single cylinder 2 smoke it's usually just as easy to get another barrel.

[Cronan]

Woo thanks again for the replies! The KR auction ends tonight and if it doesn't sell then I'll try haggle the price abit. I rang the guy and he said it's been kept outside but that the only rust is up by the handle bars, none on the forks of the frame.

I'm quite keen on the kr, but does anyone know anyone reliable in Wellington that might want to have a look at it for me? I'd rather have an opinion from someone else other than the owner before I pack up the ute and go down to wellz from taranaki... Just PM if so and I'll get back to organize a time with the owner

Thanks alot for the feedback, things are making abit more sense with each reply :)