A favour from a Welly KBer please!

[jrandom]

When you book the bike into the shop... Ask them what they do when they do a pre-purchase check.

This is why, in such situations, I make a point of talking to the appropriate guy at the workshop in question and instructing him specifically to spend at least an hour or two on checking the bike out, and that I will not complain if he finds reason to take longer.

I then list a few things off the top of my head that I want reported on, like:

- brake pad and disc condition
- engine oil level and appearance
- cylinder compression
- valve clearances
- chain and sprocket condition
- tyre wear
- wheel bearings and steering head condition
- suspension condition (any funny noises or leaking seals)
- general appearance of the bike's electrical connections and wiring

before making it clear that I am not a spanner jockey myself, and would he please expand on that list as he sees fit and feel free to include in the bill the time necessary to write up a report detailing the condition of every item he checks.

It's important to make the above explicit, because a lot of tightwad bike shop customers out there expect workshop guys to perform miracles in zero time, and many professional spannerers will tend to be as brief as possible if just asked to "do a prepurchase check" because they don't want any grief from someone who didn't expect to be billed for a reasonable amount of labour.

[T.W.R]

- engine oil level and appearance

looks can be deceiving It's the smell of the oil that tells you everything

[James Deuce]

If it smells like fish, what do I do?

[Oakie]

Nice bike. I spotted it a couple of nights ago when looking thru Trade Me. Good luck with the bidding.

[Deviant Esq]

If it smells like fish, what do I do?

Something's fishy - quiz the guy on how many bits of crumpet he's had on the pillion seat!

T.W.R: What do you think of it as an option, though, mechanical inspection aside?

Oakie: Not bidding as such - if I buy this bike it won't be on a bid... but thanks anyway. Fingers crossed

[phoenixgtr]

Hmmm...looks alot like the bike in your profile picture, only, it's the wrong colour!!

[Grub]

That sounds like a good idea.
According to the seller, it's in North Wellington (wherever that is). Is there anyone that can recommend a good shop to check it over for me?

In the ad it mentions that it has been service and looked after by "Richard - j'ville". That's actually a bike shop. Richard is an .. interesting .. character and I'm sure if you gave hime a ring he'd tell you all about it. He's good at telling people about stuff

[Nasty]

I rang Richard about a bike previously and he totally put me off buying it even though he had serviced it for several years .... if you ring him ensure that you have full details of the bike otherwise its a waste of time - as he services many.

[T.W.R]

If it smells like fish, what do I do?

If you need to be told

Oil should smell sweet, when it gets old or there's something happening that shouldn't be it burns and smells it.

Something's fishy - quiz the guy on how many bits of crumpet he's had on the pillion seat!

T.W.R: What do you think of it as an option, though, mechanical inspection aside?

I rang Richard about a bike previously and he totally put me off buying it even though he had serviced it for several years .... if you ring him ensure that you have full details of the bike otherwise its a waste of time - as he services many.

answered

you'd have to try one for size anyhow & ditch the double bubble screen

[Deviant Esq]

Progress report - Jim2's had a look at the bike in question and has given me a detailed and thorough report on everything he's looked over... even the condition of the neighbour's driveway ( only joking Jim, but seriously, awesome in your attention to detail, very much appreciated)! I've looked over the report and am in the process of considering my next move.

Watch this space - I'll keep you informed.