Auction Inspections

**dogdoghowl** · 12-12-2014, 12:12 PM

So, I've been looking at auction listings and have found something I want to go and inspect. I do not really have a great deal of mechanical knowledge or know what to inspect exactly though... Haha. The bike has a key and the engine is running. Any pointers that might have me doing something more effective than kicking the tyres and rubbing my chin contemplatively would be a big help.

Cheers, Adam.

**Linden** · 12-12-2014, 03:10 PM

beyond don't do it ....

Look for round wheels;
bent/cracked frames

Actually look at every thing ... have a price list in your head of all parts that need to be replaced

oh and don't want it ... seen Fkd bikes go for 1k more than 2nd hand registered gumtree etc

**Marshy** · 12-12-2014, 04:38 PM

And when in doubt, assume the part will need replacing.

TBH, if you're not mechanically minded, it's a big risk. I've had hidden cracks in frames, and f&#ked engines. If it's not a disaster one, then overall it usually ends up being between a little and a lot more expensive than buying one already converted.

But it's fun too! So go for it if you're willing to accept the risk.

**Cat** · 12-12-2014, 04:49 PM

Yeah, I saw the thread with the crack. The bike you got with the bung engine, was the engine in working order prior to the auction? I understand it's a risk regardless of how thorough you try to be but I'd just like to mitigate it by ruling out the most common problems and then maybe roll the dice if it looks ok.....

P. S: changed my username!

**Marshy** · 12-12-2014, 05:20 PM

Adam, there was one with a crack in the engine, which was touch-and-go, but BoB saved it! The massive hidden frame crack was a total loss, and I parted out the good bits. If it runs and the forks etc look straight, then you'll probably be fine. Just have a bid limit and stick to it!! It's easy to get carried away.....

**Cat** · 12-12-2014, 05:29 PM

Dayum, total loss! Really sounds like gambling this auction business.. Alright. Inspect thoroughly. Bid limit. Cheers Marshy.

**Marshy** · 12-12-2014, 05:40 PM

A one-off purchase is akin to a gamble. Doing it all the time is like investing. Some you win on and some you lose on.

**Mr.Ed** · 12-12-2014, 06:02 PM

And like investing, if you don't know what you're doing, there's also a good chance you're gonna lose a LOT of them...

**BoB** · 12-12-2014, 06:29 PM

Whats the bike and auction? .. as long as its not a cbr 600rr then go for it ... stay clear of the hondas .. ( only joking .. i love the hondas)

**Marshy** · 12-12-2014, 07:09 PM

Looks fine - there'll be nothing wrong with it. It'll go for a fortune but.

**Cat** · 12-12-2014, 07:14 PM

Originally Posted by Marshy

Looks fine - there'll be nothing wrong with it. It'll go for a fortune but.

Great. Haha. What would you estimate?

**WETTY** · 13-12-2014, 08:08 AM

even the best get bitten , good ruck and expect to end up payin more and riding it in 2016

**Marshy** · 13-12-2014, 08:30 AM

$6k to $7k, including fees. People forget the fees, but they've gone up in July and are about $750 now (used to be ~$500), which is a big whack on top if you're not expecting it. Then consider:

Painted fairings $1k
Quickshifter $380
Race tyres $550
Frame sliders $100
Clipons $100
Grips $30
Levers $90
Braided lines $130
520 chain and sprockets $350
GB engine covers $350
Shark fin $80
Tank sliders $60
Rearsets $400
Mid-pipe and muffler $500
Steering damper $600
Lockwiring all over
Suspension upgrades $$$$

And they are just the basics! It's a labour of love, too, because all that work takes weeks full-time.

**WETTY** · 13-12-2014, 08:36 AM

Originally Posted by Marshy

$6k to $7k, including fees. People forget the fees, but they've gone up in July and are about $750 now (used to be ~$500), which is a big whack on top if you're not expecting it. Then consider:

Painted fairings $1k
Quickshifter $380
Race tyres $550
Frame sliders $100
Clipons $100
Grips $30
Levers $90
Braided lines $130
520 chain and sprockets $350
GB engine covers $350
Shark fin $80
Tank sliders $60
Rearsets $400
Mid-pipe and muffler $500
Steering damper $600
Lockwiring all over
Suspension upgrades $$$$

And they are just the basics! It's a labour of love, too, because all that work takes weeks full-time.

PCV
air filter
gearing
brake pads
etc etc
and then the trip to Laurie and Dave to straighten it out and then the call sorry we cant fix the wheel or the disc or the subframe etc etc etc
and the quik throttle
and the rest of all the bits you need to be at the track ,
stands
warmers
spare wheels
etc etc
and then all the spare parts
sorry have i scared you off
oh yeh and the trailer

**Cat** · 13-12-2014, 09:01 AM

Hahahaha. Sh#t! There must be a sub-section on this forum somewhere about organising armed robberies.... I was aware of most of the necessary peripherals but when you itemise it like that it seems a little crazy. Could be worse I guess. Could be collecting exorbitantly priced limited edition science fiction figurines. At least those might appreciate though. Any you can't crash them.... Thanks for the breakdown Marshy and WETTY.

**WETTY** · 13-12-2014, 09:04 AM

and then there is tyres every day once you get fasterererer , and the $280 for the pleasure of sitting in a garage for the day when it rains , an then and then and then

**chubb** · 13-12-2014, 09:16 AM

just go buy one that is done up and save yourself the trouble...

everyone wants a cheap bike then build it up and cost ALOT more in the long run.... and yet almost 99% of the population love to do it the hard way...

**Phat3R** · 13-12-2014, 09:22 AM

I'd buy chubb's, (get him to put the Mupo back in, makes such a difference) - all setup fast race bike great price - way cheaper than your build - little to no risk - & go track riding now.

IMHO you can't ride them hard, as in on track, AND worry about binning them ... that's why you don't try and ride the wheels off the roady.

**WETTY** · 13-12-2014, 09:57 AM

Originally Posted by chubb

just go buy one that is done up and save yourself the trouble...

everyone wants a cheap bike then build it up and cost ALOT more in the long run.... and yet almost 99% of the population love to do it the hard way...

**Marshy** · 13-12-2014, 10:01 AM

Originally Posted by Cat

Hahahaha. Sh#t! There must be a sub-section on this forum somewhere about organising armed robberies....

Great idea!!

**Marshy** · 13-12-2014, 10:01 AM

Originally Posted by WETTY

and then there is tyres every day once you get fasterererer , and the $280 for the pleasure of sitting in a garage for the day when it rains , an then and then and then

True dat. Spare rims with wets fitted is the very next purchase, after the bike, for most people.

**James_** · 14-12-2014, 01:08 AM

Originally Posted by Cat

Hahahaha. Sh#t! There must be a sub-section on this forum somewhere about organising armed robberies.... I was aware of most of the necessary peripherals but when you itemise it like that it seems a little crazy. Could be worse I guess. Could be collecting exorbitantly priced limited edition science fiction figurines. At least those might appreciate though. Any you can't crash them.... Thanks for the breakdown Marshy and WETTY.

I find it best practice to not sum the total expenditure. Might give it up if I did.
Once you've got a bike and associated kit sorted, it pays for itself in terms of fun and excitement!

**dan** · 20-12-2014, 11:22 AM

The other thing that always gets overlooked in these threads is that maybe people can't afford to drop 8/9/10k on a race bike in one hit but they can afford to spend more if the cost is amortised over a longer period of time. Like say, getting finance on a car. If you aren't in a mad rush to be at the track this weekend and you enjoy the process of putting something together why not do an auction bike? Yeah it ends up being more but if it's spaced out the hit isn't as bad.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

**senator8** · 20-12-2014, 11:57 AM

Dan, i know you apply the same thinking to bike ownership. That's why you've amortised your investment over so many bikes

**dan** · 20-12-2014, 12:08 PM

Hahaha touché

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

**Marshy** · 20-12-2014, 12:10 PM

Originally Posted by senator8

Dan, i know you apply the same thinking to bike ownership. That's why you've amortised your investment over so many bikes

**dan** · 20-12-2014, 12:10 PM

I actually sold a couple over the last few months. Trimming the fat. It'll be a fairly respectable stable at the end (if you're into early 70s two strokes...)

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

**Saturnalian** · 20-12-2014, 12:55 PM

For some reason I seem to find myself, a lot lately, sitting in front of the computer late at night, looking at mid 80's two strokes

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

**Saturnalian** · 20-12-2014, 12:56 PM

RZV 500 Aarrrr

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

**Saturnalian** · 20-12-2014, 12:59 PM

And then I remember carbie jets And needles and come to my senses and go and buy something else for my R6

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

**dan** · 20-12-2014, 01:04 PM

Originally Posted by Saturnalian

RZR 500 Aarrrr

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Do it. Seen a few up for sale over the last few months.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

**BoB** · 20-12-2014, 03:53 PM

So im not the only one looking on ebay for a rz 350 , rz500 to relive my youth.

Originally Posted by Saturnalian

For some reason I seem to find myself, a lot lately, sitting in front of the computer late at night, looking at mid 80's two strokes

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

**dan** · 20-12-2014, 04:17 PM

My mate is selling a RZ350 atm...

**Saturnalian** · 20-12-2014, 04:55 PM

Originally Posted by BoB

So im not the only one looking on ebay for a rz 350 , rz500 to relive my youth.

Originally Posted by dan

My mate is selling a RZ350 atm...

My first bike, and my first project. Loved it. Nearly died on it. Stopped riding for 20 years because of it.
Hell yeah, i want another one....

**Saturnalian** · 20-12-2014, 04:57 PM

Dan, can you tell me why i can't get race bike mart to work. I've never been able to load a bike on it but i've seen you post a few up.

http://racebikemart.com/index.php

Here's another good one for looking at Japanese classics...

http://motorcycle.goobike.com

**Saturnalian** · 20-12-2014, 04:59 PM

**dan** · 20-12-2014, 05:17 PM

Don't know why it doesn't work for you. Bit weird I have no problems. Same mate selling the RZ350 is also selling his recently completed matching numbers 350LC...

**dan** · 20-12-2014, 05:26 PM

8941_10152389941771384_7802267656372073581_n.jpg

**Nelso** · 22-12-2014, 10:08 AM

Originally Posted by Cat

So, I've been looking at auction listings and have found something I want to go and inspect. I do not really have a great deal of mechanical knowledge or know what to inspect exactly though... Haha. The bike has a key and the engine is running. Any pointers that might have me doing something more effective than kicking the tyres and rubbing my chin contemplatively would be a big help.

Cheers, Adam.

As others have pointed out, it is much cheaper to buy one already set up. Eg, we are selling my wife's '06 ZX6 that has already been set up well and has all the usual stuff on it and you could buy it for $4,500 and be riding it within two week at the next ride day at the start of January. You won't even need to get tyres as a fresh set went on it a couple of days ago and have only done a few sessions. http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Kawasaki-...item462f9d6ba8 You would be mad to go the auction way if you are not mechanically minded and why go through the whole time consuming process of building something up when you could be riding something straight away?

**Turbo** · 22-12-2014, 10:31 AM

Originally Posted by Nelso

You would be mad to go the auction way if you are not mechanically minded and why go through the whole time consuming process of building something up when you could be riding something straight away?

Yep, agree with this. My first trackie was Marshy's old R6. I knew it was already 'done' and I could focus on improving my own ability rather than whether or not the bike was working properly. Building up the new bike, I can get to know the incremental improvements and hopefully work on my ability to diagnose handling problems etc.. All the while tho, I can jump on my fully sorted bike for some hot laps!

**chubb** · 22-12-2014, 11:18 AM

Originally Posted by Nelso

As others have pointed out, it is much cheaper to buy one already set up. Eg, we are selling my wife's '06 ZX6 that has already been set up well and has all the usual stuff on it and you could buy it for $4,500 and be riding it within two week at the next ride day at the start of January. You won't even need to get tyres as a fresh set went on it a couple of days ago and have only done a few sessions. http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Kawasaki-...item462f9d6ba8 You would be mad to go the auction way if you are not mechanically minded and why go through the whole time consuming process of building something up when you could be riding something straight away?

good cheap trackbike for the budding punter

**Nelso** · 27-12-2014, 07:51 PM

Originally Posted by Nelso

As others have pointed out, it is much cheaper to buy one already set up. Eg, we are selling my wife's '06 ZX6 that has already been set up well and has all the usual stuff on it and you could buy it for $4,500 and be riding it within two week at the next ride day at the start of January. You won't even need to get tyres as a fresh set went on it a couple of days ago and have only done a few sessions. http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Kawasaki-...item462f9d6ba8 You would be mad to go the auction way if you are not mechanically minded and why go through the whole time consuming process of building something up when you could be riding something straight away?

It's no longer pink either. http://www.gumtree.com.au/s-ad/albio...636/1065808781