Paging Champ, Gyp and the 'busa owners

Right - I *may* have some free time this weekend to have a look see at
one or two.

Is something like this one good value or not?
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=150426661657

eg. especially in regard to the mileage. Is there anything that should
have been done service-wise at 30k+ miles?

TBH, it's older & higher mileage than I'd really like but as a result
of that, it's well within budget so could be worth a look.

 

Cheers.

I was sort of budgeting around 4.5k, based on adding a bit more than
what I think I could get PX for my Sprint ST. I'll keep looking though
as I'd prefer to spend a bit more and get a slightly later, lower
mileage one.

 

I'd side with Champ on this; a bit too steep for the age/mileage, though
as it's a classified it's more a starting point than an ending point
IYSWIM.

With that year, you'd want to check that the subframe non-recall [1] was
done, especially as it's being used with aftermarket cans.

I'd not get overly worried by the idea of getting a 99/00 bike unless
you really must have the unrestricted one [2]. Supposedly the fuel
injection on the 03 on bikes is slightly more reliable, and they can all
be derestricted with a kit off ebay for less than £30.

[1] As I understand it, the original busa had an alloy rear subframe
that was prone to breaking under high load, especially if aftermarket
cans were fitted. This is supposedly why Givi stopped doing pannier kits
for them. Anyway, the bikes weren't actually recalled to have the later
steel subframes fitted, but dealers would fit them at no cost if the
owner requested they did so.

[2] I don't really care that, should I hit 186, Champ may start to pull
slowly away from me.

 

You say that now but should the situation arise where the unlikely happens
you won't be happy.

 

Good point. I'm off to buy a a TRE just in case.

And a supercharger.

And some nappies.

 

I have an alloy subframe an after-market can and carry hard and soft
(GF) luggage so fitted these: http://www.tts-performance.com/catalog/product_info.php?products_id=466
No sub-frame cracks so far but whether that's down to the braces, I
don't know - but I assume they must make *some* difference.

 

Scratch that - I can only do Sunday and they're closed. I'd also seen
an 06 one at On Yer Bike, which is at least closer, but guess what?
They're closed Sundays too.

No wonder there's a fucking recession on.

 

just go buy one FFS.

I rode Champ's and decided that it was hideously uncomfortable, cramped
and far too powerful to be taken seriously as a road bike. I was glad
I'd had the opportunity to ride one as I realised that I didn't want one
and buying one would be a stupid thing to do.

Then of course I bought one.

And I love it to bits.

Though I've been glad of the Beemer and it's RT fairing this week...

 

heh, yeah - it's finding a decent one at a decent price and then making
time to go and see it. I was hoping to get one before the French Run
but other commitments (and the fuckers not opening on a Sunday) mean
that's unlikely now.

I was glad I was in my Datsun with the storm we had on the way home
last night!

 

I was on the bike wearing my Triumph Goretes jacket and M&S "Stormwear"
jeans and err... Hush Puppies. Anyway, whilst it became clear that you
could wear the jeans in a storm, their performance didn't really live up
to the name.

And if real puppies let in that much water, they'd not enjoy chasing
sticks into ponds the way they do.

 

It wasn't noticeable ;~)