while I'm here

Honda CB500, "S" plate with 88 [1] miles on the clock, whats likely to be
wrong with it apart from the carbs needing stripped/replaced?

[1] Eighty eight.

 

*splutter*

Assuming it has just been sitting in a garage:

Tyres will be hard/splitting/flatspotted
Petrol in the tank and carbs will have turned to varnish
Oil will have dried off from the top end
Battery will be buggered
Probable corrosion problems from condensation in crankcases, tank,
exhaust - anywhere enclosed, really.

It would have to be visually immaculate, cheap as chips and will still
need a thorough going over and probably partial rebuild from someone
who knows exactly what they're doing.

As a minimum, budget for new tyres, carbs and a battery - possibly a
full exhaust too. It all depends on how it has been stored.

 

Blimey. First thing to do is get it to start. Fresh petrol, and a set of
jump leads. If it runs sweetly, buy it.

If it misfires and generally misbehaves, then you will have to budget
for a total carb strip and clean. And don't think this is a DIY job.
You'll have to spend well into three figures for a professional job.

I'd possibly disagree with Pip about the tyres - they might be
flatspotted but they won't be total shite after a mere six years.
Certainly worth checking, for splits and suchlike.

As for the dry top end - the Japs build their top ends with all sorts of
galleries and recesses for oil to collect in, and the first time the
camshafts revolve, they scoop the stuff up and throw it everywhere. When
you park a bike, the oil doesn't all drain straight down to the sump.
Sorry, Pip - that bit really is bollocks.

Corrosion problems? Depends entirely how it's been stored. In a nice
warm heated sealed garage - no problems at all. In a leaky garage, shed
or outdoors - possible huge problems.

Generally, though - as Pip says, new battery for sure, carbs and tyres
possibly. Exhaust unlikely.

 

(The Older Gentleman) struggled
to ejaculate:

You know why? I read this when tired last night and outside a couple
of bottles of McEwan's Champion Ale: as a 1988 bike. Bah.

 

"> >

Just been down to see it, the story goes some rich sod bought it to sit his
test, passed it and lost interest then garaged the bike.
Tyres are exellent, dealer will fit a new battery, dealer says carbs have
been stripped and engine runs "as new", [1] there is some rust on the
footpegs and stands and the engine has some "flaking" on it but the forks
and suspension chrome is/are spotless, the exhast system "looks" fine but
obviously I cant see inside.

He's asking £1600, deals in cash only and wont discount it further.
Pic here
http://www.bikesandquads.co.uk/bikesandquads/Onroad/Bikes/SHand/CB500.htm
As firing it up involved moving a lot of bikes I didn't ask him to start it,
doh!

 

Blimey. First thing to do is get it to start. Fresh petrol, and a set of

Apologies if this post apears twice.

Just been down to see it, the story goes some rich sod bought it to sit his
test, passed it and lost interest then garaged the bike.
Tyres are exellent, dealer will fit a new battery, dealer says carbs have
been stripped and engine runs "as new", [1] there is some rust on the
footpegs and stands and the engine has some "flaking" on it but the forks
and suspension chrome is/are spotless, the exhast system "looks" fine but
obviously I cant see inside.

He's asking £1600, deals in cash only and wont discount it further.
Pic here
http://www.bikesandquads.co.uk/bikesandquads/Onroad/Bikes/SHand/CB500.htm
As firing it up involved moving a lot of bikes I didn't ask him to start it,
doh!

 

The odometer?

 

That's a decent price.

Looks perfect to me. Be aware that those matt-black header pipes corrode
at the first sniff of rain. They all do that, sir.

I'd ask to hear it running, jut to check, and then if it runs as well as
it looks, buy it.

 

<VBG>

I'm not the only silly sod who goes off on one after he's misread the
OP, then. Good.

 

Just so I'm sure: It's a 1978 bike with 88 miles on the clock?

 

You *did* check the photo link, right?

 

Drew says...

For around that money I know of an immaculate GPZ500 with 3K miles on
the clock. All running and serviced with a rack and box.

Bike is located in Chesterfield, Derbys and is a 2 owner, T plate 99
model D6 in red/silver. Owner bought it prior to DAS, then failed and
gave up trying. Current owner has never ridden it.

Let me know if you or anyone else is interested, so I can pass on
details via email.

 

No. Why on earth would I want to do that?

<fx: looks>

It's brown; brown was a very popular colour in 1978. Easy mistake to
make.

 

"> > He's asking £1600, deals in cash only and wont discount it further.

Any way of protecting them?

Went back this afternoon and did just that, he connected a battery, it
started right away and ticked over and reved very nicely, no black smoke, no
fuss.
So I bought it.

 

For around that money I know of an immaculate GPZ500 with 3K miles on
the clock. All running and serviced with a rack and box.

Bike is located in Chesterfield, Derbys and is a 2 owner, T plate 99
model D6 in red/silver. Owner bought it prior to DAS, then failed and
gave up trying. Current owner has never ridden it.

Let me know if you or anyone else is interested, so I can pass on
details via email.


Thanks but I bought the CB this afternoon.

 

Sounds like a smart move on your pat. The fact that it's six years old
doesn't matter a damn - they're all the same, except that some have a
cockpit fairing.

And you'll always be able to sell it on, assuming you don't stack it
first.

 

Like some *red* Bandits look *pink*, so this one only *looks* brown, it is
in fact "Champagne" coloured, OK *NOT* brown, definatly *not* brown.

Drew
CB500 *Not brown*(awaiting delivery)