My mistake (with pics)

[SpeedSouth]

Have you wondered why I haven't posted a thread on my new (to me) ride?

I have decided I will face the shame and share the experience. Hopefully it will aid others, and if I'm really lucky, one of you may have information that makes this a little less painful.

Last Sunday (one week ago) I completed the sale of my 250. I was sad to see her go, but I had a small stack of cash and a ton of lust for the Ninja 650R. The 06 in particular because of the red frame and lowest book value.

The 650R was first introduced here in 06. The 06, 07 and 08 models are essentially the same except color, while the new 09's sport many small changes.

I had been on CL heavy since I made the choice to sell the other bikes in favor of the 650. On Monday, late in the afternoon, I saw a new listing for a 06 @ $3k. I had that sitting right here, so I jumped.

Long story short, I made several mistakes. I looked at the bike after dark. I actually tried to ignore my red flags because the guy was military and talking about shipping out next week...leaving his wife and kid at home. Not to lay the blame on him or imply it wasn't true. I just normally don't let things like that influence me. The dude was pretty slick and I was a sap.

The bike was so ugly that I spent my time convincing myself that the little problems I noticed would be easy to fix. And they are. The problem is, I didn't notice all the problems that won't be so easy to fix. I totally missed all the "show stoppers". :( :oops: :evil:

As I started to notice things on Tuesday, I remained positive and determined to make a go of things. On Wednesday, I still didn't have the bike off the truck becuase I wasn't comfortable unloading it alone, but I noticed yet another show stopper, and begin to really kick myself and lose interest. My original plan of spending the money I saved on parts to make it road worthy were fading quickly.

I'll go into details on each problem later if there's interest, but for now I'll just post some pictures and share my plan. That plan is to sell it in the next few weeks. I will then find another 650R that I trust.

I do have some qualms about selling the bike to someone else, because I would then be no better than the guy who sold it to me. On the other hand, I will be more honest about the bike's problems. I will also have already fixed several small problems, and lastly...if a person is willing to take the risk of buying a used bike, they will do so with or without my bike being for sale. They will simply buy one elsewhere. And further still...I was just one of those buyers, so who am I to judge? :oops:

On with the pictures....

She looks pretty good from a distance






I rode it about 45 miles yesterday. It runs strong but the clutch is slipping rolling on the throttle to pass cars in traffic, and it has a vibration I feel on the right footpeg when easing into the gas at speed. So if I ease into it, I get the vibration...and if I lay into it I get the clutch slip. :?


Well there's your problem...







Yes, that is 2 bends in the rear on the left, and one on the front on the right. :roll:


This can't be good...



On the other hand, it may not be as bad as it first looks. The tranny in this engine is designed to be serviced w/o pulling the engine. The shift shaft is an assembly that can be replaced for under $100 (according to the diagrams at Ron Ayers and the service manual).

Those were the show stoppers I somehow missed. Oddly though...I did notice the shifter was missing the rubber boot. Yay me.


The bike has mods that I'd want to change if I kept the bike, which is another reason for selling. Why spend the time and money to change this stuff back, when most owners do this stuff on their own? The value can't be less on this bike.

The mods include a Two Bros can, sport bars for an agressive riding position, LED tail light w/ integrated signals, rear fender removed, blacked out windscreen, 170 rear tire (160 is stock).





More ugly...

Missing body piece (new one on the way $9)


Rusted chain...


Missing connection tab for front lever brake light switch...



And there it is. I had to adjust the bars and fix a stripped screw on the right control assembly. I had to reconnect the wires to the rear integrated signals. I moved the tag mount up from behind the rear tire to the end of the tail. I've replaced a few missing screws, purchased a new chain and sprocket set (which I'll save and put on my next 650R), purchased clutch spings to hopefully stop the slip and searched/discussed help replacing the shift shaft and fixing the wheels.

Ugh. There's still a little more yet, but I'm tired of facing reality for the moment. 8O

Anyone have any words of wisdom or encouragement? Advice or maybe a kick to my head?

[Qingdao]

Nice, its really not that bad. Them rims look scarry though; lots of bounce?

[TeamCheap]

I'm guessing that whatever he hit that bent those rims caused him to also lay it down just from the gashes in the side cover.
(did he walk with a limp :?: )

The welded shift lever is a classic mod,.....not a welcome mod but an oldy and unoriginal at anyrate. :(

I say sell it and get what you want and forget about it.

[phil]

quit kicking yourself its not that bad seems all you really need to buy is a rim a lot of the other should be expected as a hot rod you should be able to get clutch plates fairly cheap but i think they should be counted expected fix the shifter whenever i would do some grinding to pretty it up and not worry so much about it maybe let it go

[AZ200cc]

Maybe it was a stunter before You got it, That rim will not be cheap but all in all it in pretty good shape.

[SpeedSouth]

I will probably sell it, and I suspect it will be to a young guy looking to be squidly. I hate to play into that, but the bike was modded that way. I see no sense in trying to change that.

I will try to clean up the shifter though. As for the wheels...I can ship them off (still looking for a local source) to be trued up for anywhere from $100-200. They are about $500 new, and I've located a used rear for $200 (already been straightened), but haven't pulled the trigger yet.

The ride isn't bad at all, really. I think if a person didn't know they were bent, they might not know by the ride. There certainly isn't any indication in the bars. There is some in the right footpeg but it isn't comstant, which leads me to belive it's not from the wheels.

I guess my main question at this point is how far to go in repairs before trying to re-sell.

The stunt thing is what bothers me the most. If it spent a lot of time on the rear tire, the engine may have damage due to a lack of oil. I could replace the whole engine I guess...and solve the shifter problem at the same time...but is it worth it?

I'm thinking I'll just sell it and try again. :roll:


Thanks for the input guys. I'm trying to remain positive, but it's a struggle.

[Weldangrind]

Originally Posted by phil

quit kicking yourself its not that bad seems all you really need to buy is a rim a lot of the other should be expected as a hot rod you should be able to get clutch plates fairly cheap but i think they should be counted expected fix the shifter whenever i would do some grinding to pretty it up and not worry so much about it maybe let it go

X2.

Take your time grinding the weld, file it as necessary, touch it up with some brush-on Rustoleum, and point it out to a prospective buyer. Take the time to clean and lube the chain. Do some careful grinding with a 120 grit flap disc on a 4 1/2" angle grinder on the side cover to remove the rash, and touch up as necessary. Sell the bike hard on the mods that have been performed; like you implied, somebody will appreciate the hot rod look. BuY the straightened rim. I suspect that your rim will eclipse the $200 mark because of the extent of damage.

Be honest with the buyer, and you'll likely get all your money back. That is a beautiful machine.

Cheers!

[kmoore]

i see nothing "wrong" with the bike myself (other than it being a crotch rocket) if you liked the bike enough to buy it then it must have some redeeming qualities right?????

just as an example i thought about 3 days after i bought my 2003 honda shadow ace i had made a big mistake...

i had my choice of a 2005 suzuki 800cc fuel injected with 10k less miles than my honda but it was just plain silver no sissy bar no exaust mod nice looking bike but the honda just spoke to me so i got it...

got it home and the battery was shot low beam did not work went to replace the bulb and wires were broke in the housing. it is missing the front fender and turn signals (amazingly i did not notice this untill i got it home) and the back tire is so wore out ive got "wire" showing over 45% of the rear tire and the front tire is out of round and wavy. and i misread the odo and thought it had a little over 3k on the clock but turns out its over 30k but as i said it had the redeeming qualities i was looking for in a bike so avter my buyers remorse period i got to thinking about what i would have to do to another bike if i went with the other one and my honda already had every thing i was gonna do and was missing parts i was going to have to remove to install a new lightbar anyway.

oh well enough of my rant lol but seriously nice bike id take it off your hands but im not into the sport bike scene...

[AZ200cc]

I guess I'll say sell it, If You have a bad taste in Your mouth from it, I doubt You'll ever get over it. But who knows after You start to tinker and make the bike right You might just fall in love again :?

[BillR]

I did the same thing when I bought a SideKick for my daughter.
It needed more work than the pictures in the ad showed (body in pretty good shape, engine OK. Exhaust was full of holes and it needed some general TLC/clean-up (gaskets, etc), but I like to tinker and it was exactly what she wanted.
The tinkering part was going well until she got hit by a Jeep and took out the left side :P . Totalled, way too much body work to make it worth fixing.

Would I do that again :?: No.
I waffled while looking at it and talked myself into the buy.

The key thing you said about this is "getting something I trust". I never doubted the Sidekick's drivability or safety.

If you don't trust it, sell it.
List the problems and point 'em out. Somebody will want the bike enough to get around them.

Good luck.
Bill

[SpeedSouth]

Thanks again for the input guys.

I love the model. The 650R is fuel injected, has a more upright seating position from the factory, and IMO offers a nice balance between power and comfort. It gets reasonable fuel mileage, pretty cheap to insure and still capable of long days in the saddle.

Sport Tourers are generally liter bikes, which I don't want, but I do like 'touring' type rides. The 650 fits the bill quite well.


Owning this bike has been a rollercoaster ride. One day I think I'll fix it up, then the next I decide I'll sell it and buy another (650R).

I do not currently trust the bike to ride out of state, and that's what I really want to do. Not that I can do it often, but I want the option without much worry.

For the record, I paid a good bit less than KBB and the asking price, so I have some money left over to put into the bike, I'm just not yet sure if I want to make the effort. I think I could afford to buy a complete engine if needed...or maybe even a salvage bike for parts.

The more money I put into it, the more I'm tempted to keep it around. I guess I'll see where I'm at when the title arrives and go from there. I did order a few bits from Ron Ayers...like the brake light switch on the front lever.

I'm trying to determine what will add the most value/appeal for the least money and time on my part. The gas cap, for example, is about $75. The one on the bike works, but it's broken and needs to be replaced. I almost ordered one with the switch I ordered, but I doubt it'll bring any extra in a sale, so I decided to hold off.

As of today, I'm still planning to sell....but starting to lean back towards keeping her around. With some wheels that are straight, bars that don't have me leaned over and a clutch that doesn't slip and I can see myself happily riding this girl all day long. I only rode about 60 miles today.

[Dragon]

This post is a must read for people who think used japan bikes are better deal that a brand new china bike.

[knothead]

You just have a case of buyers remorse. You got the bike and then found things wrong with it. We all do stuff like that. I have a van sitting in my driveway right now... less than a week after we bought it the transmission took a dump. I'm a little miffed, but I'll fix the van and drive it till the wheels fall off (if I can fix that, I'll keep driving it!)

The thing about used bikes, they all need work. It seems to be even more true when it comes to sporty bikes. So you need a clutch, the wheels need straightened and the shifter needs some lovin'. .... Clutch, shifter, wheels, eh, sounds like you'd be in for another $500 or so. Bars are cheap and easy, no sweat there. If you got the bike cheap enough it might be better just to fix things as you go.

Just take a deep breath, make a list of the things you find wrong and how much it would cost to fix the bike. Weigh it out... total cost of keeping/fixing the bike vs. what you think you can get for it as is vs. what you could get after fixing it .

It sounds like you like the bike and got it for a decent price... that counts too. Don't jump to get rid of the bike without thinking things through with a clear mind.

[Cal25]

Take a little time to get to know the bike. Tinker with it and do some of the repairs needed. Maybe get the trued wheel, fix the clutch, and get the bars you like.

[warrior91]

seems to me , if you can put on over a hundred miles with kerfuckled rims...the bike must be runable...