Tell tale signs of if the odometers been wound back/replaced?

[bruint]

So, I'm just wondering (seeing as everyone is coincidentally very cluey about bikes around these parts) is there any way to pick whether the tacho's been wound back, or it's been replaced?

Reason being, I'm looking at a bike at the moment, bloke said he bought it off Motomax last year, but it's only got 16,000kms (thereabouts) on it and he says he's only ridden it about 6000kms this year (I'm inclined to believe him, based on my excellent judgement of character...*cough* - seems realistic because he hasn't replaced the tyres since he bought the thing (Has details on when servicing was done))
It's not so much a question of whether or not it's a grey import, I know it is. But is there any way to really judge how much it's been put through, I mean, it's a 1988 VT250, so you can imagine my apprehension towards a bike thats only done 16K in 21 years.

Cheers

[wolfy_9005]

Do odometer's tick over to 000000? I'm not sure...i've never seen one reach that point, in either a car or bike...hmmm...if they do tick over it may be more....but then again there are occasionally little gems like that which are super low km's because someone bought it then it sat in a shed for 10 years in a corner before being dug out and sold.

[Manyak]

I'd be more inclined to think it's ticked over.. It wouldn't be all that cost effective to replace the odo for an extra couple of hundred bucks during a sale

[kryten2001]

Do odometer's tick over to 000000? I'm not sure...i've never seen one reach that point, in either a car or bike...hmmm...if they do tick over it may be more....but then again there are occasionally little gems like that which are super low km's because someone bought it then it sat in a shed for 10 years in a corner before being dug out and sold.

Analogues will tick over, digitals usually stick on the max number.

if it's a grey, you can never be sure of how many Ks its done. Many Odo's are swapped over from miles to km, and unless you can get the original one I wouldn't trust anything your told.

That being said, there's a big difference in looks (take off a fairing and take a peep) on a bike that's done 10,000 kays compared to 80,000 kays.

You just never really know with these imports.....

Those bikes were really popular at the time.

[RT]

it would be fine, most of those bike have sat around for a while before motomax get their hands on them

[kryten2001]

But is there any way to really judge how much it's been put through, I mean, it's a 1988 VT250, so you can imagine my apprehension towards a bike thats only done 16K in 21 years.

Cheers

Maybe Ferris Beauller got hold of it.

[drifter]

if its been maintained well and its cheap, go for it.

[bruint]

The guy said it was a Japanese Import and says it's in great condition (one dent in 21 years =O)
Runs fine up to 120km/hr but is slow to increase (sounds about right for a 250), doesn't burn any oil, had a 10000km service and a 12000km service and has zero sun damage.
Which I think sounds like someone has either done a damn good job of fixing it up to look good. Or it is genuinely just "One of those gems".

Is motomax generally good with keeping things genuine? Anybody had any lemons from there?

**Cheers for the replies **

[Falcore]

A good tell tale of a few k's is the switch gear, a bike with that low ks the switch gear should look smick an be nice an tight (switches)

[bruint]

Switch gear, aka: light switches, kill switch, starter button?

Any particular reason? Or just on the basis, that if it's that low, no one's been using them much?
---Does make a lot of sense really. Thanks

[kryten2001]

The guy said it was a Japanese Import and says it's in great condition (one dent in 21 years =O)
Runs fine up to 120km/hr but is slow to increase (sounds about right for a 250), doesn't burn any oil, had a 10000km service and a 12000km service and has zero sun damage.
Which I think sounds like someone has either done a damn good job of fixing it up to look good. Or it is genuinely just "One of those gems".

Is motomax generally good with keeping things genuine? Anybody had any lemons from there?

**Cheers for the replies **

How much are we talking about?

[bruint]

Says $3500, not much room for movement.

[Barfridge]

I haven't heard any horror stories about motomax, they seem to be pretty good.

Compare them to somebody like Sumoto, I know who I would choose any day of the week.

[K1GxR]

hate to rain on motomax but....

[bruint]

Please elaborate?

[kryten2001]

Says $3500, not much room for movement.

Not exactly cheap eh? I think I'd rather have a ZZR or something for that kinda of dough. Parts are easier/cheaper to find etc..

It would want to be a museum example for that price.

[bruint]

To be fair, it's a VT250 Spada, they are pretty well sort after in good condition.
ZZR's and GPX's are nice, but I like the look of the Spada, reminds me of the VTR250 (Which I can't afford unfortunately =( )
I think if it's good enough I'd be happy with maybe 3-3.2K, have budgeted for that + full comp insurance (Bought my gear this w.e.)
They are reliable, checked one out last week that had already done at least 116,000kms (been around the clock once - and showed it [everywhere]) so if it has as many k's as it says it does, it's a good buy for that price.

[SIR sparks a lot]

If you want a horror story bout them I can give you one but the km's sound very low I'd get a mechanic take a look before purchase if it's the real deal he will have no problem and 3500 is wAy to much also it shouldn't have a problem pulling from 120 I had one and it got past 120 with no problems

[=Stevo=]

hate to rain on motomax but....

and I also...

[Rich...]

I have a little knowledge of winding speedos back...

One method is the electric drill in reverse on the speedo cable...

Very slow...only winds then speedo back at 120-150kph...

Then there the whole dismantling of the speedo method...

Can be a little tricky, but if done right you would never know...

But in this case it's quite possible to have gone around the clock...