2 yrs too long for service

[Deicide]

Hi all,
I rang a guy last night about a ZZR 250 he has for sale, its a 2001 with 13000kms on the clock. I asked the guy if it had full service history, his answer was a little disturbing.

He told me he had bought the bike 2 years ago from Dale Britton with 6000kms on the clock, and in that time he has only just put 13000kms on the cloak and it hasn't been serviced in that time.

Do you guys think thats a bit too long without a service? As per the service requirements of the bike, the next service should have been at 12000kms so its only really 1k overdue for a service, but i can't help but think 2yrs is a long time without a service

Let me know what you guys think?
Cheers

[Scoundrel]

I wouldnt worry about it.

[Viper]

he should have had it done once a year but really its done so little I don't think it would hurt it. I would get it done if I brought it before putting too many kays on it though.

[Daywalker]

Yeah, it would be absolutely fine.

[Stoneville]

just buy it and service it, simple, it's only 1000 over, shit the bike isn't going to blow up just because.

This sort of thing happens if it deosn't get ridden much, hopefully he has at least taken it out once a month for a squirt

[duffman]

i wouldnt worry but i would be giving it a good servicing as soon as i got it home.
see how it rides first, and have a look at how manky/rusted the chain is

[kwakas]

yep, check the chain.. I doubt he's lubed it.... ever... so it's prolly forked.. but other than that it should be pretty sweet.. as everyone has said, just get it serviced.

[Deicide]

Cool, thanks for the replies guys.
When looking at the chain, do i just look for obvious signs of rust and lack of lubrication, or is there something else that'll tell me if its farked?

[Satan1]

Cool, thanks for the replies guys.
When looking at the chain, do i just look for obvious signs of rust and lack of lubrication, or is there something else that'll tell me if its farked?

Negotiate a new chain and sprocket into the price, i wouldn't trust it mate.

For the price just get it done with the service

[Jedi]

Even though everyone has said it wouldn't hurt it I wouldn't be paying through the nose for a bike that has potentially been ridden with 2 year old oil in it.

[kwakas]

Even though everyone has said it wouldn't hurt it I wouldn't be paying through the nose for a bike that has potentially been ridden with 2 year old oil in it.

shouldn't really matter if it's a synthetic oil.

[Tenchi]

It should be ok. Those engines are pretty bulletproof, and it's a fairly young bike. I personally believe that even 1 year between services is too long; I'm pretty anal about keeping the fluids and whatnot running smoothly through the bike though (for example, I do an oil change on average once a month to keep my bike running smoothly, and I get it serviced properly once every 2 months). I think later in the life of the bike it might come back to haunt it (when it's hit about 60,000kms) but for now it should be fine.

Demand that they discount it because of the "poor" service history, and if they don't walk away. You can probably find something better serviced elsewhere.

If I was in your position and I had already bought the bike, the first thing I would be getting done is a service from a mechanic.

• Have them check the bike over and give it a good service (change ALL fluids - it's not hard and it's not costly) - it should run fine for a while until you need to fix anything else.
• I'd be betting they haven't oiled the chain either. Chain and sprocket will set you back *looks at invoice sitting next to his helmet* $300 from Derek Ball, more for authentic Kawa.
• Check the tyres for wear and tear too, since after 13,000 it could be running on the original tyres and be looking for a replacement pretty soon. That would be another $350 min (expect $450-500) for some cheap charlies (haven't ever bought tyres, but I know they cost a bit).

So all up you're going to have to negotiate for at least $500 (tyres) + $300 (chain+sprocket) + $100 (fluids), depending on the condition of things.

[Deicide]

Thanks Tenchi, that info will help alot!!
What the guy is asking is reasonable, but if the cost of what needs fixing/replacing is more that $500, ill be wanting a better price or ill be walking

[resist]

ive never heard of anyone servicing a zzr250 before? how is it done? do they really do anything?

[Deicide]

wtf?

[reddog]

I bought my GPX with 1600kms on the clock a couple of years back. It was a 2000 model and had been sat in a shed for 4+ years without a service. Trailered it home dumped all the fluids, put in new stuff and she is still going great a couple of years later with 24000 on the clock.

Don't worry yourself about all that shit... the only thing I have had to do other than the normal service is a new chain as the original one was rooted from sitting without lube for so long. I still managed to get to about 18000 with the original though

They are bullet proof, buy it and stop listening to the bullshit on here. Get out and there and ride mate.

Good luck with your purchase btw.

[Tenchi]

I'm not one to dispute someone who obviously has more experience than me, but sitting in a shed for 4 years is a bit different to the weekend road warrior.

When you put it in long storage if you want to preserve the bike you prepare it in a couple of ways - remove fuel, change fluids, lift it off the ground, etc. If you don't do that, the bike stands a good chance of being in less than stellar condition when you pull it out again. The bike isn't moving but it's been adequately prepared and taken care of.

Comparing this to a bike that's been ridden (possibly) intermittently and not serviced is different. It's very possible they took amazing care of the bike and it'll be a complete bargain, but there's a greater chance that it'll be a lemon from neglect due to someone thinking bikes run on hopes and dreams and little more.

At the end of the day it's your money Souter. You can easily see that most people here are saying it'll probably be ok, but you should negotiate for a discount and swap out all the fluids when you get it.

EDIT: What kind of "new stuff" are you talking about reddog?

[reddog]

Tyres, chain, rubber hoses, cables was what I was talking about (non consumables). My bike was never up on blocks or anything. Just had original 1600kms since being sold in 2000, I bought it Novemberish 2006 from Donnybrook. Bike was originally bought in Bunbury at a Kwaka shop that is now non-existant

Tyres were showing a sign of their age but rode them into the ground anyhow. Only ever got 3000k's out of a rear and probably double that on the front of the GPX. All cables I lubed and they have been all good.

[Arwon]

OK, rather than just guessing and changing things that may not need changing. Everyone is guessing that the chain is stuffed or the tyre is worn out or the hoses are perished.

A novel idea is to get a mobile motorcycle mechanic to check it out for you. Costs about $70 -$90 depending on location and more if you want the shims checked but for a simple bike with low k's for piece of mind just get them to check it out.

Gavin Carlini will do it 0417945557

[Halo_2]

To tell if it needs new chain/sprockets, get the chain slack correct and see if you can pull it off the back sprocket. If so needs replacing i dont think it should they should last 24,000ks

Also might want to run carby cleaner fuel additive for 1 full tank

coolant-should last 4 yrs
brake fluid- should last 2yrs