When buying an old, used bike

DEAL OR NO DEAL?
Buying used bikes can save you a stack of cash. But unscrupulous dealers and uncaring owners make it a minefield for the unwary. Use your head, though, and you'll get a good deal.
Being sensible isn't always the best policy in life, but if you're buying a second-hand bike, then it always is. I'm concentrating on buying privately here, but you can adopt the same approach when you're buying from a dealer.
Discipline is the key. Dreaming is not an option, so go about the process with a clear head and don't let your heart interfere with your decisions. Getting a different bike is exciting and it's easy to think you spotted a bargain, rush in and make a hash of it. If you don't know enough about the model you're set on, then ask someone who does, prefferably a close person, who you can trust. Best for you is to take them along with you.
Glaen as much info from the seller as possible before you view the bike. Saying that you're phoning about the bike rather than the specific model will reveal if he's a genuine private seller or a dealer who has loads of bikes to sell. Ask lots of questions. It's you money, after all. You afford to ask questions.
Ask about the reason why he/they are selling it, the bike's condition, mileage and number of previous owners. Ask if it has any faults, a full service history, if it was crashed before, if it has done track days, if it's standard, and if not, what standard parts are available. And find out if you can give the bike a test ride. It's important to give the seller the impression that you're an interested expert who knows their stuff and shouldn't be messed about.
Once you're happy with the answers, then you can go to the seller's home and inspect the motorcycle. Try and do it on daylight, so you can see better if there are any parts damaged, pain scratched etc. And ask them not to run the engine until you get there. At the first glance, not on the motorcycle, but the sellers, size them up. Try to find out if they are genuine, honest sellers or just scammers, just by the way they look. Be wary, if a bike looks very good, I mean brand new paint-job, brand new exhaust etc and still it has a low price, ask a whole lot of questions and be very carefull when you inspect it for any flaws. Usually, when a bike looks very good, sounds great (because it has a brand new exhaust), but it's very cheap is just trying to look like a mega-bargain. But guess what: it rarely is! The scammers prepare the crashed bikes and paint them very nice just to impress you with the exterior. Don't be fooled, be very cautios in a situation like this. I warned you! :)
Then, check all the paperwork and the documents thoroughly. Frame and chassis numbers must match those in the logbook which itself should have a watermark running through it. All certificates and receipts for claimed servicing and repair work should also be checked. It would be better though, that those wouldn't exist, not that they were thrown, but it would rather be a bike in a good condition, with no capital repairs made.

The main thiongs you should inspect when buying a "new" bike are:

- The engine: it is obviously very important to check. If you don't know how to check it, then get a friends that does. Visible signs are smoking and fluid leaks, audible ones are rattles and squeeks. Check how easily it starts and if the fan is working.

- The linkages: Make sure nothing's unduly loose and rattling. Pay particular attention to the swingarm bearings and the headstock.

-Brakes:Check if the disks show signs of wear and tear and if they're warped. Lever action should be smooth, pads shouldn't be worn and scratched.

-Rear suspension:While on the sidestand, hold the bars and give the rear suspension a bounce. It should feel smooth and progressive bith ways, up and down.

-Clutch and gearbox:These can be checked best in the test ride. Just test that it actually works, by checking the pad. :)

-Front suspension:Standing in front of the bike you should give it a good bounce while you grab it by the grips. Same as the rear suspension, it should be smooth and have no flat spots.

-Clocks and dials: Everything must be working and registering acurately. This will require a test ride too.

-Panels:Check for scratches, scrapes, dents and mismatched colours(remember what i told you about scammers).

-Tyres: Estimate how worn are they and how long it will take untill you will change them.Anyway, i suggest that you change the tyres as soon as you have the money to do it, because you never know how the previous rider treated them and you don't want them to fail when you are doing a wheelie or something like that.

-Accessories: Now this is what I was talking about...if the footrests, grips and other accessories are brand new double check them. They may be hiding something. Check the mileage...it could have been clocked.

The last thing you do before walking/riding out the sellers home is the test ride. This last test can tell you more about the bike than any other checkes that you did before on the bike. That, if you have enough experience. If not, well, you'll know better next time you buy an used bike.
I hope this will open you eyes a little when buying a "new" used motorcycle.
Dry roads riders!