Question about a bike im looking at...

I found a 2002 local to me that has 4558 miles only on the bike, i have no gone to see the bike yet as the posting popped up tonight on the internet, the posting says he has replaced the fuel pump, fuel injectors, and spark plugs over the time he has owned it... doesn't say how long or for how many miles.. the bike has fairly new looking tires and the body seems to have only minor scratches on the bottom end of the fairings only from what i can see in the pictures.. the poster says the bike runs perfectly and ready to ride... only other mod the bike has is a 2 brothers exhaust system that the previous owner installed...They guy is selling it for a pretty attractive price $3,000

is the fuel pump and injectors an issue with these bikes? I'm still learning as i shop around and wanted to get some input on the sale, i wrote him to see if i can see the bike tomorrow...

 

The fuel pump and injectors don't normally given any bother, but a 14 year old bike that has only covered 4558 miles has been sitting unused a lot. I would guess the old fuel gummed up the pump and injectors and it was easier to replace than clean them out. Take a torch and take a close look into the tank and see if it is rusty. I'm in the throes of getting a bike running again after an 8 year hiatus and the fuel had turned to a varnish/tar in the fuel pump that could not be shifted.

 

torch=flashlight:smile-new:
While you're at it, look in the sight windows in clutch and brake master cylinder reservoirs. You'll probably be in for some fluid flushes.

 

These are not particular problems although they will go with age and miles. His receipt can give a hint. Given the low mileage, if the replacement was recent then one may think that the bike sat unused for a long time, then was run with the old gas in it. If he replaced these items early in the bike's life, perhaps he got a bad batch of gasoline. I bet on the former though!

The electrical system is of particular interest. Use a multimeter to check voltage at idle and 5,000 rpm. If he allows you to inspect the stator/rectifier connector, that can be telling. If it is burnt then there is a good chance one or more of these power components is on their way out. If it is pristine and the voltage checks out, no worries.

Check out the brake fluid in the reservoir. This bike did sit for long periods of time and if the fluid was not changed periodically, it will have gummed up the caliper pistons and seals. Spin the front tire with the bike on the stand (got stand?) If it binds that is a hint of caliper rebuild. If the front binds, bet on the rear having the identical problem.

You should tell him you would like the bike stone cold when you arrive.

The thermostats tend to stick in the open position. Start the bike. Put your hand on the radiator. It should remain cold until the thermostat would kick in around 170-180. If it slowly warms up, fluid is flowing, thus the thermostat is stuck open. Otherwise it should say cold then shoot up to 180 (WARNING) all at once. The thermostat requires removing the air box, EPA connections, lifting the throttle body...

None of these are catastrophic but merely the maintenance to be aware that you will need to perform, and can use to negotiate with. These bikes are labor intensive. Which is a reason many sell them without having done any maintenance whatsoever. (Ask me how I know this!)

This is a sixth generation bike with VTEC, a catalytic converter, and chain driven cam (no gear whine). A great bike but consider a 5th gen if you can find one, particularly 98-99. Although lust for 5th gens probably makes the 6th gens a better deal. But you can hem and haw in the negotiation about really wanting a pre-2002 bike. "This bike is 38 lbs heavier according to the magazines, the VTEC valve inspection is painful..." etc.

 

Ya i contacted the person today to try and look at the bike, but unfortunately its been raining on and off all day and he didnt want to meet me half way on a bipolar type of day.. so i didnt get to go see it.. its about 2hrs away.., but he told me he is a contactor that works with the military, he bought it 5 years ago from someone when it had 4200ish miles on the bike and he rode it one time and one of the guys he was riding with got in an accident right in front of him on his motorcycle and died... so he put it away in the garage and didnt touch it for years, recently he decided to pull it out to maybe ride it again, but the tires were dry rotted and the bike wouldnt start.. so he had a friend come over and look at it and replaced those parts and it now runs... he did an oil change on the bike and had a local shop put brand new tires on the bike, then he tried to ride it the other day and it just scared him and was to much.. so he decided its best to just let it go since its taking up space in his garage.....

Not totally sure how true that story is.. but if it is, then it should be a great purchase...right?

 

Very sad if it's true....

 

Well the rain cut up for a bit and we meet halfway, the bike looks really good in regards to paint on the red surfaces, but the bike has general light corrosion on all metal surfaces and and the aluminum on the front forks has that white corrosion look on some of the surfaces and the black frame sections under the sides of the seat have slight bubbling under the black paint unsure if it's steel or aluminum...I test road the bike it ran very well from what little experience I have with the bike, brakes were a bit soggy feeling, but still worked so I'm gonna assume that they just need fluid replacement.... also the engine would make a sound I'm unfamiliar occasionally only on the initial turn of the throttle only a few times it occurred, almost sounded like a throttle body sticking and then smacking open...outside of that the bike ran good

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Perhaps it was left out in the sun to bake?

 

I think it's salt corrosion since he showed me the title and he bought it from someone from new York who was down in Florida at the time

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Or
https://youtu.be/tRwYQgk05DY

 

Why? WHY? The original Rickroll. Awful.

 

Tech stuff: Using an inspection mirror check for corrosion and pitting on the hard chrome fork tube uppers. Hard to get to and hard to see. Pitting can cause cutting of fork seals.


Music stuff: Glenn Campbell with the Boston Pops is spectacular with an incredible guitar break for one chorus and a bridge. Also great renditions by Donna Summer and a band version by Maynard Ferguson.

I have heard that the the Harley Kazoo Band has a version oot. I was unable to find it..

 

well i talked the guy down to $2200 and picked up the bike today.. it road absolutely beautiful the entire ride home except going over the bridges with the massive cross winds...

 

Congratulations on your bike. Ride it in good health.

 

Congratulations. I'm sure you will be very happy with your new VFR.

Cheers,
Glenn

 

i am very happy it rode super smooth all the way home... the brakes are a little spungy.. but ima do all the general maintenance on the bike over the next day or so.. i put 91 miles on it getting it home today.. was ok.. the stock seat is a little hard after an hour...

 

Nothing wrong with 6th gen ... I like it every bit as much as the 5th gens. The gear whine is cool - but it would get to me over my long distance rides.

I'm on my 2nd 2002 VFR 800.

 

I tried to find a 5th Gen, but they ask gold prices for them

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get a 2006

 

I already bought the bike

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