what to look for

I'm going to look at 1990 VFR 750 with 36K miles and a 2-brothers header (?). I was curious what I might look for in a bike with this many miles.

I've never had a bike with that many miles but it seems to me something might need to be replaced/fixed, i just don't know what to look for.

Any help would be appreciated.

vic

 

Well that's OK, didn't REALLY need any help. I've always owned Yamaha's and they're both produced in the same country right? I'm sure they're quite similar.

vic

 

No need for the red ass; your post probably got promptly replaced on the top hits.

Here's what I'd check:

Chain - if it's OEM original, you can bet nothing else has been replaced. If it's out of adjustment and very loose the PO isn't maintenance consious.
Air Filter - if it's filthy, you can bet nothing else has been replaced.
Oil - if it's filthy, you can bet nothing else has been replaced.
Brake and clutch fluid - if it looks like cream soda through root beer, you can bet nothing else has been replaced.
Battered/scraped body work or crankcase covers.
Does the PO have maintenance records?
Tell-tale ding from brake lever impacting swing arm piviot castings.
Notchy steering head movement.
OEM brake lines.
Leaking fork seals
Tank rust (bring flashlight)


Of course, if the PO admits all the faults the bike has and offers a price that is in-line with the condition the issues may be non-issues. If he/she is in CYA mode when you inspect.......run.

 

Ha! Vlad you’re right, sorry for the red ass!
I have a 5.5 hr trip to the other end of the state starting at 5am and I wanted to go armed…so to speak. Now I have a few things to look for. I hope he takes care of his stuff as well as I do.
Thanks for the info.
vic

 

uncle vlad

Vlad got it pretty good, if it is clean body wise, it is the little things that matter the most. If it was taken care of chain and sprockets are maybe the most telling.I look at a lot of bikes for buyers and most are road into to ground and the little things like brakes ,chain and small blems that were not tended to are a sign of rode hard and put away wet.